SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD

There’s a hit man in Glasgow and he hasn’t been paid. Marianne Brogan cannot sleep, haunted by dreams of a shadowy figure stalking her and her brother Billy is contemplating his new life on the run in Spain. But everyone is searching for Billy, including the Police once two men have been found gunned down in his flat and a connection made to the killing of Marianne’s ex-husband.

Neither Brogan are easily found, Marianne because she has hidden for so long and Billy because he’s just not there. With an angry hit man taking it personally, a vague link to the Asian community and insufficient information forthcoming, can DCI Lorimer and his team find the Brogan’s before its too late?

Sleep like the Dead is the latest instalment of Alex Gray’s DCI Lorimer series, set in Glasgow, bringing both the light and dark to that well known city and its Police Force. A fast-paced read and yet there’s no skipping of plot, but a spiral through each scene that forges the links to the culmination of an interesting and well thought out story of stalking, fear and the Glasgow underground. Pulling in the characters of the psychologist Solly Brightman, Lorimer’s team and pathologist gives an extra realism and dimension that help bring the book to life.

I must admit that I had not read previous Alex Gray novels and very much enjoyed the characters I am presuming are part of the overall series, as well as a gritty and realistic plot. All ends are tied and there is focus on the ‘cast’ not just the story that gives Sleep like the Dead a boost above some similar novels in my opinion.