Blood on Old Stones

DCI Lorimer #23

by Alex Gray

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES

'Move over Rebus' DAILY MAIL
'One of the best' LITERARY REVIEW
'Immensely exciting and atmospheric' ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
'Few have matched the sustained quality of her output' THE TIMES
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The wildest places often conceal the darkest secrets...

DSI William Lorimer never expected that the next time he'd visit the Isle of Mull - where he and his wife, Maggie, have often wandered its windswept coasts and picturesque lochs - it would be for the funeral of an old friend.

Mary Grant's sudden heart attack was a shock to the small community on the island, but Lorimer has no reason to suspect foul play, until he is approached at the funeral by one of Mary's closest friends. She is convinced there was more to Mary's death than meets the eye. And when she, too, dies in a sudden accident, Lorimer finds himself investigating a double murder.

Mull is a place of spectacular beauty and characterful towns, but Lorimer knows that even here old secrets can resurface, resentments can run deep, and evil can lurk undetected.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Scotland

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2026

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

[P.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Gray is back on form with this 23rd volume in the 'Lorimer' series. Set almost entirely on the island of Mull, all the best characters are involved, and the plot is both carefully planned and well thought out. As ever, the descriptions of the beautiful countryside in that part of the British Isles are quite breathtaking. And I'd love to visit all the delightful-sounding coffee shops!

Five stars, and a favourite. Recommended. Would I read it again? Yes.

[Michael S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unremarkable police murder mystery set on the islands of Scotland. An ok read, not a book you'll remember reading.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

DSI Will Lorrimer und seine Frau Maggie lieben die Insel Mull, trotzdem hätten sie auf diesen Besuch gerne verzichtet, denn sie müssen zur Beerdigung einer Freundin. Bei der Beerdigung werden sie von einer Bekannten angesprochen, die glaubt, dass beim Tod der Freundin nicht alles mit rechten Dingen zugegangen ist. Sie vereinbaren ein Treffen für den nächsten Tag, aber als die Lorrimers am vereinbarten Treffpunkt ankommen, ist die Frau tot. Alles sieht danach aus, dass sie auf den nassen Klippen ausgerutscht und gestürzt ist, aber für Lorrimer sind es zu viele Zufälle.

Ich hatte früh eine Ahnung vom Täter, deshalb war für mich die Spannung weg. Trotzdem ist mir die Lektüre nicht langweilig geworden. Alex Gray hat mich über das Motiv lange im Dunkeln gelassen. Sie erzählt vom Leben in der kleinen Gemeinschaft mit allen Vor- aber auch den Nachteilen, besonders, wenn man neu dazukommt. Auch Will und Maggie gehören nicht wirklich dazu, obwohl sie Freunde auf der Insel haben und regelmäßig ihre Ferien dort verbringen.

Die Ermittlungen werden durch die Polizei von Oban unterstützt, bei denen seit einigen Tagen auch Daniel Kohi arbeitet, der zur Unterstützung der unterbesetzten Kollegen angefordert wurde. Alex Gray versammelt gerne ihre Charaktere, aber mittlerweile sind es so viele, dass es manchmal schwierig ist, sie alle in der Geschichte unterzubringen, ohne dass es gewollt wirkt.

Die Reihe funktioniert für mich immer noch, auch wenn ich die Autorin mittlerweile so gut kenne, dass ich manchmal fast zu gut weiß, was mich erwartet.

[Sue Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful evocation of place despite the murders. I loved this book and escaped happily into it. So well written and informative.

[Chrissie Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the cover art doesn't grab you then nothing will! This was my 23rd adventure with William Lorimer and his adventuresome wife Maggie...off to Mull because a woman they knew had died and they wished to attend the funeral. Sigh. There was no room for Solly Brightman or his better half Rosie (who popped in and made a couple of cuts on the body and said a few words and that was it)...the couple who have seemed to have replaced them, Daniel and Molly, had a bit of a part in the story but it was mostly the folk on the Scottish Island they've visited in the past. A number of suspects were thrown our way but I did not find them interesxting at all. The doctor and his wife? Ho hum. Joe who hid up in the hills? Yeah, OK. I am really and truly sorry but since having read the first installment back around 2004 I've now loosing that loving feelnig perhaps? I want Lorimer chasing down the scrummy murders of the streets of Glasgow...Glasgow with her dark underbelly which was exciting and so well done! His being promoted and not needing Solly's help and Molly writing books about a ghost boy are leaving me with an almost empty feeling.

[Gail Souter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother! Obvious who killer is at start

From the very start it was obvious who the killer was and why he did it! I was sure that there would be a twist at the end to say it wasn't him as no author could be so transparent! I was astounded to realise I was absolutely correct and it was said person and the reasons I gave were 100% correct! It was extremely boring! I have no idea why Daniel or Molly were in this book as neither did anything. His name was mentioned a few times but he wasn't involved and Molly was clueless. I used to enjoy these books but the last two have been so bad I will NOT be reading any more! I shouldn't have been able to figure out who the killer was from the beginning! There should have been a twist! Such poor writing!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always a racing read. A little disappointed that Solly and Rosie have disappeared over the last few books and molly and Daniel have stepped in. The story is based on Mull with lots of intrigue and swift changes. Two deaths, two burglaries and a coshing over the head so lots of drama. Some unfinished ends, what happened to Darinda the journalist who played a prominent role in most of the story but disappeared towards the end? A good read did not disappoint and the character of Lorimer remains true to his origins a sound judge and sniffs out anomalies. I think the series is becoming a tad tired but a page turning book and much loved series

[Anna Kucharska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

I have so much enjoyed reading this series, I haven’t been able to put this latest one down. Quite apart from the intriguing crimes, I love the descriptions of the island, such a lovely description of place.
I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next one. No pressure……!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not often I take a genuine dislike to a character, but I found myself quietly cheering when the poisonous gossip got bumped on the head 😂
As always, a good tale with Lorimer showing his usual insights. Unfortunately I guessed the killer very early on but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the unfolding story

[Mrs M Howitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing


It was obvious to me early in the book that the doctor was the killer, and that he was controlling and abusing his wife. I also thought the motive for the murders was a bit weak.

[Susanmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great addition to the series and hopefully a next book soon. Love the fact these books all in locations I no

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series.

[Roger Boorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

recently finished

I have read all the books in the Lorimar series and this is as good as any of the previous books. Thank you Alex

[Gerry Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another strong novel

As always twist and turns to keep you hooked although I decided who the killer was quite early in the story

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Love this series

[Nicola Ferry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

[Caroline McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fab book from Alex in the Lorimer series. It was nice to have a change from Glasgow and enjoying the characters of Daniel and Molly.

[chapter1.page1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 ⭐️
Review to follow