Before the Storm
Author: Alex Gray
Publisher: Sphere
ISBN: 9780751580013
Before the Storm is the 18th instalment in the Detective Superintendent William ”Bill” Lorimer series, set in and around the city of Glasgow and the surrounding areas. DSI Lorimer, 30, 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 sinister in his wheelhouse. Intelligence reaches him from the Counter-Terrorism Unit that there is an atrocity being planned and prepared for the city centre on Christmas Eve. But Lorimer has a big problem - there appears to be an unidentified mole within the force leaking the identities of his undercover officers to the press and media which means his four undercover officers are now rendered useless.
Two of them have to take on administrative work and a third quit, leaving the police understaffed. To lessen the chance of another damaging leak, the circle of trusted people is tightened and intelligence is on a need-to-know basis.
Meanwhile in Zimbabwe, Daniel Kohi, a Police Inspector, decides to leave for England after experiencing a terrible tragedy. His wife and son have been killed in an arson attack carried out because he refused to turn to corruption. With his life in pieces, Kohi flees the country fearing for his own safety.
As soon as he arrives in Glasgow as an asylum seeker, Kohi 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. As a Police Inspector, Kohi cannot ignore what he's just seen and decides to investigate even though officially, he cannot work until his asylum is granted.
And then, a short time later, the body of a man is found in the vicinity and he has been stabbed and then burned. The victim had worked at the law firm.
This brings Kohi into contact with Lorimer as they both work on the same murder case.
Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that DS Sylvie Maxwell has 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 the terrorists would wreak if their sleeper cells in the city are allowed to become active. The loss of life and the damage to infrastructure would be catastrophic. Can the police find those planning the mass murder, and the woman who is seemingly pulling all the strings, before Christmas Eve arrives, as well as solving the other murders?
This is a compelling and enthralling addition to the series with all the action, twists, drama and complexity to keep the readers engaged. The police have to race against time to save lives and to ensure a safe Christmas for Glasgow residents.
Lorimer comes across as a sympathetic, compassionate and principled guy and it makes a refreshing change from macho protagonists. The multiple plot strands work seamlessly together. Crime fiction fans will enjoy this scintillating, intensely absorbing and entertaining book.
