Dead Simple
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Review
"'James has got the gift for turning mind-stretching subjects into novels that are irresistibly readable as well as utterly believable' Robert Goddard"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
From one of the great masters of British crime writing comes the stunning first novel in a new mystery series introducing Detective Superintendent Roy Grace
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
99 of 106 people found the following review helpful
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.
51 of 55 people found the following review helpful
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!
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Excellent book - gripping from the first chapter - a definite must-read. I could not put the book down and after reading it in a day and a bit, I then went on to order and read the rest of the books he has written - all equally intriguing and gripping in their own way - Looking Good Dead is another superb book!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dead Simple
Like all the Roy Grace series it grips you from the 1st chapter and each subsequent chapter increases the hold.
Published 13 days ago by C. Alston
"Dead Simple" is fast and thrilling a real rollercoaster of a book
I started reading the novels of Peter James last year and found that just by the down-to-earth well written stories with the confident understanding of characters, he has taken me... Read more
Published 14 days ago by John H Glen
excelllent......
i found peter james by chance....so pleased i did....ive now read 6 of his books...absolutely brilliant in my opinion...enjoyed them all
Published 1 month ago by sugarloafjulie
Terrible end
I read this book (the first of the series) after reading the others. I now have no idea how he was allowed to write more. Totally unbeleiveable plot and as for the ending. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David D
Gripping from the start
My husband wanted this book having read and enjoyed Prophesy. He is now hooked on Peter James and said he thought I might like to read it, I did and like him I found it difficult... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Photo novice
Dead Good!
Let's keep this simple....this story was "dead good!" Another page turner. Loved it. I would recommend any book so far from this series with Roy Grace. I've read them all!
Published 1 month ago by Dagmar
Utter drivel
The characters are shallow, the plot daft and the way he talks about women you would assume the author had never met one. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kathleen L-G
Great read
This author was suggested to me by a family member - I like his style and storytelling and found this book a great start to a series which I am currently reading through - Roy... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. A. J. White
Peter James 'Dead Simple'
Thoroughly enjoyed this addictive compulsively enjoyable page turner.
Criticism's of James' style and language pale through a well written, well crafted and highly... Read more
Criticism's of James' style and language pale through a well written, well crafted and highly... Read more
Published 2 months ago by garcia
Gripping!
I am a huge fan of Peter James and for my money this is ane of the most compelling reads - I had a nightmarish wait for a flight at Gatwick airport but had no problems staying up... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bridget
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