The underlying theme of this story is the attraction of violence. The attraction to violence by young men who feel disconnected or under threat in their society and the particular attraction such men can have for women. The attraction between the two protagonists develops into a tense thriller and a love story which becomes threaded with suspicion and mistrust. Although the story is located in Ireland the issues raised have a universal resonance. It also illuminates two voices in the Irish conflict often misunderstood or dismissed, namely the partitionist voice in the south of Ireland which does not want a United Ireland, and the loyalist voice in Northern Ireland.