The chief protagonist in Robert Wallace’s Art Rat is a character about as savoury as Sid Vicious at his worst. The Art Rat begins life as Glyn, then transforms himself into Matthew and finally Lupo, psychopath disguised as conceptual artist. With each new identity he sinks further into madness and obsession.

Glyn’s sinister obsessions stem from relationships with mother and father and take an extra twist after mother and beloved uncle are blown to bits by an IRA bomb. Hence Glyn’s artistic obsession with explosions. Regrettably, Glyn’s fantasies about the perfect work of art require live ‘ingredients’ which is why he is on the run through much of the book.