A Reconstructed Corpse

Charles Paris #15

by Simon Brett

While playing the part of missing property developer Martin Earnshaw on "Public Enemies," a true-crime television series, actor-sleuth Charles Paris begins to uncover the shocking truth about the missing man's disappearance

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime, British Literature, Murder Mystery, Humor

189 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Simon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.

He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.

He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.

After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.

He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silliness and mayhem and the wonderfully dissolute Charles Paris, perpetually "resting" actor. A brain bonbon? You bet.

[Shanna_redwind · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to a full cast audio version of this book. I enjoyed listening to it, but doubt that I will actively seek out any others in this series. This is the first that I've read, and I did not enjoy the character very much, though he was quite well developed and interesting, just not the type of character that I enjoy.

I'm not much of a mystery fan, and read this for a challenge, but the book was enjoyable enough to me, and though I thought I'd figured things out half way through, I was wrong.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a true-crime TV show a la "Cops," that gets dramatically (ugh, sorry) out of hand. Charles Paris is hired to play a man who is missing, presumed dead. Over the course of a month of these shows, viewers are drawn in by the discovery of a body--actually a torso--then the legs, then the arms, each exactly in time to be broadcast on the next week's show. I knew the wife of the victim was too good to be true, but the identity of the killer was still a surprise. Quite funny, pathetic and sick, but not particularly gory.

[Linda Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to read a series in the order in which it was written so that I can watch the main character develop over time. I was under the mistaken belief that I had picked up the first Charles Paris novel and didn't realize it was the 15th until I logged it in on Goodreads. However, it is hard for me to imagine that reading more of these books would make this loser more appealing. Charles Paris is a second-rate actor, a neglectful husband, an indifferent father, and a middle-aged, over-weight alcoholic. It would be hard for me to come up with a single redeeming characteristic. He has recently been cast to play the part of a man who is missing and presumed dead for one of those true crime re-enactment tv shows. It is a small part and he is definitely not a respected part of the cast. I guess my main problem was believing that a man who had failed in every other aspect of his life could possess a talent for solving crimes. That being said, the story was still rather engaging. I don't know that I want to spend more time with Charles Paris, but I might seek out other books by the same author.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"One face, one voice, one habit and two persons."
Charles Paris, the hard drinking middle aged actor with very little work is given the role of standing in for a missing person on a television crime program, Public Enemies. Not exactly the pinnacle of achievement, rated only worthy of a n extra's pay, but it is work. But tensions fun high in police loss ranks as well as the production team and pretty soon n Charles starts a bit of sleuthing of his own.

I am a great fan of Simon Brett's Charles Paris series: a mystery to solve, the theatrical background and the person of Paris himself (although not as endearing a character as that portrayed by Bill Nighy in the BBC full cast adaptations).. Always good fun and and an easy read. This book is read by the author who gives a creditable performance.
A bit OTT, perhaps, but worth a listen

[Aidan Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book, a very easy read story is straight forward, well told, and revolves around a missing person now pronounced murdered. Characters interact with each other vying for the limelight fame and renown and perhaps fortune.Non more so then Charles Paris down at heel actor who longs for recognition and respect, perhaps solving this case might go a long way to attain this, but then again it might not .Oh well read it and see.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brett is noted for being a "cozy" author, but this felt a little grimy for that designation. Charles Paris is not an unengaging main character, but it would be nice if his supporting cast included ANY people that one might like to know. There are elements of dark humor and the plotting is interesting, but there was only one pleasant person and he didn't show up until almost the last chapter.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up liking the book more at the end than I thought I would at the beginning. Some interesting twists. But my favourite Charles Paris books are still the ones where he’s neck-deep in theatre. More of those please, Brett!

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perpetually out of work actor Charles Paris lands a job on a True Crime show because of his likeness to the victim which gives him a chance to put his amateur sleuthing skills to the test. I always enjoy this series and found this to be an enjoyable read.

[Mel]

The most enjoyable aspect for me is how absolutely jaded and cynical [all justifiable, by the text as well as IMO the culture then and since] the writer is about both the cops, and the 'true crime industrial complex'.

Absolutely vicious, no lies detected.

[Sandy Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, comedy mystery set in England. Enjoyable

[Glenn Hopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty, smart, and well-plotted British theater mystery by a writer I have always enjoyed. Poor Charles Paris. When will he ever get his break?

[Deborah Lampron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't keep my attention. I had to stop reading.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant entry in a fun series, that this time around is poking fun at true crime.

[Eyejaybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down at heel actor Charles Paris has experienced many indignities throughout his lengthy but conspicuously unsuccessful career, but as [A Reconstructed Corpse] opens he finds himself plumbing new depths. He is back on television, playing the role of Martin Earnshaw, a property developer from Brighton. He is not, however, participating in a drama series, nor even one of the ghastly situation comedies in which he has occasionally landed a supporting part.

Martin Earnshaw has disappeared in rather suspicious circumstances, believed to have fallen foul of local loan sharks after his business became over-extended following some imprudent deals. Charles Paris is, therefore, playing the role of Earnshaw as part of a reconstruction for a real-life crime investigation programme (clearly modelled on BBC's "Crimewatch"). This represents a new low for Charles as he was clearly selected for the part more for his apparent resemblance to the man who has disappeared than in recognition of any acting expertise. There is, however, a positive side to things, as for various reasons the disappearance of Martin Earnshaw (or, more accurately, the plight of his immensely attractive wife) has captured the public's imagination, and Charles's appearance on the programme develops into a continuing role as the investigation into the disappearance gathers pace.

As with all of the books in this entertaining series, Simon Brett manages to retain the integrity and plausibility of his plot while offering a very entertaining portrayal of the jealousies and egos that are manifested in the production of any television series. Charles Paris seems an immensely sympathetic character - not especially gifted as an actor, and certainly flawed as a man. He remains sensitive to the conflicting personalities amongst whom he has to operate, and the reader feels for him throughout the vicissitudes he has to face.

Very entertaining, both for the plot and Charles's continuing struggle to wring any drop of dignity out of an awkward situation, and also for its sardonic insight into the shameless world of television, in which any vestige of good taste is immediately satisfied if there is the merest chance of a boost to a programme's viewing figures.

[Dwayne Wojtowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of Simon Brett that I have read, and let me tell you, I will be seeking out his books from this day forward.

"A Reconstructed Corpse" main character, Charles Paris, is an actor who plays a man who is presumed dead. It is all a part of trying to get an audience for a British television show, Public Enemies. However, Charles gets the notion that the dead man that he's portraying isn't really dead, and takes the investigation into his own hands.

The twist and turns, the cliff hanger at the end of every chapter has the markings of a excellent novel. My hat is off to you, Mr. Brett.

[Lbaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles Paris is certainly not very heroic or have much gumption or incentive. Things seem to just happen around and to him.

There were quite a few holes in the plot, and much too much alcohol dazed times which don't seem to matter much.

There really were not many characters that I liked, in fact, none. It's difficult to like a book when you don't like any characters, and can't relate to any of them. The people in this novel were like reading a psych student study of a disfunctional group - weird but hard to care about.

[Margaret]

I liked this book. I thought it started out rather dry and a little formal however I grew to like this somewhat stiff British writing style. The character of Charles Paris did not really evoke my sympathy even though he is a mostly out of work third string actor struggling with separating from his wife and consoling himself with constant bottles of Bell's yet he earned my respect at least in the end. This series seems to be quite a different tone from his Mrs. Parteger series. Looking forward to reading more of this author.

[Brian G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another job for Charles Paris and another mystery to solve
This series is really good, the writing is crisp and funny. The settings are well drawn and realistic
The plot for this one. a missing man presumed dead then bits of body turn up. About halfway through there is a massive clue which seemed so obvious that the ending lacked any surprise or tension.
also the ending was a bit rushed. Charles confronts the killer, then walks out. The killer kills themselves and Charles gets on with his life again. All within 5 pages. The End

3 stars (4 if had a proper ending)

[Verity W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles’s acting career continues to go nowhere - this time he’s playing a missing man in a reconstruction for show that is crimewatch’s sensationalist cousin. Fun, but Charles is at his most unlikeable at times - he’s definitely more alcoholic here than he has been previously.

I’ve listened to the radio play version of this too - and it’s one of the ones that has changed most (beyond the moving forwards in time that they’ve all done) of the Nighy adaptations - so of interest from that point of view too.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Simon Brett is very good at taking you down the garden path then pulling the rug out from under you! FYI, the book cover perfectly illustrates the turning point for actor cum amateur sleuth Charles Paris's investigation.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Charles Paris murder mystery. Charles looks like a possible victim and is hired to do a recreation of the last moments of the victim's life for a TV investigative programme to help solve the disappearance.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summer read.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some funny British humor but a simplistic plot and questionable verisimilitude of the characters' actions.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story but unbelievable lack of policework.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid and entertaining mystery, if one can get beyond the utterly preposterous plot.

[Dennis Weinberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn*t disappoint

I always enjoy Charles Paris. Just the sort of story to read in bed when nothing too challenging is needed. Now it's time for another.