Member Review

Against the starkly beautiful, windswept backdrop of County Mayo, Ireland, L.J. Ross's “Impostor” delivers a deliberately measured psychological mystery that succeeds as a profound character study and a promising launch for the Alexander Gregory Thriller series

The narrative centers on Dr. Alexander Gregory, a renowned criminal profiler and forensic psychologist. He sought a quieter existence after closing his elite London profiling unit, but his solitude is abruptly shattered when a gruesome murder rocks the small, rural Irish town of Ballyfinny. The baffled local Garda are forced to request Gregory's expertise as an outside consultant, relying on his unique insights to solve the case.

His presence, however, immediately ruffles feathers. Gregory—a London-based Englishman—is seen as an intruder, especially by the local community and the police officers handling the case, who are, notably, the mayor's sons. As the body count rises, Gregory’s profile suggests the killer is an "insider," escalating the town's fear into a deep-seated suspicion of one another.

Dr. Gregory is presented as a complex and flawed character, whose personal secrets and recurring nightmares add an engaging layer of self-doubt to his expert analysis. His past connection to a patient at Southmoor High Security Psychiatric Hospital in London, a mother who killed her own children, haunts him and hints at a deeper personal storyline that adds depth to his character.

The town is brought to life by its richly drawn characters, whose secrets, suspicions, and Irish humor hit the mark. This is evident one night when an elderly man leaves to frequent the local pub, telling his seventy-three-year-old wife, “Save those kisses for me,” with a wink. “I’ll save them for Cillian Murphy,” she muttered in reply, then fiddled with the remote until the small corner television displayed the newest episode of “Peaky Blinders.”

Maintaining an intricate pace, Ross skillfully incorporates numerous twists and potential suspects, alongside detailed police procedural elements. The novel offers a profound exploration of the psychological underpinnings of crime, delving into the motivations of murderers and the techniques of forensic profiling. This sustained, building suspense holds the reader's attention throughout, ultimately leading to an unexpected revelation of the killer's identity.

"Impostor" is the inaugural novel in the Alexander Gregory Thrillers series and serves as an excellent launchpad for the character's subsequent international cases. It is highly recommended for anyone who appreciates character-driven crime fiction and profound psychological depth over high-octane action, marking a compelling start to what promises to be an excellent international thriller series.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #Impostor #NetGalley