Shadows of Sounds

My second Alex Gray, DCI Lorimer novel as as enjoyable as the first. This story revolves around the murder of a gay musician at a Glasgow Theatre, who though not especially liked appears to have few enemies likely to kill him. Good plotting which kept me guessing for most of the story as to who the perpetrator was and a nice sub-plot showing the dour Lorimer has a more human side to him. Recommended.

Shadows of Sounds by Alex Gray is third entry in the DC Lorimer series set in Glasgow, Scotland. Although the cover blurb still insists on comparing this series to that of author Ian Rankin, I personally didn’t find that they have much in common. While the writing is fine it is not up to Rankin’s level and the plotting is not as intense or connected as the Rebus series is. On the other hand, I did enjoy my read of this book and found that the character of DC Lorimer is continuing to be developed.

The story is about the murder of the Orchestra leader at the City of Glasgow Concert Hall and Lorimer and psychologist Solomon Brightman have quite a mystery to solve. The victim is known for his gay affairs, his dodgy business in stolen show more musical instruments, and with his supply and use of drugs. Before the investigation gets very far, another musician is also killed.

This police procedural has plenty of red herrings to keep both the police and the readers on their toes and there is a sub-plot involving Lorimer’s marriage that I found interesting. Mostly set in the world of a classical orchestra where passion, secrets and murder seem to thrive. show less

I am all over the place with this series, and I don't think that's helping my enjoyment of these books one little bit. Nor, mind you, is the line blazoned all over the front cover 'Glasgow's Answer to Ian Rankin'.... sorry, but that's setting the bar just a tad on the high side isn't it....? So high that you can't help feeling that, as a reader, you're going to be looking for reasons to jiggle that bar. Mind you, from memory, there was something similar screaming from the front cover of the last book in the series I read - which also did not live up to the expectation set.

There's something, unfortunately somewhat unmemorable about SHADOWS OF SOUNDS. Whilst reasonably competently plotted somehow the storyline doesn't quite fire with the show more assurance, or firmness of many recently read Scottish crime fiction tales. The character of Lorimer is developing a little (the last in the series I read seemed to have him more of a bit player), but somehow he's still grey. When writing this review, I notice that my notes on the book include how hard it is to draw an assured enough portrait of the man to aid recollection.

Not, I hasten to add, did I particularly dislike the book, or resent the time taken to read it. I just don't have much of a memory of it, and during the reading, I couldn't seem to get past the idea that if this is Glasgow's answer to Rankin and Edinburgh, Glasgow's not as edgy as I thought it was. show less

"Shadows of Sounds" is a police procedural murder mystery set present day Glasgow Scotland. Chief Inspector Bill Lorimer heads the police investigation of two murders of leading musicians of the City of Glasgow orchestra. The killings at first seem unrelated, except for the orchestra connection, but as things progress some sordid connections emerge: cocaine use, trafficking in stolen stolen musical instruments and serial gay affairs. Lorimer is assisted by a psychologist profiler, Dr. Solly Brightman, who is a friend as well as a colleague. He is dealing with personal issues arising from his wife taking a temporary teaching position in the United States and an immediate superior officer with a chip on his shoulder. The artistic show more temperament of the orchestra members who are the obvious suspects in both killings challenges the increasing complex investigation. These characters balance those on the police side to provide a diverse cast for the story. It's set against the background of Glasgow in the fall and early winter, and the ins and outs of the daily running of an orchestra.
Taken together, this is an informative and entertaining whodunnit set in an interesting background. It's obviously one of a series, but it can be read on its own as a standalone. show less

My first book by Alex Gray. Very good.
A gentle style, building her characters, giving them realness.
We don't find out who done it till the final pages.