"Echo of the Dead is an enjoyable Tartan Noir police procedural and, for me, was an immersive reading experience."
Echo of the Dead kept me gripped from beginning to end. Even though this is the 19th book in the series, it was easy to read as a standalone. Its slow but steady start meant I could take time to get to know the characters and enjoy the visual impact of the writing. The stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands is so beautifully described that I felt as though I was there too.
There's a twisty plot involving murder, a missing person, and possibly a serial killer on the loose. Despite the dark nature of the book, there's a lot of heart in there too, with well-developed characters and realistic dialogue.
This book is more than just a murder mystery, as it also features the heritage, culture, history and traditions of the local area, without getting bogged down with facts. It's well-researched, with its details of the local wildlife and plant life.
Echo of the Dead is an enjoyable Tartan Noir police procedural and, for me, was an immersive reading experience.
| Primary Genre | Crime and Mystery |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Atmospheric page-turner set in and around Glencoe
Set in and around the brooding landscape of Glencoe, DSI William Lorimer and his friend, Zimbabwean ex-cop Daniel Kohi, investigate an accidental (?) death, two brutal murders and the disappearance of a vulnerable witness. It is a testament to the author's skill that I read this nineteenth book in the series as a satisfying standalone novel. It has tempted me catch up on the rest of the series and characters' back stories. The plotting was deft and the writing brought the landscapes and history to life. Descriptions of the rural communities stayed just the right side of cliche.
The book was well-paced and absorbing with some appealing characters. I’m looking forward to finding out more about their background by reading earlier books.... Read Full Review
This is a gripping mystery that has many possible suspects.
This is a gripping mystery that has many possible suspects. The setting is in the Scottish Highlands. The community is close knit and everyone knows what is happening with everyone in the village. When DSI William Lorimer and his friend Daniel Kohi, who is from the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, found a body on their walk, they became part of the team that helped solve the murders and kidnapping.... Read Full Review
DSI William Lorimer and his team are drafted in to support the local police when two bodies are found near Glencoe. A further unexplained death and the disappearance of a local teenager add to the team’s challenges. Is a serial killer at work? What secrets lie at the heart of these murders? A gripping novel full of tension and challenge.
I had not met this author - Alex Gray - or detective, DSI William Lorimer before. However I will be looking to read more by this author and hear more from the DSI. I liked his supporting colleagues as well and hope to hear more about Daniel Kohi.
The novel is set around Glencoe and the wildness and harshness of the scenery adds to the atmosphere. The close knit community of characters brings the place alive.
Two bodies are discovered close to the village and a third unexplained death bring DSI Lorimer and his MIT team to the village. Add the disappearance of a local teenage girl to the mix and the team have much to unravel.
Dark secrets lie at the heart of this novel.... Read Full Review
