The Road to Hell

Alice Rice #5

by Gillian Galbraith

When the body of a half-clothed woman is discovered in an Edinburgh park, a murder investigation is launched. The victim has not been reported missing and there are few clues to her identity. Soon after, the naked corpse of a prominent clergyman is found, also in a park. DS Alice Rice wonders if the same killer is at work, and if so, what is the connection between the apparently motiveless attacks? The Road to Hell, the fourth in the series, takes the policewoman to new personal depths and along a trail that leads to some of Edinburgh's darkest and scariest corners. Praise for the Alice Rice Mystery series: 'The new Rebus' - Sunday Express 'Chilling realism' - Edinburgh Evening News 'Red herrings, lies and cul-de-sacs interlink to create an enjoyable read and an awkward puzzle to solve' - The Dorothy L. Sayers Society 'Vivid and exciting . . . not a dull page from start to finish' - Alexander McCall Smith 'From its bloodstained opening . . . a compelling read. Gritty and charming in turn' - Scottish Field

Genres: Ebooks, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Scotland

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2012

About the author

Gillian Galbraith was born in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, in January 1957. She was educated at a convent and at the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee.Following careers in dish-washing, bookselling and journalism she was called to the Scottish Bar in 1987.

Her first novel BLOOD IN THE WATER, introducting Edinburgh detective Alice Rice, was published in 2007 and in that same year, optimism to the fore, she abandoned her legal practice in order to concentrate on her writing.

Her second novel, WHERE THE SHADOW FALLS, also featuring DI Alice Rice, will be published by Birlinn in Spring 2008.

Gillian lives happily in Kinross-shire with her husband Robert, daughter Daisy, and assorted other creatures.

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a step too far for me. There has been a growing tendency in this series to shift the focus and interest to the lives of the police and to shift the crimes into those lives. While I can appreciate the concept of Police as people impacted by crime as citizens, such shifting has the effect of narrowing the world in which the books are set, and failing to deal with the impact of policing per se on those involved. It also distances the reader from the process of solving crime - where I prefer to focus my reading.

I have had misgivings for a while about the direction in which the series is heading. I think I’ve reached my limit.

[Paul Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Geoffrey Bles] (1967). HB/DJ. 1/1. 208 Pages. Purchased from Wheen O’ Books.

The protagonist, Felix, is holidaying in a freestyle manner: “…on the run from the boredom of his family and secure job”.

He’s only sketchily drawn; taciturn, unpleasant, self-opinionated, over-inclined to interfere (indeed, subvert): “I had defeated myself with my very success.”

“‘What went wrong Felix?’ ‘God forgive me, I don’t know.’”

“I only wanted to help. My intentions were so good.”

The story’s well-written, interesting and peculiar - a fable with certain supernatural elements.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another action packed story from Gillian Galbraith, which I recommend.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me full enjoyment of this was marred by slightly flabby editing, too many sub-plots, insufficiently convincing actions on the part of Alice who lacked common sense and an ability to grieve and was stupid and/or spineless beyond belief far too often. Plus an unsatisfactory ending.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice investigates a suspicious death, whilst dealing with her own personal challenges. Interesting characters populate this Edinburgh based crime novel.

[Kim Holgate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy it but story felt a bit stretched out.

[Nrr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab. I'll miss Taff.

[Anne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting to read another version of crime in Edinburgh