Thanks to Alex and NetGalley for allowing me to read Out of Darkness before the publication date.
The storylines take place in Glasgow and Zimbabwe.

The people who helped Daniel Kohi to escape from Zimbabwe also set a false narrative in which all but a few people believed that Daniel had died in the fire which had killed his wife and child.

Now word has reached Augustus Ncube, a prisoner in HMP Barlinnie, that Daniel is alive and living in Glasgow. Ncube seeks to have him killed by local thugs. As Daniel shares a flat with Netta Gordon, this draws the elderly lady into their sights.

William’s 50th birthday takes place during their trip to Zimbabwe. He will soon be eligible to retire.
Maggie’s second career as an author is taking off.
The trip soon becomes a busman’s holiday for William, who finds himself facing the corruption which is rife in the country.

There will be plenty of secrets revealed in the course of the book and just a smidgen of humour.
Or perhaps in this case, karma is a better word.

The well-established younger characters have been given the scope to grow into more senior positions in this book, without Lorimer looking over their shoulder.

Alex has created a superb character in Netta Gordon, as we gradually learn more about the difficulties
which she has encountered and overcome.
The pride which Netta shows in even the simplest of things in the flat which she shares with Daniel is positively endearing.
The description of the beautiful safari lodge and the infinity pool transport the reader to hotter climes.

This is book 21 in the long running series about Scottish detective DSI Lorimer. On the journey of a lifetime for his birthday to Zimbabwe DSI Lorimer will find more than he bargained for with police corruption. He will get closer to the wildlife than is healthy.
In Scotland ex Zimbabwe policeman PC Kohi’s past will put everyone in danger someone is out for revenge.
Plenty going on in this story with plenty of characters to identify if this is your first look at this series you would enjoy the story more with reading previous books in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was my 1st time exploring this series and I really enjoyed it! I liked the writing title and the scene set in Zimbabwe was just perfect! You could almost feel the sun and hear the insects chirping. Not have g read previous, I was lost regarding a few backstories and such and I did take a while to remember who was was as there's a pot of characters and jumping about. Overall, even as a standalone it worked well but I'd definitely have gotten more out of it had I read the rest of the series! Which I am now off to do

I’ve followed Alex Gray since her first book. I really like the Lorimer series. This one isn’t set in Glasgow but in Zimbabwe for most of it. I loved the descriptions of the Zimbabwean countryside, the animal noises , the heat and the instant nightfall - brought back memories of a trip to South Africa many years ago. I have missed the last three books ( not available on my library app Libby! ) so some of this story wasn’t as familiar. I will rectify that asap. There are a lot of characters to keep in mind and the story moves about quite a lot. A definite pleasure to read , though I am worried that Lorimer is nearing retiral age. Thank to NetGalley and the publishers for a prepublication ebook in return for an honest review.

Bill and Maggie Lorimer are off on their first long holiday in years, to Zimbabwe, home country of their friend Daniel Kohi. Back in Glasgow, Daniel has become embroiled in a murder.

But what does it have to do with his friend and housemate Netta Gordon?

And what about Daniel's past is putting the Lorimers in danger in Zimbabwe?

This one takes you away from the familiar Lorimer stories and perhaps it is a little too predictable. Nevertheless, it is still an enjoyable read and keeps you looking forward to the next instalment.