Layer Cake (novel)

Layer Cake is a 2002 crime novel by British author J. J. Connolly. The novel tells the story of an unnamed protagonist, a successful cocaine dealer in England, who is planning to retire from the drug trade. However, before he can exit, he is tasked by his boss, Jimmy Price, with two difficult and dangerous jobs: finding the missing daughter of a powerful associate and handling a large shipment of ecstasy pills.

The novel is written in a first-person, present-tense narrative style, giving the reader an immediate and intimate perspective on the protagonist's thoughts and actions. It explores themes of ambition, loyalty, violence, and the moral compromises inherent in the criminal underworld.

Layer Cake is known for its sharp dialogue, gritty realism, and intricate plot. It offers a cynical and unflinching portrayal of the drug trade and its impact on those involved.

The novel was adapted into a 2004 film of the same name, directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Daniel Craig as the protagonist.