Considering this is the fifteenth book in a series, and the first from the series I have read - it was an enjoyable read! The book is set in Glasgow, my hometown and therefore, made the book more personally enjoyable.

The plot follows Police Scotland in the case of the victim -Dorothy - which is where the book begins. Here, the police have to figure out whether the case is a suicide or a planned murder. However, the plot point further develops later in the story to involve themes of people trafficking - keeping the mystery alive and great pacing.

I found it hard to predict the final events, and the perpetrators - which wasn't too predictable.

Overall, 3.5/5 stars - enjoyable read and I may read more in the series in the future!

Another great book from Alex Gray.

"When Dorothy Guildford is found stabbed to death in her home, all signs point to her husband, Peter. The forensic psychologist is convinced there's more to the case that meets the eye but Police Scotland are certain they have their man. While DC Kirsty Wilson searches for evidence that will put Peter away for good, she is shocked to discover a link with a vast human-trafficking operation that Detective Superintendent William Lorimer has been investigating for months. But before they can interrogate him, Peter is brutally attacked.
With one person dead and another barely hanging on, the clock is ticking for DC Wilson and DSI Lorimer. And the stakes grow higher still when one of their own is kidnapped . . ."

This is an exciting fast-moving thriller with grabs you right from the beginning and is so compelling i read it in only a few days.

Hi Karen,

My Next review is:-

“Only The Dead Can Tell(Detective Chief Superintendent William Lorimer Book 15)”, written by Alex Gray and published in hardcover by Sphere on 22nd March 2018. 400 pages ISBN-13: 978-0751568455

When Dorothy Guildford is found stabbed to death in her home, all signs point to her husband, Peter. But the forensic psychologist is convinced there's more to the case than meets the eye but Police Scotland are certain they have their man.

While DC Kirsty Wilson searches for evidence that will put Peter away for good, she is shocked to discover a link with a vast human-trafficking operation that Detective Superintendent William Lorimer has been investigating for months. But before they can interrogate him, Peter is brutally attacked.

. DC Kirsty Wilson is called out to Dorothy Guilford's death. She has been stabbed in the heart with a steak knife and while pathologist Dr Rosie Fergusson is sure it is suicide, SIO Alan McCauley charges her husband, Peter, with murder. The plot thickens when Peter Guilford and his van hire business are linked tangentially to the people trafficking case Lorimer is currently investigating. Everyone seems to be turning to Kirsty for extra help but she has her own problems to solve.

With one person dead and another barely hanging on, the clock is ticking for DC Wilson and Detective Superintendent Lorimer. There is a wry humour to the presentation of this story and it is a real page turner but also peopled with zany characters that are wonderfully well presented.

The plot is highly atmospheric and deftly plotted and the well described characters really make the story come alive. This exciting and very gripping plot was a real page turner for me and the 400 pages simply shot by. The detailed research the author has made into police methods made the story that much more authentic and believable and I was so wrapped up in the plot that I just did not want the book to end.

Alex Gray produces a novel that holds the interest of the reader from start to finish. The story line develops William Lorimer, his wife Maggie and their friends (including Solly and Rosie). She shows that policemen are not always able to concentrate entirely on their current case - although Maggie does usually let him focus on work and reduce distractions. Gray brings Glasgow to life and yet again shows the very human side of policemen. Her novels are consistently well written and this fifteenth volume only adds to the long running story of William Lorimer.

The characterisation is always very good and the police officers mostly come across as very pleasant, dedicated people although I was disappointed at some of McCauley's actions. I find it hard to judge as a series reader if a newcomer would find the characters so well drawn. I think they are with Kirsty mulling over a personal dilemma, Rosie getting ready to give birth and dealing with in-house scheming and Maggie Lorimer keeping a secret from her husband. It is these little human dilemmas that make the novel so much more than just a police procedural. Very strongly recommended.

I really loved this book! Excellent story with brilliant main characters. I would recommend this book.

This is the first book I’ve reading this series and I thought it was a good read.
The book starts with Dorothy’s body being discovered and the pathologist and detective disagree whether it was murder or suicide.
Her husband is arrested and he then suffers a brutal attack in prison.
This then opens up the wider story of people trafficking and it's difficult to work out whose involved and whose hiding information from the Police.
There are lots of twists and turns and I didn’t guess who the real perpetrators were so I was hooked until the end.
Thanks to Sphere and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book,and catching up with all the characters. An interesting and exciting tale with many twists and turns. A look at the gritty underside of Glasgow.

The return of the great team of Lorimer, Solly, Rosie, and Kirsty certainly didn't disappoint. The sadly too frequent story of people trafficking taking centre stage, the main story of "was it suicide or murder" almost being a sideline. I have read all of Alex Gray's books and fallen in love with all the characters and their back stories, pity there's only one a year! Still think they should look at putting them on the small screen.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Only the Dead Can Tell, the fifteenth police procedural to feature DSI Bill Lorimer of Police Scotland.

DC Kirsty Wilson is called out to Dorothy Guilford's death. She has been stabbed in the heart with a steak knife and while pathologist Dr Rosie Fergusson is sure it is suicide, SIO Alan McCauley charges her husband, Peter, with murder. The plot thickens when Peter Guilford and his van hire business are linked tangentially to the people trafficking case Lorimer is currently investigating. Everyone seems to be turning to Kirsty for extra help but she has problems of her own.

I thoroughly enjoyed Only the Dead Can Tell although it's only fair to admit that part of this is down to the setting of the south side of Glasgow, my old stomping ground, as it adds to the read to be able to picture the streets and houses. This, however, is an added bonus as the plot is absorbing and the characters very familiar. Again I will admit to having read the whole series except the previous novel so I'm in known territory.

The plot widens considerably from the death of Dorothy Guilford and the subsequent attack on her husband as both the bodies and action pile up. It had me engrossed from start to finish, not knowing where it would go and what the resolution would be. The twists come so thick and fast I gave up trying to guess and just went wherever Ms Gray took me. The plotting and pacing are excellent with just enough revealed at any one time to whet the appetite. Human trafficking is always a distressing subject but, fortunately for the reader, Ms Gray uses broad brushstrokes and avoids the horrific detail, leaving it to the imagination. I like the sensitivity of this approach.

The characterisation is, as always good and the police officers mostly come across as very pleasant, dedicated people although my heart stopped a little at some of McCauley's actions. I find it hard to judge as a series reader if a newcomer would find the characters well drawn. I think they are with Kirsty mulling over a personal dilemma, Rosie getting ready to give birth and dealing with in-house scheming and Maggie Lorimer keeping a secret from her husband. It is these little human problems that make the novel so much more than a thriller/procedural.

Only the Dead Can Tell is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I quite enjoyed reading this book, a new author for me. it was easy to read and quite a good story. Unfortunately I had figured out "Who dun nit' after only a couple of chapters. But I liked the story as to to why it happened and by who. I also liked the little side stories.
I loved the Scottish speech in it, was easy to imagine the characters speaking that way. I would definitely look for a mother book by Alex Grey to read.

Great to have another instalment from Alex Gray. I love the broad picture of the case that she writes so well. With insights from the police detective, the pathologist and the pyschologist but with a plot that keeps you guessing, it's hard not to read this in one sitting.