Maania

Alexander Gregory Thrillers #4

by L.J. Ross, Lii Tõnismann (Translator), Helen Roots (Editor)

Mineviku eest ära ei jookse … Teinud dramaatiliselt pinevaks kujunenud tuuri Põhja-Ameerikasse, on doktor Alexander Gregory nüüd taas Londonis ning Southmoori haigla distsiplinaarkomisjoni tähtsa otsuse ootel ilma töö ja tegevuseta. Seda küll vaid seniks, kuni ta sõbraga teatris olles oma silmaga näeb, kuidas kuulus näitleja „Kuningas Leari“ esietenduse ajal otse laval kokku variseb. Politsei peab lavatähe surma asjaolusid kahtlasteks ning kutsub uurijatele, kelle eesotsas on peainspektor Ava Hope, appi kriminaalprofileerimise eliitjõud: Gregory ja tema ametikaaslase Bill Douglase. Gregory ja võluva peainspektori koostöös on teatavaid särinaid. Kuid uurimise enda käigus lisandub paraku vaid uusi laipu, mitte juhtlõngu, ning Gregory ja Hope mõistavad peagi, et tõe väljaselgitamiseks tuleb sügavale minevikku kaevuda. Kuulsuste glamuursesse ellu sukeldunud Gregory saab peatselt aimu, et sealsed veed on märksa sogasemad, kui pealt paistab … L. J. Ross on Amazoni edetabelite üks menukamaid põnevuskirjanikke. Tema samuti eesti keeles ilmuvas „Peainspektor Ryani mõrvalugude“ sarjas on juba üle 20 raamatu. „Alexander Gregory krimipõnevike“ neljandas raamatus „Maania“ lennutab Ross lugeja Londoni kirglikku teatrimaailma, kus mõrvu ja salapära vürtsitab must huumor.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

324 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2022

About the author

LJ Ross is an internationally bestselling author, whose books have sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

Her debut, Holy Island, was released in 2015 and became an instant, international bestseller. Since then, a further eighteen of her novels have gone on to take the coveted #1 spot, some even before general release and whilst only available to ‘pre-order’. The Bookseller magazine has reported on Louise having topped the ‘Most Read’ and ‘Most Sold’ fiction charts, and she has garnered an army of loyal fans who love her atmospheric and addictive storytelling.

Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story to the DCI Ryan series and is available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.

The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category.

In May 2021, Louise was shortlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association ‘Dagger in the Library’ award, which recognises an author’s entire body of work having been consistently enjoyed by library borrowers around the United Kingdom, and an author’s longstanding support of libraries.

Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Northumberland and Edinburgh. She enjoys reading all manner of books, painting, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

To find out more about the many philanthropic ventures Louise has founded and sponsored through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, please visit ‘Philanthropy’.

If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you:

https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor
https://twitter.com/ljross_author
www.lovesuspense.com
lj_ross@outlook.com

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Read 4.5 STARS!**

This eventful acting psychological crime novel is the 4th volume of very likeable "Alexander Gregory" thriller series.

At the begin of the book you'll find a phrase taken from Cassio, in Shakespeare's "Othello" about reputation, and a presentation of the play King Lear at the Old Palace Theatre in London and its main players.

Storytelling is excellent, the psychological elements in this story are very well observed and produced by the author, while all characters come vividly to life in this tale about reputation, consolidation, restoration and murder.

The book starts off with Dr Alexander Gregory back in London, after a dramatic outing in North America. facing a disciplinary panel and its decision at the Southmoor Hospital about his future there, when a death occurs live on stage, that of of the lead actor Sir Nigel Villiers, during the performance of King Lear and with both Alexander Gregory and his mentor and friend, Bill Douglas, in the audience watching the play.

The investigation of this death is to be lead by DCI Ava Hope of the MET, and Gregory is called as a criminal profiler, and while this investigation is going on another death body is found, that of Lance Beckett, using the same kind of killing method, while later on the brutal murder of DCS Campbell will shift the kind of killing pattern but not the clear fact that Cambridge University is at the heart of it all.

What is to follow is an intriguing and excellent crime thriller, that is superbly structured and that will end with a brilliantly executed plot, to reveal the culprit of the first two murders, and a strong clear indication of the identity of the killer of the third victim and the reason behind this murder, and what will supposedly follow in the near future.

Very much recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this impressive series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Captivating Suspenseful Mania Thriller"!

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5

It was very good, but I don't know why Alex is attracted to every female character he meets! LOL

He need to get over his mother and his miserable childhood - he said it himself, but just cannot make it true!

I don't have enough patience with that kind of self-flaggelation! Get over it, Alex!!!

[Cititor Necunoscut · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just half a novel. Not a novella, just a novel stopped short. I felt cheated at the end

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

L. J. Ross remains an author I recently discovered, but whose writing has me highly intrigued. After a lecture at the FBI led to a dramatic faux-imprisonment and time for self-assessment, Dr. Alexander Gregory admitted a secret from his past. Now, he is without a job as he awaits a significant decision about his ability to practice as a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler. While attending the theatre in London, he witnesses the death of a high-profile actor on stage during the opening night of King Lear. What appears to be a heart attack is soon thought of as suspicious by the authorities, sending Dr. Gregory and his profiling partner, Bill Douglas, into the middle of a case all on their own. Working with Detective Chief Inspector Hope, Dr. Gregory tries to piece the death together. It appears to be a poisoning that is as dramatic as the place of the death. More bodies pile up and Dr. Gregory must try to work alongside DCI Hope and determine if there is a connection, while trying not to step on any toes. All this while Dr. Gregory awaits a determination of his professional future. Ross delivers a great story that keeps the reader highly entertained.

I have been hooked since starting this series recently, hence the binge reading. L.J. Ross keeps ensuring that I will keep reading with another strong story that reveals much. Ross takes readers on a trek, with Dr. Alexander Gregory in the middle of the action. The narrative clips along and the momentum shifts into high gear while the reader enjoys it all. Adding a backstory about Dr. Gregory's future that is sure to add another layer of intrigue worth the reader's attention. Ross makes sure each chapter pushes things forward and leaves the reader needing to forge onwards, flipping pages well into the night.

L.J. Ross offered up some key points to Dr. Alexander Gregory's life and past in the last novel. Now, as everyone awaits news of what will happen next, this 'meantime' book fills that time gap. There is some great development for Dr, Gregory, while he keeps his amateur sleuthing, which entertains the reader. Other characters add their own perspectives to the story, sometimes working in tandem with the protagonist, and flavouring the larger story for the attentive reader. I am eager to see more of Dr. Gregory, when time permits. I am eager to see what L.J. Ross has in store for series characters.

Surprises fill the pages of this story, with Dr. Gregory’s past and future in the spotlight. The plot is peppered with great mystery twists as a murder is at the core of this novel once more. Ross ensures a wonderful reading experience for the reader while awaiting key news for Dr. Gregory. Plot points leave the reader trying to keep it all straight, as nothing is quite as it seems. L.J. Ross has kept this series on point and I am eager to see what's next for all involved in a collection that is easily addictive.

Kudos, Madam Ross, for making sure the reader never loses their focus.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the last Alex Gregory book, I have warmed to him more now.

[Nichola · Rating 3 out of 5]

So why on Earth did I not realise that this was not going to have an effective conclusion????

Man, I am now super stressed about Bill in the next book.

I am looking forward to the next book but simultaneously stressing!

I really appreciate the improvement from the last book. Much more grounded!

[myreadingescapism · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why do these last 2 feel so.... rushed

[Linda Spinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always lots of twists and turns and a cliffhanger to keep the reader waiting for the next instalment of Alex Gregory’s story

[Barb McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Gregory Thriller!!!

This book is a spell- binder! The only time that I put it down was to go to sleep! LJ Ross has a true gift for keeping the reader enthralled with Alexander Gregory as he and his friend Bill Douglas seek to solve crimes with their ability to do profiling. The reader is left with the need for the author to write the next book immediately!!!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from this series. It kept me engaged, the pages turned quickly and I couldn’t read it quick enough.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Alexander Gregory Thrillers #4
Publication Date: 3/3/22
Period: Contemporary
Number of Pages: 270

I read the first book in this series because I am a big fan of this author’s DCI Ryan series. I enjoyed the book, but I thought Alex needed a bit more humanizing to be a truly relatable character. I skipped from the first book to this fourth one because I wanted to see what sort of character growth Alex may have had between the two books. I definitely liked him better this time and will check out the next book to see how it goes.

In this story, there were plots within plots and they had to be disentangled before the case could be solved. Frankly, I’m not a fan of ‘coincidences’, but the coincidences in this book make for a very nice set-up for probably the next book. So, in this book we got a case to solve and we got some intriguing hints about things to come. Cool!

Over a decade ago acclaimed actor of stage and screen, Sir Nigel Villiers, saved the Old Palace Theater from ruin. He is the consummate performer – always prepared – and his personality just dominates the stage. Then he dominates the stage in an entirely different way – with his dead body. He collapsed onstage in front of a full audience. Dr. Alexander Gregory was in the audience along with his friend and mentor Professor William (Bill) Douglas and he rushed to the stage to help. Despite his best efforts, Villiers died – from poisoning.

When cryptic clues turn up – with references to both Socrates and events that happened in Villiers’ past, the investigators are perplexed. Witnesses lead them to suspect after suspect, but none of them lead anywhere. Then, there is another death with the same type of cryptic clues. Obviously, the deaths are related but is it because of what happened in the past or the present?

With yet another death that has similarities, but is still different, the case becomes yet more complicated. Has the murderer changed his pattern? Are all three murders related? They all knew each other – but still? Whose past holds the correct clues?

We meet a couple of potential love interests for Alex and that could get interesting. At least it can if we don’t play around with a love triangle for a while because then I’d just have to put the series down. William and Alex’s pasts are coming back to haunt them and it should be interesting to see how that goes.

This was an interesting, suspenseful read and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Tabitha Paradise · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy-to-read page turner with good pace and characters. Looking forward to the next one.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Alexander Gregory is at the theatre watching a production of King Lear on opening night when the lead actor dies on stage.

DCI Hope wants Dr Gregory and Bill Douglas to profile what turns out to be a murderer.

As the case continues, more bodies are being found and they need to find the killer before anyone else dies.

There were some great characters in this story, especially the theatrical ones! There are some old faces as well as new ones.

A possibility of a love interest made me smile. The story had plenty of twists to keep me guessing, no, I didn’t get the killer right!

I couldn’t put this book down, it kept me entertained from start to finish. And as for the ending - you need to read it for yourself!

[Flapper72 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth in the series of Dr Gregory, acting as a profiler, and working with the police to try and work out what type of character is likely to have carried out a heinous crime. To start with, we aren't even sure if it is a crime. A well known actor collapses during a play, Dr Gregory happens to be in the audience, tries to resuscitate him and fails. Subsequently it's discovered he has been poisoned by hemlock. Rather Shakespearian. Whilst investigations are ongoing another man, known to Villers (the actor who died) is found dead by suicide. A great story. Familiarity in the general plot of Dr Gregory plots - there's always a female whom there are suggestions that there may be a relationship with. On this occasion DCI Hope. Fantastic read as ever.

[Margaret Wakeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth book of series. Alex called in to help with profiling after the death of a well known actor. More murders followed and the tension builds. Fast paced and interesting read as Alex delves into the suggested mind of the killer. I was surprised when I reached the last page as it was completely unexpected!

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series.
With the hearing hanging over him, Alex takes the opportunity to do some profiling for the Police.
After watching an actor collapse and die during a performance, Alex is keen to help the Police find his killer.
Hemlock had been used to poison the actor and soon another man, known to the actor dies suspiciously as well.
Alex works closely with Detective Ava Hope and whilst his initial profile is a bit off, they are soon on the tail of the killer.
A gripping thriller that I really enjoyed.

[Andrew Nattrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this instalment of the Alexander Gregory series, The story begins when Alex is at the theatre with his good friend Bill Douglas and they witnessed a suspicious death on stage. Initially alex is a suspect as he rushed onto the stage to try and save the actors life without success. However it is not long before he is enlisted by the police to assist with his profiling skills.
As this was a poisoning was it a suicide or is there a killer out there??
To get to the truth the police and alex have to look into the past.
But at the same time this investigation is going on in the background alex is being watched!!
With such a brilliant cliffhanger ending I cannot wait for the next instalment!!

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average read

[Anisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Gail Radka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting into this series now. Really enjoyed this one less emphasis on the past for Alex. A good case resolved and gripping. Also a carry over now to next book so eager to read that. Two women on the scene too so thats interesting

[Maureen Lennox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Another brilliant book by LJ Ross

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story. Really enjoying this series of books now. Next!

[Amanda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't actually going to read this one as I wasn't keen on the previous two instalments of this series, but the plot of this one sounded good so I changed my mind. I'm really glad I did as this is definitely my favourite of the series so far.

My issue with the last book was that there were too many boring dream sequences and I felt like Alexander Gregory was holding us at arms length so I found it difficult to empathise with him. In this book there were no dream sequences and I felt like we actually got to know our lead character a bit better.

The plot was really interesting to follow and I enjoyed following the investigation along with the police. I consider myself converted to the series as it ends on a cliffhanger and I actually can't wait to read the next one.

[Neita Oates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, the ending!

Clever trick on the reader at the end! I feel.like this was the best look of the four,or is that because the two characters are familiar and I'm growing fond of them? Initially I couldn't take to Alex - thought he was self absorbed and didn't like how every book presented him with a woman to fall for. This one seemed less formulaic to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although there's still the woman!

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

I was a bit apprehensive about reading this one (4th book in series) as didn’t enjoy the 3rd one as much as the first two. I am glad I changed my mind as there was a twist in the end and leaves a cliffhanger for both the main character ‘s love life and the serial killer so I do look forward to the next book.

[Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mania" by L J Ross - this is the 4th book in her Alex Gregory series, I'd read the first one but not the two in between, but, unable to find them in my ever growing tbr stacks, I went for the latest book instead. It can be read as a stand-alone, but be warned, as the ending is unresolved and will obviously continue to play out in the next book, whenever that comes out (don't think it's been written yet). I didn't think this was the best of her books - she also writes the long running DCI Ryan series, which are generally much better, although they too have a few flaws, notably the perfection of the main character, and I have to say that Gregory is Ryan with slightly different features, but he is of course handsome and women fall at his feet wherever he goes..... of which he is of course blissfully unaware,although there is a lot of UST between him and the detective assigned to the case he's helping with, Ava Hope. It all starts during a night at the theatre, where of course Gregory is in the audience and is the first on the scene, when the actor playing King Lear collapses on stage; at first it's thought to be a heart attack, but tox screening finds hemlock in his system - he was poisoned! Was it suicide though? Then a close contact of the man is also found dead with hemlock in his system, is it too much of a coincidence? Of course it is, and Gregory finds himself drawn in more, as he tries to profile a possible perpetrator. The two victims knew each other from university days, so as usual it looks as if the clues lie in their past. Then the Superintendent in charge of the crime team turns out to also be involved, which echoes the storyline of the early Ryan novels, involving a serial killer, and this gave me a sense of familiarity and repetition of a storyline being re-used, and as I got closer to finishing the book I started to suspect that the case would not be fully resolved, and it wasn't, it's left open to lead into book five. I must admit I was bored by this at times, and almost gave up at one point, but it did pick up, with a clever sleight of hand towards the end, but I was slightly disappointed at being left hanging by the ending. Oh well. 6/10

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now don’t get me wrong DCI Ryan will always be my favourite, but I have missed Alex Gregory and have been holding off on reading the latest instalment in this series until now. When an old Uni friend of Gregory’s mentor Bill Douglas collapses and dies on stage it is not long before the police are at his door asking for him to consult on the case. When he finds out who the senior office on the case is, Alex is very reluctant as they have history and the last time they met it did not work out quite so well for him or Bill. Added to this he also has a hearing looming over his head regarding his conduct in treating his own mother at the facility he works at so he may not have a job to go back to if things do not go his way.
This is quite a challenging case and not just because of the method used to kill the victim, after all Hemlock is not something that is often used. They are struggling for a motive and with everyone seemingly having an alibi they don’t know how the killer managed it. When their initial suspect also dies in the same way Gregory has to help the police dig into the victims past and also that of his close friend to see if there is something from their collective pasts that tie the deaths together.
If there is one thing I do know and that is Alex Gregory is fiercely loyal to his friends and the feeling appears to be mutual. After the initial hostilities Gregory and lead detective DCI Hope find a mutual respect for each other and become quite the team. Even if they don’t always agree on the way forward they will grudgingly see each other’s point of view to get the best and correct outcome. As always there is a darkness to the books, but we see not just the aftermath of the crimes but the reason behind them with a glimpse into the mind of the killer. There is clearly more going on in this book and by the end we are left in no doubt that the past has has not stayed dead and buried. With the cliff-hanger we are left with I am certainly looking forward to seeing how Gregory deals with matters that are closer to him than ever before.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book combines two of my great loves - crime novels and the theatre. Add into the mix a touch of Dr Alexander Gregory and really, what’s not to like?

The book starts with Gregory, and his old pal Bill Douglas indulging a wee bit of culture, watching and old college chum of Bill’s in a West End production of King Lear. So far so good - at least until the leading man collapses on stage and, despite all of Gregory’s best efforts, cannot be revived. Now, this being an LJ Ross novel, you know from that very moment that something is very amiss, that this will not just be a case of natural causes and it’s not long before the police are knocking on Gregory’s door asking for his help in solving a very perplexing murder.

I do like this series, the way on which LJ Ross has combined the day to day olive investigation with a touch of criminal profiling. It takes us as the reader beyond just the what and the how of the murder, to the hart of the why and the who. It’s not about motive necessarily, but motivation does come into it as Gregory tries to pin down the essence of the person who might decide to kill another in such a heinous way. And there is a quite the backstory here, not just for the victim, but for others around him, including Bill Douglas. Innocent witness, potential suspect or, dare we whisper it - potential victim? That’s for the police to decide, but we know Bill well - he was definitely no suspect in my eyes.

As always there is a frisson of romantic entanglement in the book for our dear Dr Gregory. Nothing that is acted out on the page but there is a clear chemistry and attraction between him and the lead Detective, DCI Hope. This is an area of this series that the author really indulges in, never quite allowing Gregory the happiness that he doesn’t think he deserves. He is an enigmatic man, but a damaged one, and it is his personal life which comes to bear upon him this time around, with repercussions from earlier mistakes making a real impact on his potential future. It is that conflict that prevents him from truly settling into the case, a tension always in the back of his, and our, mind. 

I love the characters that LJ Ross has created for this series. The lead characters of Gregory and Bill have that same kind of camaraderie that you see in the DCI Ryan books, and Ryan does get a name drop in this book too, but it is a very different tone to the series that made the author’s name. Whilst Ryan is unapologetic in his love of his family and friends, Gregory shares that same sense of loyalty but is far more aloof and perhaps vulnerable, behind his steely, focused no nonsense persona. 

One thing that never changes is the darkness surrounding her villains, and this time is no exception. It leads to quite a bit of misdirection and whilst you may think you have a handle on what is happening, think again. There is more to this book than meets the eye, as Gregory soon works out, and and undulating sense of threat which culminates in a kind of Eastenders, duh-duh-duh ending that has left me ready for more. Another fab read. Recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re back with Doctor Alex Gregory and this time the story centres around the theatre. Whilst waiting for a decision to be made on his career, Gregory gets roped into investigating the death of an actor who along with the rest of the audience, watches him die.

I found the relationship between Gregory and Bill Douglas to be a heartwarming one. Bill looks upon Gregory as a son and you can tell that Gregory holds Bill in very high esteem. I like how they work together and it was intriguing seeing Gregory teamed up with DCI Hope of which both obviously start to develop feelings for each other. One thing Gregory definitely doesn’t lack, is female attention but then I can’t say I blame anyone as he comes across in an attractive way, even though he does have a lot of baggage due to his past which should send you running for the hills!

The case is anything but straight forward where you think you will know where it’s headed but you couldn’t be further from the truth. I have to say I was shocked when a certain revelation comes to light and I didn’t envy the position that Hope especially finds herself in.

Mania was another fast paced story that got more twisted and darker as it went on. There are more than a few surprises in store and it left me desperate for the next in the series of which I hope we don’t have to wait too much longer for. Cleverly plotted and engrossing throughout, it’s a must read for crime fiction thriller fans.

[wendi wigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karma waiting.

The famous Old actor messed up his lines and collapsed to floor, dead in seconds - well he had been dying for a while now,
Dr. Alexander Gregory had watched it happening, not coming to a conclusion until the painful death. Hemlock.
Suicide was suspected by the police, Detective Hope had no reason to think otherwise until Gregory was asked to profile the case by Chief Simon Campbell.
Instant refusal followed, past dealings with Campbell, had resulted in Alex being vilified in the press, scapegoat for Campbell's ego which had resulted in a wrongful arrest and incarceration of an innocent man.
Emails found on Villiers, the actor's, laptop, referred to an incident in 1979, which meant nothing to investigators. Hope set Carter to work on backgrounds for Villiers, Lance Beckett and Simon Campbell. He found references to the assault of Sally, a mutual friend.
Then Beckett meets 'Hemlock' demise.
Gregory & Hope spend many hours together pouring over evidence and appreciating each others company.
Another murder, totally different MO, Hope thinks all three are connected, Alex doesn't. He believes it is two Hemlock murders, one butchery on the loo with a large pool of prospective victims to come unless the culprit is caught.