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DCI Lorimer #18
Before the Storm
***Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's Sunday Times bestselling Scottish detective series***
Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. ECHO OF THE DEAD is out in paperback in November 2022 and a new mystery, QUESTIONS FOR A DEAD MAN, is out in March 2023.
Whether you've read them all or whether this is your first Lorimer novel, Before the Storm is perfect if you love Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves
' Before the Storm is classic Alex Gray - warm-hearted, atmospheric . . . with a very interesting twist' ANN CLEEVES
'An exciting procedural' SUNDAY TIMES
'Another brilliant Lorimer adventure' ***** Reader Review
'Exciting and unexpected, I hope it's not too long till the next one' ***** Reader Review
'Lorimer is up there with the best' ***** Reader Review
' Alex Gray returns with another belter' THE HERALD
_______________
Your favourite Scottish detective is back with a brand new case, one that threatens to destroy everything.
Inspector Daniel Kohi of the Zimbabwean police force returns home one night to find his worst nightmare has been realised. His family dead, his house destroyed, and in fear for his life, he is forced to flee the country he loves.
Far away in Glasgow, DSI William Lorimer has his hands full. Christmas is approaching, the city is bustling, and whilst the homicide rate has been relatively low, something much darker is brewing. Counter-Terrorism have got wind of a plot, here in Lorimer's native city, to carry out an unspeakable atrocity on Christmas Eve. They need someone with local knowledge to help them root it out and who better than the head of the Scottish Major Incidents Team.
But the investigation is complicated by a spate of local murders, and by the rumours that someone is passing information to criminal organisations from inside the police force. Soon Lorimer finds himself in desperate need of assistance. Then he meets an extraordinary man - a refugee from Zimbabwe whose investigative skills are a match for Lorimer's own . . .
__________________
PRAISE FOR THE WILLIAM LORIMER SERIES
'Immensely exciting and atmospheric' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH
'Move over Rebus' DAILY MAIL
'Relentless and intriguing' PETER MAY
'Convincing Glaswegian atmosphere and superior writing' THE TIMES
Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. ECHO OF THE DEAD is out in paperback in November 2022 and a new mystery, QUESTIONS FOR A DEAD MAN, is out in March 2023.
Whether you've read them all or whether this is your first Lorimer novel, Before the Storm is perfect if you love Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves
' Before the Storm is classic Alex Gray - warm-hearted, atmospheric . . . with a very interesting twist' ANN CLEEVES
'An exciting procedural' SUNDAY TIMES
'Another brilliant Lorimer adventure' ***** Reader Review
'Exciting and unexpected, I hope it's not too long till the next one' ***** Reader Review
'Lorimer is up there with the best' ***** Reader Review
' Alex Gray returns with another belter' THE HERALD
_______________
Your favourite Scottish detective is back with a brand new case, one that threatens to destroy everything.
Inspector Daniel Kohi of the Zimbabwean police force returns home one night to find his worst nightmare has been realised. His family dead, his house destroyed, and in fear for his life, he is forced to flee the country he loves.
Far away in Glasgow, DSI William Lorimer has his hands full. Christmas is approaching, the city is bustling, and whilst the homicide rate has been relatively low, something much darker is brewing. Counter-Terrorism have got wind of a plot, here in Lorimer's native city, to carry out an unspeakable atrocity on Christmas Eve. They need someone with local knowledge to help them root it out and who better than the head of the Scottish Major Incidents Team.
But the investigation is complicated by a spate of local murders, and by the rumours that someone is passing information to criminal organisations from inside the police force. Soon Lorimer finds himself in desperate need of assistance. Then he meets an extraordinary man - a refugee from Zimbabwe whose investigative skills are a match for Lorimer's own . . .
__________________
PRAISE FOR THE WILLIAM LORIMER SERIES
'Immensely exciting and atmospheric' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH
'Move over Rebus' DAILY MAIL
'Relentless and intriguing' PETER MAY
'Convincing Glaswegian atmosphere and superior writing' THE TIMES
401 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2022
94 people are currently reading
352 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 90 reviews
February 15, 2021
Alex Gray's latest in her Glasgow based crime series featuring Detective Superintendent William 'Bill' Lorimer, has Lorimer pensively wondering about his future as he approaches nearly 30 years in the Scottish police service, reviewing the changes that have taken place, he is currently heading the Major Incident Team. It is a job that has taken its toll on him, but what else could he possibly do? In Zimbabwe, Police Inspector Daniel Kohi's life is shattered as his wife and son are killed in a deliberately started fire, all because he refused to become corrupt, leaving him forced to flee to escape the danger to his life. He is now a refugee, unable to work although he can volunteer, in a cold and dark Glasgow, where he has been allocated a flat in a impoverished part of the city. On arrival, he spots a man with a bloody knife down an alley. Given his former profession, Daniel can't help being curious and investigating.
Lorimer, Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Flint and Acting Chief Constable David Mearns are in the unenviable position of having to deal with the fallout from the leaking to the media of the names of undercover police officers, a leak that could only have come from within the police force. The undercover officers can no longer operate, a loss of valuable resources, with two being now desk bound, and the other quitting. Intelligence suggests there are terrorist cells in Glasgow, planning a spectacular atrocity in the run up to Christmas, and that there is a woman behind it. DS Sylvie Maxwell is working undercover at Thomas Bryson solicitors, suspected of handling funds for terrorism. DI Graham Brownlee finds himself leading an inquiry into the discovery of a burnt corpse, surprised to find Lorimer taking an interest. Daniel and Lorimer's paths connect in a tense investigation in the race to stop the nightmare scenario of multiple deaths and mayhem.
One of my favourite aspects of this series is the character of Lorimer, a man of compassion, depth and intelligence, willing to do what is necessary to get results, even if it means breaking the rules, as he does here in involving civilians, like his good friend, psychologist Professor Solomon Brightman and his new friend and informal colleague, Daniel. The haunted Daniel is a stellar character, having to acclimatise to a new country and culture, depressed but still in all respects a functioning police officer. I loved seeing his growing relationship with his elderly neighbour, Nella, and getting drawn into Lorimer's personal and professional circles. This is a riveting addition to this wonderful series, intense, engaging, and entertaining Scottish crime fiction that I think many other readers will enjoy. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
Lorimer, Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Flint and Acting Chief Constable David Mearns are in the unenviable position of having to deal with the fallout from the leaking to the media of the names of undercover police officers, a leak that could only have come from within the police force. The undercover officers can no longer operate, a loss of valuable resources, with two being now desk bound, and the other quitting. Intelligence suggests there are terrorist cells in Glasgow, planning a spectacular atrocity in the run up to Christmas, and that there is a woman behind it. DS Sylvie Maxwell is working undercover at Thomas Bryson solicitors, suspected of handling funds for terrorism. DI Graham Brownlee finds himself leading an inquiry into the discovery of a burnt corpse, surprised to find Lorimer taking an interest. Daniel and Lorimer's paths connect in a tense investigation in the race to stop the nightmare scenario of multiple deaths and mayhem.
One of my favourite aspects of this series is the character of Lorimer, a man of compassion, depth and intelligence, willing to do what is necessary to get results, even if it means breaking the rules, as he does here in involving civilians, like his good friend, psychologist Professor Solomon Brightman and his new friend and informal colleague, Daniel. The haunted Daniel is a stellar character, having to acclimatise to a new country and culture, depressed but still in all respects a functioning police officer. I loved seeing his growing relationship with his elderly neighbour, Nella, and getting drawn into Lorimer's personal and professional circles. This is a riveting addition to this wonderful series, intense, engaging, and entertaining Scottish crime fiction that I think many other readers will enjoy. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
October 15, 2025
This sublime Scottish crime novel is the 18th volume of the excellent "DSI Lorimer" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two phrases, one from Max Ehrmann and one taken from Job 37:9 and both very appropriate concerning this police procedure.
At the end within the Acknowledgments you'll notice where the author sought the help and made her research she needed in order to produce this crime novel.
Storytelling is brilliant, all characters are very human, believable and lifelike, and the storyline and eventual plots are superbly executed.
This book has two main subjects, one is the preparation of a terror attack and the eventual devastation this attack must wreak vengeance on the Christian society out of a deluded imagination, and the second is the sometimes harsh treatment of refugees and the difficult solutions associated with it.
DSI Lorimer is tested to the very limits of his investigative being to find this fanatic perpetrator in an effort to rescue Glasgow from devastation and death from this terrible terror attack, and while doing so he's assisted by his colleagues within the MIT, by his friend Dr Solomon Brightman, and by a refugee from Zimbabwe, the former police officer called, Daniel Kohi.
Very much recommended, for this is another awesome addition to this magnificent series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Captivating Storm Thwarted"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find two phrases, one from Max Ehrmann and one taken from Job 37:9 and both very appropriate concerning this police procedure.
At the end within the Acknowledgments you'll notice where the author sought the help and made her research she needed in order to produce this crime novel.
Storytelling is brilliant, all characters are very human, believable and lifelike, and the storyline and eventual plots are superbly executed.
This book has two main subjects, one is the preparation of a terror attack and the eventual devastation this attack must wreak vengeance on the Christian society out of a deluded imagination, and the second is the sometimes harsh treatment of refugees and the difficult solutions associated with it.
DSI Lorimer is tested to the very limits of his investigative being to find this fanatic perpetrator in an effort to rescue Glasgow from devastation and death from this terrible terror attack, and while doing so he's assisted by his colleagues within the MIT, by his friend Dr Solomon Brightman, and by a refugee from Zimbabwe, the former police officer called, Daniel Kohi.
Very much recommended, for this is another awesome addition to this magnificent series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Captivating Storm Thwarted"!
March 25, 2021
Before the Storm is the eighteenth instalment in the Detective Superintendent William ”Bill” Lorimer series, set in and around the city of Glasgow and surrounding areas. 30-year-old DSI Lorimer, who is the head of the Major Incident Team at Police Scotland, is investigating a spate of local murders when he gets wind of something much more in his wheelhouse. Intelligence reaches him from the Counter-Terrorism Unit that there is a substantial atrocity being planned and prepared for the city centre on Christmas Eve. But Bill has a big problem: there appears to be an as yet unidentified mole leaking vital police information to the press and media which means his 4 undercover officers, to be utilised in situations such as this, have had their identities revealed in the newspaper rendering them useless; this can only have come from within the force. It has led to two having to take on administrative work and a third quit, leaving the police understaffed. Now, to lessen the chance of another damaging leak, there is a closed circle of trusted people and intelligence is on a need-to-know basis only, limited to those who are working on the terrorism case, and superiors, as there are simply too many lives at stake to get it wrong. Lorimer certainly has his hands full. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Daniel Kohi, a Police Inspector in Zimbabwe, decides to leave for England after a terrible tragedy. His wife and son have been killed in an arson attack carried out because he refused to turn to corruption. His life in pieces he flees the country fearing for his safety knowing that they will try again to kill him, and as soon as he arrives in Glasgow as an asylum seeker he witnesses something both disturbing and suspicious on the very first night in his new hometown - a man with a bloody knife leaving Thomas Bryson solicitors down a back alley shortly before reentering. Due to his past occupation Kohi simply cannot leave it alone. Once a detective always a detective.
He begins to investigate this sighting himself even though he cannot strictly work, only volunteer for now until his asylum is granted. And then, a short time later, the body of a man is found in the vicinity and he just happened to have been stabbed and then burned. The victim had worked at the law firm. This brings Kohi into contact with Lorimer as they have both been working on the same murder case. It becomes apparent that DS Sylvie Maxwell had been working undercover at the solicitors due to suspicions that they are handling funds to be used to commit terrorist acts. DI Graham Brownlee is the lead on the case of the burnt body and Kohi and Lorimer's paths converge in a complex and suspenseful investigation as they know the disastrous impact and havoc they would wreak if the terrorist sleeper cells in the city were allowed to become active. The loss of life and the damage to infrastructure would be catastrophic. Can they find those planning mass murder, and the woman seemingly pulling all the strings, before Christmas Eve arrives, as well as solving the murders? This is a compulsive and enthralling addition to the series with all the action, twists, turns, drama and complexity you need to keep you engaged. The pages turn themselves as the police race against time to save lives and allow a safe Christmas to occur. Racing along we reacquaint ourselves with Bonny Scotland through some of the language and sardonic humour interspersed liberally throughout and of course Bill himself. He's a sympathetic, compassionate and principled guy through and through and it honestly makes a refreshing change from macho protagonists. The multiple plot strands work seamlessly together, and I found myself riveted by each one equally. I highly recommend this scintillating, intensely absorbing and thoroughly entertaining procedural to all crime fiction fans.
He begins to investigate this sighting himself even though he cannot strictly work, only volunteer for now until his asylum is granted. And then, a short time later, the body of a man is found in the vicinity and he just happened to have been stabbed and then burned. The victim had worked at the law firm. This brings Kohi into contact with Lorimer as they have both been working on the same murder case. It becomes apparent that DS Sylvie Maxwell had been working undercover at the solicitors due to suspicions that they are handling funds to be used to commit terrorist acts. DI Graham Brownlee is the lead on the case of the burnt body and Kohi and Lorimer's paths converge in a complex and suspenseful investigation as they know the disastrous impact and havoc they would wreak if the terrorist sleeper cells in the city were allowed to become active. The loss of life and the damage to infrastructure would be catastrophic. Can they find those planning mass murder, and the woman seemingly pulling all the strings, before Christmas Eve arrives, as well as solving the murders? This is a compulsive and enthralling addition to the series with all the action, twists, turns, drama and complexity you need to keep you engaged. The pages turn themselves as the police race against time to save lives and allow a safe Christmas to occur. Racing along we reacquaint ourselves with Bonny Scotland through some of the language and sardonic humour interspersed liberally throughout and of course Bill himself. He's a sympathetic, compassionate and principled guy through and through and it honestly makes a refreshing change from macho protagonists. The multiple plot strands work seamlessly together, and I found myself riveted by each one equally. I highly recommend this scintillating, intensely absorbing and thoroughly entertaining procedural to all crime fiction fans.
April 3, 2021
At the outset of Before the Storm, Zimbabwean Inspector Daniel Kohi is overcome with remorse and grief as he watches his home engulfed in flames that destroy the structure while his wife and son are helplessly trapped inside. This tragedy is a deliberate act of retribution by his superiors because Daniel would not participate in the corruption rampant in his police force. Aware that he is the next target, Daniel seeks asylum in Scotland and winds up in Glasgow. Stateless and unemployed, Daniel’s adaptation to his new country takes a startling turn when he witnesses a man wielding a bloody knife in an alley.With no official standing, Daniel can only informally martial his investigative skills without any outlet for his observations.
As these events are unfolding,the well entrenched protagonist of this series, Detective Superintendent Bill Lorimer is beset with his own tangle of problems.He has received intelligence that there are terrorist cells planning a major incident during the upcoming Christmas holidays. Moreover, someone is leaking the identities of undercover operatives to the press, forcing these officers out of their assigned roles and reducing the manpower necessary to root out the terrorist cells. Lorimer is unsure if the leak comes from within and is challenged by the dual task of uncovering the mole and preventing a terrorist strike.He ultimately finds a valuable ally when Daniel’s informal investigation results in a connection with Lorimer. Relying on a few trusted people, Lorimer combines both procedurally approved and informal secretive inquiries in an effort to avert disaster.
This book, my first in this series, is certainly a well crafted procedural. The recurring characters were well presented and I had no trouble engaging with them and getting a sense of their backstories.Bill Lorimer is a well thought out character who displays intelligence,organization and an ability to wink at standard rules when necessary. The most interesting character, though, was newcomer Daniel Kohi. Daniel’s evolving relationship with both Lorimer and his neighbor Nella begin to present a lens that reveals his personality. Daniel has a lot to overcome in terms of coping with displacement and adapting to a foreign culture. I would have been interested in having a more in depth description of this process. This quibble does not detract from the enjoyment of this well done book. Prior to reading this book,my main literary impression of Glasgow has come from the books of Denise Mina. Alex Gray certainly portrays a different Glasgow than that in Denise Mina’s universe. This encounter in Ms Gray’s world may be my first, but I am confident it will not be my last.
As these events are unfolding,the well entrenched protagonist of this series, Detective Superintendent Bill Lorimer is beset with his own tangle of problems.He has received intelligence that there are terrorist cells planning a major incident during the upcoming Christmas holidays. Moreover, someone is leaking the identities of undercover operatives to the press, forcing these officers out of their assigned roles and reducing the manpower necessary to root out the terrorist cells. Lorimer is unsure if the leak comes from within and is challenged by the dual task of uncovering the mole and preventing a terrorist strike.He ultimately finds a valuable ally when Daniel’s informal investigation results in a connection with Lorimer. Relying on a few trusted people, Lorimer combines both procedurally approved and informal secretive inquiries in an effort to avert disaster.
This book, my first in this series, is certainly a well crafted procedural. The recurring characters were well presented and I had no trouble engaging with them and getting a sense of their backstories.Bill Lorimer is a well thought out character who displays intelligence,organization and an ability to wink at standard rules when necessary. The most interesting character, though, was newcomer Daniel Kohi. Daniel’s evolving relationship with both Lorimer and his neighbor Nella begin to present a lens that reveals his personality. Daniel has a lot to overcome in terms of coping with displacement and adapting to a foreign culture. I would have been interested in having a more in depth description of this process. This quibble does not detract from the enjoyment of this well done book. Prior to reading this book,my main literary impression of Glasgow has come from the books of Denise Mina. Alex Gray certainly portrays a different Glasgow than that in Denise Mina’s universe. This encounter in Ms Gray’s world may be my first, but I am confident it will not be my last.
February 10, 2024
Before The Storm
I really liked this in the end but I found the start was a bit slow . My favourite character was Netta and Daniel was a close second
I really liked this in the end but I found the start was a bit slow . My favourite character was Netta and Daniel was a close second
February 21, 2021
A good solid crime story with some well defined and strong characters. DSI William Lorimer head of the Major Incident Team (MIT) is investigating some local murders when intelligence reaches him, from counter terrorism, that an atrocity is planned somewhere in the good city of Glascow on Xmas eve. To complicate matters there are rumours that information is being leaked to terrorist organisations from someone within Police Scotland. He is in desperate need of assistance and this comes from the most unlikely source Inspector Daniel Kohi late of the Zimbabwean police who finds himself alone in a strange city with an even stranger dialect! Koki has a past to forget and with the friendship of Lorimer and the support of his strange neighbour Netta he begins to live again….” Ye goat a name , son? Pardon? Daniel frowned. Goats? What did goats have to do with anything? Goat a name? Netta repeated, poking his arm. Ah cannae jist ca ye Mr Zimbabwe, can ah, noo?”......
The tension and snappy dialect combine to create a very enjoyable read. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
The tension and snappy dialect combine to create a very enjoyable read. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
May 5, 2021
Love this series but this one was very confusing.
August 21, 2022
Really enjoyed this and now need to go back to the beginning of the series to see how it all started.
April 10, 2021
In Before the Storm, the eighteenth book in this series, it’s not long until Christmas, and a terrorist attack in the centre of Glasgow is believed to be imminent. Detective Superintendent William Lorimer is quietly investigating a suspected leak in his department. The identities of undercover officers were revealed in the press, and they had to be taken off the case for their own safety. One remains embedded in a firm of solicitors thought to be involved in money laundering that is funding the terrorists. But time is running out.
Daniel Kuhi, a refugee from Zimbabwe, arrives in Glasgow seeking asylum. On his way to his accommodation, he sees a man with a bloody knife lurking down an alleyway in the city centre, and his suspicions are aroused. Formerly a DI in his native country, he cannot ignore what he has seen and continues to investigate on his own. He comes into contact with Lorimer, who finds his information useful, and is asked to carry on working unofficially to help catch the terrorists.
It is refreshing to read a police procedural where the main character is stable and trustworthy, instead of troubled and tortured, with a drink problem and failed relationships behind them. Lorimer is fortunate in that his wife, Maggie, has a career of her own and understands the demands placed on him by his job.
Daniel Kuhi is a wonderful addition to the cast of characters as he is so well drawn. I loved his relationship with his new neighbour, Netta, and how they helped each other. The banter between them, as Daniel tries to understand her Glaswegian dialect, provides some light relief from the serious situation. Despite everything he has gone through, he is an honourable man, and hopefully this will not be the last we see of Detective Inspector Kuhi.
I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series, and they just keep getting better and better. The emphasis here is not just on the horribly violent crimes, but also the human stories behind them. Told from various points of view, with occasional sections from the mystery woman believed to be behind the terrorist threat, we get a rounded picture of what is going on as the tension mounts and the deadline approaches. However, the real star of this series is the setting – Alex Gray paints a recognisably vivid picture of the city that I know so well. I will now have to be patient as I wait to find out what Lorimer does next. Thanks to Sphere and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
Daniel Kuhi, a refugee from Zimbabwe, arrives in Glasgow seeking asylum. On his way to his accommodation, he sees a man with a bloody knife lurking down an alleyway in the city centre, and his suspicions are aroused. Formerly a DI in his native country, he cannot ignore what he has seen and continues to investigate on his own. He comes into contact with Lorimer, who finds his information useful, and is asked to carry on working unofficially to help catch the terrorists.
It is refreshing to read a police procedural where the main character is stable and trustworthy, instead of troubled and tortured, with a drink problem and failed relationships behind them. Lorimer is fortunate in that his wife, Maggie, has a career of her own and understands the demands placed on him by his job.
Daniel Kuhi is a wonderful addition to the cast of characters as he is so well drawn. I loved his relationship with his new neighbour, Netta, and how they helped each other. The banter between them, as Daniel tries to understand her Glaswegian dialect, provides some light relief from the serious situation. Despite everything he has gone through, he is an honourable man, and hopefully this will not be the last we see of Detective Inspector Kuhi.
I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series, and they just keep getting better and better. The emphasis here is not just on the horribly violent crimes, but also the human stories behind them. Told from various points of view, with occasional sections from the mystery woman believed to be behind the terrorist threat, we get a rounded picture of what is going on as the tension mounts and the deadline approaches. However, the real star of this series is the setting – Alex Gray paints a recognisably vivid picture of the city that I know so well. I will now have to be patient as I wait to find out what Lorimer does next. Thanks to Sphere and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
October 17, 2023
Given up on this book very long winded.
February 18, 2024
Solid offering from Alex Gray. Her books, set in Glasgow, are generally good mysteries. I love DSI Lorimer, he is a really good guy and I like the relationships with his wife Maggie and other surrounding characters. This one was very topical as it dealt with immigration, which is an issue in the UK and the US as well.
March 8, 2024
Shall be definitely be on the lookout for more in this series. Excellent read and kept me enthralled until the last page 👏👏👏
December 25, 2025
A mediocre book at best
March 26, 2022
I found this a bit hard to get into, but once it had warned up it was fine. Just waiting for the price to come down on kindle to read the next one.
March 25, 2021
Its ages since I read a William Lorimer novel and I’d forgotten how warm and welcoming they are. This one especially, amid the murders and bombings is full of the warmth of human kindness and is all the better for it.
Sometimes it’s good to read a police procedural where the cop in question isn’t riddled with angst, hard drinking and hiding a deadly secret. Bill Lorimer is a senior policeman, happily married to Maggie and after an eventful career, is now heading up the Major Incident Team and idly musing on whether or not it is time to think about retiring.
First though, he has a serious problem to resolve. Someone has been leaking the identity of his undercover agents, placing them in jeopardy and forcing them into stepping back from that work.
Daniel Kohi used to be an Inspector in the Zimbabwean Police but has now fled Zimbabwe after the murder of his wife and child, following his refusal to join in corrupt activities. He is now a refugee, hoping to achieve settled status and eventually be allowed to work. He’s just arrived in Glasgow, knowing no-one but has at least been allocated a flat to stay in.
On his way to find his accommodation, he witnesses something suspicious in a lane just off Hope Street and his police instinct kicks in. He wants to know more, but first he must find his bearings and get to his accommodation.
As Lorimer seeks to discover who is the leak in his department he is also hearing from Acting Chief Constable David Mearns that there is covert intelligence about a possible terrorist attack in Glasgow and that makes finding the leaker even more pressing business. When the body of a murdered man, first stabbed and then burned, is discovered and it turns out he was an employee of a law firm which Lorimer has under observation and into which he has put an undercover agent, he knows he has to make this a high priority.
DS Sylvie Maxwell is the undercover agent at Thomas Bryson solicitors, put there because the firm is suspected of handling funds that are being channelled into terrorist activities. DI Graham Brownlee is the lead officer on the case of the murdered man and can’t understand why Lorimer is taking such an active interest in his case.
Meanwhile Daniel has found his new accommodation and though it’s a bit grim, to put it mildly, it has the benefit of being next door to the wee Glasgow wifie that is Netta. All patter and welcome, she has Daniel in and on his first cup of tea before he knows what’s happening.
Alex Gray’s novel takes us on a journey that encompasses the experience of refugees, loan sharking, terrorism and the extraordinary danger that police personnel are sometimes placed in when seeking to prevent atrocities. It’s an exciting mix that makes for thrilling reading.
Knowing that he has a clearly well-placed leak inside the higher echelons of Police Scotland, Lorimer takes an unorthodox route into making sure his enquiries are kept on the down-low and thus it is that once their paths have connected, both Daniel Kohi and the redoubtable Solly Brightman are drafted in by Lorimer to assist. It may not be strictly by the book, but Lorimer knows who he can trust and puts his faith in these men.
As a date is put on the most likely timing for a bombing, the pressure is on Lorimer to quickly gather the intelligence he needs and it is a tense and dramatic time which is only exacerbated by a vicious attack that strikes at the heart of Lorimer’s fears.
Alex Gray does an excellent job of portraying Daniel Kohi as an intelligent, likeable and perceptive policeman and it would be a real delight if her were to gain his settled status and find a role in future books. Daniel has clearly made a positive impact on Maggie and Netta, as he does on all the women he meets, and its time we had a bit of love interest around!
Verdict: A police procedural infused with great characters and a fine sense of place. It is an engaging read which, while it deals with some quite terrible subjects, nevertheless leaves the reader with an overwhelming sense of warmth and humanity. And goodness knows we all need some of that right now!
Sometimes it’s good to read a police procedural where the cop in question isn’t riddled with angst, hard drinking and hiding a deadly secret. Bill Lorimer is a senior policeman, happily married to Maggie and after an eventful career, is now heading up the Major Incident Team and idly musing on whether or not it is time to think about retiring.
First though, he has a serious problem to resolve. Someone has been leaking the identity of his undercover agents, placing them in jeopardy and forcing them into stepping back from that work.
Daniel Kohi used to be an Inspector in the Zimbabwean Police but has now fled Zimbabwe after the murder of his wife and child, following his refusal to join in corrupt activities. He is now a refugee, hoping to achieve settled status and eventually be allowed to work. He’s just arrived in Glasgow, knowing no-one but has at least been allocated a flat to stay in.
On his way to find his accommodation, he witnesses something suspicious in a lane just off Hope Street and his police instinct kicks in. He wants to know more, but first he must find his bearings and get to his accommodation.
As Lorimer seeks to discover who is the leak in his department he is also hearing from Acting Chief Constable David Mearns that there is covert intelligence about a possible terrorist attack in Glasgow and that makes finding the leaker even more pressing business. When the body of a murdered man, first stabbed and then burned, is discovered and it turns out he was an employee of a law firm which Lorimer has under observation and into which he has put an undercover agent, he knows he has to make this a high priority.
DS Sylvie Maxwell is the undercover agent at Thomas Bryson solicitors, put there because the firm is suspected of handling funds that are being channelled into terrorist activities. DI Graham Brownlee is the lead officer on the case of the murdered man and can’t understand why Lorimer is taking such an active interest in his case.
Meanwhile Daniel has found his new accommodation and though it’s a bit grim, to put it mildly, it has the benefit of being next door to the wee Glasgow wifie that is Netta. All patter and welcome, she has Daniel in and on his first cup of tea before he knows what’s happening.
Alex Gray’s novel takes us on a journey that encompasses the experience of refugees, loan sharking, terrorism and the extraordinary danger that police personnel are sometimes placed in when seeking to prevent atrocities. It’s an exciting mix that makes for thrilling reading.
Knowing that he has a clearly well-placed leak inside the higher echelons of Police Scotland, Lorimer takes an unorthodox route into making sure his enquiries are kept on the down-low and thus it is that once their paths have connected, both Daniel Kohi and the redoubtable Solly Brightman are drafted in by Lorimer to assist. It may not be strictly by the book, but Lorimer knows who he can trust and puts his faith in these men.
As a date is put on the most likely timing for a bombing, the pressure is on Lorimer to quickly gather the intelligence he needs and it is a tense and dramatic time which is only exacerbated by a vicious attack that strikes at the heart of Lorimer’s fears.
Alex Gray does an excellent job of portraying Daniel Kohi as an intelligent, likeable and perceptive policeman and it would be a real delight if her were to gain his settled status and find a role in future books. Daniel has clearly made a positive impact on Maggie and Netta, as he does on all the women he meets, and its time we had a bit of love interest around!
Verdict: A police procedural infused with great characters and a fine sense of place. It is an engaging read which, while it deals with some quite terrible subjects, nevertheless leaves the reader with an overwhelming sense of warmth and humanity. And goodness knows we all need some of that right now!
March 28, 2021
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
Where have I been living and why have I never read anything by Alex Gray before? This is book 18 for heaven's sake!!! I must have been living under a rock and walking around with my eyes closed to have missed this series because if the previous 17 are anything close to being as good as this, I really have been missing out on a treat. I was a little concerned that coming into an already well established series wasn't a good idea but I needn't have worried as this worked really well as a standalone.
This is an excellent police procedural with a very up-to-date and relevant story line. It is not a white-knuckle, action packed story and it's not full of swearing, violence or gory details but it is written at a steady pace with a growing sense of tension and urgency which makes it a compulsive and riveting read.
The characters are so good and so well developed that I really felt I knew them. I read a lot of crime fiction and police procedurals and I have to say that it is refreshing for the main character not to be full of his own troubles or issues or who is in conflict with either his colleagues or his bosses. Daniel was an excellent addition and his relationship with his neighbour, Netta, was a joy to read ... I do hope that these 2 make an appearance in subsequent books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would very much recommend this to everyone and I must thank The Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
Alex Gray is definitely on my watchlist now!
Where have I been living and why have I never read anything by Alex Gray before? This is book 18 for heaven's sake!!! I must have been living under a rock and walking around with my eyes closed to have missed this series because if the previous 17 are anything close to being as good as this, I really have been missing out on a treat. I was a little concerned that coming into an already well established series wasn't a good idea but I needn't have worried as this worked really well as a standalone.
This is an excellent police procedural with a very up-to-date and relevant story line. It is not a white-knuckle, action packed story and it's not full of swearing, violence or gory details but it is written at a steady pace with a growing sense of tension and urgency which makes it a compulsive and riveting read.
The characters are so good and so well developed that I really felt I knew them. I read a lot of crime fiction and police procedurals and I have to say that it is refreshing for the main character not to be full of his own troubles or issues or who is in conflict with either his colleagues or his bosses. Daniel was an excellent addition and his relationship with his neighbour, Netta, was a joy to read ... I do hope that these 2 make an appearance in subsequent books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would very much recommend this to everyone and I must thank The Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
Alex Gray is definitely on my watchlist now!
July 4, 2021
⭐️ 5 ⭐️
Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Alex Gray for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This is the first book I’ve read by Alex Gray, and it certainly won’t be the last.
If you haven’t read any of the other DSI William (Bill) Lorimer series, don’t worry - Before The Storm works perfectly well as a standalone.
Alex Gray’s fabulous attention to detail really allows you to visualise her characters. I became particularly fond of Netty and Daniel, and the heart-warming relationship they formed. The characters have great depth, and I was totally invested in their story.
The book wasn’t overly littered with characters either - allowing you to easily follow the plot, without having to digest too much information.
Overall, an excellent police procedural, with a gripping storyline and a few red herrings thrown in for good measure.
I will now be adding the other seventeen (!) in the series to my TBR list.
I would highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Alex Gray for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This is the first book I’ve read by Alex Gray, and it certainly won’t be the last.
If you haven’t read any of the other DSI William (Bill) Lorimer series, don’t worry - Before The Storm works perfectly well as a standalone.
Alex Gray’s fabulous attention to detail really allows you to visualise her characters. I became particularly fond of Netty and Daniel, and the heart-warming relationship they formed. The characters have great depth, and I was totally invested in their story.
The book wasn’t overly littered with characters either - allowing you to easily follow the plot, without having to digest too much information.
Overall, an excellent police procedural, with a gripping storyline and a few red herrings thrown in for good measure.
I will now be adding the other seventeen (!) in the series to my TBR list.
I would highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 7, 2021
I’ve enjoyed a few of the Lorimer stories but found this one quite disappointing. It was very predictable and just too “feel good”! Daniel’s neighbour Netta receiving the email when she did, Burns walking out of a door with a bloody knife just as Daniel arrived, two terrorists drinking coffee in a refugee centre accepting Daniel at face value….no, altogether too much. Wouldn’t have been surprised if Molly Newton and Daniel had hooked up at the end….but perhaps that’s for the next book!
March 24, 2021
I’ve been reading lots of crime fiction during lockdown, finding that I need things to read that are distracting and fast-paced. I’d heard about Alex Gray’s Lorimer series of police procedural novels set in Glasgow, but hadn’t read any before, so decided to take the plunge with Number 18 in the series.
Due to the main character, Bill Lorimer, now being head of the Major Incident Team within Police Scotland (I assume he has been promoted at some point during the series), his role involves dealing with things at the highest level, so although there is a murder fairly early on in this story, Lorimer’s job isn’t directly to solve this. He’s busy trying to foil a suspected planned terrorist attack on the centre of Glasgow, as well as trace the source of recent press leaks of the identities of undercover officers, which has led to several officers having to take up desk duties and has underpowered the local police force. There are some interesting layers at work, with officers working on the murder case wondering why Lorimer is suddenly taking such an interest in their work.
Daniel, an ex-member of the Zimbabwean police, who has had to flee the country due to threats against his life, turns up in Glasgow seeking asylum, and immediately witnesses something suspicious. Unable to resist using his own policing skills to start investigating, he soon enters the orbit of Bill Lorimer and they discover that they’ve been working in parallel.
The character of Daniel brings a lot to this story. He’s a skilled police officer, but through his experiences we get a taste of the restrictions placed on asylum seekers, and he has to work in an unofficial, unrecognised way. He forges a heart-warming friendship with his elderly neighbour Netta, a salt-of-the-earth Glaswegian who despite being generous to the core is no stranger to social exclusion herself, poverty having led her into the path of loan sharks.
Before the Storm struck a good balance for me between crime solving action and human interest story. I’m not always in the mood for white-knuckle-ride twists or lots of gory detail, and Alex Gray’s writing seems to steer clear of these while still providing an absorbing plot and a cast of interesting characters. I just need to read through the other 17 books in the series now.
Due to the main character, Bill Lorimer, now being head of the Major Incident Team within Police Scotland (I assume he has been promoted at some point during the series), his role involves dealing with things at the highest level, so although there is a murder fairly early on in this story, Lorimer’s job isn’t directly to solve this. He’s busy trying to foil a suspected planned terrorist attack on the centre of Glasgow, as well as trace the source of recent press leaks of the identities of undercover officers, which has led to several officers having to take up desk duties and has underpowered the local police force. There are some interesting layers at work, with officers working on the murder case wondering why Lorimer is suddenly taking such an interest in their work.
Daniel, an ex-member of the Zimbabwean police, who has had to flee the country due to threats against his life, turns up in Glasgow seeking asylum, and immediately witnesses something suspicious. Unable to resist using his own policing skills to start investigating, he soon enters the orbit of Bill Lorimer and they discover that they’ve been working in parallel.
The character of Daniel brings a lot to this story. He’s a skilled police officer, but through his experiences we get a taste of the restrictions placed on asylum seekers, and he has to work in an unofficial, unrecognised way. He forges a heart-warming friendship with his elderly neighbour Netta, a salt-of-the-earth Glaswegian who despite being generous to the core is no stranger to social exclusion herself, poverty having led her into the path of loan sharks.
Before the Storm struck a good balance for me between crime solving action and human interest story. I’m not always in the mood for white-knuckle-ride twists or lots of gory detail, and Alex Gray’s writing seems to steer clear of these while still providing an absorbing plot and a cast of interesting characters. I just need to read through the other 17 books in the series now.
March 11, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Before the Storm, the eighteenth novel set in Glasgow and its environs to feature Detective Superintendent William Lorimer.
Daniel Kohi, an asylum seeker from Zimbabwe, arrives in Glasgow and sees something suspicious. Meanwhile Lorimer is looking at an abnormally low murder rate, and is quietly pleased as it allows him to devote his time to more pressing matters, notably a potential attack in Glasgow and a leaker revealing the identity of undercover officers. Then the murders start and he co-opts Daniel for some”voluntary” work.
I thoroughly enjoyed Before the Storm, which is a tense read with a compulsive plot. It had me suspecting a good few characters as the mastermind behind the potential attack and while I might have been in the ballpark with my guesses I was more in the stands than on the field. The author does a great job of hiding the perpetrator’s identity while making the motive clear. With so much going on I was glued to the pages with my mind racing at all the permutations and possibilities. The novel is told from several points of view with Lorimer and Daniel as the main narrators, but the other voices give the reader depth and a broader perspective on events and a little insider knowledge the police don’t have. Be still my racing mind!
Daniel Kohi is the surprise bonus in this novel, whom I would love to see as a regular character. He illustrates the problems with seeking asylum, bureaucratic, financial and psychological stress with his story of coming to the UK. He is, however, a strong resourceful man with a well developed sense of justice and honesty. His friendship with the wee wifey next door, Netta, is a joy because she’s so authentic. I could give the novel 5 stars for that alone, but, as they say it’s all about location, so being set in my old stomping grounds of the South Side of Glasgow is even better.
Before the Storm is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Daniel Kohi, an asylum seeker from Zimbabwe, arrives in Glasgow and sees something suspicious. Meanwhile Lorimer is looking at an abnormally low murder rate, and is quietly pleased as it allows him to devote his time to more pressing matters, notably a potential attack in Glasgow and a leaker revealing the identity of undercover officers. Then the murders start and he co-opts Daniel for some”voluntary” work.
I thoroughly enjoyed Before the Storm, which is a tense read with a compulsive plot. It had me suspecting a good few characters as the mastermind behind the potential attack and while I might have been in the ballpark with my guesses I was more in the stands than on the field. The author does a great job of hiding the perpetrator’s identity while making the motive clear. With so much going on I was glued to the pages with my mind racing at all the permutations and possibilities. The novel is told from several points of view with Lorimer and Daniel as the main narrators, but the other voices give the reader depth and a broader perspective on events and a little insider knowledge the police don’t have. Be still my racing mind!
Daniel Kohi is the surprise bonus in this novel, whom I would love to see as a regular character. He illustrates the problems with seeking asylum, bureaucratic, financial and psychological stress with his story of coming to the UK. He is, however, a strong resourceful man with a well developed sense of justice and honesty. His friendship with the wee wifey next door, Netta, is a joy because she’s so authentic. I could give the novel 5 stars for that alone, but, as they say it’s all about location, so being set in my old stomping grounds of the South Side of Glasgow is even better.
Before the Storm is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 10, 2023
ber Glasgow hängt eine dunkle Wolke: verdeckte Ermittler berichten von einem geplanten Anschlag auf die Stadt. Wann und wo der stattfindet oder wer dahinter steckt, ist noch nicht bekannt. Sicher ist, dass es noch vor Weihnachten passieren wird. Alle verfügbaren Kräfte der Polizei sind auf diesen Fall konzentriert. Da trifft es sich gut, dass DSI Will Lorrimer Hilfe von unerwarteter Seite bekommt: der ehemalige Ermittler Daniel Kohi, der sein Heimatland Zimbabwe verlassen musste. Können sie den geplanten Anschlag verhindern?
Anfangs ist Daniel Kohi nur ein weiterer Flüchtling, der nach Schottland kommt, auch wenn er an seinem ersten Tag einen Mann mit einem Messer sieht. Zuerst bringt er diesen Vorfall nicht mit der Nachricht, dass man einen Toten gefunden hat, in Verbindung. Das passiert erst, als er sich deswegen an Will Lorrimer wendet, auf dessen Namen er ebenso zufällig stößt wie er den Mann gesehen hat.
Die Art, wie Alex Gray Daniel in die Geschichte einbringt, lässt mich hoffen, dass es nicht das letzte Mal von ihm gelesen habe. die Autorin schafft es immer wieder, in ihren Fällen fast schon nebenbei Charaktere vorzustellen, die dann ein fester Bestandteil der Krimis werden.
Außerdem habe ich den Eindruck, dass Daniels Geschichte noch nicht zu ende erzählt worden ist. Der Grund ist seine Nachbarin Netta, die den jungen Afrikaner unter ihre Fittiche nimmt und seine erste Freundin in der neuen Heimat wird. Sie baut ihm eine Brücke in die alte Heimat, was aufgrund seiner Geschichte nicht ganz ungefährlich ist.
Wie immer scheinen die Ermittlungen nebenbei zu passieren, was aber hauptsächlich daran liegt, dass Alex Gray ihren Charakteren genau so viel Raum gibt, wie sie es auch beim Fall macht. Das sorgt dafür, dass ihre Krimis etwas ruhiger sind, aber genau das schätze ich an der Reihe.
Anfangs ist Daniel Kohi nur ein weiterer Flüchtling, der nach Schottland kommt, auch wenn er an seinem ersten Tag einen Mann mit einem Messer sieht. Zuerst bringt er diesen Vorfall nicht mit der Nachricht, dass man einen Toten gefunden hat, in Verbindung. Das passiert erst, als er sich deswegen an Will Lorrimer wendet, auf dessen Namen er ebenso zufällig stößt wie er den Mann gesehen hat.
Die Art, wie Alex Gray Daniel in die Geschichte einbringt, lässt mich hoffen, dass es nicht das letzte Mal von ihm gelesen habe. die Autorin schafft es immer wieder, in ihren Fällen fast schon nebenbei Charaktere vorzustellen, die dann ein fester Bestandteil der Krimis werden.
Außerdem habe ich den Eindruck, dass Daniels Geschichte noch nicht zu ende erzählt worden ist. Der Grund ist seine Nachbarin Netta, die den jungen Afrikaner unter ihre Fittiche nimmt und seine erste Freundin in der neuen Heimat wird. Sie baut ihm eine Brücke in die alte Heimat, was aufgrund seiner Geschichte nicht ganz ungefährlich ist.
Wie immer scheinen die Ermittlungen nebenbei zu passieren, was aber hauptsächlich daran liegt, dass Alex Gray ihren Charakteren genau so viel Raum gibt, wie sie es auch beim Fall macht. Das sorgt dafür, dass ihre Krimis etwas ruhiger sind, aber genau das schätze ich an der Reihe.
January 14, 2022
Well this was different to the usual Alex Gray's DSI William Lorimer's books. It's christmas time and the counter terrorism team have alerted the station to the threat of a bomb at an event soon, no more details are forthcoming and the perpetrators and the date and place are not yet known.
In a dingy high rise flat in Glasgow lives a newly arrived immigrant called Daniel from Zimbadwe, and we learn from flashbacks that he was a police officer and his house was targeted and his wife and baby son were burnt in the total destruction. He has fled to save his life and is settled in Glasgow of all places. Not that I've got anything against Glasgow, but an immigrant trying to understand the Glaswegian accent!! Pour soul. (For all you Glaswegians out there I love the place! I think Glaswegians are the friendliest in Britain, they've certainly gone out of their way to help me when I'm there).
Meanwhile Lorimer is gaining a few more facts and details are emerging of a potential immigrant threat to the city. Lorimer is keeping his team very tight and never gives each one of them the whole picture. Daniel is walking the streets of Glasgow and sees something which as a police officer he knows he should report it to the police, trouble is who should he report it to and are all the Glaswegian police as corrupt as the Zimbadwean police?
Eventually Lorimer and Daniel meet and they believe they can trust and help each other. It does move a tad slowly and it does get a tad bogged down in detail, but you can't help rooting for Daniel, who would love to be a police officer in an incorrupt country. The ending does tie it in nicely and I did guess who the terrorist was, but not I confess until the last few pages!
In a dingy high rise flat in Glasgow lives a newly arrived immigrant called Daniel from Zimbadwe, and we learn from flashbacks that he was a police officer and his house was targeted and his wife and baby son were burnt in the total destruction. He has fled to save his life and is settled in Glasgow of all places. Not that I've got anything against Glasgow, but an immigrant trying to understand the Glaswegian accent!! Pour soul. (For all you Glaswegians out there I love the place! I think Glaswegians are the friendliest in Britain, they've certainly gone out of their way to help me when I'm there).
Meanwhile Lorimer is gaining a few more facts and details are emerging of a potential immigrant threat to the city. Lorimer is keeping his team very tight and never gives each one of them the whole picture. Daniel is walking the streets of Glasgow and sees something which as a police officer he knows he should report it to the police, trouble is who should he report it to and are all the Glaswegian police as corrupt as the Zimbadwean police?
Eventually Lorimer and Daniel meet and they believe they can trust and help each other. It does move a tad slowly and it does get a tad bogged down in detail, but you can't help rooting for Daniel, who would love to be a police officer in an incorrupt country. The ending does tie it in nicely and I did guess who the terrorist was, but not I confess until the last few pages!
Read
August 17, 2023Your favourite Scottish detective is back with a brand new case, one that threatens to destroy everything.
Inspector Daniel Kohi of the Zimbabwean police force returns home one night to find his worst nightmare has been realised. His family dead, his house destroyed, and in fear for his life, he is forced to flee the country he loves.
Far away in Glasgow, DSI William Lorimer has his hands full. Christmas is approaching, the city is bustling, and whilst the homicide rate has been relatively low, something much darker is brewing. Counter-Terrorism have got wind of a plot, here in Lorimer's native city, to carry out an unspeakable atrocity on Christmas Eve. They need someone with local knowledge to help them root it out and who better than the head of the Scottish Major Incidents Team.
But the investigation is complicated by a spate of local murders, and by the rumours that someone is passing information to criminal organisations from inside the police force. Soon Lorimer finds himself in desperate need of assistance. Then he meets an extraordinary man - a refugee from Zimbabwe whose investigative skills are a match for Lorimer's own . . .
Great.
Inspector Daniel Kohi of the Zimbabwean police force returns home one night to find his worst nightmare has been realised. His family dead, his house destroyed, and in fear for his life, he is forced to flee the country he loves.
Far away in Glasgow, DSI William Lorimer has his hands full. Christmas is approaching, the city is bustling, and whilst the homicide rate has been relatively low, something much darker is brewing. Counter-Terrorism have got wind of a plot, here in Lorimer's native city, to carry out an unspeakable atrocity on Christmas Eve. They need someone with local knowledge to help them root it out and who better than the head of the Scottish Major Incidents Team.
But the investigation is complicated by a spate of local murders, and by the rumours that someone is passing information to criminal organisations from inside the police force. Soon Lorimer finds himself in desperate need of assistance. Then he meets an extraordinary man - a refugee from Zimbabwe whose investigative skills are a match for Lorimer's own . . .
Great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2022
This is my first foray in to the DSU William Lorimer series and I certainly wish I’d picked it up sooner!
So, from what I understand Lorimer is a seasoned detective who has been at the helm of Major Crime for a fair while.
Within this particular novel, we follow the man himself and a new character, Daniel, a refugee from Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, Daniel is an ex police officer who has to flee his homeland due to circumstances beyond his control.
We pick the story up following Daniel spotting something out of the ordinary in the depths of Glasgow. Slowly, the case builds and the two men become aquatinted and thus, our novel begins.
Alex Gray does a fantastic job, the procedure taken by the police and documented throughout is top notch. Descriptions are breathtaking and the dialogue is on point.
With various red herrings and page turning twists, this is a must for any crime fan.
Five out of five.
So, from what I understand Lorimer is a seasoned detective who has been at the helm of Major Crime for a fair while.
Within this particular novel, we follow the man himself and a new character, Daniel, a refugee from Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, Daniel is an ex police officer who has to flee his homeland due to circumstances beyond his control.
We pick the story up following Daniel spotting something out of the ordinary in the depths of Glasgow. Slowly, the case builds and the two men become aquatinted and thus, our novel begins.
Alex Gray does a fantastic job, the procedure taken by the police and documented throughout is top notch. Descriptions are breathtaking and the dialogue is on point.
With various red herrings and page turning twists, this is a must for any crime fan.
Five out of five.
April 13, 2022
Daniel Kohi is a refugee in Glasgow, having fled Zimbabwe after his wife and child were killed to punish him for fighting corruption in the police force. On his arrival in Glasgow, while walking to find his new flat, he sees a man holding a bloodied knife at the back door of an office, but he doesn’t know who to tell or whether he’ll even be believed. Meanwhile DSI Lorrimer is investigating a leak in the police force that’s caused several undercover officers to have been identified and named in a newspaper; the rising threat of a terrorist attack in the city and a recent spate of murders. By chance the men meet, and Kohi can tell his story of the bloodied knife, which turns out to be a piece of a puzzle that links several cases. This is a fast-paced novel with lots of twists and turns, and the villain’s identity is hidden to the end. I really enjoyed it!
Review by: Norfolk Gal
Review by: Norfolk Gal
October 6, 2024
Inspector Daniel Kohi has been warned about trying to root out corruption in the police force of Zimbabwe. Ignoring this advice, he pays a terrible price when his home is set on fire resulting in the deaths of his wife and child. He flees to the UK as a refugee and ends up living in a tiny apartment in Glasgow whilst his asylum application is processed.
As Christmas approaches DCI Lorimer is attempting to track down the people behind a threatened terrorist attack on Glasgow. When he meets Daniel Kohi the two immediately strike up a friendship, and Lorimer realises that Daniel's investigative skills and photographic memory could be of huge help in the race to prevent an atrocity.
This is a really interesting story, not least because it powerfully conveys the sad plight of those who have to flee their own country, and the struggles they still face once they reach comparative safety.
As Christmas approaches DCI Lorimer is attempting to track down the people behind a threatened terrorist attack on Glasgow. When he meets Daniel Kohi the two immediately strike up a friendship, and Lorimer realises that Daniel's investigative skills and photographic memory could be of huge help in the race to prevent an atrocity.
This is a really interesting story, not least because it powerfully conveys the sad plight of those who have to flee their own country, and the struggles they still face once they reach comparative safety.
May 15, 2021
I have to say that I have read all of the Lorimer books and am a huge fan. Like any book series, some are better than others however that being said I found this story one of the best. Alex very sympathetically deals with the growing numbers of refugees in the city of Glasgow and how they are being dealt with and their inherent mistrust of people in authority mainly due what is happening in their own countries. Add to that the problem of money laundering and what it is associated with and you have a good story. Alex' great story telling and narrative easily take you on a journey from Glasgow city centre to a tower block in a deprived area of the city to one of the most expensive housing estates in Scotland and all in the blink of an eye!
September 17, 2023
These Alex Gray 'DCI Lorimer' novels are both engrossing and unputdownable, and 'Before the Storm' proved to be every bit as thrilling as the others I've read by this author. This time, Gray throws into the diverse mix of characters Daniel, a Zimbabwean refugee who happens also to be a former police inspector, with a photographic memory. Fortunately for Daniel, who is both shell-shocked and grief-stricken, he encounters Lorimer and this will clearly be a turning point in his life.
The plot(s) are complex and intriguing, and although I guessed who was who before the end, it didn't matter. The narrative is flowing and eloquent, thoroughly enjoyable.
Five stars. Would I read it again? Yes, but I'm straight on to the next one now!
The plot(s) are complex and intriguing, and although I guessed who was who before the end, it didn't matter. The narrative is flowing and eloquent, thoroughly enjoyable.
Five stars. Would I read it again? Yes, but I'm straight on to the next one now!
July 24, 2021
Absolutely excellent descriptions of Glasgow and many familiar places. I felt like I was on a walking tour. Definitely worth four stars!
I also enjoyed spending time with some familiar and likeable characters. Some new ones I hope will reappear in later books, especially Daniel. I’d like to see that story developing.
The central plot was compelling and kept my interest but unfortunately, it reached its conclusion very quickly. Too quickly and tidily for me. Maybe three stars for the actual story!
I enjoyed this more than the last few Alex Gray’s I’ve read and I did like those. I’ll definitely read more adventures if DCI Lorimer.
I also enjoyed spending time with some familiar and likeable characters. Some new ones I hope will reappear in later books, especially Daniel. I’d like to see that story developing.
The central plot was compelling and kept my interest but unfortunately, it reached its conclusion very quickly. Too quickly and tidily for me. Maybe three stars for the actual story!
I enjoyed this more than the last few Alex Gray’s I’ve read and I did like those. I’ll definitely read more adventures if DCI Lorimer.
September 22, 2022
Rate: 2.5
Alex Gray has done a good job with his character development. I can readily see his creating a series with some of the protagonists. However, the plot simply didn’t intrigue me sufficiently to provide a higher rating. The conclusion, in particular, happened too simply — and with no real insight into the character of the mastermind.
Former Inspector Daniel Kohi, a Zimbabwean refugee agrees to help DSI William Lorimer of the Glasgow constabulary, with an investigation into a possible terrorist plot. With possible leaks within the Glasgow police, Lorimer finds his task more difficult resulting in his use of civilians to assist with undercover work.
Alex Gray has done a good job with his character development. I can readily see his creating a series with some of the protagonists. However, the plot simply didn’t intrigue me sufficiently to provide a higher rating. The conclusion, in particular, happened too simply — and with no real insight into the character of the mastermind.
Former Inspector Daniel Kohi, a Zimbabwean refugee agrees to help DSI William Lorimer of the Glasgow constabulary, with an investigation into a possible terrorist plot. With possible leaks within the Glasgow police, Lorimer finds his task more difficult resulting in his use of civilians to assist with undercover work.
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