Daniel Sellers writes a gripping Glasgow Scottish crime debut featuring 46-year-old DI Lola Harris who has just returned from a miserable solo holiday, she had lost the future she had envisaged with Joe, a married man who returned to his pregnant wife. Having read this, I took the opportunity to listen to it on audio, superbly narrated by Karen Bartke, who lends the storytelling extra atmospheric suspense and drama, her characterisations and grasp of accents is marvellous. Lola finds herself plunged into a complex, high profile, politically sensitive investigation she feels ill prepared for, her boss, the spineless Acting Superintendent Graeme Izatt, who lands her with the hostile and sociopathic DS Aidan Pearce, with whom she has history, on her team. Pearce wastes no time in taking every opportunity to undermine her right from the start.

At the historic Gallowgate district, in a basement, the police find a horrifying scene of what looks like a ritual murder with the ominous presence of grave candles, the ground is saturated with so much blood that its hard to believe the victim survived the apparent torture and butchery, for there is no body. As the police urgently hunt for the body, it soon emerges the victim is likely to be local councillor, Sandy MacAteer, who serves on the board of the Number Nine art gallery, and is responsible for organising the upcoming exhibition of the lost photographs of the controversial Malcolm Gemmell, who died on the small remote Hebridean island of Erray in 1994, officially ruled an accidental death. As Lola delves into the life of MacAteer, aided by her troubled, but trusted DC Kirstie Campbell, she discovers there are threatening notes, and a journalist writing a book on Gemmell, Tristan MacLeod, who appears to believe there were anomalies in the photographer's death that do not tally with the official verdict.

Lola begins to believe that the answers may lie with the art gallery's marketing manager, David 'Davey' Sinclair, haunted by what he saw as a young child, he was at the scene of Gemmell's accident, with his sister, Marianne, and his mother, Edith. She finds herself under severe pressure, personally as Joe gets back in touch, and professionally, with Pearse a constant thorn in her side, and a Kirstie taking her time in revealing what is bothering her. This is a dark, intense and fascinating crime read, with a strong central protagonist in Lola, and an investigation that has to go back to the 1994 death of Gemmell to identify a killer obsessed with revenge. Readers who love gritty Scottish crime are likely to enjoy this debut and I would particularly like to recommend the audio, it will immerse you deep into this first of a gritty Scottish crime series and its characters. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC and Bolinda Audio for an ALC.

Great summer read. Lola will be one to watch as Daniel Sellers continues to thrill us with his imagination and grand storytelling style.

Be ready for the twists and turns as the suspected murder of an important politician is investigated as well as some historical chaos to make the depth of the investigation spiral .

Buy it, check it out of your local, and read it more than once. You’ll be surprised how somewhere in the twist is the solution to the whole darn puzzle.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

“Murder in the Gallowgate” grips you from its gothic opening to the final, unexpected twist. Daniel Sellers crafts a compelling narrative that plunges listeners into the heart of Glasgow’s historic Gallowgate, where Detective Lola Harris faces a crime scene that’s as perplexing as it is gruesome.

The absence of a body, despite the clear signs of a violent ritual, sets the stage for a mystery that entangles politics, art, and long-buried secrets. Sellers’ protagonist, Lola Harris, is a force to be reckoned with—her determination and grit shine through as she navigates the murky waters of this high-stakes investigation.

Karen Bartke’s narration is a standout, bringing depth and authenticity to the characters which is too often missing in audiobooks. Her ability to convey the emotional undercurrents of each scene adds a layer of immersion that is rare and captivating.

The audiobook’s pacing is relentless, with each chapter drawing the listener deeper into the web of intrigue Sellers weaves. The dual perspectives of Lola and a local politician ensnared in the mystery provide a balanced view of the unfolding drama, ensuring that the listener is always guessing what might happen next.

“Murder in the Gallowgate” is a testament to Sellers’ skill as a storyteller and Bartke’s talent as a narrator. It’s a must-listen for fans of crime thrillers, and a brilliant addition to the Detective Lola Harris series. The audiobook promises and delivers a journey through the shadows of Glasgow, leaving listeners eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Whew! I just finished Murder in the Gallowgate by Daniel Sellers, and I am still stunned. The twists and turns in the thriller of a murder mystery/police procedural were just incredible!

Detective Lola Harris stumbles onto a high profile murder investigation, and it then felt like the world lost its mind. The craziest coincidences, and plots and subplots came to light. But it couldn’t be an easy open and shut case for Detective Harris. And of course, she had to juggle the rest of her caseload as well as office politics, because life is never easy. Add to this, an ex trying to slide into her DM’s. I don’t know how she didn’t just walk away from it all, for the sake of her mental health.

In addition, the current case has a potential link to two horrific historical incidents from thirty years prior. It felt like she was spinning her wheels in mud and getting no case traction for a while, but that didn’t make the plot and character development boring at all. Instead, it felt like we were finding small clues to follow until they started connecting, but the big reveal was still incredible and nearly unimaginable.

I can’t wait to read more from Daniel Sellers!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this audio ARC!!

Thanks to NetGalley for another fab ARC/audiobook. Set in nearby Scotland this book opens up with a modern day Detective who has found all the makings of a murder - but no body. Great crime thriller, and a wonderfully pleasing narrator!

For the first book in a new series, this was a good start for me.

Just to note, this book does cover graphic details of murder scenes (doesn't leave a lot to imagination), child abuse, paedophilia, alcohol abuse, control & coercion.

Narration by Karen Bartke was done well in traditional glaswegian accent for the most part however also altering where necessary for other characters which is no mean feat as Scotland accents differ significantly from town to town let alone going from the city to the Highlands.

The Highlands & Islands of Scotland is a beautiful area although I appreciate in this particular book when visiting the house it may not give that impression the book cover most definitely gives the idealic view of the area.

The main character Detective Lola Harris is a likeable hardworking honourable member of the task force who goes by the book and is determined to get to the root of the case when she finally decides she will continue to work on the brutal murder of the local councillor Sandy McAteer after being positioned alongside a former difficult co-worker Pearce whome she had some issues in the past.
Lola has her own personal issues throughout with her ex Joe, who gets back in touch with her with various personal twists. She carries on to immerse herself in the murder case, investigating the crime scene at number 9, which appears to be of a ritual nature initially with a lot of blood and no body initially.

The story then takes various twists and turns meeting various characters along the way that eventually takes her to the islands of the herbrides in Scotland where this murder is connected and all interlinked from people back in the 90s namely the death of a man called Gemmel.

Local Councillor McAteer had arranged for the local art gallery to host an exhibition in Glasgow of lost negatives of said controversial man Gemmel who was rumoured to have been a paedophile making the exhibition appear compliant and or complacent due to the accusations against him should they go ahead causing some angst of staff namely David at the gallery.

The story unfolds with alot more detail and I won't divulge any more as it has so much you simply may or may not see coming but it is definitely one that has you feeling as if you are part of the investigation team walking alongside Lola each step of the way.

There are many underlying messages. However, one is understanding the sad truths of how people can be programmed deeply by those closest to them to the extent they behave according to the plans .of another. Another is do we think of how we are living each day by what we engage with such as art for example if hypothetically there was an exhibition by a known paedophile would you attend or simply turn away saying we don't have the evidence? It gave me some questions to ponder in the world we live in as much as this is fiction I always try to look for deeper meanings and messages within what I hear/read because sadly there is also somewhere that this is someone's reality or close to it!

With thanks and gratitude to Netgalley & Bolinda Audio for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in return for an open, honest review, all of which are my own.

So this is about my experience with the audiobook. I will probably get the book. I could not follow the audiobook hardly at all. I was so confused not sure overall what the story is, but I will try the physical copy

This crime thriller is not just a police procedural story. It's a study of a family and what happens when secrets are buried, lies are told, and life goes on like it never happened...or does it? This story is set in Scotland. The narrator has a Scottish accent which helps authenticate the places that pop up in the book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and landscape as I listened.
I think you will enjoy getting lost in this story and trying to guess whodunit.
Thanks to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A very strong start to a new crime series!

Premise - Detective Lola Harris comes across an elaborately staged murder scene, but there’s one thing missing: the body.

I listened to this as an audiobook and it was a great way to feel really immersed in the Scottish community the story takes place in, but it’s definitely one you’ll listen to at 1x, as the readers’ accents aren’t the easiest to understand for an American - but so fun! The readers do a great job.

The mystery is engaging, twisty, and unique. Detective Lola is likable, believable, and smart. And best of all, she’s a complex character who’s able to experience unpleasant (but relatable) things like gender-based hostility in the workplace without either turning to a wilting flower (against type) or being so unphased it becomes not compelling. She’s strong, but also affected in a way that feels real.

This is certainly a good read and I look forward to seeing what Lola takes on next!

Thanks, NetGalley and Bolinda Audio, for the gifted audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A grumpy Scottish detective solving a weird murder? I’m in!
The story was great and kept me gripped until the end.
Just enough suspense with lots of ‘events’ to keep me listening until I finished, would definitely read the next in this series!
10/10 for the narrator

Trigger/content warning ⚠️ references to child abuse/suspected pedophilia and gory murder scenes.

This was fantastic. The first in the Detective Lola Harris series got off to an absolutely flying start. On return from a solo holiday and nursing a broken heart, Lola is barely back at work for a minute when a local politician has been reported missing, and the team have discovered what appears to be the site of a ritualistic murder scene, with no body, but a phone left behind traces back to the politician, and both a man hunt and a hunt to find the body are soon underway.

The author has painted Glasgow to perfection, you know the streets. You know these types of people. The chapters are cleverly timestamped giving the reader the feeling of following the investigation in real time. Lola and her team are not all likeable sergeant Pearce in particular is a complete pain in everyone’s hole, but he has connections and ambition - don’t they al.

The story itself has been so very carefully plotted, and the team work with local art house staff (who the politician was linked to and working with, Lola is convinced there’s a connection there, and certain staff members are too. Little by little a jaw dropping story unfolds which leads Lola to work her way back to a Scottish island, where the whole story began 30 years ago.

This is my first novel by the author, it’s gritty, bold and exceptionally well written, I’ll be keen to follow the series. Sellers has captured characteristics in a way that opens a series perfectly, and ultimately leaves us wanting more.

As a side note, there are descriptions of some truly stunning parts of Scotland, I think anyone looking to see the country would be inspired to visit the Highlands and Islands in particular.

The narration was exceptionally good, Karen Bartke flipped accents seamlessly- no mean feat to flip the dialogue from broad Glaswegian to a highland lilt in single conversations. Impressive!

I’d like to thank Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.