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DCI Lorimer #5
Pitch Black
An elusive killer is viciously murdering members of a football team in this next DCI Lorimer mystery from internationally bestselling author Alex Gray When Chief Inspector Lorimer returns from his holiday on the island of Mull, he feels a welcome sense of calm. But it doesn’t last long. Kelvin Football Club’s new star midfielder is found brutally stabbed to death in his own home, and while his wife is apprehended trying to leave the country, a seemingly straightforward new case begins. But the grisly murder of a referee after a Kelvin match throws light on some dark secrets. And when the newest player who signed to the club becomes the latest victim in a string of killings, Lorimer knows there’s a serial killer on the loose—one that’s only beginning to show his true colors. As lies emerge and tensions build, Lorimer must discover the truth before one of the players or managers become the next Kelvin fatality.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
69 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Alex Gray
88 books346 followersAlex Gray was born and educated in Glasgow. She worked as a folk singer, a visiting officer in the DSS and an English teacher. She has been awarded the Scottish Association of Writers Constable and Pitlochry trophies for her crime writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 9, 2025
Let me first tell you all that this is the 5th volume of the "DCI Lorimer" series, and that this series has taken a great kick in the right direction what build-up, plot and result are concerned.
Like to follow it by saying that the author's storytelling is excellent, and that all characters come splendidly to life in this crime novel about football (US: soccer), self-preservation and murder.
This fifth DCI Lorimer outing is once again situated in Glasgow and featuring a fictional Scottish football club called Kelvin FC, a club with its intrigues between owner, manager, players, and staff.
It all starts off when Kelvin's star midfielder, Nicko Faulkner, is stabbed to death in Glasgow, and his wife, Lisa Faulkner, is apprehended on her way to Mull, while DCI Lorimer and his wife Maggie are heading home after their holiday on Mull, and this encounter will be DCI Lorimer's first with Lisa and consequently will eventually lead him to Kelvin FC.
Not long after this murder, two more murders will quickly follow in the main story, that of midfielder, Jason White, and a corrupt referee called, Norman Cartwright, followed later on with the journalist Greer having to face the music of death, while also a dead threat is issued towards Kelvin's owner, Patrick Kennedy.
And so what is to follow as a whole is an intriguing crime novel, that has a great build-up towards an exciting and well executed plot, that will show that football, while its only a game, can certainly turn someone's head by committing murder, and so the real culprit will be eventually revealed of the latest murders and the reason why, while the perpetrator of Nicko Faulkner's murder will make a surprising turn of thought, and all this is brought to us in a captivating manner by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this ever improving series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "DCI Lorimer Scores Again"!
Like to follow it by saying that the author's storytelling is excellent, and that all characters come splendidly to life in this crime novel about football (US: soccer), self-preservation and murder.
This fifth DCI Lorimer outing is once again situated in Glasgow and featuring a fictional Scottish football club called Kelvin FC, a club with its intrigues between owner, manager, players, and staff.
It all starts off when Kelvin's star midfielder, Nicko Faulkner, is stabbed to death in Glasgow, and his wife, Lisa Faulkner, is apprehended on her way to Mull, while DCI Lorimer and his wife Maggie are heading home after their holiday on Mull, and this encounter will be DCI Lorimer's first with Lisa and consequently will eventually lead him to Kelvin FC.
Not long after this murder, two more murders will quickly follow in the main story, that of midfielder, Jason White, and a corrupt referee called, Norman Cartwright, followed later on with the journalist Greer having to face the music of death, while also a dead threat is issued towards Kelvin's owner, Patrick Kennedy.
And so what is to follow as a whole is an intriguing crime novel, that has a great build-up towards an exciting and well executed plot, that will show that football, while its only a game, can certainly turn someone's head by committing murder, and so the real culprit will be eventually revealed of the latest murders and the reason why, while the perpetrator of Nicko Faulkner's murder will make a surprising turn of thought, and all this is brought to us in a captivating manner by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this ever improving series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "DCI Lorimer Scores Again"!
April 16, 2017
Pitch Black is the second book I have read in this series and, despite my lack of interest for sports do I like the series. And, I think that the books, despite being part of a series, are easy to get into even if you haven't read the previous books.
This book would probably have been a lot more fun to read if I had liked football. But, sports of any kind is just not my thing. Fortunately, the case is interesting enough, even if I have to admit that I sometimes struggled with the story, especially during whenever there is a match going on in the story. On the plus side were the side stories, a stray kitten found by Lorimer's wife and a tragic car accident that one of the characters is in involved in interesting enough to counterweight the matches.
The book starts off with the wife of a football player being arrested for the murder of him. But, is she really guilty? She isn't saying anything to her defense, but there is no physical evidence to bind her to the crime. But, he was found in a locked house that's not broken into and she is the only one besides the murdered man that has a key and she has no alibi. Then, a referee gets killed and that's just the start, could she be innocent and there is someone out there killing people connected to the Kelvin Football Club?
I did like the story in The Riverman better (the previous book), I found reading about football players just not that interesting, however, the story got a bit better when the killer started to pick them off one by one. But, what's the motive and who is it?
In the end, I have to say that the book is OK, much thanks to the side stories, and the fact that I like the characters. The case was not altogether bad, but it will probably appeal more to football fans than to someone that basically allergic to it...;)
This book would probably have been a lot more fun to read if I had liked football. But, sports of any kind is just not my thing. Fortunately, the case is interesting enough, even if I have to admit that I sometimes struggled with the story, especially during whenever there is a match going on in the story. On the plus side were the side stories, a stray kitten found by Lorimer's wife and a tragic car accident that one of the characters is in involved in interesting enough to counterweight the matches.
The book starts off with the wife of a football player being arrested for the murder of him. But, is she really guilty? She isn't saying anything to her defense, but there is no physical evidence to bind her to the crime. But, he was found in a locked house that's not broken into and she is the only one besides the murdered man that has a key and she has no alibi. Then, a referee gets killed and that's just the start, could she be innocent and there is someone out there killing people connected to the Kelvin Football Club?
I did like the story in The Riverman better (the previous book), I found reading about football players just not that interesting, however, the story got a bit better when the killer started to pick them off one by one. But, what's the motive and who is it?
In the end, I have to say that the book is OK, much thanks to the side stories, and the fact that I like the characters. The case was not altogether bad, but it will probably appeal more to football fans than to someone that basically allergic to it...;)
October 25, 2023
Disappointing - but probably because I'm not a fan of football!
Three stars. Would I read it again? No.
Three stars. Would I read it again? No.
February 15, 2023
So many reasons why I didn't enjoy this book.
Too many pages and pages of descriptions. It took me out of the story, and was so distracting and dull that I couldn't fully engage (I actually ended up skim reading the book because of this - something I hate to do!).
There were far too many characters to keep track of. It seemed like every few pages brought a new character that you were supposed to remember or connect with.
There were also too many POV's - even a CAT got a POV scene. Because of this, it didn't feel like any character had a real 'voice'. They all had the same bland voice throughout the book.
The story was okay. It was pretty dull, nothing special, and I think it actually would have held up better as a TV episode. It had that same basic format, feel and predictability. I didn't guess who the killer was, but only because there were so many freakin characters that I couldn't even keep track of people.
It was a complete fail for me. The only bright spot, was seeing some of the Scottish accents brought to life in the dialogue on occasion (that was fun!).
Too many pages and pages of descriptions. It took me out of the story, and was so distracting and dull that I couldn't fully engage (I actually ended up skim reading the book because of this - something I hate to do!).
There were far too many characters to keep track of. It seemed like every few pages brought a new character that you were supposed to remember or connect with.
There were also too many POV's - even a CAT got a POV scene. Because of this, it didn't feel like any character had a real 'voice'. They all had the same bland voice throughout the book.
The story was okay. It was pretty dull, nothing special, and I think it actually would have held up better as a TV episode. It had that same basic format, feel and predictability. I didn't guess who the killer was, but only because there were so many freakin characters that I couldn't even keep track of people.
It was a complete fail for me. The only bright spot, was seeing some of the Scottish accents brought to life in the dialogue on occasion (that was fun!).
July 4, 2011
I must admit this book sat on my shelves for a time as I'm not a lover of football. However, I am a fan of Alex Gray, and this book did not disappoint me. This was a cracking good mystery and, although I'm quite good at spotting the murderer, I didn't guess this one and it was a complete surprise. But then, that's what you want from a good detective story. So, on balance, apart from the football I would readily recommend this book.
March 15, 2023
I liked this book and have also enjoyed others in this series. Although not a football tragic, I take a mild interest in the game, and the snippets of information about club management were interesting. There are some pretty traditional murders - stabbing, shooting - but of people related to the Kelvin FC in Glasgow. This author does represent the locations very well, and also the Scottish accent for certain characters. Were there too many "wees"? A wee cuppa, wee lassie, wee Bert, wee toerag - maybe a wee bit too much of a good thing?
The story is presented alternately from the POV of different characters. We seem to know what they are thinking - but do we really? They seem to make admissions that raise our suspicions, but we should remember to be suspicious of our wee suspicions. Whodunnit lovers will have a tough time because of misleading statements and red herrings.
There are quite a lot of personal asides, for example, between Lorimer and his wife and a stray cat. This makes the characters more human, but I still come to the conclusion that the book is too long at over 400 pages.
The action is a bit too toned down to be a genuine thriller, but lately I find I prefer this type, rather than excessively cruel and sadistic action.
I rate this a 3.9.
The story is presented alternately from the POV of different characters. We seem to know what they are thinking - but do we really? They seem to make admissions that raise our suspicions, but we should remember to be suspicious of our wee suspicions. Whodunnit lovers will have a tough time because of misleading statements and red herrings.
There are quite a lot of personal asides, for example, between Lorimer and his wife and a stray cat. This makes the characters more human, but I still come to the conclusion that the book is too long at over 400 pages.
The action is a bit too toned down to be a genuine thriller, but lately I find I prefer this type, rather than excessively cruel and sadistic action.
I rate this a 3.9.
August 6, 2024
Well I have read several of Alex Gray's Lorimer books and enjoyed them, however this one really didn't hold my attention, football!! A referee was shot and then several other players were being picked off in turn and a ghost was involved (scots appear to be into ghosts according to the info in this book). At this point I nearly gave up, however I do love cats and one cute cat appears in the story to make it more interesting. Well for me anyway! I admit to skipping over the football bits and just reading about the characters so it was a quick read for me!
I've just looked at a few reviews for this book and it appears that this isn't holding the interest for women mostly. The Lorimer series, which doesn't really have to be read in order, is okay but he really is a bit of a wishy washy character and I remember when reading in one of the books that he was very much younger than I thought he was. I thought he was in his late 50s heading for retirement!!! He certainly comes across as some old guy lost in the past.
I've just looked at a few reviews for this book and it appears that this isn't holding the interest for women mostly. The Lorimer series, which doesn't really have to be read in order, is okay but he really is a bit of a wishy washy character and I remember when reading in one of the books that he was very much younger than I thought he was. I thought he was in his late 50s heading for retirement!!! He certainly comes across as some old guy lost in the past.
October 3, 2020
I always enjoy the story of the main characters developing through the series (although I have not read them in any particular order - just the order of when I've received them from my Dad!). In this, Maggie is adopted by a kitten which comes to visit her. Throughout the story she attempts to find its owner but worries that Chancer will be taken from her. Lorimer works hard and nurtures younger colleagues, has been overlooked for promotion for someone he does not respect. Solly and Rosie have their own problems to deal with.
The story centres round a First Division football team in Glasgow. First one of the players is murdered, his wife accused and remanded in custody. A referee and another player are murdered. A third player disappears. The Chairman's life is threatened. What on earth can be going on?
The usual details of Glasgow places fill the novel as well as interestingly drawn minor characters.
The story centres round a First Division football team in Glasgow. First one of the players is murdered, his wife accused and remanded in custody. A referee and another player are murdered. A third player disappears. The Chairman's life is threatened. What on earth can be going on?
The usual details of Glasgow places fill the novel as well as interestingly drawn minor characters.
Read
August 17, 2023An elusive killer is viciously murdering members of a football team in this next DCI Lorimer mystery from internationally bestselling author Alex Gray
When Chief Inspector Lorimer returns from his holiday on the island of Mull, he feels a welcome sense of calm. But it doesn’t last long. Kelvin Football Club’s new star midfielder is found brutally stabbed to death in his own home, and while his wife is apprehended trying to leave the country, a seemingly straightforward new case begins.
But the grisly murder of a referee after a Kelvin match throws light on some dark secrets. And when the newest player who signed to the club becomes the latest victim in a string of killings, Lorimer knows there’s a serial killer on the loose—one that’s only beginning to show his true colors. As lies emerge and tensions build, Lorimer must discover the truth before one of the players or managers become the next Kelvin fatality.
Great.
When Chief Inspector Lorimer returns from his holiday on the island of Mull, he feels a welcome sense of calm. But it doesn’t last long. Kelvin Football Club’s new star midfielder is found brutally stabbed to death in his own home, and while his wife is apprehended trying to leave the country, a seemingly straightforward new case begins.
But the grisly murder of a referee after a Kelvin match throws light on some dark secrets. And when the newest player who signed to the club becomes the latest victim in a string of killings, Lorimer knows there’s a serial killer on the loose—one that’s only beginning to show his true colors. As lies emerge and tensions build, Lorimer must discover the truth before one of the players or managers become the next Kelvin fatality.
Great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2023
Found this book on the shelves of a hostel. It's really not good - not even worth reading for free on a holiday.
The narration has no focal point, it's just a series of facts happening one after another, told through different voices. It might be designed to create a multifaceted approach to the crime but really it's a fail for me. Too many characters, either under or over emphasized.
The detective work or reasoning has nothing to do with the mystery being solved - it just sorts of happens, and is not even a surprising outcome.
The additional cat story is almost pathetic - portrays the wife of a detective as a poor soul waiting at home for her husband, cooking for him, getting some s*x, and feeling emotions for a cat... The accident of another team member brings utterly nothing except for more pages to the book. The focus on soccer, the bits written in local language - all too many things making this painful to read.
The narration has no focal point, it's just a series of facts happening one after another, told through different voices. It might be designed to create a multifaceted approach to the crime but really it's a fail for me. Too many characters, either under or over emphasized.
The detective work or reasoning has nothing to do with the mystery being solved - it just sorts of happens, and is not even a surprising outcome.
The additional cat story is almost pathetic - portrays the wife of a detective as a poor soul waiting at home for her husband, cooking for him, getting some s*x, and feeling emotions for a cat... The accident of another team member brings utterly nothing except for more pages to the book. The focus on soccer, the bits written in local language - all too many things making this painful to read.
March 20, 2024
Book five of the DCI Lorimer series is largely set among the backdrop of a fictional Glasgow football team, Kelvin FC, who new star player is found brutally murdered. Coincidentally, his abused wife decides to leave him on the same day that he's found so it seems that she's the prime suspect, until another body relevant to the club is found.
I actually enjoyed this more than the first four, possibly due to the football angle, but largely as there wasn't masses of characters to get used to and it was a straightforward enough storyline, although a subplot about a stray cat was also enjoyable. Plenty of twists and misdirection as well as an ongoing character whose life is on danger made it gripping enough to gloss over some of the football references and match day commentary which were a bit cringy and while I did guess one of the mysteries, another caught me off guard completely.
An enjoyable read.
I actually enjoyed this more than the first four, possibly due to the football angle, but largely as there wasn't masses of characters to get used to and it was a straightforward enough storyline, although a subplot about a stray cat was also enjoyable. Plenty of twists and misdirection as well as an ongoing character whose life is on danger made it gripping enough to gloss over some of the football references and match day commentary which were a bit cringy and while I did guess one of the mysteries, another caught me off guard completely.
An enjoyable read.
September 10, 2019
Well I expected more gripping plot from the novel as I decent reviews but it was a disappointment for sure. Firstly there was serious lack of emotions in the plot and the writing. From the reader aspect it didn't connect me to the actual characters. Frankly, this is not page turner or a gripping thriller may be I expected a lot from it. This was my first in this series so, I don't what the previous one are stored with. But as a thriller it doesn't equal with all others. When I read the description I thought it would be gripping and that to with sports connection but the motive and overall representation to the conclusion was not upto the mark.
Thanks&BeHappy
Thanks&BeHappy
February 12, 2023
Pitch Black by Alex Gray - Good
Another case for DCI Lorimer and his psychologist colleague Dr Solomon Brightman.
Kelvin FC's new star striker is found dead in his kitchen, stabbed with a bread knife. Looks like an open and shut case of domestic violence and a wife that has been pushed too far.... but is it? Lorimer is not entirely convinced. Then a referee is murdered following a controversial decision in Kelvin's opening match of the season. Could the deaths be linked?
I love football and have visited most of the grounds mentioned in the book (apart from Kelvin, of course ;-) ) so this particularly appealed to me.
The usual good, pacy, read.
#review
Another case for DCI Lorimer and his psychologist colleague Dr Solomon Brightman.
Kelvin FC's new star striker is found dead in his kitchen, stabbed with a bread knife. Looks like an open and shut case of domestic violence and a wife that has been pushed too far.... but is it? Lorimer is not entirely convinced. Then a referee is murdered following a controversial decision in Kelvin's opening match of the season. Could the deaths be linked?
I love football and have visited most of the grounds mentioned in the book (apart from Kelvin, of course ;-) ) so this particularly appealed to me.
The usual good, pacy, read.
#review
December 23, 2017
I have been reading Alex Gray's series featuring Chief Inspector Lorimer,and the novels
have always been very satisfying. Reading these mysteries is like visiting friends. Lorimer's
wife Maggie. And forensic Rosie Fergasson and Solly Brightman.,psychologist.
PITCH BLACK involves all "my friends"---and a new find Chancer the ginger cat.
Three murders----A scottish football team called KELVIN FC.
And one of the murders was caused by abusive attacks on a woman who could not take it anymore.
Did she kill her husband?
have always been very satisfying. Reading these mysteries is like visiting friends. Lorimer's
wife Maggie. And forensic Rosie Fergasson and Solly Brightman.,psychologist.
PITCH BLACK involves all "my friends"---and a new find Chancer the ginger cat.
Three murders----A scottish football team called KELVIN FC.
And one of the murders was caused by abusive attacks on a woman who could not take it anymore.
Did she kill her husband?
May 29, 2018
I found this a bit slower than some of the others in the series, but it was good to see the Lorimers back on track and to get more of an insight into their personal lives. However, it does build to an explosive climax, and I was holding my breath at one point! More insight into the lives of Rosie and Solly and we're hoping against hope for a good outcome! It was amusing to read about the football team, Kelvin FC and try to work out which Glasgow team it was based on. I'm working my way through the series, but this book held my attention less than the next one.
May 15, 2019
Always going to be a tough situation- creating a detective in Glasgow will inevitably draw comparisons with Rankin's Inspector Rebus novels set in Edinburgh.
I wanted to like this novel more than I did, and found myself skimming, maybe because of the football/soccer topic which just didn't draw me in. There were also supporting characters that didn't seem to add anything, and even detracted from the story. Maybe this wasn't a good example of the series, so I look forward to reading another novel as I liked the Glasgow setting.
I wanted to like this novel more than I did, and found myself skimming, maybe because of the football/soccer topic which just didn't draw me in. There were also supporting characters that didn't seem to add anything, and even detracted from the story. Maybe this wasn't a good example of the series, so I look forward to reading another novel as I liked the Glasgow setting.
January 11, 2024
When two star players from Kelvin Football Club are brutally murdered, to say nothing of a referee who officiated at one of their games, Lorimer and his team try to decide whether all three murders are the work of one person. Finding a motive is a big problem - can it be related to the somewhat suspicious business dealings of the club chairman, or is it more personal? A fast moving and very readable story.
September 11, 2020
Another great mystery from Alex Gray, rather spoiled by the layout, to be honest. Usually, only the start of new paragraphs are indented, but this book has sentences stopping halfway across the page and the continuing on the line below,but indented - it does make it somewhat distracting.This book may well have got 4 stars if it wasn't for the awful editing/ printing. Worth reading, however.
June 29, 2022
Perfect blend of soccer and a set of murders whose only connection is a soccer team. Lorimer is on top of his game as always and I only figured out who did it in the last 20 pages, maybe 1 chapter before the reveal.
March 21, 2017
Alex Gray has yet done it again with this book. She has become one of my favorite mystery deactive writers. I am fan of football and mystery and she did a great job with this book.
I really enjoyed reading this story. It was written well and kept me guessing with the who done it. But by the end I did figure out who had done it. I like a mystery that keeps me on my toes and this one sure did. The characters were all good.
A job well done and highly recommend to mystery and dective readers.
I received a ARC of this book from Partners In Crime Book Tours to give an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this story. It was written well and kept me guessing with the who done it. But by the end I did figure out who had done it. I like a mystery that keeps me on my toes and this one sure did. The characters were all good.
A job well done and highly recommend to mystery and dective readers.
I received a ARC of this book from Partners In Crime Book Tours to give an honest review.
September 1, 2017
Excellent mystery set around a football club in Glasgow. The football club is the work of fiction, but the author captures the world of football extremely well.
December 20, 2017
Good read but not great
Lightweight read. Entertaining though I don’t know much about the sport. The author is a bit formulaic. But main characters are like able
Lightweight read. Entertaining though I don’t know much about the sport. The author is a bit formulaic. But main characters are like able
January 8, 2018
A winner
Fascinating reading about the world of Scottish football. Tightly plotted and very convincing characters. Will definitely read more from this author.
Fascinating reading about the world of Scottish football. Tightly plotted and very convincing characters. Will definitely read more from this author.
March 27, 2018
If you like ordinary crime thrillers without too much gore and sensationalism then this a good choice but if you're looking for something more this probably wouldn't suit.
May 9, 2018
3.5 stars. I thought this book was much better than the previous one. It helps to know a bit about European football (soccer) to understand some of the details in this story.
May 10, 2018
Too much meaningless "filler" that didn't add anything to plot's development.
April 4, 2019
Another brilliant book in the DCI Lorimer series they just get better and better
October 24, 2019
Not my favorite in this series.
February 7, 2021
Not as good as the author's previous books
Read
March 17, 2021I couldn’t finish this book. It wasn’t gripping me like the other ones as I’m not interested in sports.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews