In Wolves’ Clothing by Greg Levin – Reviewed by Guy Portman
Zero Slade is a member of an anti-child sex trafficking organisation. The role entails infiltrating the industry by masquerading as high-rolling sex tourists. This perilous and stressful job is having a detrimental effect on Zero. Not only are the relentless work-related excursions putting pressure on his marriage, he has a serious drinking problem and escalating prescription pill addiction. Zero is in dire need of a break. But when the youngest girl the team has ever freed is abducted from her safehouse, Zero feels compelled to save her. Along with the team’s newest recruit, he risks everything by going rogue to attempt a rescue. Will he succeed?
In Wolves’ Clothing successfully broaches a subject matter that is anathema to most people. This is achieved with sensitivity and sporadic doses of humour. The damaged and masochistic Zero makes for a compelling first-person protagonist, who despite his flaws is able to elicit sympathy due to the heart-wrenching and altruistic nature of his work.
While this reader found much to like about this highly original and well-researched transgressive novel, too much detail is devoted to the relationship between Zero and his needy, tiresome wife.
