In "The Department of Sensitive Crimes," Alexander McCall Smith reflects on the pervasive sense of regret that many individuals associate with life. The protagonist contemplates the inevitability of loss, recognizing that every connection and cherished experience is temporary. This understanding casts a shadow over joy, as the certainty of losing what we hold dear weighs heavily on the heart.

Moreover, the notion of a blank void or non-existence post-loss becomes a daunting thought that is difficult to grapple with. The struggle to accept this reality adds depth to the characters' experiences and resonates with a universal aspect of the human condition: the difficulty of confronting mortality and the transient nature of happiness.