Not Dead Enough: DS Roy Grace Mystery, Book 3 (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

Not Dead Enough is the third outing for Peter James' troubled detective, Roy Grace. In a complex plot, Grace's sanity is not only threatened with three murders, one suspect and little in the way of evidence, but the fact that he is still coming to terms with a wife who walked out on him nine years previous and has never been seen until ... possibly ... now, in a remote corner of Germany: add to that, a threat on the life of police mortician Cleo Morey, Grace's new girlfriend, and you have the trappings of a very tense and sophisticated novel, which, in the hands of a master story-teller like Peter James, offers you a very compelling read, full of plot twists and turns that come so thick and fast you barely have time to draw breath before the author gives you something else to think about. In the style of Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, the book races towards an unexpected and chilling outcome, with well defined, 3D characters, something that has always been a trademark of James as readers of his previous novels like Denial and Faith will remember. Not Dead Enough comes very highly recommended: the only crime any reader would be guilty of is not rushing out and buying a copy.

I enjoyed the first two Roy Grace thrillers immensely and found them difficult pull myself away from. The third is even better. The writing style is much tighter and, consequently, the suspense a notch or two higher.

Attention to detail and the nature of obsession seem to be very close to the author. The whole series is highly recommended but don't buy just one - it won't last very long.

I just finished NDE. What a book! I had to put my life on hold for 4 days to finish it! I haven't done anything for 4 evenings except read this novel. I really couldn't put it down.

As always, it had everything I look for a PJ novel: detailed research; brilliantly developed characters; pace; smooth, flowing writing; sparkling dialogue; and an interesting, engaging plot. But of course it's more than the sum of these factors that make me addicted to James' books. It's the X factor that so many lack. I noticed it for the first time when I read Dreamer all those years ago. I don't really think it would matter what type of novel the author penned, in whatever genre. It would still grip me. It's the STYLE, man...

This is crime writing at its very best. As other reviewers have pointd out, James is never one to stint on trivial but important details. For instance, I loved reading about Grace's trip to Munich. Reminded me of my own visit a few years ago, though under rather different weather conditions (i.e. freezing cold). He could have just described the visit in a short chapter, but the details and descriptions of settings and people made it really come to life. The same thing applies to all the little details he puts into his books - character traits and faults that make people human. Their ambitions and shortcomings. I esp. love the fact that he's always willing to surprise the reader and that there are no easy answers or solutions; and few coincidences. The people in a PJ story have human failings and don't always get things right. Grace is a pretty average, intelligent bloke, and all the more likeable for it. I also love the Branson and Potting characters. I hope they're going to be around in future Grace novels. Great team spirit and camaraderie in this particular police force!

There's a particular kind of character that James has always written about - you recognise them straightaway. Brian Bishop is one such character: confident, wealthy, a touch arrogant, assured etc. However, in NDE he proves that he can deal with some truly memorable low-lifes too. Witness the fascinating Skunk, someone who we follow for a good part of the book and end up feeling sorry for when ... well, that would be giving it away, wouldn't it?

This is likely to be one of the best novels of 2007, at least in my opinion. It deserves to sell by the bucket-load. Here's till the next Grace novel!