When Shadows Fall by Alex Gray, Sphere, £14.99

Whether you’ve read her books before, or for the first time, Alex Gray’s latest instalment in her DSI Lorimer thriller series is enthralling. Admittedly I am a first-timer, but if When Shadows Fall is anything to go by, it’s no wonder the series has sold more than a million books to date.

Born and educated in Glasgow herself, Gray has become known for creating a convincing and authentic Glaswegian atmosphere. The character of the city is evoked impeccably and provides the perfect backdrop for Lorimer’s latest case.

The action begins at an explosive pace as Lorimer is confronted with the news his former friend and colleague has been shot dead. But his problems are only just beginning as two more deaths are reported – both ex-policemen.

Lorimer’s vast experience becomes paramount in order to help find the culprit in this targeted campaign against his own. Yet with such order and precision in the killings, and with no clear link as yet identified between the victims, Lorimer’s team begin to panic. Who will be next?

Characterisation is clearly a key facet of Gray’s crime writing. Whether it’s the blue-eyed, conscientious demeanour of DSI Lorimer, or the frail, beaten exterior of former hitman John Ramsay, each and every character Gray details brings their own traits and personalities.

One character, named Flynn, a former drug addict turned moderately successful gardener, helps to bring a contrasting, joyful gleam to the dark storyline. His initial discovery of a human skull in the front garden of one of his client’s homes leads him, to his own surprise, head-first into a new relationship with one of the officers involved in identifying the victim. Who said true love was dead?

The pace at which events unfold also make for a highly entertaining read. At no point does this thriller suffer from a lull in excitement or ingenuity. Furthermore, Gray’s inclusion of distinctive dialects from the likes of Glasgow and Tayside bring the experience even closer to home.

Part of me wishes that I had picked up one of Gray’s books a long time ago. But I am thankful to have discovered her writing now: her latest is a thoroughly enjoyable read from a writer at the top of her game.

Review by Jamie Wilde 9/10