Dead Letter Drop: A Max Flynn Novel 1

Max Flynn #1

by Peter James

Max Flynn, undercover agent, has the unenviable job of spying on his own side. When to kill, who to kill, whether to kill are all questions which have to be answered at great speed if he wants to stay alive. But why does an innocuous airline ticket No. 14B matter so much? Who has gone to the trouble of committing suicide? And could Flynn's beautiful companion be a spy? The hazy, murky world of counter espionage leaves no room for errors of judgement and Flynn knows he's finished if he makes one false move.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Espionage, British Literature, Audiobook

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2014

About the author

Peter James is a global bestselling author, best known for writing crime and thriller novels, and the creator of the much-loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. With a total of 21 Sunday Times No. 1s under his belt, he has achieved global book sales of over 23 million copies to date and has been translated into 38 languages.

Synonymous with plot-twisting page-turners, Peter has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career – which also included stints writing for TV and producing films. He has won over 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons for which he was an Executive Producer. Many of Peter’s novels have been adapted for film, TV and stage.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marketed as James first publish novel, this spy thriller is a fun quick read providing your not too overcritical with it.

Originally published over 20 years prior to James most love Brighton crime series, Dead Letter Drop certainly shows that he’s still learning he’s trade.
Though you can already see he’s familiar writing style that makes the Roy Grace series such a success.

I picked this edition up in a discount bookshop and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it.
Turns out there’s a sequel, I’d happily pick that up if I see it in the same store!

[CATHERINE · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was Peter James first book and it shows. I liked the opening chapter, but the intriguing start wasn't matched by the rest of the book. This is like 007's little cousin and it is trying really hard, too hard, to be like its more glamorous relation. There were some strange scenes - the unattractive woman, the use of a gun in an "interesting" place. Entertaining enough but forgetful and there are lots of other books in this genre that are better but also many that are worse. If you are a fan of his other work I would suggest skipping this one.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally published 1981 and I think meant to be a series as I note there is a second book but this was re released 2014. Why? A very early effort by this author. I have read all Peter James Roy Grace series, a few stand alones and short stories, which I liked and looked forward to more. This book was IMO naive, at times totally unbelievable and overly ambitious, spy, playboy, macho, MI 5&6 UK, France, USA..... the mishaps and bodies pile up without any real meaning or consequence! It reads well except for too many rather long descriptive bouts that drag the reader down. At times I felt I was in a who done it 101 lecture.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not enjoy this book at all. I read it out of curiosity, since I am a massive fan of the Roy Grace series.
The plot was rather silly and unrealistic, the protagonist was unlikeable, and the ending made me wonder why I'd bothered to persevere that far.
Since Peter James has produced such fine novels in the Roy Grace series this is forgivable, however really not recommended.

[Andy Blundell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adrenalin charged first published novel by Peter James which reads like a cross between Raymond Chandler and Ian Fleming. Although the plot has some holes in it and stretches credibility at times the action is fast paced.

A fun read very different from the Roy Grace novels

[Graciexox · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 43%

[Ruth Slavid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Peter James' first book, recently reissued. It is a spy thriller, rather naive and in some ways not very credible (for instance, what happened to the corpse at the beginning? Can you really just pop into a police station and report a killing without a visit to the crime scene?) but it certainly rattles along. A bit like a moreish but not very wholesome cake, it is a little treat, rescued by its youthful enthusiasm. But he really should apologise for the seduction scene with a fat, smelly, unattractive farting woman. And while he is entitled to his opinion of Guildford Cathedral, he should get the architect right.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all previous books by Peter James, if it didn't have his name on it, I would say it was written by someone else or a much younger person. I was disappointed, it was a little like a 007 novel, which I don't particularly like, but others will. Not what I was expecting, found it a little simplistic, perhaps more suitable for a younger audience, perhaps I was reading a teenagers book by mistake?

[Tom Sussex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started with real promise- I was hooked right from the first chapter but slowly became confused by the interweaving characters and was disappointed by the rather anti-climatic ending. However, as this was the authors first published book I’ve heard its only up for him from here and would definitely be up to read some more.

[ReadsSometimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading very mixed reviews on this book, I entered with an open mind. And I have to say that I enjoyed it very much. Only a short book, so was read in a couple of sessions. Not the standard of the current Peter James standard, but a great stand alone read, fast paced and enjoyable.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found the first third 'uninspiring' but for me improved hugely as I read on. Ultimately I enjoyed the book, and has persuaded me to read more of Peter James later books - this was his first published.

[Chris Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not understand why the author ordered this book (his first) out of production. It's fabulous! It contains just the right amount of action and suspense, and the ending is very climactic.

[Lisa Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

In theory, this is a book for me to enjoy. Spy thriller. The plot has interesting start. Sadly, I made it 43 pages in before having to stop. For me, these are the problems with this novel:
-the vocabulary is far too repetitive - multiple instances of the same word used multiple times in a sentence or successive sentences
-the prose is too list-like, e.g. it feels like the author is simply saying the character did this, then did this, then did this... Telling rather than showing the reader
-there are far too many similes - it's fine to use them but they shouldn't stand out as obvious
-it feels a bit like the author/main character is bragging about their knowledge/skill
-it needs editing - if it has already been edited, it needs doing again

I wanted to persevere as the plot did sound interesting (hence the 2* rather than 1* rating), however the writing style irritated me far too much for this to be considered an enjoyable read.

Sorry to say that I don't think I will pick up another Peter James book. It's just not for me.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my cup of tea, had to keep re reading pages as I had totally forgotten what had happened as nothing was sticking I’m my mind!

[𖤐MxBookWitch➳ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read of 2018! 😁

This is the 3rd Peter James Book I’ve read & it’s not my fave of those 3-But I still enjoyed it. 😊👍🏽

I like the story, pacing & that it’s an easy, quick, action packed read.

I don’t find the main character & his opinions on certain things very likeable-But I think that’s at least somewhat deliberate on the Authors part! 🤔

Overall I’d recommend it if you’re into Peter James & his writing style, twists & WTF endings! 😉

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first standalone novel by Peter James I have read, having previously been reading the Roy Grace series. It is also the first novel penned by Mr James. Whilst I really enjoyed it if I am honest this will have to be a mixed review. The style was different from the Roy Grace series as there was more scenes of fast paced action as the spy if chased across various parts of New York in search of a suspect MI5 mole (who goes by the unlikely codename of Pink Envelope). The characterisation was not as deep as in the other books of his I have read, but this could be down to a combination of it being his first book, the characterisation needs of a standalone story versus a series where the core characters are expected to return and thus they need to be more fully defined.
My biggest disappointment was the ending. Having been abandoned my MI5 and forced to work in isolation for much of the story he makes contact with his injured chief about 2/3 of the way through the book. As the chief is on extended sick leave there is little he can do and he can provide no more insight to Flynn since he has been kept out of the loop. A cunning trap is set and sprung by Flynn to capture the mole and he leaves New York to head back to the chief. In the final chapter of the book the chief then explains to Flynn the how and why of everything that has happened to him. Whilst it was good to know all that is revealed to provide closure to the story, we seemed to go from complete confusion, where nobody but Flynn is convinced of the mole, to complete understanding and knowledge without the need for and thought processes or investigative steps in between. This left me feeling that the ending was rushed as if having sprung the trap the author didn’t know where to take the story next so simply explained everything. I am hoping I can put this down to this being a first novel and that in subsequent standalone novels this rushed ending is not as apparent.
Importantly despite the rushed feeling of the ending, this was a really good easy to read, action packed thriller and is worth a read if this is one of your genres or have read some of the Roy Grace series and want to see what else Mr James has written.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

It says a lot that the review quotes on the cover relate to different books from the same author, and that the author finishes his introduction (written some 33 years after the book itself) begging the reader to not "judge me too harshly."

It was sufficiently engaging that I finished the book, but this is not a story that has aged well. The descriptions are overdone, the scenes frequently uncritically misogynistic, and the plot decidedly unbelievable. Acceptable if there's nothing more engaging available, but I can't recommend it.

[ReadandRated · Rating 4 out of 5]

4Dead Letter Drop Stars from me

Right up until about 3/4 of the way through this book I was fully intending to give it 5 stars as it was really good - but then towards the end it just kind of drifted, loose ends got lazily tidied up and rather random disconnected storylines seemed to get bundled together.

Dead Letter Drop was Peter James' first novel and I think bearing that in mind I can forgive some of the more cliched elements of the story - the almost naff MI5, playboy, macho, studly, oh so undercover lead character for example.

Having said that, if you put the naffness to one side then it is a very enjoyable read, take the plausibility with a pinch of salt and you'll find yourself whizzing through to the pages in no time.

For a first novel, much like a first crush, I'm sure Mr James is a little embarrassed by it - but I for one am thankful that the publishers had faith as this rough little diamond gave the author the encouragement and belief to keep on writing, which in turn lead to us readers being able to enjoy the Roy Grace series.

Synopsis: Max Flynn, undercover agent, has the unenviable job of spying on his own side. When to kill, who to kill, whether to kill are all questions which have to be answered at great speed if he wants to stay alive.

But why does an innocuous airline ticket No. 14B matter so much? Who has gone to the trouble of committing suicide? And could Flynn's beautiful companion be a spy? The hazy, murky world of counter espionage leaves no room for errors of judgement and Flynn knows he’s finished if he makes one false move.

[Speesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never really captured me. I never really got to grips with the character and didn't therefore couldn't rightly give any more than half a hoot about the story. It struck me, that James really wanted to be Len Deighton, in the '60's, but tries too hard, pulls the shot and misses. The 'witty' dialogue, the 'never heard before comparisons,' the shocking start, they're all there. But the spark isn't and there's the problem. It came, it was there, it went again. I guess the 'people who know better about this sort of thing' quoted on the book cover, know better about this sort of thing, than me. They seem to have loved it, I didn't. Look, it isn't cheap as chips at The Book Depository for nothing, eh?

There are better spy books, I'm sure of that. There are probably better Peter James books. Maybe one day I'll come back to this one and give it another chance. Just not any time soon I'm afraid.

All my reviews, in one place: Speesh Reads

[Simon Fenwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Letter Drop was Peter James's first published novel and this new UK paperback edition includes an introduction from the author.

The story centres around Max Flynn, a spy working for MI5 and his search for possible 'moles' and corruption within the organisation. Quite fast paced moving from the United States, via Paris to London and back to the USA. It is certainly not up to the standard of the author's later work but I found it very readable.

The big let down for me was the appalling proof reading in places. I have no idea whether the same errors were in previous editions but when one considers the amount that readers pay for books these days, it is unforgivable that such basic printing errors should be allowed to get through to final production.

[Sue Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a big fan of Peter James's Roy grace series I was curious to know what his first very first published novel(published in 1981) was like. It was totally different, as I expected it would be.

He is Max Flynn, an undercover agent, employed to spy on his own side.

I must confess I did lose the story in places(but that may be because I was sleepy). It is quite funny in places though and he is a master at painting the scene. The ending was very abrupt.

I'm glad I read it, so I can see how much he's improved over the years.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an odd experience it was reading this. I expected a British police man but got a poor mans James Bond. In some parts of the novel I could see the writer that the author was to become. Some parts were brilliantly funny and made me laugh out loud whilst reading it on a plane. Unfortunately I dont enjoy books that solve everything in the last 2 pages after wading through chapters of confusion. I am still uncertain if i really got the whole plot. Not one of the best books i have read and I am really pleased that I had read later works before this one

[Tracey Honeyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many of the Grace novels by Peter James and thought I would try something different. It has a good plot and was easy to follow. The ending brought the book together and it was the last 3 chapters that I kept my interest. It was great to read the first novel by this author and know he gets better as he continues to write, I think if I'd read this one first I probably would not have picked up subsequent books.

[Barrie Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife and I buy and read the latest Roy Grace novel by Peter James each year. So this is how he started with his first novel, how many years ago? I would not have bought it except for his name on the cover, but it brings much encouragement to a fledgling author to realise the potential. The plot is a little difficult to follow, and the text does not really flow. But today, Peter James is masterly.

[Christina Rochester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm this is a difficult one. It is very easy to tell that this book is a very early one for Peter James by the style of the language used. I did however warm to this book after a few chapters. I was certain that Sumpy was an agent in some form or another but I wasn't sure how. The last chapter seemed to let everything ago again, which disappointed me. A semi-good piece of work by an amazing author.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say I love his books anyway but had avoided the crime novels and stuck with the supernatural. After reading this I will be looking for the first of his crime set. This book thoroughly enjoyed fast paced kept me guessing and loved the ending. If your a fan read it, if you have never read Peter James I think this will make you want to continue.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spy ends up being hunted by numerous killers.

I thought this was a bit like a lazy / drugged up Ian Fleming story.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew that this was a very early Peter James book and was prepared for this show in the story and style of writing but actually I thought it was OK. Worth a read.

[Beaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Peter James but I’m sorry Peter I did not enjoy this as much as most of the other books I’ve read x

[Stuart Downton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as his Roy Grace Series