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Detective Lola Harris #1
Murder in the Gallowgate
Meet Detective Lola Harris, a tough woman with a good heart, solving crimes in gritty Glasgow.
Detective Lola Harris returns from a miserable solo holiday — an effort to get over her useless ex — only to find herself in charge of a high-stakes investigation.
She rushes to a crime scene in the historic Gallowgate neighbourhood. The smell in the basement is thick and sweet, even through Lola’s forensic mask.
The old wooden chair and the rope hanging from its arms are stained red. The earth below is saturated with blood. Six candleholders, their lights burned out, lend the scene an air of a completed ritual.
And yet there is no sign of a body.
A smashed-up phone in the corner puts the investigators on the trail of a local politician who has vanished without trace and a controversial artist who died thirty years ago on a remote Hebridean island.
Lola will have to work with the most obnoxious detective in Glasgow if she’s going to stop the killer from striking again.
Detective Lola Harris returns from a miserable solo holiday — an effort to get over her useless ex — only to find herself in charge of a high-stakes investigation.
She rushes to a crime scene in the historic Gallowgate neighbourhood. The smell in the basement is thick and sweet, even through Lola’s forensic mask.
The old wooden chair and the rope hanging from its arms are stained red. The earth below is saturated with blood. Six candleholders, their lights burned out, lend the scene an air of a completed ritual.
And yet there is no sign of a body.
A smashed-up phone in the corner puts the investigators on the trail of a local politician who has vanished without trace and a controversial artist who died thirty years ago on a remote Hebridean island.
Lola will have to work with the most obnoxious detective in Glasgow if she’s going to stop the killer from striking again.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2022
1339 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
June 9, 2024
Daniel Sellers writes a gripping Glasgow Scottish crime debut featuring 46-year-old DI Lola Harris who has just returned from a miserable solo holiday, she had lost the future she had envisaged with Joe, a married man who returned to his pregnant wife. Having read this, I took the opportunity to listen to it on audio, superbly narrated by Karen Bartke, who lends the storytelling extra atmospheric suspense and drama, her characterisations and grasp of accents is marvellous. Lola finds herself plunged into a complex, high profile, politically sensitive investigation she feels ill prepared for, her boss, the spineless Acting Superintendent Graeme Izatt, who lands her with the hostile and sociopathic DS Aidan Pearce, with whom she has history, on her team. Pearce wastes no time in taking every opportunity to undermine her right from the start.
At the historic Gallowgate district, in a basement, the police find a horrifying scene of what looks like a ritual murder with the ominous presence of grave candles, the ground is saturated with so much blood that its hard to believe the victim survived the apparent torture and butchery, for there is no body. As the police urgently hunt for the body, it soon emerges the victim is likely to be local councillor, Sandy MacAteer, who serves on the board of the Number Nine art gallery, and is responsible for organising the upcoming exhibition of the lost photographs of the controversial Malcolm Gemmell, who died on the small remote Hebridean island of Erray in 1994, officially ruled an accidental death. As Lola delves into the life of MacAteer, aided by her troubled, but trusted DC Kirstie Campbell, she discovers there are threatening notes, and a journalist writing a book on Gemmell, Tristan MacLeod, who appears to believe there were anomalies in the photographer's death that do not tally with the official verdict.
Lola begins to believe that the answers may lie with the art gallery's marketing manager, David 'Davey' Sinclair, haunted by what he saw as a young child, he was at the scene of Gemmell's accident, with his sister, Marianne, and his mother, Edith. She finds herself under severe pressure, personally as Joe gets back in touch, and professionally, with Pearse a constant thorn in her side, and a Kirstie taking her time in revealing what is bothering her. This is a dark, intense and fascinating crime read, with a strong central protagonist in Lola, and an investigation that has to go back to the 1994 death of Gemmell to identify a killer obsessed with revenge. Readers who love gritty Scottish crime are likely to enjoy this debut and I would particularly like to recommend the audio, it will immerse you deep into this first of a gritty Scottish crime series and its characters. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC and Bolinda Audio for an ALC.
At the historic Gallowgate district, in a basement, the police find a horrifying scene of what looks like a ritual murder with the ominous presence of grave candles, the ground is saturated with so much blood that its hard to believe the victim survived the apparent torture and butchery, for there is no body. As the police urgently hunt for the body, it soon emerges the victim is likely to be local councillor, Sandy MacAteer, who serves on the board of the Number Nine art gallery, and is responsible for organising the upcoming exhibition of the lost photographs of the controversial Malcolm Gemmell, who died on the small remote Hebridean island of Erray in 1994, officially ruled an accidental death. As Lola delves into the life of MacAteer, aided by her troubled, but trusted DC Kirstie Campbell, she discovers there are threatening notes, and a journalist writing a book on Gemmell, Tristan MacLeod, who appears to believe there were anomalies in the photographer's death that do not tally with the official verdict.
Lola begins to believe that the answers may lie with the art gallery's marketing manager, David 'Davey' Sinclair, haunted by what he saw as a young child, he was at the scene of Gemmell's accident, with his sister, Marianne, and his mother, Edith. She finds herself under severe pressure, personally as Joe gets back in touch, and professionally, with Pearse a constant thorn in her side, and a Kirstie taking her time in revealing what is bothering her. This is a dark, intense and fascinating crime read, with a strong central protagonist in Lola, and an investigation that has to go back to the 1994 death of Gemmell to identify a killer obsessed with revenge. Readers who love gritty Scottish crime are likely to enjoy this debut and I would particularly like to recommend the audio, it will immerse you deep into this first of a gritty Scottish crime series and its characters. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC and Bolinda Audio for an ALC.
December 4, 2022
To be honest, I’m rather underwhelmed by this book. A new series, with a female inspector, set in Glasgow and full of interesting characters? I was rather looking forward to it. Unfortunately, by the time I read about 25% of the book, I already lost track of the story, because of the large amount of people that kept popping up here, there and everywhere. There are so many names mentioned in passing for characters that do not play any role of importance. People who open doors, supply a bit of information, do a small job… the list goes on and on. I’ve always had a problem with that. Furthermore, a series about a slightly older but not yet middle-aged detective who’s good in her job despite everything she has to endure just because she’s a woman is not really very original. It’s set in Glasgow, but other than a few small descriptions of the city there is not much that gives the reader (at least no me) a sense of really being in Glasgow. There are some Scottish words and phrases thrown in for good measure but again, just not enough. In fact, it felt like ordering a blueberry muffin and getting a plain muffin. Likable but missing the essentials.
What was there to like? Well, I liked Lola because she’s good in her job but not infallible. I liked the way some of the other characters are outlined, like Aidan Pierce and Edith, the artist who paints words. I would love to have one of her paintings! And Aidan, yes, he is a horrible man and apparently a psychopath, but we’ve seen characters like him often before.
All in all, I liked the book enough to give it three stars and I hope to read another of Daniel Sellers’ books to see how this series evolves.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for this review copy.
What was there to like? Well, I liked Lola because she’s good in her job but not infallible. I liked the way some of the other characters are outlined, like Aidan Pierce and Edith, the artist who paints words. I would love to have one of her paintings! And Aidan, yes, he is a horrible man and apparently a psychopath, but we’ve seen characters like him often before.
All in all, I liked the book enough to give it three stars and I hope to read another of Daniel Sellers’ books to see how this series evolves.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for this review copy.
November 22, 2022
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
MURDER IN THE GALLOWGATE (Detective Lola Harris Mysteries Book #1) by Daniel Sellers is the start of a new British DI mystery series featuring a complex female Detective Inspector protagonist dealing with a conniving junior coworker and an ex-boyfriend who won’t go away all while trying to solve a high-profile case.
DI Lola Harris has returned from a singles holiday trying to get over her now ex-boyfriend only to be thrown immediately into a high-profile murder case. Lola is not happy to find DS Aiden Pierce will be working with her either, but the case is intriguing and as Lola investigates all the suspects the body count continues to grow.
I really like Lola and her character is very believable. All the secondary characters were well drawn, also. The plot took awhile to come together for me and was slow to pull me in, but once the pieces started to fall into place, I could not put the book down. There are plenty of twists and red herrings that had me guessing who was guilty incorrectly several times. The descriptions of Scotland and especially the islands added to my enjoyment of the story.
I enjoyed this mystery and I will be looking for the next book featuring Lola and her team.
MURDER IN THE GALLOWGATE (Detective Lola Harris Mysteries Book #1) by Daniel Sellers is the start of a new British DI mystery series featuring a complex female Detective Inspector protagonist dealing with a conniving junior coworker and an ex-boyfriend who won’t go away all while trying to solve a high-profile case.
DI Lola Harris has returned from a singles holiday trying to get over her now ex-boyfriend only to be thrown immediately into a high-profile murder case. Lola is not happy to find DS Aiden Pierce will be working with her either, but the case is intriguing and as Lola investigates all the suspects the body count continues to grow.
I really like Lola and her character is very believable. All the secondary characters were well drawn, also. The plot took awhile to come together for me and was slow to pull me in, but once the pieces started to fall into place, I could not put the book down. There are plenty of twists and red herrings that had me guessing who was guilty incorrectly several times. The descriptions of Scotland and especially the islands added to my enjoyment of the story.
I enjoyed this mystery and I will be looking for the next book featuring Lola and her team.
November 15, 2022
Detective Lola Harris Mysteries
Detective Lola Harris returns from a miserable solo holiday - an effort to get over an ex - only to find herself in charge of a high-stakes investigation. She rushes to a crime scene in the historic Gallowgate neighbourhood. The smell in the basement is thick and sweet, even through Lola's forensic mask. The old wooden chair and the rope hanging from its arms are stained red. The earth below is saturated with blood. Six candleholders, their lights burnt out, lend the scene an air of a completed ritual. And yet there is no sign of a body.
A man is missing. He has links to the upcoming exhibition which is liked to a death on a remote island. We are introduced to Detective Lola Harris who is investigating the case. The story has been cleverly crafted. With good twists, I didn't know what direction I would be headed next. This is a well written mystery that held my attention throughout. The characters are well rounded. I think I'm going to like Lola Harris. A great start to a new mystery series that's set in Scotland.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #DanielSellers for my ARC of #MurderInTheGallowGate in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Lola Harris returns from a miserable solo holiday - an effort to get over an ex - only to find herself in charge of a high-stakes investigation. She rushes to a crime scene in the historic Gallowgate neighbourhood. The smell in the basement is thick and sweet, even through Lola's forensic mask. The old wooden chair and the rope hanging from its arms are stained red. The earth below is saturated with blood. Six candleholders, their lights burnt out, lend the scene an air of a completed ritual. And yet there is no sign of a body.
A man is missing. He has links to the upcoming exhibition which is liked to a death on a remote island. We are introduced to Detective Lola Harris who is investigating the case. The story has been cleverly crafted. With good twists, I didn't know what direction I would be headed next. This is a well written mystery that held my attention throughout. The characters are well rounded. I think I'm going to like Lola Harris. A great start to a new mystery series that's set in Scotland.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #DanielSellers for my ARC of #MurderInTheGallowGate in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2025
Moody, gritty, well written and complex Murder In The Gallowgate is a superb start to a new series. Introducing detective Lola Harris, a tough and yet vulnerable woman in her forties, tackling messy private life and a highly demanding job, she's a fantastic lead.
The case itself is complex and gruesome, with plenty of twists and turns, bleak and fully captivating.
Daniel Sellers did a great job writing an intriguing and cleverly plotted story and I'm looking forward to reading more stories featuring Lola Harris.
The case itself is complex and gruesome, with plenty of twists and turns, bleak and fully captivating.
Daniel Sellers did a great job writing an intriguing and cleverly plotted story and I'm looking forward to reading more stories featuring Lola Harris.
November 24, 2022
This book didn't work for me for a lot of different reasons. To begin with, even though this is the first in the series, I felt like we were missing huge chunks of backstory where the main characters were concerned, and therefore I felt no connection to any of them.
In addition, there was nothing (in my opinion) at all likable about our main character Detective Lola Harris. For starters, the synopsis doesn't mention that her "useless ex" is a married man with whom she has been carrying on an affair for years, and only ended things because he finally made it clear that he wasn't going to leave his wife for her. Even with this, whenever he is mentioned during this story, he tells her he loves her, and she knows she loves him too. And please don't get me started when he showed up at her house (you know, the one she bought when she was convinced she would leave his wife for her).
Then there is the conflict between her and one of her subordinates. Honestly, other than being told that he "cheated" on a test of some sort and that he had "messed up" an investigation - things we as a reader didn't see firsthand. We were also told that he was insubordinate because he only responded in one-word answers and looked at his commanding officer in a way that she didn't like.
Honestly? It was hard to see him as the bad guy, and I'm sad to admit that Detective Harris DID come across as an antagonistic bully. Yes, there were times the reader got to witness Pierce neglecting to mention things to her, but on the whole, it was a lot of Harris TELLING people that Pierce wasn't fit to be a cop. A lot of her griping to herself (and anyone who would listen) that she "wanted rid of him," even going so far as to threaten to file a complaint against HR for not taking her seriously when the only person who had filed a complaint was Pierce.
When I look only at the story itself, it also had problems. For the most part, I found the pace to be very slow, to the point where I became bored. I didn't feel a sense of urgency, and I felt the points of view bounced around too much, and the shock factor that I'm certain the author was going for just never happened for me.
At this point, it is very unlikely that I will continue on with this series, but if the synopsis appeals to you, I encourage you to give it a shot anyway. What didn't work for me may work fro you.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
In addition, there was nothing (in my opinion) at all likable about our main character Detective Lola Harris. For starters, the synopsis doesn't mention that her "useless ex" is a married man with whom she has been carrying on an affair for years, and only ended things because he finally made it clear that he wasn't going to leave his wife for her. Even with this, whenever he is mentioned during this story, he tells her he loves her, and she knows she loves him too. And please don't get me started when he showed up at her house (you know, the one she bought when she was convinced she would leave his wife for her).
Then there is the conflict between her and one of her subordinates. Honestly, other than being told that he "cheated" on a test of some sort and that he had "messed up" an investigation - things we as a reader didn't see firsthand. We were also told that he was insubordinate because he only responded in one-word answers and looked at his commanding officer in a way that she didn't like.
Honestly? It was hard to see him as the bad guy, and I'm sad to admit that Detective Harris DID come across as an antagonistic bully. Yes, there were times the reader got to witness Pierce neglecting to mention things to her, but on the whole, it was a lot of Harris TELLING people that Pierce wasn't fit to be a cop. A lot of her griping to herself (and anyone who would listen) that she "wanted rid of him," even going so far as to threaten to file a complaint against HR for not taking her seriously when the only person who had filed a complaint was Pierce.
When I look only at the story itself, it also had problems. For the most part, I found the pace to be very slow, to the point where I became bored. I didn't feel a sense of urgency, and I felt the points of view bounced around too much, and the shock factor that I'm certain the author was going for just never happened for me.
At this point, it is very unlikely that I will continue on with this series, but if the synopsis appeals to you, I encourage you to give it a shot anyway. What didn't work for me may work fro you.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
November 15, 2022
I love getting in at the beginning of a new series, and something tells me this is going to be a great one!
Having returned from a solo holiday - not the relaxing break she wanted or needed - Detective Lola Harris gets a call to a crime scene. It's the scene of torture and, judging by the amount of blood, murder - but there's no body. However, a smashed-up phone in the corner provides the team with their first clue .. and every investigation needs to start somewhere.
This is a complex and intriguing read; like Lola, I had no idea what was going on to begin with and, I have to say, didn't crack any of the clues before she did. There is so much going on that my attention was always grabbed by something; Lola's nemesis DS Aiden Pierce, a pompous piece of work who thinks he should have her job and doesn't even try to hide his contempt. DC Kirstie Campbell is a great asset, but there is obviously something not right there. Then there's Lola's ex who she thought she'd seen the last of but he just won't go away. And the bodies just keep piling up. The author obviously knows the area he writes about very well which allowed me to picture it clearly. I was completely engrossed all the way through and in awe of the twists and turns which made it a very hard book to put down! Cleverly plotted and beautifully written, this is a novel I thoroughly enjoyed and heartily recommend. I will definitely be on the lookout for more in this series. Five sparkling stars!
My thanks to the publisher for my arc copy; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.
Having returned from a solo holiday - not the relaxing break she wanted or needed - Detective Lola Harris gets a call to a crime scene. It's the scene of torture and, judging by the amount of blood, murder - but there's no body. However, a smashed-up phone in the corner provides the team with their first clue .. and every investigation needs to start somewhere.
This is a complex and intriguing read; like Lola, I had no idea what was going on to begin with and, I have to say, didn't crack any of the clues before she did. There is so much going on that my attention was always grabbed by something; Lola's nemesis DS Aiden Pierce, a pompous piece of work who thinks he should have her job and doesn't even try to hide his contempt. DC Kirstie Campbell is a great asset, but there is obviously something not right there. Then there's Lola's ex who she thought she'd seen the last of but he just won't go away. And the bodies just keep piling up. The author obviously knows the area he writes about very well which allowed me to picture it clearly. I was completely engrossed all the way through and in awe of the twists and turns which made it a very hard book to put down! Cleverly plotted and beautifully written, this is a novel I thoroughly enjoyed and heartily recommend. I will definitely be on the lookout for more in this series. Five sparkling stars!
My thanks to the publisher for my arc copy; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.
May 30, 2024
Trigger/content warning ⚠️ references to child abuse/suspected pedophilia and gory murder scenes.
This was fantastic. The first in the Detective Lola Harris series got off to an absolutely flying start. On return from a solo holiday and nursing a broken heart, Lola is barely back at work for a minute when a local politician has been reported missing, and the team have discovered what appears to be the site of a ritualistic murder scene, with no body, but a phone left behind traces back to the politician, and both a man hunt and a hunt to find the body are soon underway.
The author has painted Glasgow to perfection, you know the streets. You know these types of people. The chapters are cleverly timestamped giving the reader the feeling of following the investigation in real time. Lola and her team are not all likeable sergeant Pearce in particular is a complete pain in everyone’s hole, but he has connections and ambition - don’t they al.
The story itself has been so very carefully plotted, and the team work with local art house staff (who the politician was linked to and working with) Lola is convinced there’s a connection there, and certain staff members are too. Little by little a jaw dropping story unfolds which leads Lola to work her way back to a Scottish island, where the whole story began 30 years ago.
This is my first novel by the author, it’s gritty, bold and exceptionally well written, I’ll be keen to follow the series. Sellers has captured characteristics in a way that opens a series perfectly, and ultimately leaves us wanting more.
As a side note, there are descriptions of some truly stunning parts of Scotland, I think anyone looking to see the country would be inspired to visit the Highlands and Islands in particular.
The narration was exceptionally good, Karen Bartke flipped accents seamlessly- no mean feat to flip the dialogue from broad Glaswegian to a highland lilt in single conversations. Impressive!
I’d like to thank Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
This was fantastic. The first in the Detective Lola Harris series got off to an absolutely flying start. On return from a solo holiday and nursing a broken heart, Lola is barely back at work for a minute when a local politician has been reported missing, and the team have discovered what appears to be the site of a ritualistic murder scene, with no body, but a phone left behind traces back to the politician, and both a man hunt and a hunt to find the body are soon underway.
The author has painted Glasgow to perfection, you know the streets. You know these types of people. The chapters are cleverly timestamped giving the reader the feeling of following the investigation in real time. Lola and her team are not all likeable sergeant Pearce in particular is a complete pain in everyone’s hole, but he has connections and ambition - don’t they al.
The story itself has been so very carefully plotted, and the team work with local art house staff (who the politician was linked to and working with) Lola is convinced there’s a connection there, and certain staff members are too. Little by little a jaw dropping story unfolds which leads Lola to work her way back to a Scottish island, where the whole story began 30 years ago.
This is my first novel by the author, it’s gritty, bold and exceptionally well written, I’ll be keen to follow the series. Sellers has captured characteristics in a way that opens a series perfectly, and ultimately leaves us wanting more.
As a side note, there are descriptions of some truly stunning parts of Scotland, I think anyone looking to see the country would be inspired to visit the Highlands and Islands in particular.
The narration was exceptionally good, Karen Bartke flipped accents seamlessly- no mean feat to flip the dialogue from broad Glaswegian to a highland lilt in single conversations. Impressive!
I’d like to thank Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
June 4, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for another fab ARC. Set in nearby Scotland this book opens up with a modern day Detective who has found all the makings of a murder - but no body. Great crime thriller.
June 10, 2024
Rounded up for an engaging story with lots of twists, plus added layers of workplace and relationship dramas (plural).
Lola Harris is just returning from a holiday spent nursing her broken heart. With little time to adjust, she is tapped to lead a high-profile investigation into a murder at an art gallery. Unfortunately, a colleague she does not trust is assigned to her team. Will he work with her or against her?
It's also the story of a young man working at the gallery who is juggling work and raising his nephew while his sister tries to get clean. And is there a possible connection to an upcoming show featuring the work of a late photographer who died 30 years ago? Fortunately, the writing is good and the story never got too convoluted, just complicated. I like complicated.
The book takes place in Scotland and the audiobook narration is heavily accented. Thanks to all the BritBox and Acorn shows I watch, I had no trouble, even at 1.5x speed. I enjoyed the mystery and look forward to the next Detective Lola Harris novel.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for a review.
Lola Harris is just returning from a holiday spent nursing her broken heart. With little time to adjust, she is tapped to lead a high-profile investigation into a murder at an art gallery. Unfortunately, a colleague she does not trust is assigned to her team. Will he work with her or against her?
It's also the story of a young man working at the gallery who is juggling work and raising his nephew while his sister tries to get clean. And is there a possible connection to an upcoming show featuring the work of a late photographer who died 30 years ago? Fortunately, the writing is good and the story never got too convoluted, just complicated. I like complicated.
The book takes place in Scotland and the audiobook narration is heavily accented. Thanks to all the BritBox and Acorn shows I watch, I had no trouble, even at 1.5x speed. I enjoyed the mystery and look forward to the next Detective Lola Harris novel.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for a review.
July 11, 2024
***** I received this free audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a good mystery. I listened to it on audiobook. The narrator had an accent that fit the story. It took me a bit to adjust to listening to it.
This book was a good mystery. I listened to it on audiobook. The narrator had an accent that fit the story. It took me a bit to adjust to listening to it.
November 20, 2022
procedural, law enforcement, Glasgow, murder, investigation, abduction, due diligence, thriller, suspense, unputdownable, new series, Mental health, politics, friction, animosity, sociopathic colleague, art world, *****
This is really great! Even more so as it is first in series. The side stories are revealed later as important, then there are the plot twists and amazing red herrings. The publisher's blurb is better than most, so no need to repeat or do the spoiler thing. Wish it came in print.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
This is really great! Even more so as it is first in series. The side stories are revealed later as important, then there are the plot twists and amazing red herrings. The publisher's blurb is better than most, so no need to repeat or do the spoiler thing. Wish it came in print.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 24, 2022
This book was pretty dark from beginning to end. Seemingly everyone in it was dysfunctional in some way. It also followed a too often told tale that paints Scottish police systems as having a good deal of a good old boy system. Big surprise? The ending was weird and strangely offensive. We should, in a cultured society, always take suggestions of childhood sexual abuse seriously. This book twisted the blame in the end, leaving a really foul taste in my mouth. Memorable to some degree, but for all of the wrong reasons.
November 13, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Murder in the Gallowgate, the first novel to feature Glasgow based DI Lola Harris.
Lola returns from holiday to her first Senior Investigating Officer role. A prominent councillor has disappeared and the discovery of a blood soaked crime scene, but no body, raises the stakes. She soon discovers links to an accidental death in 1994 on a remote Scottish island. Then another body is found.
I thoroughly enjoyed Murder in the Gallowgate, which is a tense read with plenty of twists and an intricate plot. This enjoyment was enhanced by the Glasgow setting, which is my home town. There is a comfort in recognising familiar places and being able to navigate the geography and understanding the mindset. A bit more dark Glaswegian humour would have been welcome, but it’s only book one so the author gets a pass.
This Is a difficult novel to describe without spoilers as one of the central locations and events is not mentioned in the blurb. It is told from two points of view, Lola and Davey, who has links to both the present and the past. I liked the contrast in styles where Lola is all logic and Davey is all nerves as it gives the reader a wider perspective on events.
The novel is relatively long, but that allows the author to develop his plot fully. It is fast paced with plenty of developments and a few twists. The motive is standard as the reader discovers but the actual murders and the plotting involved are anything but, being complex and stylised. The whole thing is shrouded in doubt and misunderstandings and that adds an extra frisson to proceedings. I was captivated by the story and trying to work out who was behind it. I didn’t get very far as the perpetrator is well hidden.
I like Lola and will definitely read whatever comes next in her story. She’s 46 and her life is a bit of a mess. She’s recently split from her long term married lover and still pines for him. There is much more to be revealed about that situation and I want to know it. At the same time she is handling this high profile investigation and the sociopathic DS Pearse, who hates her and doesn’t hesitate to undermine her at every opportunity. I like her style in handling him and handing him a couple of defeats. Nobody messes with Lola.
Murder in the Gallowgate is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Lola returns from holiday to her first Senior Investigating Officer role. A prominent councillor has disappeared and the discovery of a blood soaked crime scene, but no body, raises the stakes. She soon discovers links to an accidental death in 1994 on a remote Scottish island. Then another body is found.
I thoroughly enjoyed Murder in the Gallowgate, which is a tense read with plenty of twists and an intricate plot. This enjoyment was enhanced by the Glasgow setting, which is my home town. There is a comfort in recognising familiar places and being able to navigate the geography and understanding the mindset. A bit more dark Glaswegian humour would have been welcome, but it’s only book one so the author gets a pass.
This Is a difficult novel to describe without spoilers as one of the central locations and events is not mentioned in the blurb. It is told from two points of view, Lola and Davey, who has links to both the present and the past. I liked the contrast in styles where Lola is all logic and Davey is all nerves as it gives the reader a wider perspective on events.
The novel is relatively long, but that allows the author to develop his plot fully. It is fast paced with plenty of developments and a few twists. The motive is standard as the reader discovers but the actual murders and the plotting involved are anything but, being complex and stylised. The whole thing is shrouded in doubt and misunderstandings and that adds an extra frisson to proceedings. I was captivated by the story and trying to work out who was behind it. I didn’t get very far as the perpetrator is well hidden.
I like Lola and will definitely read whatever comes next in her story. She’s 46 and her life is a bit of a mess. She’s recently split from her long term married lover and still pines for him. There is much more to be revealed about that situation and I want to know it. At the same time she is handling this high profile investigation and the sociopathic DS Pearse, who hates her and doesn’t hesitate to undermine her at every opportunity. I like her style in handling him and handing him a couple of defeats. Nobody messes with Lola.
Murder in the Gallowgate is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
November 16, 2022
The book begins with a shocking event that starts the adrenaline pumping and the suspense continues all the way to the end.
It is a complex story with many characters but that just made the book all the more enjoyable.
The characters seem to make the story rather than the norm where characters are created to fit the story. That added to the intrigue and also made for a brilliant read.
Lola is recovering from a broken relationship and isn't ready to be SIO of a big murder investigation and to make matters worse she has a team member who is on a mission to make her life as difficult as possible.
David is the only emotionally stable member of his family and is trying to hold down a full time job, care for his nephew and support his mother and sister. When he realises that his past has come back to haunt him he realises that danger is just around the corner.
An absolutely gripping thriller with many twists and turns. I worked it out found out I was very wrong several times and I certainly wasn't expecting that ending it was a complete curve ball.
A fantastic book that will appeal to anyone who loves Crime Fiction.
It is a complex story with many characters but that just made the book all the more enjoyable.
The characters seem to make the story rather than the norm where characters are created to fit the story. That added to the intrigue and also made for a brilliant read.
Lola is recovering from a broken relationship and isn't ready to be SIO of a big murder investigation and to make matters worse she has a team member who is on a mission to make her life as difficult as possible.
David is the only emotionally stable member of his family and is trying to hold down a full time job, care for his nephew and support his mother and sister. When he realises that his past has come back to haunt him he realises that danger is just around the corner.
An absolutely gripping thriller with many twists and turns. I worked it out found out I was very wrong several times and I certainly wasn't expecting that ending it was a complete curve ball.
A fantastic book that will appeal to anyone who loves Crime Fiction.
November 21, 2022
Despite a slightly cliched start - recently promoted DI jilted by her married lover; dysfunctional relationship with her DS; bullied junior colleague; seemingly weak and manipulated boss and an allegedly manipulating
ACC - the story develops in an intriguing and compelling way.
Two murders in the present linked to an incident thirty years in the past are investigated in two ways.
The professional one, lead by DI Lola Harris, and a personal one undertaken by David Sinclair who has connections to events both now and in the past.
These two investigations interweave throughout the story discovering the twists and turns, secrets and revelations leading to a satisfactory if somewhat implausible conclusion.
An enjoyable read which offers a bit more than a typical police procedural, and leaves enough loose ends for me to look forward to the sequel.
Spoilers?
November 17, 2022
DI Lola Hart is thrust into a mystery on her return from holiday - the scene in the Gallowgate is one of horror. A blood soaked floor but no body. A local councillor has also been reported missing - are the two connected.
Lola is reluctant to take the case, especially as she has to work with DS Pearce ; however she does take the case, which twists and turns. The missing councillor is linked to a new art gallery, which is shortly to display an exhibition of photographs by the dead artist Malcolm Gemmel- who is widely reported as having been a paedophile.
A bit slow in places, but otherwise a very good read - definitely picked up pace as it neared the end and includes a couple of twists.
Lola is reluctant to take the case, especially as she has to work with DS Pearce ; however she does take the case, which twists and turns. The missing councillor is linked to a new art gallery, which is shortly to display an exhibition of photographs by the dead artist Malcolm Gemmel- who is widely reported as having been a paedophile.
A bit slow in places, but otherwise a very good read - definitely picked up pace as it neared the end and includes a couple of twists.
May 19, 2024
4.5/5 🌟
December 5, 2025
3.5 stars
November 15, 2022
This is my first book by this author. It was a good mystery and I would recommend the read.
Detective Lola Harris is just returning from vacation when she is assigned to a new case. A prominent figure has disappeared and a potential crime scene has been found, but there is no body. Is there a chance he is still alive? As she investigates, Lola discovers a connection to a suspicious death that occurred about thirty years prior. Is someone seeking revenge? Will Lola and her team find the killer before anyone else dies?
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Lola Harris is just returning from vacation when she is assigned to a new case. A prominent figure has disappeared and a potential crime scene has been found, but there is no body. Is there a chance he is still alive? As she investigates, Lola discovers a connection to a suspicious death that occurred about thirty years prior. Is someone seeking revenge? Will Lola and her team find the killer before anyone else dies?
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2024
An interesting lead investigator who is coping with her own backstory and an unpleasant colleague. A fairly gruesome series of murders. Some well developed characters, good plotting and twists. My only complaint, at 400 plus pages it was very long and I am not sure that so many descriptions of everyday life were necessary. Nevertheless, overall an enjoyable read and I will seek out book two.
November 13, 2022
If I had to use 1 word to describe this, it would be intriguing. It begins with the disappearance of a local prominent man with links to an upcoming exhibition which in turn has links to a past death on a remote island. The subsequent discovery of the man's body sets in motion an investigation into a revenge plan years in the making.
I found the story gripping and the links to the past had me totally intrigued. Not once did I find the story lagging. It's a terrific start to a series and if this standard continues, it promises to be a cracking series indeed.
My thanks to Joffe Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
I found the story gripping and the links to the past had me totally intrigued. Not once did I find the story lagging. It's a terrific start to a series and if this standard continues, it promises to be a cracking series indeed.
My thanks to Joffe Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
June 25, 2023
Was really engrossed from the start. There is lots going on in the book but the author brings this together so well and the characters were easy to follow. This was a great read with a huge twist I definitely didn't see coming.
September 24, 2023
Not enjoying this book so decided to give up
November 3, 2025
Solution way too OTT for me, but I suppose that’s what has to happen these days.
November 15, 2022
Outstanding from start to finish - I had absolutely no idea how it would unravel but luckily Detective Inspector Lola Harris was in charge and not me! The strands of the story all fit together so well and the location, in Scotland and it's Islands, made a change for me as a reader. The character of Lola is developed slowly through the story and the glimpses into her private life fit in well. Excellent read!
August 6, 2024
This was my first book by this author. Overall I enjoyed it. I had picked up the audio version. It took a bit to get into it. I think that was because sometimes the narrator was a little hard to understand, and I would back it up to relisten. The longer I listened, the easier it became to understand. The main character has flaws that make her more realistic. She has finally decided to end her relationship with a married man. Initially I thought that would bother me, but it didn’t. I liked that she was an older, more established woman. She still has to deal with some of the issues that unfortunately, woman have to face in a “man’s” world. The mystery part of the book had me questioning a lot of my guesses. I would definitely read another book by this author.
July 5, 2025
This was a new series that I found browsing KU. It was described as a crime investigative series with a tough, female detective as the lead character based in Scotland. So the whole package sounded very attractive to me. I have read very less books based on Scotland so combined with the location and a crime/mystery thriller, it was the perfect find.
The mystery part of the book is about a series of staged serial killings, all related to an exhibition conducted by a new art gallery. While investigating, the current murders are found to be tied to a 30-year-old accident of the artist whose photographs are the main theme of the upcoming exhibition. The answer to the one question will be the key to the whole slew of murders going on now: ‘ Was the 30-year-old accident, just that, an accident, or was it something more, like murder? ‘
The investigation part of the book was fairly ok, nothing remarkable. It was a lot of talking to a bunch of people and chasing down leads. It didn’t have any unique flair to it, but it was realistic, so I won't nitpick there. The whole flow of the investigation was smooth and nothing flashy with following up on various individuals who were involved with the old murder. There were no curveballs by the killer to throw off the police or anything.
Apart from this, I had major issues with a lot of stuff in this book. I will list them out.
1. Huge backstories are missing. The 2 major plot lines introduced by the author other than the murders were about her personal and professional life. For personal, it’s said that she is dealing with a breakup. Her partner was actually a married man who had left her coz his wife was pregnant. The guy apparently lived with the detective but he was married and he ultimately refused to leave his wife which led to the breakup. There is so much weirdness in this whole part. The main being the guy didn’t leave the detective but refused to annul the marriage because he wanted to become a father and the detective was too old to bear him children. The author tried to reconcile the whole thing at the end but I just couldn’t find one redeeming quality about the guy. He wants to have the cake and then eat it too. It was also never explained whether the detective knew beforehand that the guy was married. This whole thing was used to add a personal depth to the detective’s character, but I don’t think it achieved that. This plot line sprang up randomly throughout the book, but without any backstory, the whole thing fell flat on its face. This plot line left a bad taste in my mouth.
2. Now comes the professional dilemma of the detective. She has a subordinate who is a nepo baby in the police force. His uncle is a big official in Scotland Yard. Now this detective, Aidan Pierce, has been assigned to Lola’s team as the female lead detective. This Pierce character is a bully who is harassing a fellow constable on the team while also being insolent and undermining Lola’s authority. It’s said that he has made some big-time mistakes in past cases, which has led him to not get promoted. So Lola’s promotion and his working under Lola is a sore point, and he uses all kinds of underhanded methods like leaking confidential investigation leads to the media and withholding information from leads to Lola, to sabotage the investigation. There is a whole plot line dedicated to this as Lola is seen complaining to HR to remove Pierce from her team. There is backlash from his end as well, but the whole thing never came to a head. The resolution at the end was lacklustre and didn’t make sense after all the fuss that went on regarding this throughout the book. The whole backstory regarding Pierce was again missing. So, as a reader, I couldn’t understand his behaviour or the root cause of the conflict between him and Lola.
SPOILERS AHEAD
So yeah, you can tell that I had major problems with this book. But I will continue with the series coz the main mystery was thought out nicely and I am hoping there will be improvements in the writing going forward. It was 2.75 stars read for me.
The mystery part of the book is about a series of staged serial killings, all related to an exhibition conducted by a new art gallery. While investigating, the current murders are found to be tied to a 30-year-old accident of the artist whose photographs are the main theme of the upcoming exhibition. The answer to the one question will be the key to the whole slew of murders going on now: ‘ Was the 30-year-old accident, just that, an accident, or was it something more, like murder? ‘
The investigation part of the book was fairly ok, nothing remarkable. It was a lot of talking to a bunch of people and chasing down leads. It didn’t have any unique flair to it, but it was realistic, so I won't nitpick there. The whole flow of the investigation was smooth and nothing flashy with following up on various individuals who were involved with the old murder. There were no curveballs by the killer to throw off the police or anything.
Apart from this, I had major issues with a lot of stuff in this book. I will list them out.
1. Huge backstories are missing. The 2 major plot lines introduced by the author other than the murders were about her personal and professional life. For personal, it’s said that she is dealing with a breakup. Her partner was actually a married man who had left her coz his wife was pregnant. The guy apparently lived with the detective but he was married and he ultimately refused to leave his wife which led to the breakup. There is so much weirdness in this whole part. The main being the guy didn’t leave the detective but refused to annul the marriage because he wanted to become a father and the detective was too old to bear him children. The author tried to reconcile the whole thing at the end but I just couldn’t find one redeeming quality about the guy. He wants to have the cake and then eat it too. It was also never explained whether the detective knew beforehand that the guy was married. This whole thing was used to add a personal depth to the detective’s character, but I don’t think it achieved that. This plot line sprang up randomly throughout the book, but without any backstory, the whole thing fell flat on its face. This plot line left a bad taste in my mouth.
2. Now comes the professional dilemma of the detective. She has a subordinate who is a nepo baby in the police force. His uncle is a big official in Scotland Yard. Now this detective, Aidan Pierce, has been assigned to Lola’s team as the female lead detective. This Pierce character is a bully who is harassing a fellow constable on the team while also being insolent and undermining Lola’s authority. It’s said that he has made some big-time mistakes in past cases, which has led him to not get promoted. So Lola’s promotion and his working under Lola is a sore point, and he uses all kinds of underhanded methods like leaking confidential investigation leads to the media and withholding information from leads to Lola, to sabotage the investigation. There is a whole plot line dedicated to this as Lola is seen complaining to HR to remove Pierce from her team. There is backlash from his end as well, but the whole thing never came to a head. The resolution at the end was lacklustre and didn’t make sense after all the fuss that went on regarding this throughout the book. The whole backstory regarding Pierce was again missing. So, as a reader, I couldn’t understand his behaviour or the root cause of the conflict between him and Lola.
SPOILERS AHEAD
So yeah, you can tell that I had major problems with this book. But I will continue with the series coz the main mystery was thought out nicely and I am hoping there will be improvements in the writing going forward. It was 2.75 stars read for me.
December 29, 2022
I enjoyed reading this gripping first book in the series, featuring DI Lola Harris.
It has a excellent storyline featuring some great characters and one of those books you find hard to put down.
I enjoyed the way she handled her difficulties working along side DS Aiden Pierce, while solving a difficult case.
There is also some wonderful descriptions of the characters, storyline and the settings of Glasgow and Hebridene Island.
A thoroughly enjoyable book, I look forward to more in the series.
My thanks to Joffee books for the copy, this is my honest unbiased review.
It has a excellent storyline featuring some great characters and one of those books you find hard to put down.
I enjoyed the way she handled her difficulties working along side DS Aiden Pierce, while solving a difficult case.
There is also some wonderful descriptions of the characters, storyline and the settings of Glasgow and Hebridene Island.
A thoroughly enjoyable book, I look forward to more in the series.
My thanks to Joffee books for the copy, this is my honest unbiased review.
August 23, 2023
I am so glad I read the second book in this series first because if I had read this book 1st I would never have read another book by this author. There was something in the second book that I wanted to discover what it happened and so I knew I needed to read the first book. But this book was excruciating to read. Not only is it way too long, way too boring, way too complicated, there is no joy in this book. Too many characters - I can't keep up with all of them. I am not interested in any of them. Don't read. Reading should be pleasurable, this was just painful.
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