The Bird That Did Not Sing

DCI Lorimer #11

by Alex Gray

2014 The Commonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow and security is extra tight, particularly after a mysterious bomb explodes in nearby rural Stirlingshire. As the opening ceremony for the Games draws ever closer, the police desperately seek the culprits. But Detective Superintendent Lorimer has other concerns on his mind. One is a beautiful red-haired woman from his past whose husband dies suddenly on his watch. Then there is the body of a young woman found dumped in countryside just south of the city who is proving impossible to identify.
Elsewhere in Glasgow people prepare for the events in their own way, whether for financial gain or to welcome home visitors from overseas. And, hiding behind false identities, are those who pose a terrible threat not just to the Games but to the very fabric of society.
Alex Gray's stunning new Lorimer novel, set against the backdrop of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, brings the vibrant city to life in a race to stop the greatest threat the city has ever known.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Scotland, Thriller, Contemporary, Murder Mystery

496 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2014

About the author

Alex 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.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I would like to say that this Scottish crime novel is the 11th volume of the wonderful human "DS Lorimer" series.

At the beginning if the book you'll notice a description about Legends of the Glasgow coat of arms, followed by an Author's Note explaining the Gaelic form of "sgian dubh" ,meaning black dagger.

The author's storytelling is excellent, all characters come vividly to life in this story about murder, child-trafficking and terrorism, while also the atmosphere of Glasgow heading towards the Commonwealth Games of 2014 comes splendidly off the pages as well.

The story contains three major criminal activities, the murder of Charles Gilmartin, a very rich impresario and entrepreneur doing shady dealings, child-trafficking of young Nigerian girls to Scotland for the sex, while also a group of terrorists is targeting the Commonwealth Games by trying to place bombs and disrupt this whole event and Glasgow itself.

Detective Superintendent Lorimer is mainly investigating the girl-trafficking, exploitation and abuse of those girls, while DS Wilson (temporarily promoted to DI) is taking of the murder of Charles Gilmartin, while MI6 in following proceedings concerning this terrorist cell, and somehow some cases will intertwine with each other to make it all a very complex and sometimes secret operation at times.

What is to follow is a well-researched and executed police procedure, a crime novel with a great storyline and ending with superbly executed plots, by not only finding but also apprehending the various culprits of some very serious crimes.

Highly recommended, for this is a wonderful addition to this amazing humanlike crime series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Very thrilling Police Procedure"!

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games are very similar to the Olympic Games. When a bomb explodes nearby where the games are to be held, DS Lorimer and his team are called to investigate. The general consensus is that this was a test run. From who? Why?

Things heat up even more when a body is found close to where the bomb exploded...but no one has been able to identify the woman.

And while millions of people are preparing to attend the games, Lorimer and Brightman become desperate to find those responsible.

This one kept me rapidly turning pages, sometimes forgetting to breathe. This is a fast-paced action-packed thriller full of twists and turns. The characters of Lorimer and Brightman are unforgettable. Secondary characters are credible, making for a most interesting story line.

Many thanks to the author / Witness Impulse Books / Edelweiss for the advanced digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series but I had problems with the plotting of it. The story of the old girl friend was too obvious and the background story to the terrorist plot was not developed enough to intrigue me. Still, I will try the next one.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find more in Chill and read

About a year before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a bomb explodes in a nearby place. Detective Superintendent Lorimer is called one day earlier from his vacation to handle the case and respond to the press. What is really behind this bombing? It is not clear yet, but could it be an act of terror?

At the same time, Lorimer receives a reunion invitation, organised by his former girlfriend and first love, Vivien Fox Gilmartin. Vivien is still a head turner and can still attract his attention, all those years later. When she calls him in the middle of the night to tell him that her husband is dead, after the reunion party is over, he runs to her. The husband was a famous theater director, while Vivien was an aspiring actress when she met him. His death appears to be a heart attack, but forensics show that he was poisoned. Furthermore, the police discovers the body of a Nigerian girl out in a pond, close to the Commonwealth Games location. Things are getting more complicated and Lorimer has a lot of parallel cases running. Could they all be connected somehow?

This is the second book of the DCI Lorimer series that I read from Alex Gray and it is not disappointing! Not at all I would say! The plot is complicated enough, for the reader to look into the different cases and try to find how and if the all connect. The different aspects of each one of them is given piece by piece and leaves room to think and make assumptions.

The characters are very well built. Lorimer, the main character, is the same one met in previous books. A very competent and intelligent officer, dedicated to his work and aware of his responsibility of public safety. He is also a good and loving husband to Maggie and a good friend to Rosie and Solly. He will ask for their opinion or support, but he will not disclose any information that would endanger them or make them unease.

As expected when reading The Swedish Girl Kirsty Wilson shows up again, now a member of the police force, not a university student any more. She is working in Lorimer’s department, along with her father and they are all involved in the same complicated cases, trying to avoid conflicts of interest and discrimination.

It is a fast paced book, that keeps the reader’s attention with a plot full of twists and turns!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woven into “The Bird That Did Not Sing” Alex Gray explores crimes of human trafficking, an anarchist plot and the murder of a theater magnate as the 2014 Commonwealth Games are set to open in Glasgow.

Opening with a mysterious bomb explosion in the woods near the village of Drymen, the plot quickly heats up when the wealthy husband of Detective Superintendent William Lorimer’s former high school girlfriend Vivien Fox is found dead in his bed. Stricken with grief the Detective takes “Foxy Gilmartin” home to stay with he and his wife as the death quickly escalates from a natural heart attack to murder.

Because of a conflict of interest, the DS hands off the case, keeping tabs on its progress while investigating the murder of a young woman dumped in a creek outside the city, her link to the trafficking and prostitution of young Nigerian women and working with M16 to foil a plot to bomb the Commonwealth Games.

Fast-paced the emotional-tension for Lorimer quickly builds not only with his investigation but as he’s drawn to his former girlfriend who makes seductive overtures to the handsome detective fuelling an estrangement from his loving wife Maggie. Intensity and suspense quickly build with the suicide of a second young girl as a bomb maker is added to the conspirators planning to blow up the Games. Skillfully Alex Gray merges the three different plots into the main theme as Lorimer races against time to stop the explosion at the Commonwealth Games.

The realism of the plot lies in the methodical and analytical approach of the police investigation even as the criminals seem to gain an upper- hand. Yet the diligence and hard work of DS Lorimer and the other detectives pays off with each new lead in the case. Because the story seems mainly plot-focused, in-depth character exploration is minimal although DS Lorimer continues to be a dogged investigator who’s formidable and honest; his wife Maggie a supportive, encouraging wife but jealous of Foxy’s manipulative and seductive overtures.

“The Bird That Did Not Sing” is a riveting page-turner and I look forward to reading more books in the “DS Lorimer” series in future.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several of the novels featuring Lorimer and enjoyed them. This is a gritty one as one of the cases Lorimer works on deals with human trafficking. Some of the scenes were hard to read but I think they accurately reflected that often hidden segment of society.

I do like the balance Gray strikes between character development and police procedure. I appreciated getting to know Maggie, Lorimer's wife, a bit better. She is gracious but astute, especially when an old flame of Lorimer's stays with them for a while. She is a good help to her husband.

I was fascinated with the many references to singing birds and bird songs in the narrative. It turned out those references had something to do with aspects of the plot too. One character says, “I am a bird who cannot sing.” Another makes reference to a “singing bird,” one who tells on his mates.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy the British style of mystery with lots of description and character development along with the ongoing police work.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an honest and independent review.

[Ivana Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should be 1.5 stars really - it's not so terrible it gets 1, but it's nowhere near her best book of the set. To be honest, there is too much going on for a single book - we have a suspicious death, terrorists trying to stop Commonwealth Games and some people traffickers ( and I could have done without the rape of a 16 yr old, too!). With 3 plots going on, we're just getting into one of them when the scene shifts to one of the others - and sometimes we get all 3 strands within the same chapter. I found this book to be a bit of a mess, really. If this was the first by her I'd read it'd be the only one, but I know she can do so much better - hopefully she's back on form for the 12th in the series.

[Sheena Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I certainly didn’t guess, and again drawn to the writing style

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read all the previous books in the series I was disappointed in this book. I felt the plot was quite weak and a good few 'holes' in it. I felt it was just an attempt to be topical to have a story around the Commonwealth Games but for me it failed. Terrorism, people trafficking, heavy weight subjects but this is a light weight read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Swedish Girl but was disappointed with this one. I thought it was fairly predictable and slow moving. It won't put me off the series though.

[Lynne Elsisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Nothing to make this book particularly stand out. Might be worth trying another but maybe not.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

There are two pieces to this addition to the Det Superintendent Lorimer series. Lorimer is tasked with finding the killer of a Nigerian girl found in a forested area. She has an unusual Pickish tattoo on the inside of her thigh. Another Nigerian girl Asa is brought to a house, tattooed and groomed to become a prostitute, especially for the foreigners flowing into Scotland for Glaslow 2014, including the Commonwealth Games. The house is attended to by Shereen Swanson, and two Nigerians Okonjo and Boro. A third girl brought in hangs herself and Shereen and Asa flee. At the same time and including some common players is a plot to blow up the Opening Ceremony of the Games, and kill thousands as well as a Royal. The MacGregor clan and septs of it are on the side of independence and revenge for the centuries of abuse brought about by England.

Six members of a cell led by #1 Robert Bruce Petrie: #2 Kenneth McAlpin a brutish wrestler covered in tattoos and member of the trafficking gang, #3 Frank Petrie, cousin of Robert, #4 Rob Worsley, the explosives expert, a tall white haired man, #5 Malcolm Black, descendent of a policeman and employee of Folkfirst Securities, and #6 a student Cameron Gregson, who is Gayle Finnegan's boyfriend. She is a member of the organizer of the Glasgow 2014, and a source of information for the cell. They refer to one another only by their numbers. The story begins with an explosion a year before the Games. As the time grows closer there are more girls coming in for the prostitution, and more meetings of the terrorist group planning to blow up the Games.

Early in the story DSuper Lorimer is invited to a High School reunion, the invitation coming from his former girlfriend, Viv Gilmartin, Foxy. He attends and it's apparent that Foxy is interested in him. After the party, he gets a call from Foxy, she has returned to her apartment and found her husband Charles dead. While it is thought to be a heart attack initially, it turns out to be murder, and finally revealed to be by her. Gilmartin had been involved in the people trafficking, planning a theatre event bringing a group of young theatre people from Nigeria. The vials of poison she used are found in the garden at Lorimer's home. She had stayed with them for weeks following her husband's death, and buried them there, having been seen by Flynn, their gardener. Maggie had seen through the facade of the mourning widow.

Through careful investigation by MI6 and with police help members of the terrorist group are followed, found, and finally jailed. However, two of the group, the leader Robert and his cousin Frank are not found, leaving strings hanging at the end. Eventually Maggie and Bill take Asa back to her Nigerian village.

A good story.

[Nancy]

4.10
814 ratings57 reviews
2014: The Commonwealth Games is coming to Glasgow and security is extra tight, particularly after a mysterious bomb explodes in nearby rural Stirlingshire. As the opening ceremony for the Games draws ever closer, the police desperately seek the culprits. But Detective Superintendent Lorimer has other concerns on his mind. One is a beautiful red-haired woman from his past whose husband dies suddenly on his watch. Then there is the body of a young woman found dumped in countryside just south of the city who is proving impossible to identify.

Elsewhere in the city people prepare for the events in their own way, whether for financial gain or to welcome home visitors from overseas. And, hiding behind false identities, are those who pose a terrible threat not just to the Games but to the very fabric of society.

Alex Gray's stunning new Lorimer novel, set against the backdrop of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, brings the vibrant city to life in a race to stop the greatest threat the city has ever known.
Great.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this series because it is mostly set in Glasgow but sadly I do not feel the main characters ever come to life. This book is set during the run up to the Commonwealth Games and having been a volunteer myself I think the author captured the atmosphere well. I also liked the fact that the first murder took place in a flat literally round the corner from my own flat! However some things did not quite ring true. Lorimer remembers a song from his teenage years which I remember well myself but the problem is I am over twenty years older than Lorimer in this book. As for the story it is not bad. It involves a plot to bomb the opening ceremony of the games, people trafficking and the murder of the husband of Lorimer's first girlfriend. It does not quite work though there is some excitement near the end.

[Sally Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving on from The Swedish Girl, this next book in the Lorimer series involves the murder and exploitation of young women from further afield - Nigeria. Initially Lorimer is called in to investigate a mysterious explosion in the countryside not far from Glasgow. As Glasgow is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games, the authorities are anxious to prevent any security breaches. When the body of a young Nigerian woman is found dumped not far from the scene of the explosion, there seems no immediate connection between the two crimes. Then added into the mix is the sudden death of the husband of Vivien Gilmartin, Lorimer's first girlfriend, in Glasgow to organise a theatrical production. What is it that somehow connects these events ? Can Lorimer solve the puzzle and prevent further escalation of a plot to destroy the Commonwealth Games ?

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the Lorimer novels were issued in the US in order (and that the order was clear.) This is actually a retitled reissue of a book published in 2014. It's a decent read about terrorism and human trafficking in and around Glasgow coinciding with the Commonwealth Games. Lorimer is, as always, a detective you'd like on the case but some of this felt murky and too forced. Lorimer's wife Maggie is a treat. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC. Try this if you've read other Lorimer books and if you are familiar at least a bit with Scottish history.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glasgow preparing for the Commonwealth Games, and there is a terrorist threat (but not from what might be considered the usual sources); MI6 involvement; a story involving human trafficking; and a story involving an old flame of Lorimer's, which provides a link between the threads. There are a few plot holes, but this is full of the atmosphere of the games and the character of Maggie, Lorimer's wife, is developed a bit. The character of the old girlfriend was almost straight out of Arthurian romance - "Vivien", the red-haired temptress.

[Wendy Hearder-moan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several plots going on at once, loosely tied together via one character (dead), gave a feeling that is sometimes missing from detective stories, that of police officers being pulled in many directions. I found however that the “domestic” plot was easy to follow, but the human trafficking and the terrorist plots were not as well explained. My favourite character was Maggie Lorimer; I felt for her, trying not to be jealous, but realizing that there was something “off” with their houseguest.

[Falcon Blackwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a terrible book, adequately written. But a weak story and with totally different strands appearing within the same chapter it quickly became a little tedious. My main gripe was with the lack of Glasgow atmosphere, apart from the namechecking of locations there was no description, no atmosphere. It could have been about a bunch of people in Middlesex. I recommend taking a look at Craig Russell or William McIlvanney for a lesson in real Glasgow atmosphere.
I liked Lorimer's wife- there's a good character there. Sadly I gave up at page 295, I had lost interest by then.

[John Hardy]

Det. Supt. Lorimer #11. I didn't get far into the 470 pages. Lorimer supposedly loves his wife, yet goes to a school reunion and is having naughty thoughts about an old love. When her husband dies, far from treating her as a suspect, he invites her to stay at their place - holy moly! That was the point where I gave up, I think.
There's another thread of terrorism, but having put the book down, I never picked it up again. Back to the library, now.
DNF, no rating.

[Michael Oxley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a disappointment

I usually love Alex Gray's books, however, I thought although the book did keep me interested, the plot was a little below par compared to the previous Lorimer novels.

The outcome of was easy to predict, and the ending seemed rushed.

If you're a fan of the previous series it's well worth a read, but it isn't a patch on the previous instalments.

[Graham Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover promises: "an artfully constructed psychological mystery". There are in fact several mysteries in this book, all of them overlapping, and not much psychology involved.

It's an enthralling read!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

These novels are good page-turners. I started the series at Book 19 as a reviewer and went back to the first one. That was in December 2022 and I've worked my way through them getting to know the characters. I'll be quite sad to finish the series. It would translate well to television.

[Annie Weatherly-Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great writing and so many twists and turns! Love lorimer and his wife Maggie who really give the books solid anchor whilst being totally believable!

Great story, wonderful Characters and terrific challenge for Lorimer and his team!

[Zena Bethune · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it all the way through, because I was sort of interested in the various plots, but OMG clunky writing and such boring characters, no good sense of place. I don't know why this author is so popular.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Alex Gray novel I've read and I really enjoyed it. I found I was gripped from start to finish and so looking forward to reading more stories with DCI Lorimer.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books by Alex Gray you're caught up in the story from the first page. There's a good range of diverse, believable characters and the narrative never falters

[Les Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not for me. I found I couldn't enjoy this book at all.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Elizabeth Findlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usual good read but too much perfect husband wife