To Pay the Ferryman: A D.I. Lomond Thriller

by P.R. Black

D.I. Lomond is a devoted family man. A good detective. When the body of a young woman involved in the worlds of art and adult streaming is found in the River Clyde, Lomond believes there may be echoes of a cold case from the start of his an unsolved death on a rural Scottish estate in the 1990s.

Then, a Swedish feminist activist, who also has a connection to Lomond's past, arrives in the city to protest against the failure of the police to find the killer. The victims all seem to be drawn from the world of art and business. Is the cold case the answer, or just part of the key, and could the killer be about to get dangerously close to Lomond and his family?

438 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2025

About the author

P.R. Black lives in Yorkshire, although he will always belong to Glasgow.

He is the author of the DI Lomond thrillers, starting at Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine back in 2019. The first full-length novel, To Pay The Ferryman, is available now.

The second in the series, Jack-in-the-Box, will be published on February 2026.

Pat is also the author of six psychological thrillers, including the bestsellers The Beach House and The Runner.

Reviews

[Karen Chong · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 / 5.0

Solid book from start to finish, I can see myself investing in this series if it becomes one. Before I go into detail, I’d like to give a PSA to anyone that picks up this book, this book mentions pornography, and pornograthic acts - something to be mindful if it isn’t your cup of tea. Other than that this book is solid, strong likeable characters each of their own character, I found the plot easy to follow and understand. The plots in the book wasn’t forced and occurred naturally, the culprit isn’t as obvious as it usually is in other book which kept me on my toes.

The book centres around DI Lomond who is in charge for finding the culprit responsible for the death of a young woman found in the river Clyde, Lomond has an inkling that the book is related to a unsolved cold case in the 1990s. As he begins his investigation, a Swedish feminist activist starts to protest within Glasgow on womens rights crusting the policing for failing to catch the killer. But as he starts to investigate, more bodies are found all linked with the world of art and adult streamlining.

It’s a solid book, easy read definitely worth the time investment!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the body of a young woman is pulled from the River Clyde, DI Lomond and his team must find a killer. What a brilliant debut. Everything you could want in a crime novel from a dour detective to a twisted killer. I loved the characters and enjoyed being pulled into the mystery and investigation.

[John Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first book in the DI Lomond crime thriller series. A good pace throughout, interesting twists and turns, finishing with an outcome I didn’t see coming. My last two books have now been set in a world of art and art theft - time for a change!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, it's not really a secret that I love a police based thriller, or that I have a bit of a soft spot for Scottish crime fiction. To find a new series that combines both of those things is a bit of a bonus, and that is exactly what I have in To Pay The Ferryman, the first in a brand new series featuring Detective Inspector Lomond and his team. And I have to admit that, after spending time with them all in this most intriguing and topical of investigations, I am definitely looking forward to seeing how this series develops.

The case that Lomond, his partner, DS Slater, and the wider team including Detectives Smythe and Tait, are faced with, is the brutal murder of a young woman, Aylie. The murder is objectionable enough, but the scene seems almost perfectly staged, and the killer has left the police with no trace evidence at all. It seems to be almost the perfect murder, but something in the way in which Aylis has been left reminds Lomond of a case that he was a part of way back when he was in uniform. Digging into that cold case alongside this latest murder leads the team into a world of old money, new politics and art, and a shared secrecy and air of cover up that triggers Lomond's coppers instincts. But the killer has other victims in mind and the escalation, along with pressure from the public to stop the murders, adds a layer of tension and urgency to an already fraught case.

I really like how Pat Black has set out this story, drawing on a theme that is sadly all too universal and believable - violence against women and the protest movements which have sprung up over the years to demand action to counter it. He has built this into a police investigation that oozes with authenticity, the frustration of having no clear evidence to lead them towards a clear suspect, and all too many characters, or suspects, all of whom seem to have a near perfect alibi. There is that real feeling of having to wait for the killer to make a mistake in order to catch them, adding frustration and tension to the case, knowing that sooner or later, another victim is likely to appear. As you might expect in a world of CCTV and a vast digital footprint, the information is all out there, but it takes time to piece together, the author throwing in the occasional obstacle to inhibit the progress, but still propelling the story onwards. Each new clue is carefully fed into the narrative, keeping the killer well hidden until the perfect moment, and escalating the pace and the impact of the closing scenes as we as readers are all too clear on what is about to happen.

I liked Lomond as a character. He is pretty controlled, in control of his emotions, but completely determined to see justice done. We get glimpses into his family life, meeting his wife and daughter, and under all of the seriousness you can tell there is a fair sense of humour. Just as well given one of the earlier, quite memorable, meetings with a key suspect in the case. His main partner in the team, DS Slater, is perhaps a touch more impulsive or reactive, but they really work well together and there is a clear kind of camaraderie in this partnership that makes them a compelling pair to read about. There are certain hints dropped about parts of Lomond's past, in particular about Mr Flick, Lomond's personal 'one that got away', that make me very curious about how the author will explore this in future books, certainly given some of the scenes that unfold in this book.

This isn't a fast paced story as such, although there are moments of real jeopardy that do see the story pick up to a bit of a gallop, but as we are focused more on the investigation, seeing the murders after the fact rather than in the act itself, it is more contemplative than intense in terms of structure. We are drawn into the investigation, in the challenge for Lomond and the team to break the alibis of the suspects, or to get behind the carefully woven lies and half truths that have protected a number of them for years. I did feel the pressure bearing down on the team, largely driven by the protests that feed throughout the investigation, and the almost certain knowledge that there would soon be another victim, but it felt more realistic in delivery in that the progress was slower, more deliberate. The way in which the author slowly reveals the lives of the young victims means that the focus remains on them just as much as the killer - just how it should be.

The ending was packed with urgency and threat, and ultimately satisfying. The final pages ... well they just made me want to read more. Definitely recommended for fans of police based crime fiction.

[Shelly Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn that builds great characters and is topped off with a pulse pounding finale.

This book was exceptionally well written and it was evidently well researched. Lots of intricate details that built a multi layered plot. I fell in love with the character of Slater and I'll be eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

Bonus points for the Glasgow setting. Bravo Black!

[Alexander Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A promising start, but the plot is too cliched; the serial murders of young women. I thought this was a theme that died a well-deserved death years ago. And does EVERY fictional Scottish cop have to have an annoying teenage daughter whose sole function in the story is to be kidnapped near the end by whatever murderer her father/mother is currently pursuing? However, the strength of the writing and the fact that this series-to-be is set in Glasgow is enough for me to look out for the next one!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt the story itself was a little slow, the sheer amount of detail was hard to keep up with. If the story had progressed more quickly then it maybe would have gripped me more, sent me into a bit of a reading slump. Also felt as if it tried to be a bit TOO Scottish with different character names ect. Got about half way through and had to DNF, might come back to it another time, feel as if it might be worth a second chance due to other reviews I've read.

[Leslie Appelbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this mystery in the Glasgow airport and was excited to have it set in Glasgow. I love the Rebus series by Ian Rankin. This is a solidly written mystery with good characters that, while they don't pop off the page, are intriguing. We get a cultural slice of Glasgow as well. My 3 star rating (which could be 3.5) is that it is so violent. And, of course, the violence is against women and, of course, there is a salacious aspect to it as well.

[Paula Alcaraz Barrowcliffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot itself is interesting, although it contains several clichés. The language is easy to follow and reflects the way people speak and the humor of Glasgow. However, the book focuses on a series of femicides, and yet the role of women is pushed into the background. Women are shown either in secondary roles as important but supporting characters, or as women in trouble who sell their bodies out of necessity, leaving everything in the hands of men.

[Anne Fox · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really didn’t like this book. I love books set in Glasgow. This book had no real atmosphere of the city and a whale in the Clyde near the Squinty Bridge , come on! We are launched into the story with little introduction to the main characters. Sorry, not for me!

[Juliane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing, I didn't take to any if the characters. The pacing felt off and the jumping between current and cold case was more irritating than engaging. Overall not for me.

Btw, in my edition chapter 24 was mislabelled "18", not sure how that typo slipped through.

[George Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have never come across this author before and bought it as part of a 3 for 2 deal in a well known book store. Absolutely great read. Loved the relationship between Lorimer and Slater. Have a few books to read but will definitely looking out f0r more of this series

[Steve Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex who dunnit set in Scotland with the police tracking down a serial killer.

[Redsetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

[mrs jill a phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this though had originally thought I'd chosen a DCI Lomond book... Did no-one advise Mr Black there was already a Glaswegian detective named Lomond?!

[Tracey Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit slow to start with but once reached middle in picked up the pace. Young girls who have links with a certain person/Porn Website are getting murdered and thrown in the canal and its down to DI Lomond to solve this. I got a bit confused as there is also a series featuring a DCI Lomond by another author. I had no idea who the culprit was and a nice surprise to find out exactly who it was (actually forgot about the character)

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discovered via Bloody Scotland Festival. Plot intricate, and original, Lomond a sound and interesting character and good interaction with team and family