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Alex Walters
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Expiry Date: A Gripping Crime Thriller (The DI Alec McKay Series) Kindle Edition

by Alex Walters (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,521 ratings
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As a detective’s personal life unravels, he must piece together the clues to a baffling series of murders in this Scottish Highlands crime thriller.

A family day out turns sour for DI McKay when he stumbles across an unidentified corpse. The day becomes darker still when his brother-in-law goes missing and is eventually found dead, the result of a seemingly accidental fall.

Meanwhile, DCI Helena Grant has a disastrous on-line date with a senior manager of a local hotel chain whose behavior escalates from pompous to downright disturbing. And, as she arrives home, she receives a threatening text from someone who has clearly been watching her. When a further body is found at the edge of the Cromarty Firth, McKay and Grant begin to piece together a grim tale of violence, human trafficking, and the darkest family secrets.
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  1. Book 4 of 6
    The DI Alec McKay
  2. Print length
    370 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Bloodhound Books
  6. Publication date
    October 7, 2019
  7. File size
    1563 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author


Alex Walters has written three books set in and around Manchester―Trust No-One and Nowhere to Hide featuring the undercover officer, Marie Donovan, and Late Checkout, which introduced the rather distinctive DCI Kenny Murrain. As Michael Walters, he has also published three crime novels set in modern-day Mongolia, The Shadow Walker, The Adversary and The Outcast. Alex has previously worked in the oil industry, broadcasting and banking and now, alongside his writing, runs a consultancy working mainly in the criminal justice sector with police, prisons and probation. He lives in Manchester with his wife, occasional sons and too many cats.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09C6KPP1N
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloodhound Books (October 7, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1563 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,521 ratings

About the author

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Alex Walters

Alex Walters

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Alex has worked in the oil industry, broadcasting and banking and has run a consultancy working mainly in the criminal justice sector including police, prisons and probation.

As Michael Walters, he published three crime thrillers set in modern-day Mongolia, now re-published as by Alex Walters in completely new, re-edited versions. As Alex Walters he has written two thrillers set in and around Manchester featuring the undercover officer, Marie Donovan, Trust No-One and Nowhere to Hide. Late Checkout was the first in a series of crime thrillers featuring, alongside Marie Donovan, the rather distinctive DCI Kenny Murrain, who has subsequently appeared in four more books, Dark Corners, Snow Fallen, Stilled Voices and Life Remains. Alex is also the author of the DI Alec McKay series set in and around Scotland's Black Isle, which currently comprises five books, Candles and Roses, Death Parts Us, Their Final Act, Expiry Date and For Their Sins, published by Bloodhound Books, with a sixth book coming in 2022. He had also written a standalone historical thriller called Winterman, also published by Bloodhound Books. His latest series is set in the Peak District and features DI Annie Delamere. The first three books in the series, Small Mercies, Lost Hours and Bad Terms, are available now from Canelo.

Alex lives in the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands where he runs the Solus Or Writing Retreat with his wife, occasional sons and frequent cats.

He can be contacted at: mike@whitmuir.com

Website:https://www.alexwaltersauthor.com/

Twitter: @mikewalters60

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexwaltersauthor/

Details of the Solus Or Writing Retreat can be found at: www.solusorwritingretreat.co.uk

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
1,521 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Auntie Annie
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well plotted and characterized
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
This may be the best yet in the series, but perhaps I feel that way each time I finish one of Alex Walters's books. Grant has a bad experience with an online date. She finds other women have had the same experience, with the same man, under different names. Meanwhile, we are following Jana, a woman who we suspect has been brought into the country illegally, and who will be used in some despicable manner. And we are also discovering facts about the death of Chrissie's sister's husband under mysterious circumstances. As investigations progress, the cases seem to be linked. And the ending is a real surprise!
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A twisted tale
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2021
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I like this author and his work but the hidden plots are becoming more dubious as this series moves along. Has a tendency to become tiresome and more t Jan a bit contrived. Still a fair read.
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Bev
5.0 out of 5 stars A day off is anything but for DI McKay and DCI Grant
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2019
This is the first book by Alex Walters that I have read, it won't be my last! The action, complex storyline and the characters will keep you reading well into the night! I really enjoyed this story. I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book from Bloodhound Books.
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johnverp
3.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, although a little too improbable
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
I felt somewhat disadvantaged reading this book as I had not read the prequels. I don't think the author did enough to make new readers aware of some prior incidents and relationships.

That said, I became absorbed early and remained interested throughout. I normally worry when there are multiple threads, as one (or more) is often used as filler material. That is not the case here. However, the plot became so coincidence-heavy that it lost some of its shine. I'm not sure some of the plot ingredients sounded right either. For example, I couldn't get my head around the business practices, including empty hotels being continuously cleaned by illegal workers.

All-up, however, I found it very easy to turn the pages here and am likely to go back for more in the series. 7/10
3 people found this helpful
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booklover
4.0 out of 5 stars Page Turner
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2019
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

DC Alex McKay is having a rare day off. Along with his wife, her sister and her husband, they are doing little exploring. But the day is full of surprises.

They accidentally discover a dead man with no identity. And not long after, McKay's brother in law wanders off. It's only later that his body is found. First look makes it out as accidental fall. But sometimes first looks are deceiving.

Meanwhile, DCI Helena Grant has the date from hell with the senior manager of a local hotel claim. He doesn't want to take NO for an answer, and Helena becomes nervous. Later she receives some disturbing text messages from, she assumes, the same man.

And then another body is found. McKay and Grant finally start putting the puzzle pieces together. There is more to the deaths than was first thought. There are secrets ..and some of them are much closer to home than he or anyone else suspects.

This is a well written page turner with lots of twists and turns. The separate story lines, in themselves, are exciting to read, but as they merge together, the action becomes non-stop. The ending is quite unexpected and suspenseful.

Although 4th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. As always I highly recommend starting at the very beginning due to the finely drawn evolving characters.
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Flgirl
5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating story with characters you will never forget and yearn to get them know them better
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2019
This author never disappoints. He delivers a wonderful story and realistic characters that grab you and do not let go until you have finished the book while yearning for more. The characters and story building carried me to a finish that came much too soon. I have read every book in the series but you pick up any one in the series and enjoy it as a stand-alone but you will go back for more. Can’t wait for the next one.
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Linda R Oliver
5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing Crime Thriller.
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2019
This is the fourth entry in the Alec McKay series. I have not read the first three but that did not detract from the enjoyment of this story. I found Alec a sympathetic character and have already bought the first three books in this series. Highly recommend this crime thriller.
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Bobbi Jo Wagner
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story!
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2019
This is my first story by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. For me it was a little slow in the beginning but once it got started, it took off and I couldn't put it down. This book has great suspense and I enjoyed the twists and turns. I highly recommend this book. I dont regret picking it up and neither will you.
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Top reviews from other countries

Caro
5.0 out of 5 stars Expiry Date
Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
Alex Walters is a new author for me. Expiry Date is well written and an easy and enjoyable read. If you like Charlie Gallagher or Gretta Mulrooney, you'll enjoy Alex Walters.
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Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars Another terrific read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Once more, Alex Walters has given me a truly satisfying read. Alec McKay is just as bull-headed and dependable as always and there is no doubt, that despite his somewhat dubious methods, he gets the job done. This plot was very different and most definitely intriguing. People disappearing, bodies turning up and strange things happening, that kept the reader interested enough to turn the pages well into the night. As always, with crime novels I like to try any work out who the killer is and what their motive might be. Normally I get it wrong, but on this occasion I really had no clue whatsoever, and even when I thought I was starting to understand what was going on, I discovered that I had been lead totally up the wrong path and the truth was completely unexpected. This is what I like about Alex Walter’s novels, they never fail to capture my imagination and keep me guessing. I have already ordered the next Alec McKay book and am looking forward to reading it.
One person found this helpful
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Valerie Hull
4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly 5 stars but...
Reviewed in Australia on January 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Gripping original story with believable central characters earthing the plot as it twists and turns. I just find it a pity that each of books in this series share a similar protagonist. Does there always have to be a serial killer?
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Sandy
4.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the series
Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2019
Verified Purchase
Poor DI Alec Mckay…..the guy just can’t catch a break (plus I’m beginning to think he’s a bit of a s**t magnet). He recently reunited with his wife & in an attempt to score points, he’s spending some time off walking the grounds of a local castle with the in-laws. So he really wasn’t expecting to find the first body. As for the second one…well, that just put a damper on the whole day.

His boss DCI Helena Grant isn’t faring much better. Her latest foray into online dating was a disaster. Initially, she wrote him off as annoying (and icky). But after some disturbing events, she’s beginning to wonder if he’s as harmless as she thought.

Get ready for lots of twists & turns. Both of these plot lines head off in surprising directions that keep you reading. The story deals with some serious issues but the addition of dry humour & sharp dialogue provide some welcome breaks in the tension when things get hairy.

This is such an enjoyable series. Each can be read as a stand alone with different investigations that challenge the reader. What unites the books is the relationship between Mckay & Grant. They’ve worked together for years & are used to each other’s personality tics. Mckay loves to grumble & mutter, providing darkly funny commentary as he digs into each case with relish. Grant is the kind of boss who is smart enough to give him lots of rope. He may be a bit unorthodox but his clearance rate speaks for itself.

Last year, the author stepped away from his series to bring us Winterman, an atmospheric historical who-dun-it I really enjoyed. But it’s always a treat to catch up with Mckay. So bring on book #5!
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Seb Barrow
5.0 out of 5 stars As good, if not better.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2020
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Again we are drawn in the private lives of McKay and that of his boss. An afternoon with McKay, his wife, her sister and husband visiting an old fort and his boss having an internet date starts a curious chain of events. Two totally separate incidents are interwoven in a spare of deaths.
As always there is the Scottish humour amongst the dark goings on to bring a touch of relief. A thoroughly enjoyable read with a lovely twist in the tail. Roll on the next in the series!
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