This Rancid Mill is an engaging read with a distinct narrative voice and charming characters. Alex, the narrator, is a flawed but thoughtful young man who makes a conscious effort to better himself. Many of the story''s themes revolve around the tough front Alex attempts to put up but ultimately peel back and subvert the troupe of the ultra-masculine hardboiled hero. In addition to being a homage to hardboiled noir, This Rancid Mill is inspired by modern issues like #MeToo. As Alex investigates the potential murder of a popular local singer he uncovers some unsavoury secrets about the victim s private life. Even though Alex is a fan of the late singer, he starts to accept the evidence and reflects on his own past behaviours and attitudes. Ultimately, the story encourages readers to do the same. A lot of research went into writing the book as well. Numerous memoirs were read, countless documentaries watched, old ''zines were dug up, both in print and online. The book contains a lot of real places and even refers to actual shows and accurate line-ups from June of 1981. Thus making the book as immersive as possible for people who were actually there, as well as those who wish they could have been.
