Actually, I'm A Corpse: A hilarious murder mystery from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author

by Terry Deary

The new wickedly funny murder mystery in the Actually Murders series from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author.
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1973. Hours after a mysterious phone call is made to the police, a train pulls into Sunderland station with a dead body on board.

Cause of strangulation. unknown. none.

Undeterred by this baffling set of circumstances, newly promoted Police Sergeant Aline James vows to crack the case and prove her critics wrong. But when her famously ruthless investigation tactics yield no results, she is forced to seek help from two unlikely unassuming assassin John Brown and calamitous actor Tony Davies.

As bodies pile up, can this unusual trio thwart a devilishly complex plot, before one of them, actually, becomes a corpse?
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Praise for the Actually Murders . . .

'Sinister and hilarious. Great fun' SUN

'Dark, witty . . . had me racing for the end' JANICE HALLETT

'[A] smart, funny and deftly executed page turner' GUARDIAN

'Extraordinarily fun and oh-so-gripping' i PAPER

'Funny, and so very, very clever . . . the most fun I've had reading a book in a long time ' M. W. CRAVEN

'Wonderful' IAN MOORE

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 11, 2026

About the author

A former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.

A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.

The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.

Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).

He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[CPE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Terry Deary made his name with his Horrible Histories series but I must confess I haven’t read any of them. However, his murder mysteries for adults demonstrate that he is a first-class writer. Actually, I'm a Corpse is the second, following on from Actually, I'm a Murderer, with the same three main characters reprising their roles: Tony Davies (second-rate actor with an unfortunate knack of being associated with murder victims); John Brown (assassin); and Aline James (police officer).

I was so sad when I finished Actually, I'm a Murderer because I thought there was no chance of a sequel. When I saw Actually, I'm a Corpse, I confess to squealing with delight – and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is so good in so many ways: the characters are highly believable, with John Brown touchingly showing a very human aspect. Tony is his usual clumsy self; and Aline is driven by her sense of justice. Deary is like one of those skilled people who set several plates spinning; keep them spinning for a while; then swiftly grab them, one after the other. He is a master at retaining our interest in all the plot strands: Tony’s new acting company; Aline’s new role as a sergeant; John’s mother fading in a care home; a body on a train; a bomb killing three people. Then, quickly, all the strands are brought together and it’s over, leaving the audience impressed and applauding.

The dialogue is crisp and tight, without a single wasted word; and so perfectly 1970s, with the casual but endemic sexism in the police force. The plot moves forward at a cracking pace. There is humour, with one nod to the Horrible Histories series. The book was one long orgy of delight for me – I do hope there will be another book in the series.

#ActuallyImACorpse #NetGalley

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a clever mix of dark mystery and sly humor. Set in 1973, it opens with a wonderfully eerie scene—a train pulling into Sunderland station carrying a strangled body, with no witnesses and no clear identity. It’s the kind of hook that instantly makes you lean in.

At the center is Police Sergeant Aline James, newly promoted and determined to prove herself. She’s sharp, stubborn, and not afraid to ruffle feathers, which makes her a fascinating lead. But what really makes the story sparkle is the unlikely team she forms with John Brown, an assassin who’s far more unassuming than you’d expect, and Tony Davies, a hapless actor who brings comic relief to the tension. Their dynamic is quirky, funny, and surprisingly endearing.

Terry Deary’s writing has a wicked wit to it. The mystery is layered and keeps you guessing, but it’s the blend of eccentric characters and sharp dialogue that makes the book feel so alive. Even as the bodies pile up, there’s a playful energy that keeps the story from ever feeling too heavy.

It’s a murder mystery with personality—dark enough to intrigue, funny enough to entertain, and full of characters you’ll remember long after the last page.

With thanks to Terry Deary, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Actually I’m a Corpse by Terry Deary.

This was an original and offbeat crime novel that had an unusual storyline. Set in 1973, the story opens with an unidentified body arriving by train at Sunderland station, immediately setting up a mystery that is deliberately unpredictable . Newly promoted Sergeant Aline James is tasked with unpicking the case, aided by a cast of unlikely helpers, as the body count begins to rise.

I enjoyed how different this felt from a traditional police procedural. The tone is playful and sharply observed, with moments of genuine humour alongside the mystery.

At times the plot wanders and the eccentricity may not be for everyone, but the originality and humour kept me invested. An inventive and entertaining read that stands out for doing something a little different. A solid four star read for me.

[Kate Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the series - you don't need to have read the first as the author catches you up quite quickly. This time, actor Tony Davies is the main suspect when a woman's body is found on the train he's just left - and his tour in a new company could be scuppered. DS Aline James is investigating, and assassin John Brown is also involved. As well as the murder, there's a terrorist plot involving bombs - but how is it connected to the murder?

Really gives a feel of the 1970s, with all the sexism and misogyny (actually, the character I like most - by a long way - is the assassin, particularly as we get a view of what drives him and his personal life; Aline is a bit whiny and Tony's ego is irritating). Lots of good twists, and a rattling pace. Enjoyed this one.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in this series was great and I was so glad to see there was a second! ‘Actually, I’m a corpse’ not only drew me in but thoroughly entertained along the way.

Sometimes I can struggle a bit to engage with split perspectives but not so with this one - I got used to it and enjoyed the building of the story as we flitted from our 3 POV’s. The assassin, the cop and the actor - three all very different personalities and characters.

I really enjoy these kind of books and I’m an auto-read anything Terry Deary so I know I’ll never be disappointed! Can’t wait for more.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for a copy of this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid four-star read and a very satisfying sequel.

Actually, I’m a Corpse brings back Tony the actor, Mr Brown the assassin, and Sergeant Aline James, dropping them into another clever and fast-moving mystery. I really enjoyed returning to these characters and seeing how their dynamic continues to develop.

The 1973 setting works beautifully and allows for plot twists that feel both believable and refreshing. There are multiple murders, plenty of intrigue, and just the right balance of dark humour and mystery. Mr Brown’s involvement once again adds an extra edge.

A strong follow-up to the first book and a great start to my reading year. I’m very much hoping this series continues.

Thank you to NetGalley & little, brown book group UK for the ARC

[Sandy Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve previously said that I’m not a fan of books where the storyline is divided up into chapters from the point of view of different characters. However, this book has certainly gone someway to change my mind. Set in 1973; a dead woman on a train an apparent lack of witnesses and you’ve got yourself a “whodunit”. Definitely not a “police procedural” and the character of the woman police sergeant did grate on me. I enjoyed the dark humour, and all the different plotlines came together with a conclusion which hopefully promises this won’t be the last we hear of these characters. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for an ARC.

[Kena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn’t read the first in the series, but it didn’t hinder my reading experience and I quickly caught up with past relationships.

Actually, I'm A Corpse by Terry Deary is a murder mystery which moves along at a good pace, from the different POVs of the main characters. It has great humour and is quite a fun read. I can't wait to more books in the series.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Little, Brown Book Group UK, for the e-ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.