It was meant to be a harmless stag night prank. A few hours later four of his best friends are dead and Michael Harrison has disappeared. With only three days to the wedding, Detective Superintendent Grace - a man haunted by the shadow of his own missing wife - is contacted by Michael's beautiful, distraught fiancée, Ashley Harper. Grace discovers that the one man who ought to know Michael Harrison's whereabouts is saying nothing. But then he has a lot to gain - more than anyone realizes. For one man's disaster is another man's fortune... Dead simple... 'James has got the gift for turning mind-stretching subjects into novels that are irresistibly readable as well as utterly believable' Robert Goddard 'A brilliant idea, superbly crafted. A terrific page-turner' James Herbert
Dead Simple
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'This is the first in a new crime series which promises to be both fascinating and destined for the bestsellers.' -- Independent on Sunday
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
It was meant to be a harmless stag night prank. A few hours later four of his best friends are dead and Michael Harrison has disappeared. With only three days to the wedding, Detective Superintendent Grace - a man haunted by the shadow of his own missing wife - is contacted by Michael's beautiful, distraught fiancée, Ashley Harper. Grace discovers that the one man who ought to know Michael Harrison's whereabouts is saying nothing. But then he has a lot to gain - more than anyone realizes. For one man's disaster is another man's fortune . . . Dead simple . . . 'James has got the gift for turning mind-stretching subjects into novels that are irresistibly readable as well as utterly believable' Robert Goddard 'A brilliant idea, superbly crafted. A terrific page-turner' James Herbert 'A page-turner of a book with some terrifying twists . . . a very satisfying read' George Baker, Inspector Wexford
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
122 of 129 people found the following review helpful
By "jimboeb"
Format:Paperback
This is the first time I've read Peter James and picked it up after hearing it reviewed positively on Simon Mayo's show. It really is a page turner! The chapters are very to fairly short which makes it a great book for people like me who have a 25 minute train commute - you can usually time the finishing of the chapters just right for your stop.
The book involves a stag night prank of burying a mate in a coffin. If if this seems somewhat unlikely, James does get away with explaining the history that leads to this event, making it plausible enough to stick with it. When the perpetrators are killed in a van crash our man is trapped in the coffin with only one person in the world knowing where he is; and that person has most to gain by him staying lost (trust me I give nothing away, we're only up to page 40 or 50 here!). Therein hangs the first of many twists; there are several, yet somehow they are nearly all credible within the confines of this tale. And speaking of confines, some of the coffin scenes really are claustrophobic to read.
The slight downsides then. As has been referenced elsewhere the author I believe has been a scriptwriter in the States and at times there is an americanisation to the story that grates ever so slightly, including the use of american type terminology that wouldn't naturally be used here. Stylistically it has more of an american feel than say a traditional English crime fiction feel about it. I don't say that this is bad, by the way, but just be aware that PD James it ain't (and that may well be a good thing for some of you)! The ending is also a little rushed and slightly patly contrived, but by then you've rattled along with the book at such a pace that you forgive this minor(ish) transgression.
In conclusion then, a page turner it most certainly is. I knocked this off in two days because I couldn't put the blooming thing down. If like me you have a busy life from which you need to be occasionally transported, released into a private world of high drama that goes at a rattling good pace, has plenty of twists and genuine 'oh my god!' moments, then this is the book for you.
60 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By F. Clancy
Format:Paperback
I bought this book specifically for holiday and am glad i did - although it gripped me very early on and i read it in no time at all. I found the plot very good and didnt guess the "bad guy" at all which for me is quite unusual and very enjoyable. I would defintely recommend it and am now trying to decide which Peter James book to read next!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By LouiseV
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book started off brilliant, so good in fact that I did start to have my doubts if the author could keep up the pace and standard of writing.
My fears where founded because the last third of the book let down all the hard work that had gone into the first 3/4.
I felt the author had run out of steam towards the end and just didn't know where to go.
Another book for me that was spoilt by the weak ending
My fears where founded because the last third of the book let down all the hard work that had gone into the first 3/4.
I felt the author had run out of steam towards the end and just didn't know where to go.
Another book for me that was spoilt by the weak ending
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
New to this writer, he does not keep me as spellbound as a PD James, and the main character is not as charismatic as a Peter Robinson, but I may buy some more of his.
Published 21 hours ago by lulumizi
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not for me
The product was as described - prompt delivery - value for money - did not enjoy the read at all - won't bother with Peter James again
Published 9 days ago by profclicker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant, couldn't put it down
Loved this book. The story kept me gripped and wanting to know what happened next. I also really liked the main Character, DS Roy Grace. He seemed believable and human. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Mrs Sarah Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent read
loved the insight in to policework an relationships of the characters. Gripping stuff. I'm hooked on detctive grace stories now!
Published 16 days ago by Ms Janine Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping!
I bought the kindle edition to read on the train on a trip to London but couldn't put it down , finished it before the trip & had to buy another book to read.
Published 24 days ago by gretel
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good beginning
I wasn't sure I was going to take to Detective Superintendent Grace and I'm still not sure about his reliance on the supernatural. Read more
Published 25 days ago by PL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dead simple brill
Peter James deaf simple brilliant ,fantastic reading,could not put my kindle down recommend it .brilliant buy it today,very impressed .
Published 26 days ago by ian holdcroft
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting page turner
I am a recent convert to Peter James and am thoroughly enjoying the Roy Grace series. This book is no exception ad is difficult to put down.
Published 27 days ago by S. Howett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant story
First book by Peter James I've read, and I'm so glad I have, it was a gripping read. The opening chapter got me hooked from the start and the twists and turns in the plot kept me... Read more
Published 27 days ago by caroline ryan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good plot but spoilt by paranormal whooo whooo
Recommended this but found I had to skip the, frankly embarrassing, paranormal sections - won't be reading any more of these now I realise that this detective does not rely on... Read more
Published 28 days ago by The heretic
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