Irvine Welsh Standalone Novels books in order

Irvine Welsh's standalone novels include Marabou Stork Nightmares, Filth, and The Sex Lives of Siamese Twins, all set in or connected to Edinburgh.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Marabou Stork Nightmares 1995 Irvine Welsh Buy
2 Filth 1998 Irvine Welsh Buy
3 You’ll Have Had Your Hole 1998 Irvine Welsh Buy
4 The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs 2006 Irvine Welsh Buy
5 Babylon Heights 2006 Irvine Welsh Buy
6 The Sex Lives of Siamese Twins 2014 Irvine Welsh Buy

Irvine Welsh’s standalone novels span from 1995 to 2014 and share his signature style of dark humor, Edinburgh settings, and unreliable narrators. Marabou Stork Nightmares (1995) alternates between a coma patient’s fantasy world and the grim reality of his past in the housing schemes. Filth (1998) is narrated by a deeply corrupt detective whose mental state deteriorates over the course of a murder investigation.

The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs (2006) follows two Edinburgh council workers whose lives become supernaturally linked. The Sex Lives of Siamese Twins (2014) moves the setting to Miami Beach, where a personal trainer and her client become locked in a toxic relationship. These novels all feature Welsh’s interest in damaged characters and the dark side of masculinity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Irvine Welsh Standalone Novels series?

There are six books in the Irvine Welsh Standalone Novels series, published between 1995 and 2014.

What is the first book in the Irvine Welsh Standalone Novels series?

The first book in the Irvine Welsh Standalone Novels series is Marabou Stork Nightmares, published in 1995.

What is Filth about?

Filth (1998) follows Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson, a corrupt, bigoted Edinburgh cop who is spiraling into drug abuse and psychological breakdown while investigating a murder. A tapeworm living in his intestines provides alternate narration throughout the novel.

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