DSI William “Bill” Lorimer returns in Alex Gray’s Before the Storm which is the latest instalment in this long running and consistently excellent police procedural series.

This time Lorimer is facing a number of challenges including somebody who is very close to some of the most secretive investigations being undertaken the details of which are being leaked.

The story evolves at a good pace that kept this reader hooked throughout and the pages turning ever more rapidly until the conclusion of the book.

The main characters are well established with the new ones well sketched out by the author

Whilst this is just the latest book in the series a new reader could easily pick up the relevant backstory in order to fully enjoy this book as a stand-alone.

Highly recommended

I love books by Alex Gray and was not disappointed in her new crime novel.
Still DS Lorimer and a bit of Professor Brightman in the story but this one had the added spice of new character from South Africa, Daniel.
Can they fine the terrorist cell who plan an attack in George square at Christmas and also solve the murder of a few well known local lawyers?
I did no housework until I found out the answers!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have seen a lot of books by this author and have not read any. I shall be looking out for me. Great storyline, good page turner thoroughly enjoyed it.

Alex Gray's latest in her Glasgow based crime series featuring Detective Superintendent William 'Bill' Lorimer, has Lorimer pensively wondering about his future as he approaches nearly 30 years in the Scottish police service, reviewing the changes that have taken place, he is currently heading the Major Incident Team. It is a job that has taken its toll on him, but what else could he possibly do? In Zimbabwe, Police Inspector Daniel Kohi's life is shattered as his wife and son are killed in a deliberately started fire, all because he refused to become corrupt, leaving him forced to flee to escape the danger to his life. He is now a refugee, unable to work although he can volunteer, in a cold and dark Glasgow, where he has been allocated a flat in a impoverished part of the city. On arrival, he spots a man with a bloody knife down an alley. Given his former profession, Daniel can't help being curious and investigating.

Lorimer, Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Flint and Acting Chief Constable David Mearns are in the unenviable position of having to deal with the fallout from the leaking to the media of the names of undercover police officers, a leak that could only have come from within the police force. The undercover officers can no longer operate, a loss of valuable resources, with two being now desk bound, and the other quitting. Intelligence suggests there are terrorist cells in Glasgow, planning a spectacular atrocity in the run up to Christmas, and that there is a woman behind it. DS Sylvie Maxwell is working undercover at Thomas Bryson solicitors, suspected of handling funds for terrorism. DI Graham Brownlee finds himself leading an inquiry into the discovery of a burnt corpse, surprised to find Lorimer taking an interest. Daniel and Lorimer's paths connect in a tense investigation in the race to stop the nightmare scenario of multiple deaths and mayhem.

One of my favourite aspects of this series is the character of Lorimer, a man of compassion, depth and intelligence, willing to do what is necessary to get results, even if it means breaking the rules, as he does here in involving civilians, like his good friend, psychologist Professor Solomon Brightman and his new friend and informal colleague, Daniel. The haunted Daniel is a stellar character, having to acclimatise to a new country and culture, depressed but still in all respects a functioning police officer. I loved seeing his growing relationship with his elderly neighbour, Nella, and getting drawn into Lorimer's personal and professional circles. This is a riveting addition to this wonderful series, intense, engaging, and entertaining Scottish crime fiction that I think many other readers will enjoy. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

Another brilliant book in this long standing series The only improvement would be more Glasgow humour, Netta is a perfect example of the welcoming people in the city.

In Glasgow, it never rains but it pours....

Undercover officers on active investigations are being compromised, there's a suspected leak from within Police Scotland, and rumours of a terrorist attack planned for Christmas.

As usual, William Lorimer's in the thick of it. And them he meets a man from Zimbabwe.....

Another brilliant Lorimer adventure

Lorimer is up there with the best, when it comes to Scottish detectives and full credit to Alex Gray for putting him there..
If you haven’t read any of her previous books, then this one will certainly convince you do so.
There is no clutter of characters that you often find in other books, while Lorimer immediately becomes not simply a good policeman, but an extremely likeable person.
Hopefully the next instalment follows soon.
Highly recommended.