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DCI Lorimer #22
Acts of Malice
Your favourite Glasgow detective is back with a brand new case'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_____________________When William Lorimer gives a talk at his goddaughter's school, he is surprised to find himself accosted by a drama teacher on his way out. She claims her boyfriend has up and left, and that she wants William Lorimer to investigate. Lorimer, thinking this is domestic dispute, decides this isn't for him. Until a body is pulled from the reservoir. But who could want to kill an actor on the cusp of fame? Yet as Lorimer is drawn into the man's strange and glamourous world, he finds that all that glitters is not gold. In fact, there's something rotten at the heart of it, a darkness that Lorimer must root out at all costs.
400 pages, Paperback
Published October 9, 2025
61 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Alex Gray
87 books348 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 42 reviews
November 18, 2025
This superb Scottish police procedural is the 22nd volume and another marvellous addition to the excellent and realistic "DSI Lorimer" series.
As usual this book has been very well researched in all aspects policing and pathology, but is now not mentioned within the Acknowledgements.
Storytelling is excellent, all characters are very believable and lifelike, and the atmosphere and and descriptions of Glasgow and surroundings are very well pictured by the author also.
The story starts off when DSI Lorimer after having given a careers talk at his goddaughter's school, 13-year old Abigail Brightman, when he's accosted by drama teacher Meredith St Claire to find her lost fiancé, Guy Richmond, who's rich and an upcoming actor.
When the body of Guy Richmond is fished out of a loch by a man named, Brian Peters, his late wife also had connections within the acting world in Glasgow, DI Molly Newton of MIT is set on this case, with a discreet DSI Lorimer helping on the side lines, but when two other dead bodies will turn up, that of Sarra Milroy and Nigel Fairbairn, all MIT investigating actions will go into overdrive to locate and apprehend this clever acting perpetrator, before other victims will fall to this devious culprit, and a small star role will be played by Abby Brightman.
What is to follow is a fantastic and gripping police procedural, one with a great storyline accompanied with a brilliantly worked out plot in the end.
Very much recommended, for in my view this is an absolute top-class series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Sublime Act Of Justice"!
As usual this book has been very well researched in all aspects policing and pathology, but is now not mentioned within the Acknowledgements.
Storytelling is excellent, all characters are very believable and lifelike, and the atmosphere and and descriptions of Glasgow and surroundings are very well pictured by the author also.
The story starts off when DSI Lorimer after having given a careers talk at his goddaughter's school, 13-year old Abigail Brightman, when he's accosted by drama teacher Meredith St Claire to find her lost fiancé, Guy Richmond, who's rich and an upcoming actor.
When the body of Guy Richmond is fished out of a loch by a man named, Brian Peters, his late wife also had connections within the acting world in Glasgow, DI Molly Newton of MIT is set on this case, with a discreet DSI Lorimer helping on the side lines, but when two other dead bodies will turn up, that of Sarra Milroy and Nigel Fairbairn, all MIT investigating actions will go into overdrive to locate and apprehend this clever acting perpetrator, before other victims will fall to this devious culprit, and a small star role will be played by Abby Brightman.
What is to follow is a fantastic and gripping police procedural, one with a great storyline accompanied with a brilliantly worked out plot in the end.
Very much recommended, for in my view this is an absolute top-class series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Sublime Act Of Justice"!
July 14, 2025
I'm really giving this 2.5 Stars. Did Alex Gray, the author of 21 previous DSI William Lorimer books actually write this? I found the characters and storyline to be flat and dull. I have loved this series for the past 21 books but there was no punch or surprises anywhere along the line. The murders were dull and oh yes let us not forget I knew from the get-go as to whodunit. Bill, Maggie, Daniel, Molly all made appearances (but I think someone slipped Bill Lorimer a mickey...he sat at his desk, he stared out the window, he questioned a few suspects...nothing like previous stories. I didn't feel that Molly was hot to trot as a cop either! She couldn't get the day of the week correct let alone solve the case! And what has happened to Solly and helping Bill with his cases? Rosie, dull...their daughter goes out on her bike without telling the truth and you just knew what was going to happen. No suspense at all! I just didn't understand how my beloved Alex Gray series could fail me so badly.
November 11, 2025
Not one of the best of Alex Gray’s book if I could give 3.5 then I would but have rated it 4*
It’s still one to read if you are a fan of the series as jumping to the next book due out in 2026 will leave a gap in the ongoing lives of the main characters.
It’s still one to read if you are a fan of the series as jumping to the next book due out in 2026 will leave a gap in the ongoing lives of the main characters.
July 6, 2025
Too obvious who the murderer is from the start- spoiler alert
From the get go it was so obvious who murdered Guy, the actor! It couldn't have been any clearer! The author made her detectives out to be like Inspector Clouseau,bumbling about! Hard to believe that none of them would look at the spouse who was to inherit 13 million just because she howls and collapses when told of his death, as in real life that is what the police do! The author messed up here. From the moment Meredith dramatically stopped Lorimer's car in the car park, it was obvious she was the perpetrator! By NOT investigating her the author made it clear that she was the killer! The only reason I finished the book was because I honestly thought the author was going to bring in a twist at the end so she wasn't the guilty party in order to save the reputation of the book! Alas, this was NOT the case! Very disappointing that the murderer would be so obvious from the very start! A waste of time reading it. And Netta has to tone down her language as Janette could not possibly understand a word!
From the get go it was so obvious who murdered Guy, the actor! It couldn't have been any clearer! The author made her detectives out to be like Inspector Clouseau,bumbling about! Hard to believe that none of them would look at the spouse who was to inherit 13 million just because she howls and collapses when told of his death, as in real life that is what the police do! The author messed up here. From the moment Meredith dramatically stopped Lorimer's car in the car park, it was obvious she was the perpetrator! By NOT investigating her the author made it clear that she was the killer! The only reason I finished the book was because I honestly thought the author was going to bring in a twist at the end so she wasn't the guilty party in order to save the reputation of the book! Alas, this was NOT the case! Very disappointing that the murderer would be so obvious from the very start! A waste of time reading it. And Netta has to tone down her language as Janette could not possibly understand a word!
June 4, 2025
When Guy Richmond, a leading actor from the local theatre, is found drowned, and the postmortem reveals the large cut across his throat was made before he entered the water, a murder case is opened, headed by DI Molly Newton.
DSI William Lorimer had met Guy Richmond’s glamorous fiancé, Meredith, a week before, when he gave a careers lecture at his niece’s school where Meredith works as the drama teacher. She had approached Lorimer in a frantic state telling him her fiancé was missing. He had advised her to go through the usual channels of reporting a missing person.
DSI Lorimer now joins forces to work with Newton. As DI Molly Newton is busy delving into the jealousies, rivalry and thwarted dreams of this small- town theatre company where Guy worked, who are now about to start rehearsals on a production of Sweeney Todd, it comes to light that the prop knife that was to be used in the play, is the very same knife that cut Guy Richmond’s throat. This makes her sure the killer is someone who works within, or knows, the running of the theatre
Then another death occurs.
Lorrimer and Newton now are working together to find if there is ruthless serial killer on the loose. However, they are yet to prove if the two murders are even related. They keep hitting brick walls and are no further in finding the killer. The nail-biting increases as we realise that they have been missing a vital link. The case is now accelerated to an emergency level with all hands on deck. Someone else is in grave danger, but when they realise that this is happening, there is hold-your-breath and turn the pages to see if they can get to the right place, but is it indeed the right place?
Alex Gray is top of her game as a number one best-seller and couldn’t be more worthy. She knows how to keep the reader on their toes and their fingers hastily turning the pages. A master of plotting.
I have read many of her books and jumped at the chance to read and review this one. She didn’t let me down. The bags under my eyes are the tell-tale signs that I read well into two nights as I couldn’t put the book down. Bravo Alex Gray, another winner.
I would give this book five stars but as it is set in the theatre, would an Oscar be more appropriate? Either way, if your taste is a well plotted crime story with strongly drawn characters and twists to take you up the wrong path until the very unexpected ending, then I couldn’t recommend this any higher, or any other Alex Gray book for that matter.
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Reviewer: Linda Regan
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
DSI William Lorimer had met Guy Richmond’s glamorous fiancé, Meredith, a week before, when he gave a careers lecture at his niece’s school where Meredith works as the drama teacher. She had approached Lorimer in a frantic state telling him her fiancé was missing. He had advised her to go through the usual channels of reporting a missing person.
DSI Lorimer now joins forces to work with Newton. As DI Molly Newton is busy delving into the jealousies, rivalry and thwarted dreams of this small- town theatre company where Guy worked, who are now about to start rehearsals on a production of Sweeney Todd, it comes to light that the prop knife that was to be used in the play, is the very same knife that cut Guy Richmond’s throat. This makes her sure the killer is someone who works within, or knows, the running of the theatre
Then another death occurs.
Lorrimer and Newton now are working together to find if there is ruthless serial killer on the loose. However, they are yet to prove if the two murders are even related. They keep hitting brick walls and are no further in finding the killer. The nail-biting increases as we realise that they have been missing a vital link. The case is now accelerated to an emergency level with all hands on deck. Someone else is in grave danger, but when they realise that this is happening, there is hold-your-breath and turn the pages to see if they can get to the right place, but is it indeed the right place?
Alex Gray is top of her game as a number one best-seller and couldn’t be more worthy. She knows how to keep the reader on their toes and their fingers hastily turning the pages. A master of plotting.
I have read many of her books and jumped at the chance to read and review this one. She didn’t let me down. The bags under my eyes are the tell-tale signs that I read well into two nights as I couldn’t put the book down. Bravo Alex Gray, another winner.
I would give this book five stars but as it is set in the theatre, would an Oscar be more appropriate? Either way, if your taste is a well plotted crime story with strongly drawn characters and twists to take you up the wrong path until the very unexpected ending, then I couldn’t recommend this any higher, or any other Alex Gray book for that matter.
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Reviewer: Linda Regan
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
April 1, 2025
Als DSI Will Lorrimer einen Vortrag an der Schule seiner Patentochter hält, wird er von einer der Lehrerinnen angesprochen: der Verlobte von Meredith St. Claire ist seit einigen Tagen verschwunden und sie fühlt sich in ihrer Sorge von der Polizei nicht ernst genommen. Lorrimer selbst kann nichts tun, außer die zuständigen Kollegen darum zu bitten, sich noch einmal umzuschauen. Merediths Sorge wird zur traurigen Gewissheit, als man die Leiche ihres Verlobten findet. Und er bleibt nicht das einzige Opfer: eine Kollegin aus seinem Theaterensemble kommt kurz danach unter verdächtigen Umständen ums Leben.
Mir ist schon in den vorherigen Teilen der Reihe aufgefallen, dass sich die Handlung immer mehr von Will Lorrimer wegbewegt. Auch dieses Mal wird die meiste Ermittlungsarbeit von seinen Mitarbeitern gemacht, während er immer weiter in den Hintergrund tritt. Dieses Mal sind Daniel Kohi und Molly Newton die Hauptpersonen. Molly leitet die Ermittlungen, während Daniel das Gesicht einer Kampagne für Integration bei der schottischen Polizei wird. Die Beziehung der beiden und die Probleme von Daniels Mutter, die gerade zu Besuch in Schottland ist, nehmen fast so viel Platz in der Handlung ein wie die Ermittlungen.
So kompliziert das Privatleben der Ermittler ist, so einfach ist der Mordfall. Für mich hat die Autorin zu früh einen Hinweis über Täter und Motiv gegeben. Es gibt Spuren in verschiedene Richtungen, aber mein erster Verdacht hat sich bestätigt. Für mich ging es beim größten Teil des Krimis darum, wann die Ermittler endlich die richtige Spur finden.
Bei diesem Krimi hat mir Alex Gray nichts Neues erzählen können. Täter und Motiv, aber auch die privaten Geschichten hatte ich so schon in anderen Krimis von ihr gelesen. Dieser Teil der Reihe hat mich nicht überzeugen können.
Mir ist schon in den vorherigen Teilen der Reihe aufgefallen, dass sich die Handlung immer mehr von Will Lorrimer wegbewegt. Auch dieses Mal wird die meiste Ermittlungsarbeit von seinen Mitarbeitern gemacht, während er immer weiter in den Hintergrund tritt. Dieses Mal sind Daniel Kohi und Molly Newton die Hauptpersonen. Molly leitet die Ermittlungen, während Daniel das Gesicht einer Kampagne für Integration bei der schottischen Polizei wird. Die Beziehung der beiden und die Probleme von Daniels Mutter, die gerade zu Besuch in Schottland ist, nehmen fast so viel Platz in der Handlung ein wie die Ermittlungen.
So kompliziert das Privatleben der Ermittler ist, so einfach ist der Mordfall. Für mich hat die Autorin zu früh einen Hinweis über Täter und Motiv gegeben. Es gibt Spuren in verschiedene Richtungen, aber mein erster Verdacht hat sich bestätigt. Für mich ging es beim größten Teil des Krimis darum, wann die Ermittler endlich die richtige Spur finden.
Bei diesem Krimi hat mir Alex Gray nichts Neues erzählen können. Täter und Motiv, aber auch die privaten Geschichten hatte ich so schon in anderen Krimis von ihr gelesen. Dieser Teil der Reihe hat mich nicht überzeugen können.
March 23, 2025
‘Acts of Malice’,by Alex Gray is the twenty-second book in the Detective Superintendent Lorimer series.It seems like no time at all since we were first were introduced to William Lorimer and the supporting array of vividly portrayed characters.Some of the personalities like Maggie and Solly feel like old familiar faces from around the neighbourhood while the more recent additions such as Daniel and his Mother Janette feel settled in comfortably,and similarly instantly recognisable.The authentic human interactions depicted in the story build the sense of everyday Glasgow,its inhabitants and many different dimensions.
This latest murder case involves members of a theatrical cast whose acting skills ensure their reactions to the investigation make detecting the guilty party even trickier for Lorimer and the team.Who can be believed among professionals who expertly wear many masks for a living?
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy for review.
This latest murder case involves members of a theatrical cast whose acting skills ensure their reactions to the investigation make detecting the guilty party even trickier for Lorimer and the team.Who can be believed among professionals who expertly wear many masks for a living?
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy for review.
March 21, 2025
Hurrah! Superintendent Lorimer is back and we're off to the theatre. Well we are if Lorimer and his colleagues can stop the cast being murdered before there aren't enough left to put on the play. As always Alex Gray writes her characters wonderfully. We catch up with Maggie, Daniel and Molly and Solly and his family. They bound out of the book fully formed as though they had just been waiting for the reader to open the pages. I love big series where this happens. The characters almost become family who visit on a regular basis. Twists and turns are plentiful until the killer is revealed and the murders solved. A really enjoyable read as always and I look forward to the next visit from the regular characters and Lorimer's next case.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Read
March 22, 2025This series featuring Superintendent Lorimer, just keeps improving. it's hard to believe we are at book 22! I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of the books and this is every bit as enjoyable as the first. I love the character development, especially young Abby and also Daniel. The plotting is full of clever twists and the Glasgow setting just pulls the reader in. Reading this is like catching up with old friends, as Lorimer is drawn into the murder of an actor. Another great read from the author.
July 4, 2025
I decided three stars was too generous for a run-of-the-mill mystery which has occasional plot mistakes, a depressing number of writing errors, and the tone of having been written for the young adult section. What can be the point of Daniel's inclusion, as he does nothing involving the plot? Is the author on some political correctness campaign? The only role of his mother and his friend seems to be to talk about comfort food - again, they are irrelevant to the plot. The whole book is very ho hum.
May 28, 2025
Another great outing for Lorimer. This time we delve deeper into other characters like Molly, Daniel, Janette and the Brightmans. The mystery begins with the death of an actor and speculation is rife around the remaining members of the theatre group. The mystery is further complicated by 5ge fact that Lorimer has practiced actors to deal with making it impossible to tell who is telling the truth.
Thanks to Netgalley for access to the arc
Thanks to Netgalley for access to the arc
July 28, 2025
In this latest in the Lorimer series, a theatre company is thrown into disarray when their leading man first disappears and is then found murdered. As William Lorimer and his team of detectives investigate the crime, they discover that the other company members share many petty rivalries, and some actively dislike their fellow actors. When a second victim is found, Lorimer becomes convinced that the killer is either one of the company, or someone very close to them.
September 13, 2025
The latest in the enjoyable Lorimer sees the team investigate murders around a theatre group.
The procedural does the usual of going round the group, who all have ability to act their way through the interviews.
The book starts shortly after the previous book and spends time on the lives of the main characters with Daniel‘s mother now Glasgow and Abigail Brightman, Solomon & Rosie‘s daughter now a teenager, which made me feel old at realising how long the series covers.
A enjoyable police procedure which ends in a sweet finish
The procedural does the usual of going round the group, who all have ability to act their way through the interviews.
The book starts shortly after the previous book and spends time on the lives of the main characters with Daniel‘s mother now Glasgow and Abigail Brightman, Solomon & Rosie‘s daughter now a teenager, which made me feel old at realising how long the series covers.
A enjoyable police procedure which ends in a sweet finish
November 3, 2025
Book 22 in the DCI Lorimer series.
When the lead actor in the upcoming production of Sweeney Todd is found dead; his throat cut, DCI Lorimer and his team find themselves embroiled in the lives of the dead man's fellow actors.
This was a solid story from Alex Gray - featuring all of the usual characters and the developments in some of their relationships.
Although I picked the murderer out right at the beginning I still enjoyed the book.
When the lead actor in the upcoming production of Sweeney Todd is found dead; his throat cut, DCI Lorimer and his team find themselves embroiled in the lives of the dead man's fellow actors.
This was a solid story from Alex Gray - featuring all of the usual characters and the developments in some of their relationships.
Although I picked the murderer out right at the beginning I still enjoyed the book.
December 18, 2025
Possible spoiler but it's very obvious from early on.
Audible and physical signed copy
Alex Gray is an excellent author of the DCI Lorimer series but unfortunately this book just isn't that good. It's an ok listen but it's very pedestrian with a ponderous plot, irrelevant characters and a scooby doo style reveal with the kid on the bike. I'll definitely read her next one in the hope it's better.
Audible and physical signed copy
Alex Gray is an excellent author of the DCI Lorimer series but unfortunately this book just isn't that good. It's an ok listen but it's very pedestrian with a ponderous plot, irrelevant characters and a scooby doo style reveal with the kid on the bike. I'll definitely read her next one in the hope it's better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
An atmospheric thriller that's part of a series. It can also be read as a standalone like I did. This works well as a standalone thriller. This is my first read by Alex Gray and I definitely want to read more by him.
This delves into the world of theatre and the secrets people are hiding. It is well paced and keeps the reader on toes.
Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.
This delves into the world of theatre and the secrets people are hiding. It is well paced and keeps the reader on toes.
Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.
March 20, 2025
After his African adventures, Lorimer is drawn into this case by accident. Along with the murders of various actors, we have the tale of Daniel with his mum and have Rosie and Solly back in the picture. Plenty of misdirection and twists and so overall 4.5* primarily as I did guess the killer !!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review
April 1, 2025
A good police mystery set round a theatre group. You are given a good window into the private lives of our main police characters.
Plenty of interest and murder a plenty will keep you entertained till the last page.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Plenty of interest and murder a plenty will keep you entertained till the last page.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
December 2, 2025
I guessed the killer from about a third of the way through. Fairly obvious. I don’t see the point of anything to do with Daniel and his mum and the awful friend….what is the point of them. And I’m afraid I do find Bill Lorimer and Maggie a bit too goody goody. This was by far not the best book in this long series.
April 2, 2025
This is part of a long running series so perhaps best read in order, although elements of the backstory were included in the book.
Good story taking us into the treacherous world of actors with secrets, deceptions and more. Well plotted and enthralling with plenty of twists
Good story taking us into the treacherous world of actors with secrets, deceptions and more. Well plotted and enthralling with plenty of twists
May 17, 2025
Well, I started this book this morning and... finished it this evening.
It was fantastic even though I had worked out who the murderer was fairly early on. It didn't spoil the story one bit.
I recommend this book 📖 wholeheartedly!
It was fantastic even though I had worked out who the murderer was fairly early on. It didn't spoil the story one bit.
I recommend this book 📖 wholeheartedly!
September 10, 2025
Excellent
Once again Lorimer and the team solve a case. Good to have the side stories of Molly and Daniel and Netta and Janette. I also like Abby entering into the mix as a teenager now. Excellent writing again from Alex Grey.
Once again Lorimer and the team solve a case. Good to have the side stories of Molly and Daniel and Netta and Janette. I also like Abby entering into the mix as a teenager now. Excellent writing again from Alex Grey.
December 7, 2025
This is the latest novel in the Series featuring Detective Bill Lorimer. The plot is well written and the characters are familiar from the earlier novels. It’s an easy read for those who have read the earlier books.
December 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this introduction to the DCI Lorimer series.
The writing was well structured, the plot cohesive and flowed well.
The characters were engaging from the get go with young Alisha being one of my favourites.
I will definitely seek out other book in the series.
The writing was well structured, the plot cohesive and flowed well.
The characters were engaging from the get go with young Alisha being one of my favourites.
I will definitely seek out other book in the series.
December 18, 2025
Enjoyable but not outstanding read . The story was Ok and some of the characters were interesting but not top drawer as far as I was concerned . I did like the main cop Lorimer but thought there was a fair bit of padding around the sub story .
March 21, 2025
Great book
Can't wait for the next book love the way these are written
great families too great
Excited to see what the kids get up to as they get older
Can't wait for the next book love the way these are written
great families too great
Excited to see what the kids get up to as they get older
March 23, 2025
One of my favourite series.
Read
March 29, 202522nd in series, best read in order but not really essential. Another great read, really enjoyed this one
April 13, 2025
Enjoyed this novel. Acting 8s a dangerous game.
April 17, 2025
Loved this one .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews