Trumpet is mostly set in London in 1997. Memories of Joss's life give the book's setting a 70-year span beginning in 1927. Most of these memories are set in Glasgow in the 1960s, referring to locations such as The Barrowlands music venue at the start of Joss and Millie's relationship and their early marriage. Although much of the story takes place in London where the Moodys lived, it jumps back and forth between the city and the Scottish seaside home where Millie goes to escape the scandal and grieve in peace. The novel's end is set entirely in Scotland, where Coleman and Sophie go to investigate Joss's birthplace.
Trumpet is written with an intricate narration, incorporating many characters' points of view. The narration varies by chapter. Most of the story is told from the first-person perspective of Joss's wife Millie, his son Colman, and the journalist Sophie Stones. The narration often takes the form of the inner thoughts of these three characters, including visitations of their memories. Some chapters are Colman responding to Sophie Stones' interview. In addition, chapters told from a third-person omniscient narrator contribute to the story, each focusing on a different minor character, such as the funeral director or Joss's drummer.
Jackie Kay's choice to narrate Joss Moody's life through the voice of the people who he encountered/loved/played music with in life and death captures the function and consequences of trans necropolitics.[1]
