Stolen Lives | A compulsive police procedural thriller

by Alex Walters

At first, the deaths seem different lives, different places, nothing to tie them together. But DCI Kenny Murrain knows that when nothing looks wrong, that’s when something dangerous is going on.

You won't want to miss book five in the thrilling crime series by Alex WaltersAn elderly woman dies quietly in her armchair. No struggle. No sign of fear. Just a life… ended.

Days later, a former television journalist is found dead in similar circumstances. Then a third victim, a respected neurologist. Each death appears peaceful. Each is anything but.

As DCI Kenny Murrain and his team begin to uncover the truth, a chilling pattern emerges. One that suggests the victims were chosen, not at random, but with terrifying precision.

But Murrain is fighting on two fronts.

Still reeling from the devastating aftermath of his last case, his team is fracturing under pressure. Trust is eroding. When one of his own is accused of leaking information to the media, suspicion turns inward—and the investigation begins to falter.

Then the deaths move closer to home.

Patients in a local hospital start dying. Quietly. Unnoticed. Until it’s too late.

Now Murrain faces a killer who hides in plain sight, who understands life and death better than anyone, and who may already be watching him.

Because this isn’t just murder. It’s a design. And Murrain may already be part of it.

This mind-bending police thriller featuring the hard-boiled but lovable investigator DCI Kenny Murrain is perfect for fans of Jack Cartwright and Michael Connelly


- Police work
- Paranormal
- Professional investigator

The print and audio formats of this book are titled Life Remains.

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2026

About the author

Aka Michael Walters

Reviews

[Mary Polzella · Rating 4 out of 5]

elderly woman dies quietly in her armchair. Days later, a former television journalist is found dead in similar circumstances. Then a 3rd victim, a respected neurologist. Each death appears peaceful. At first, the deaths seem unconnected but as DCI Kenny Murrain and his team investigate, a chilling pattern emerges. One that suggests the victims were chosen, not at random, but with terrifying precision. But Murrain is still reeling from the devastating aftermath of his last case, his team is fracturing under pressure. When one of his own is accused of leaking information to the media, suspicion turns inward and the investigation begins to falter. Then the deaths move closer to home and patients in a local hospital start dying. Quietly. Unnoticed. Until it’s too late. Now Murrain faces a killer who hides in plain sight, who understands life and death better than anyone, and who may already be watching him.

This is book five in the DCI Murrain crime series. I've previously read book 1 so when I had the opportunity to read this book, I jumped at it!

This is a tightly written, gripping thriller that follows Murrain and the team investigating these latest multiple crimes. While the crimes initially appear to be unconnected, as the story unfolds, the team unearths a series of 'coincides' which suggest a connection of some time between each murder. Murrain is an intelligent and empathetic police officer who uses his detecting skills as well as his additional intuitive skills to guide him through the case. This book has all the classic elements of a solid police procedural thriller, with a slight twist, creating a unique storyline. A great story that brings together a series of seemingly unconnected murders in an unusual and surprising way. I will definitely be reading the 3 books in this series I've not read yet!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Stolen Lives is another gripping instalment in the DCI Kenny Murrain series, delivering a cleverly constructed police procedural with a disturbing premise at its heart.

At first, the deaths appear completely unrelated. An elderly woman dies peacefully in her armchair, followed by a former television journalist and then a respected neurologist. There are no obvious signs of violence, but Murrain’s instincts tell him there is far more going on beneath the surface. As the connections slowly begin to emerge, the investigation takes an increasingly sinister turn—especially when unexplained deaths start occurring in a local hospital.

I really enjoyed the way Walters gradually pieced the mystery together. The idea of a killer hiding in plain sight and choosing victims with such chilling precision made for an unsettling investigation, and I was constantly trying to work out the connection between them and what the ultimate motive could be.

There’s also plenty happening within Murrain’s team. They’re still dealing with the fallout from the previous case, tensions are running high, and accusations of someone leaking information to the press create distrust at exactly the moment they need to be working together. I liked seeing this more personal side of the investigation and how events from earlier books continue to have consequences.

The hospital setting added another layer of unease. There’s something particularly creepy about deaths that initially appear natural, and the closer the investigation gets to the truth, the more disturbing the whole picture becomes.

A dark, twisty and compelling addition to the series with an intriguing mystery, plenty of tension and a satisfying investigation. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what DCI Kenny Murrain faces next.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolen Lives is a smart, unsettling addition to Alex Walters’ crime series—one that leans into atmosphere, precision, and psychological unease rather than spectacle. The result is a police procedural that feels both intimate and razor‑sharp.

DCI Kenny Murrain remains a wonderfully grounded lead: capable, weary, and carrying the bruises of his last case. Walters uses that vulnerability to great effect here, threading personal strain through an investigation that is anything but straightforward. The deaths are deceptively peaceful—no struggle, no panic, just lives quietly extinguished—and that eerie calm becomes one of the book’s most compelling hooks.

As Murrain’s team digs deeper, the pattern that emerges is chilling in its logic. Walters excels at building tension through small details, letting the dread accumulate until the truth becomes impossible to ignore. The internal fractures within the team add another layer of suspense, making the investigation feel fragile at the very moment it needs clarity most.

The shift to hospital deaths raises the stakes beautifully. Suddenly the killer’s reach feels broader, more intimate, and far more dangerous. Walters handles this escalation with confidence, crafting a villain who is terrifying precisely because they hide in plain sight.

This is a tightly written, atmospheric thriller with a protagonist you genuinely root for. Fans of thoughtful, character‑driven crime fiction—especially those who enjoy Michael Connelly or Jack Cartwright—will find Stolen Lives a deeply satisfying read.

With thanks to Alex Walters, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Ryan Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense, atmospheric thriller with a supernatural edge that genuinely surprised me.

I really enjoyed Stolen Lives. It’s one of those books that hooks you early with its unsettling tension and keeps tightening the grip as the story unfolds. Walters blends the procedural elements with something darker and more uncanny, and it works far better than I expected.

I wasn’t entirely sure about the supernatural angle at first. I wondered whether it might feel out of place in a crime thriller, but as the plot developed, it added a layer of mystery and intrigue that made the whole story even more compelling.

The supernatural thread deepens the atmosphere without ever overwhelming the investigation, and by the midpoint I found myself looking forward to those eerie moments just as much as the twists in the case.

The characters are well‑drawn and flawed in believable ways, and the emotional beats land without feeling forced. Walters has a great sense of pacing: short, sharp chapters, rising tension, and a final act that delivers both answers and unease.

This felt like a refreshing take on the genre, familiar enough to satisfy a thriller reader, but bold enough to try something different.

The blend of crime and supernatural gives Stolen Lives its own identity, and I’m really glad I read it.

This is the first Alex Walter’s novel I have read, and I will definitely be checking out his other books.

Thank you to Digital Publishers for the ARC.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 Stars)
Stolen Lives by Alex Walters was an enjoyable crime thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
The mystery at the heart of the story was well paced, and I found myself wanting to uncover the truth alongside the characters. There were a couple of plot twists that caught me by surprise, which kept the story interesting without feeling overcomplicated.
I also enjoyed the cast of characters. They were easy to connect with, and their interactions added depth to the investigation. The writing flowed well, making this a very easy and accessible read.
One of the biggest positives for me was the pacing. I finished the book in a single day because I was keen to see how everything would unfold. While it didn't completely blow me away, it was an entertaining thriller that held my attention throughout.
Overall, Stolen Lives was a solid 3-star read for me. If you enjoy fast-paced crime fiction with engaging characters, a compelling mystery, and a few well-placed twists, it's definitely worth picking up

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first I have read in this series though I had read others by this author. I liked the team, the main detective, Kenny and the location in and around Manchester. Kenny has some supernatural powers, where he gets feelings about people and places which was done well. The links between the different crimes are not immediately apparent, but as the book progresses they are gradually revealed . I liked the quick pacing of the plot and got to know the team members quickly. Although it is a series with more episodes, the book was fine as a stand alone. Some information is revealed about Kenny's past, but his home life is shadowy, his wife (Eloise) nothing more than a name, which was a shame. Otherwise a really good engaging read, the paranormal aspect is not overdone and feels natural. I would have liked a little more information about some of the characters, but that is a minor point.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read, looking forward to catching up with more from this series

[Emy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an elderly lady dies quietly in her chair and then days later another is found dead in similar circumstances, it is down to DCI Kenny Murrain and his team to uncover the truth.
With good pacing, interesting characters and an engaging plot, this gave the book an edge that I enjoyed. Whilst there was some supernatural element tot the story, I found it not to be overplayed so that the focus was on the twists that eat murderous plot took.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read in the DCI Murrain series, with a few interesting characters added into the mix. It's a fast paced story, with the body count rising and a hint of the supernatural. I liked the slight twist, the fast pace and the build up to the finale. Everything you could want in a solid police procedural. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Mark Pearce · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the series. The books and the evolving story seem to get better with each one. I look forward to the next.