The Stalker

This is the latest in Alex Gray's Detective Superintendent William Lorimer series set in Glasgow. Maggie Lorimer, Bill's wife, has had her first children's book published, Gibbey, the Ghost of Glen Darnel, about a little lost ghost boy. Bill is happy for her success, and whilst Maggie has no intention of giving up being a teacher, she is spending the school holidays going on a Scottish book tour accompanied by her publicist, Ivy Thornton. In the meantime, Bill has a huge investigation land on Police Scotland's Major Incident Team when the body of a young woman is discovered in Belahouston Park. The woman turns out to be Patricia Donovan, the daughter of Lord Donovan, a famous high court judge. Was the murder of Patricia connected with the past of the judge?

There had been a similar previous murder of a woman, the victim had been Carolyn Kane, an ambitious accountant, with an actor fiance, Jake, and she bears an uncanny resemblance to Patricia. However, the Kane murder remains unsolved, and Bill's team take over that investigation as they look for links between the two women. Is it possible that these are not the only instances that the killer has struck, are there other dead female victims out there? Bill is relieved that Maggie is out of town, at least she is safe. Maggie is enjoying the book tour, and whilst not comfortable, accepts the experienced Ivy is using her husband's case to publicise Maggie's book. As Maggie begins to receive worrying signs that she has become the target of an obsessive stalker, Bill is to find this case comes a little too close to home. The police team make little headway in the investigation until Professor Lorna Dawson, a soil scientist, proves instrumental in making the necessary breakthrough, as does Professor Solomon 'Solly' Brightman in outlining a detailed psychological profile of a man who fades into the background, the warped and dangerous stalker.

Alex Gray's writing is atmospheric and packed with suspense and tension. Her details of how the police make slow but effective progress makes for gripping reading, and she really does get inside the head of the stalker, as the motivation eventually becomes clear. I can only imagine just how terrifying and scary it must be to be the object of a stalker's attention, particularly over a long period of time. Maggie is a strong and resilient woman but even she could not be aware of just how manipulative and cunning a stalker can be. This is a wonderfully chilling crime read, and an excellent addition to this series. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

A great crime thriller and although I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series It was easy to follow the main characters and could easily be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the complexity of the plot which in part involved the wife of the DSI that was leading the murder investigations. I will certainly be backtracking and reading the other books in the series.

Gosh I love this series of books, set in my hometown of Glasgow William Lorimer and his wifeMaggie make quite the couple. Separated by geography for much of the book, the couple struggle to see what is threatening their happiness. Just what is Ivy, the PR specialist up to and who is the guy at the book signings??

All will be revealed in this cracker of a book. Ongoing thread of Dr Solly’s profiling insights is helpful and developing nicely

Great work Alex Gray, keep them coming !

I really love this series and The Stalker is the latest book to feature William Lorimer. Dr Solly appears again giving his insights into the mind of a stalker. I loved the setting and the character development in this well written story. This is an excellent crime thriller, filled with tension and plenty suspense. The tour of Scotland was very descriptive and my tiny little village featured a mention! I think this is the best book in the series and I have no hesitation in recommending it. Start with book one and enjoy the journey! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. Reviews on Facebook and Goodreads.

Maggie Lorimer is out on her first book tour. Her husband Bill is at the sharp end of police work yet again, with what appears to be a serial killer of young dark haired women. As the investigation progresses, it comes to light that they have been stalked.

And on her book tour, Maggie appears to have acquired a stalker too....

Another fantastic addition to the Lorimer series

Another great book in the DCI Lorimer series from Alex Grey. Although I had worked out who the murderer was quite quickly I really enjoyed this novel and didnt want to put it down. The story had some twists and hurtled toward an ending where the reader always knew Maggie was in danger. Look forward to the next one.

Have read all the books in this series and this one does not disappoint. Plenty of twists and turns to keep me enthralled. Look forward to her next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

With thanks to Little, Brown and NetGalley for the ARC.

Episode 16 of Alex Gray's DCI Lorimar series sees Maggie Lorimar embarking on her new career as an author, she's touring Scotland to launch her debut children's novel.

Meanwhile a stalker is on the loose and has already murdered twice.
DCI Lorimar and his MIT are on the case.

It doesn't take long to realise that both sides of the story are on a collision course.

In a race against time, Lorimar and his team have to track down the stalker before the collision occurs.

A brilliant, page turning, reading half the night thriller that proves yet again that Alex Gray is in the top tier of crime writers working today.

Highly recommended.