Who killed Marius Steen, the theatrical tycoon with a fortune to leave his young mistress Jacqui? And who killed Bill Sweet, the shady blackmailer with a supply of compromising photographs? Charles Paris, a middle-aged actor who keeps going on booze and women, takes to detection, by assuming a variety of roles, among them that of a Scotland Yard Detective-Sergeant, and the results are both comic and dramatic. As the mythical McWhirter of the Yard, he actually precipitates the crime; as one of the blackmailer’s victims, he finds himself in bed with the blackmailer’s wife; as a small-part player in a horror film (The Zombie Walks), he gets shot at by a murderer. And he arrives at the solution by way of the petrol crisis and an abortive attack of the German measles. It’s a light-hearted frolic that is, at the same time, a beautifully ingenious puzzle, and it fizzes with fun and wit.
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About the Author
Simon Brett is a former radio and television comedy producer, who has been writing full-time for more than twenty years. Creator of the Charles Paris, Mrs. Pargeter and Fethering series of mysteries, his psychological thriller, A Shock to the System was filmed, starring Michael Caine. Married with three children, he lives in an Agatha Christie-style village in West Sussex, England.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the first in the long running series of light frothy murder mysteries staring that charming actor of middle aged years, Charles Paris.
In this book 47 year-old Charles, having just finished a recording for the radio, bumps into an old flame from their years in pantomime, an "actress-cum-dancer-cum-most things" called Jacqui. Jacqui is most upset over her latest beau, the rich and famous theatre impresario Marius Steen. Jacqui is convinced Marius was on the verge of asking her to marry him and now apparently he doesn't want to see her anymore and has taken to writing hurtful and abusive letters to keep her away. Could it be that Marius is worried about some "risqué" photos of him and Jacqui getting into the public eye? Charles, ever an easy touch by young beautiful girls, agrees to try to arrange to see Mr Steen on Jacqui's behalf and return the photos. An easy task made extremely difficult by the fact that Charles discovers Marius dead in his home in Streatley.
Charles is just a delight to read about, well intentioned and ever the gentleman, he never the less has huge failings when it comes to relationships and commitment and the dreaded booze. He's more a bumbling incompetent then an intelligent sleuth and yet he always seems to get to the heart of the matter.
This book introduces us to all the main characters that will appear in the others in the series. Gerald Venables, Charles' ex-university friend who's now a successful solicitor. Charles' ex-wife Frances and their daughter Juliet and her petty and rigid husband Miles. There is of course the "darling" of the whole piece, Charles' agent, the theatrical gossip Maurice Skellern.
The book is quite theatrical and "lovey" and there's probably several disguised references to actual people in the TV or theatre which will only appeal to those in the know. But that's not to say other won't enjoy the bitchy comments, the mentions of Charles' newspaper reviews and other hilarious characters, most notably Bartlemas and O'Rourke and favourite of the hour Bernard Walton (whom Charles helped up onto the acting ladder of success). There are also some nice sentimental touches when Charles meet veteran of the variety hall Harry Chiltern.
One final mention is that the book is set in the winter of 1973-74 and it really does conjure up the "winter of discontent", the strikes, 3 day week, and the 10:30 TV watershed.
Great fun.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Rosie
Format:Audio CD
Bill Nighy plays actor Charles Paris in this series, previously broadcast on Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra. I love this audio cd, the story is funny, and suspenseful. Eventually I hope to have the whole series of stories. Great fun.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
i am biased as i adore Simon Brett's works. Bill Nighy gives a great rendition as the boozy actor (when he can actually get a job) solving a mystery. Sit back, close your eyes and enjoy this BBC full cast interpretation of one of the best crime writer's works.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
charles paris
Always find Charles Paris and his family very entertaining. The stories are very modern, with great characterization, and full of humour, played to perfection by Bill Nighy,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. P. philo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bill Nighy rules, OK?
These Beeb full cast productions are, as I've said before, simply excellent, with great adaptations by Jeremy Front ( who surely deserves a cover credit! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Paul Harding
5.0 out of 5 stars
love these
Love these crime stories, have several and will buy more when available. Very BBC classic with tongue in cheek. super cast
Published 4 months ago by fanny by gaslight
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to listen to in the car and most enjoyable
Bill Nighy is wonderful as Charles Paris. He has exactly the right tone of voice and character believability. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Caroline Bean
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cast, In Order Of Disappearance
Actor Charles Paris, tries to help out an old girlfriend, but soon finds himself investigating a murder. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Rich
4.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfying listening, mystery with humour
This is another great product from BBC drama. Bill Nighy does an excellent job as Charles Paris making him funny but believable. Read more
Published 22 months ago by David, Walailak, Thailand
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lighthearted
A pleasant light read. Notoriously unsuccessful actor Charles Paris gets pulled into yet another murder investigation.I enjoyed it.
Published on 22 Oct 2000
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