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Alice Rice #2
Where the Shadows Fall
From its blood-stained opening, the latest chapter in the tumultuous life of DS Alice Rice proves a compelling read' - Scottish Field
'A tangled web of estranged family members, closeted lifestyles and windfarm nimbyism...really did keep me guessing to the end' - Stirling Observer
When the body of a retired sheriff is discovered in his grand house in the New Town of Edinburgh, Detective Sergeant Alice Rice finds herself hunting his killer. The search leads her to an unfamiliar world where wind-farm developers -- with millions of pounds at stake -- and protesters face each other with daggers drawn. Just as Alice thinks an answer is beginning to emerge, the sheriff's lover is killed in an apparent hit-and-run accident.
An unlikely coincidence or, as the search widens, is Alice now investigating a double murderer?
'A tangled web of estranged family members, closeted lifestyles and windfarm nimbyism...really did keep me guessing to the end' - Stirling Observer
When the body of a retired sheriff is discovered in his grand house in the New Town of Edinburgh, Detective Sergeant Alice Rice finds herself hunting his killer. The search leads her to an unfamiliar world where wind-farm developers -- with millions of pounds at stake -- and protesters face each other with daggers drawn. Just as Alice thinks an answer is beginning to emerge, the sheriff's lover is killed in an apparent hit-and-run accident.
An unlikely coincidence or, as the search widens, is Alice now investigating a double murderer?
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2008
19 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Galbraith
10 books34 followersGillian Galbraith was born in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, in January 1957. She was educated at a convent and at the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee.Following careers in dish-washing, bookselling and journalism she was called to the Scottish Bar in 1987.
Her first novel BLOOD IN THE WATER, introducting Edinburgh detective Alice Rice, was published in 2007 and in that same year, optimism to the fore, she abandoned her legal practice in order to concentrate on her writing.
Her second novel, WHERE THE SHADOW FALLS, also featuring DI Alice Rice, will be published by Birlinn in Spring 2008.
Gillian lives happily in Kinross-shire with her husband Robert, daughter Daisy, and assorted other creatures.
Her first novel BLOOD IN THE WATER, introducting Edinburgh detective Alice Rice, was published in 2007 and in that same year, optimism to the fore, she abandoned her legal practice in order to concentrate on her writing.
Her second novel, WHERE THE SHADOW FALLS, also featuring DI Alice Rice, will be published by Birlinn in Spring 2008.
Gillian lives happily in Kinross-shire with her husband Robert, daughter Daisy, and assorted other creatures.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 3, 2018
An improvement on the first book in the series, maybe because I read this one rather than listened to it?
Alice Rice is central to this investigation. She seems to have to put up with a lot of harassment in her work life, not sure how true this still is in the Scottish police force, but I would have hoped it was no longer true.
Investigating the murder of a retired Judge, Alice discovers he has a secret life - a homosexual lover. Also, there is a connection to contentious planning for windmills to be built on property he co-owns with his brother.
The characters, Alice and her superior, Elaine Bell, are the best in the book. Both come across as very human, with flaws and good qualities like us all.
I hope this improvement continues as the books progress.
Alice Rice is central to this investigation. She seems to have to put up with a lot of harassment in her work life, not sure how true this still is in the Scottish police force, but I would have hoped it was no longer true.
Investigating the murder of a retired Judge, Alice discovers he has a secret life - a homosexual lover. Also, there is a connection to contentious planning for windmills to be built on property he co-owns with his brother.
The characters, Alice and her superior, Elaine Bell, are the best in the book. Both come across as very human, with flaws and good qualities like us all.
I hope this improvement continues as the books progress.
November 2, 2016
I really enjoyed Blood in the Water so was looking forward to this. It is good, the plot is interesting and there's developing personal relationships as a nice wee extra. I was a little distracted by the change in tone/person from time to time, the switch made it feel as though something was about to happen, then it didn't. Not quite sure why the author used these tricks, but overall they didn't detract from a good storyline looking forward to reading more.
December 7, 2020
Detective Sergeant Alice Rice returns in this the second novel of the series set in Edinburgh. Another good read which sets off at a good pace as Alice investigates a murder or two which expose lies, secrets and family feuds. Everyone seems to have something to hide and tempers are frayed as residents fight against a proposed wind farm development but do some have more to lose than others ?
A good novel which I recommend.
A good novel which I recommend.
February 1, 2018
Not too bad - I always like books set here in Edinburgh. The story moved on apace and it was quite a slim volume so read quite quickly. Good writing, quite descriptive and I liked the characters. Pity I hadn't read the first one, but I think they seem to stand on their own so that was okay.
June 21, 2021
Nice little murder mystery.
Absolutely loved the writing style as I’m not a fan of nonsense or simple dialogues.
Definitely recommending it to my students for descriptive writing example.
I will pick up more books by the same author.
Absolutely loved the writing style as I’m not a fan of nonsense or simple dialogues.
Definitely recommending it to my students for descriptive writing example.
I will pick up more books by the same author.
December 31, 2017
Too many adjectives
February 14, 2021
Loved it - an excellent read
February 6, 2022
Even better than the first. Very good.
September 25, 2022
Desperate to read the next one in the series! Simply love the books - feel as if I am Alice.
August 12, 2025
Ok, not motivated to continue through the series.
January 12, 2016
In this second book in the Alice Rice series, the mystery is less intriguing, and the ending somewhat flamboyant. Alice's personal life takes an unexpected and rather improbable turn.
The author's writing style has improved over the last book, with much less passive voice and more evocative descriptions of place. What hasn't changed, unfortunately, is the author's liberal use of stereotypes, and worse yet, stereotypes that tell us more about the author's own biases than anything else. I just don't find it realistic that a middle class couple who had inherited a fine antique cabinet would use it to display figurines of donkeys or kittens with balls of yarn -- made in China, no less -- or that this should without question signify that they are uncouth people. Another ugly bias: the author gave as evidence that a down-on-their-luck family was once more well-to-do that unfortunately they must now shop at IKEA and DIY places instead of the proper stores they would naturally shop at if they were better off. As if no one would choose to shop at IKEA if they didn't have to for financial reasons!
Alice Rice is lovely, though. I like her wry observation that, after a public meeting in which there was a short break, the people on either side of her moved to different seats. (She had been eating fish and chips at her seat during the meeting.) Also, after a noble decision not to abandon an undesirable companion at a social event, how that person had no qualms moments later about abandoning her. She has a bit of Bridget Jones about her, facing pleasant and unpleasant situations at home and at work with equanimity. Her boss, DCI Elaine Bell is also a likeable character. It is these characters that make up for other shortfalls and make the books worth reading.
The author's writing style has improved over the last book, with much less passive voice and more evocative descriptions of place. What hasn't changed, unfortunately, is the author's liberal use of stereotypes, and worse yet, stereotypes that tell us more about the author's own biases than anything else. I just don't find it realistic that a middle class couple who had inherited a fine antique cabinet would use it to display figurines of donkeys or kittens with balls of yarn -- made in China, no less -- or that this should without question signify that they are uncouth people. Another ugly bias: the author gave as evidence that a down-on-their-luck family was once more well-to-do that unfortunately they must now shop at IKEA and DIY places instead of the proper stores they would naturally shop at if they were better off. As if no one would choose to shop at IKEA if they didn't have to for financial reasons!
Alice Rice is lovely, though. I like her wry observation that, after a public meeting in which there was a short break, the people on either side of her moved to different seats. (She had been eating fish and chips at her seat during the meeting.) Also, after a noble decision not to abandon an undesirable companion at a social event, how that person had no qualms moments later about abandoning her. She has a bit of Bridget Jones about her, facing pleasant and unpleasant situations at home and at work with equanimity. Her boss, DCI Elaine Bell is also a likeable character. It is these characters that make up for other shortfalls and make the books worth reading.
August 3, 2016
The cover of my edition makes reference to Rebus, but while it shares his locale of Edinburgh, Rebus it ain't. Nevertheless a good read, nice characters well plotted with (to me) surprise ending. although I had me suspicions as to who the murderer was fairly early on. The writer got an extra star from me for (a) having done her homework about windfarms and their possible effects on those living nearby and (b)(as a retired lawyer) for her knowing what a 'ransom strip' is.
November 15, 2016
A relatively quick read...at least compared to some of the 700 plus page tomes I've read over the last few years. I did manage to figure out whodunit about 2/3 of the way through but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. Edinburgh makes for a very dark and brooding setting for mysteries and I'm following a few authors who set their work in that city. I will definitely continue to follow this author.
July 19, 2013
A well written crime novel - but it was too short - not enough happened.
August 15, 2013
slow, & hard to get interested in & I found the burgeoning romance really tedious. Plus all of the police officers were annoying so I didn't much care whether they got the baddy
February 26, 2016
Good series! In tune with my reading muscle.
April 6, 2016
Just a tad boring. Neither the geography or the characters leap off the page.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews