Alex Gray

Alex Gray is a Scottish crime fiction author whose DCI William Lorimer series has established her as one of Scotland's most popular and respected crime writers. Set in and around Glasgow, her novels combine atmospheric Scottish settings with meticulous police procedural plotting and a deep understanding of human nature. Gray was born and raised in Glasgow, a city whose people, landscapes, and complex social fabric provide the backdrop for all her fiction. She studied English and Philosophy at the University of Strathclyde and has worked as a secondary school English teacher — a career that honed her understanding of character and motivation. The DCI Lorimer series began with Never Somewhere Else (2002) and has grown to over twenty novels, including A Small Weeping, Shadows of Sounds, The Riverman, Five Ways to Kill a Man, Glasgow Kiss, Pitch Black, and many more. The series follows Detective Chief Inspector William Lorimer of Police Scotland as he investigates murders across Glasgow and beyond, often assisted by his friend Solomon Brightman, a criminal psychologist. Gray's novels are characterised by their authentic Glasgow settings, their well-drawn characters, and their thoughtful exploration of the psychology of crime. She writes about Glasgow with genuine affection and knowledge, capturing everything from its grand Victorian architecture to its grittier corners. Her procedural detail is convincing, and her plotting is consistently strong. Gray has been honoured with the Deanston Scottish Crime Book of the Year award and is a former convenor of the Scottish chapter of the Crime Writers' Association. She is also an active supporter of libraries, reading, and literacy. The audiobook editions of Gray's Lorimer novels are excellent, with narrators capturing the Glasgow voices and atmospheric settings that define her fiction. Her books and audiobooks are essential for anyone who loves Scottish crime fiction with strong settings, compelling characters, and the authentic voice of Glasgow.