cover image The Riverman

The Riverman

Alex Gray. Sphere (IPG, dist.), $8.99 mass market (420p) ISBN 978-0-7515-3873-1

First published in the U.K. in 2007, Gray’s solid fourth book featuring Det. Chief Insp. William Lorimer (after 2005’s Shadows of Sounds) finds the Glasgow detective investigating the drowning death of Duncan Forbes, a partner in the prestigious accounting firm Forbes Macgregor, who surfaces in the river Clyde. Gray’s narrative makes it obvious that something is wrong at Forbes Macgregor as the remaining four managing partners attempt to deal with the crisis. Police efforts are further fueled by the disappearance of one of the firm’s rising stars and the death of another key employee. Psychologist and profiler Solomon Brightman adds his expertise, while Lorimer struggles to get a grip on the partners’ personalities and actions. Patient police work uncovers some surprising links to other crimes. Gray’s series should appeal to fans of both procedurals and psychological dissections of crimes. (May)