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DCI Lomond #7
Broken Ranks
Loyalty can be a death sentence…
Under the Erskine Bridge, the body of a troubled young soldier is pulled from the River Clyde in an apparent suicide.
But one of DCI John Lomond’s Major Investigations Team believes there is evidence of foul play.
Forced to work alongside the hostile Royal Military Police, and Army officials looking to avoid a scandal, Lomond and his team find themselves obstructed from all sides.
Stripped of his usual authority, Lomond must navigate an unfamiliar chain of command, and a culture of silence and secrets.
To unmask a killer, Lomond must convince someone on the inside to do the break ranks.
But in a place where loyalty is law, telling the truth might be the one thing that gets you killed.
From the bestselling author of The Bonnie Dead and The Long Isle, Andrew Raymond captures the voices of his beloved home city, and takes you into its hidden depths.
If you like writers like JD Kirk, Ian Rankin, and Val McDermid, this addictive thriller will have you gripped until its final pages.
Under the Erskine Bridge, the body of a troubled young soldier is pulled from the River Clyde in an apparent suicide.
But one of DCI John Lomond’s Major Investigations Team believes there is evidence of foul play.
Forced to work alongside the hostile Royal Military Police, and Army officials looking to avoid a scandal, Lomond and his team find themselves obstructed from all sides.
Stripped of his usual authority, Lomond must navigate an unfamiliar chain of command, and a culture of silence and secrets.
To unmask a killer, Lomond must convince someone on the inside to do the break ranks.
But in a place where loyalty is law, telling the truth might be the one thing that gets you killed.
From the bestselling author of The Bonnie Dead and The Long Isle, Andrew Raymond captures the voices of his beloved home city, and takes you into its hidden depths.
If you like writers like JD Kirk, Ian Rankin, and Val McDermid, this addictive thriller will have you gripped until its final pages.
- GenresMystery
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2026
About the author
Andrew Raymond
21 books296 followersI've been a fan of thrillers ever since watching All the President's Men when I was far too young to understand what was going on. Now every day I get to indulge in my passion for fast-paced stories, characters you really care about, and to bring you behind the scenes of the intelligence agencies and the most secretive parts of the political world (the parts they don't want you to know about).
It's often said that I write cinematically, which isn't a coincidence, as my influences are as much in cinema as literature: Daniel Craig's Bond films, Glengarry Glen Ross, Spartan. TV has also been a major factor in my writing. From the original BBC miniseries State of Play, David Simon's The Wire, and Aaron Sorkin, writer of The West Wing; and the US version of House of Cards.
I have worked in the book industry since I was 21.
It's often said that I write cinematically, which isn't a coincidence, as my influences are as much in cinema as literature: Daniel Craig's Bond films, Glengarry Glen Ross, Spartan. TV has also been a major factor in my writing. From the original BBC miniseries State of Play, David Simon's The Wire, and Aaron Sorkin, writer of The West Wing; and the US version of House of Cards.
I have worked in the book industry since I was 21.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy
This excellent Scottish police procedural, mixed with the RMP, is the 7th volume of the marvellous "DCI Lomond" series.
Storytelling is wonderful, all characters are believable and lifelike in this crime story about dealings with abusive pressure from above, human hardship, difficult career choices, loyalty towards superiors, manipulation and murder.
This book is set in Glasgow and the army barracks, called St Kilda for its extremities and toughness, and it starts off with the death of Gunner Aimee Munro, after fleeing from the base and later found in the Clyde under the Erskine Bridge.
And so a new case for DCI Lomond and his team, DI Willie Sneddon, DS Ross McNair, and DCs Jason Yang, Donna Higgins and Jamie Grado to solve, but this investigation has to be joined investigation with the RMP, which will be lead by a Major Whiting.
While the military are trying to put this case away as suicide, all by the manipulations by someone very senior within the military forces, DCI Lomond and his team will receive some important info and collect evidence by sheer determination and grit to prove that Gunner Aimee Munro was murdered, and this murder will lead to assault and another murder under the supervision of someone within the military environment.
What is to follow is a very entertaining Scottish police procedural, with a somewhat predictable issue as sexual harassment on the work floor by a controlling individual during this investigation, and this person is also capable of manipulating others to do the dirty work for him with murders as the ultimate results, and all this is brought to us in a most compelling fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is a remarkable addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Gripping Insightful Broken Ranks"!
Storytelling is wonderful, all characters are believable and lifelike in this crime story about dealings with abusive pressure from above, human hardship, difficult career choices, loyalty towards superiors, manipulation and murder.
This book is set in Glasgow and the army barracks, called St Kilda for its extremities and toughness, and it starts off with the death of Gunner Aimee Munro, after fleeing from the base and later found in the Clyde under the Erskine Bridge.
And so a new case for DCI Lomond and his team, DI Willie Sneddon, DS Ross McNair, and DCs Jason Yang, Donna Higgins and Jamie Grado to solve, but this investigation has to be joined investigation with the RMP, which will be lead by a Major Whiting.
While the military are trying to put this case away as suicide, all by the manipulations by someone very senior within the military forces, DCI Lomond and his team will receive some important info and collect evidence by sheer determination and grit to prove that Gunner Aimee Munro was murdered, and this murder will lead to assault and another murder under the supervision of someone within the military environment.
What is to follow is a very entertaining Scottish police procedural, with a somewhat predictable issue as sexual harassment on the work floor by a controlling individual during this investigation, and this person is also capable of manipulating others to do the dirty work for him with murders as the ultimate results, and all this is brought to us in a most compelling fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is a remarkable addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Gripping Insightful Broken Ranks"!
September 24, 2026
Well-told. tense and twisty tale, doubly interesting for conflict of police and military, and much enjoyed.
August 10, 2026
This latest book in the series is another cracker. The apparent suicide of a young army soldier is deemed otherwise by the police pathologist, contrary to the quick decision made by another pathologist sent by the army. This leads Lomond and his team into direct conflict with the military who want the investigation wrapped up quickly and cleanly.
I loved the conflict here between both organisations and how Lomond and the team manage to still conduct their investigation despite being stymied it seems at every turn. There is still humour throughout. Lomond's nervy behaviour regarding Caitriona's pregnancy is both funny and a bit poignant. It's another page-turner that had me hooked throughout and I can't wait for the next book to come along.
I loved the conflict here between both organisations and how Lomond and the team manage to still conduct their investigation despite being stymied it seems at every turn. There is still humour throughout. Lomond's nervy behaviour regarding Caitriona's pregnancy is both funny and a bit poignant. It's another page-turner that had me hooked throughout and I can't wait for the next book to come along.
Review of advance copy
When a dead female soldier if found in the Clyde at the Erskine bridge, It necessitates a combined investigation between the military and the police - not something Lomond really wants and not helped by the fact that one of his team knew her. Lomond is thwarted at every point which instead of putting him off, makes him even more determined to get justice for the woman. The story goes along at a good steady pace making it a great page turner, wanting to find out what is going to happen next. A good addition to this great series.
July 31, 2026
Once again Andrew Raymond has had me on the edge of my seat... following DCI John Lomond and team wade through a complex case alongside Major Whiting of the military police, murder, corruption in the armed forces and coercive practices from senior ranks ... what more could a reader ask for definitely 5🌟
August 9, 2026
different
Excellent
Different Took Lomond a different mile from his norm
The team really surpassed each and every one of them and Donna - superb
When we will know the truth about RUTH
Not to be relied on and trusted
I await the next episode of Lomand and HIs New family life
Let it be soon!!
Excellent
Different Took Lomond a different mile from his norm
The team really surpassed each and every one of them and Donna - superb
When we will know the truth about RUTH
Not to be relied on and trusted
I await the next episode of Lomand and HIs New family life
Let it be soon!!
August 1, 2026
Brilliant
This is so good. Parts of this must have been very difficult for the author but the storyline and the characters are totally believable. It is another winner in this wonderful series.
This is so good. Parts of this must have been very difficult for the author but the storyline and the characters are totally believable. It is another winner in this wonderful series.
August 2, 2026
Another great read
What can I say.... another amazing read.
I've missed these books.
The story, the characters, the twist in the end.
A brilliant series.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
Thank you Andrew Raymond.
What can I say.... another amazing read.
I've missed these books.
The story, the characters, the twist in the end.
A brilliant series.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
Thank you Andrew Raymond.
August 11, 2026
Great book
Another good read in this series read it in a day an couldn't put it down.Limped and his team were great as usual and the story brilliant can't wait for the next instalment.
Another good read in this series read it in a day an couldn't put it down.Limped and his team were great as usual and the story brilliant can't wait for the next instalment.
August 19, 2026
great story
Well crafted story with believable baddies . Unputdownable. I know the goodies win in the end but the author deals with it sympathetically and
Believably. Can’t wait for Lomonds next challenge.
Well crafted story with believable baddies . Unputdownable. I know the goodies win in the end but the author deals with it sympathetically and
Believably. Can’t wait for Lomonds next challenge.
October 22, 2026
I liked this book. The interplay between the police and the Army was interesting. The discovery of the actual killer was a bit underwhelming but I was glad to see the other outcomes. (trying to avoid spoilers). As I have come to expect, Angus King’s reading was flawless.
August 13, 2026
Broken Ranks
Brilliant book with so many twists and turns….it was cleverly written, with an unusual twist at the end. Super book.
Brilliant book with so many twists and turns….it was cleverly written, with an unusual twist at the end. Super book.
August 15, 2026
A Stotter of a read
I won’t give anything away but this is the best John Lomond book in the series. It’s one of those “ can’t put it down” books Thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.
I won’t give anything away but this is the best John Lomond book in the series. It’s one of those “ can’t put it down” books Thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.
August 29, 2026
I was looking forward to this book and wasn't disappointed. Storyline was great and moved at pace. The main group of characters help make it work.
October 26, 2026
I love this series!
October 29, 2026
Another in the DCI Lomond series.
November 6, 2026
❤️ DCI Lomond 😊
September 12, 2026
Another winner
I was relieved when the Ferryman was finally unmasked in the last booked and hoped that corrupt officers were no longer front of centre of the story. I’m not sure if that is the case, certainly some of them lack integrity but that is not a crime, just morally questionable.
The death of a young gunner was initially considered to be a suicide but, her friend DC Jason Yang thought that there was more to it and once he had managed to convince Lomond that there were some unusual factors about the case they began investigating.
This was a thoroughly absorbing story and I enjoyed every minute.
I was relieved when the Ferryman was finally unmasked in the last booked and hoped that corrupt officers were no longer front of centre of the story. I’m not sure if that is the case, certainly some of them lack integrity but that is not a crime, just morally questionable.
The death of a young gunner was initially considered to be a suicide but, her friend DC Jason Yang thought that there was more to it and once he had managed to convince Lomond that there were some unusual factors about the case they began investigating.
This was a thoroughly absorbing story and I enjoyed every minute.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews