ɪnðə nˈɑːvəlz pɹˌɛzəntˈeɪʃən ʌv bˈoʊθ pˈiəɹɪədz nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti ˈeɪt sˈɛvənti nˈaɪn ænd nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti ˈeɪt nˈaɪnti nˈaɪn, ɹˈiːəl ᵻstˈeɪt ænd kənstɹˈʌkʃən ɪn ˈɛdɪnbʌɹə ɪz bˈuːmɪŋ, wɪð ɡˈæŋstɚz spˈɛkjʊlˌeɪɾɪŋ ˌɔn tʃˈɔɪs ˈɛɹiəz nˌɪɹ ðə pɹəpˈoʊzd nˈuː ˌɪnstɪtˈuːʃən.
In the novel's presentation of both periods (1978–79 and 1998–99), real estate and construction in Edinburgh is booming, with gangsters speculating on choice areas near the proposed new institution.