Great context but I think the first part needs editing where it's hard to keep up with the characters as we don't know them and this tends to stop us have any feeling for them. (But maybe that's the point!') I nearly stopped reading but so glad I continued because despite
some irritation with lack of attention to detail this is a very atmospheric story, full of content and a visceral sense of place. You know that there is violence all around.
sue petrie