Many of the story's themes revolve around the tough front Alex attempts to put up but ultimately peel back and subvert the troupe of the ultra-masculine hardboiled hero. In addition to being a homage to hardboiled noir, This Rancid Mill is inspired by modern issues like #MeToo. As Alex investigates the potential murder of a popular local singer he uncovers some unsavoury secrets about the victims private life. Even though Alex is a fan of the late singer, he starts to accept the evidence and reflects on his own past behaviours and attitudes. Ultimately, the story encourages readers to do the same. A lot of research went into writing the book as well. Numerous memoirs were read, countless documentaries watched, old 'zines were dug up, both in print and online. The book contains a lot of real places and even refers to actual shows and accurate line-ups from June of 1981. Thus making the book as immersive as possible for people who were actually there, as well as those who wish they could have been.
