Luck and Judgement

DC Smith #3

by Peter Grainger

When a worker goes missing from a North Sea gas platform, there seem to be just two possible explanations – it was a tragic accident or a suicide. It does not take Smith and his detectives long, however, to discover that James Bell led a double life back onshore in Kings Lake, a life complicated enough to make him at least one dangerous enemy. Before the case can be unravelled, Smith must get a new team working together; Waters and Murray are still there but one of Wilson’s men is transferred to him, and the female detective constable from Longmarsh poses some unexpected problems for her new sergeant. Together they begin to investigate the links between the companies and the people that bring ashore the oil and gas, and they also find themselves caught up in the seamier side of life that exists beneath Lake’s everyday comings and goings. Jo Evison begins to delve more deeply into the story of the Andretti murders, and Smith himself has to face the fact that he might no longer be considered fit for duty.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime, Procedural, Detective, British Literature

375 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2015

About the author

A British author, the writer Peter Grainger is a well known novelist of mystery fiction, largely focused on detective lead investigations. This his been the prime focus for much of his career, as he takes much of his inspiration from that of other infamous British detectives, such as Inspector Morse. The influence is clearly evident here, as he brings his own detective, DC Smith, to life, along with other books as well. Setting his mysteries firmly within the world of British detective fiction it is clear where his tastes lie as an author of his increasingly popular stories, stories that only increase in popularity as time goes on.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The DC Smith books are another police procedural series that I’ve become quite a fan of. I love the dry humor and the straightforward, but not simple, plot structure. And, of course, the man himself.
In this, the third in the series, Smith and Waters are called to investigate a worker who’s gone missing on a North Sea gas platform. The natural thought would be that it was either an accident or a suicide, but DC thinks otherwise. As they begin their investigation, they quickly realize the man was leading a double life.
These books are as much about the team as the crime. DC has a new constable, Serena Butler, and it’s taking a while for her to fit in. And DC is having health issues which might affect his ability to keep his job.
The story is told from several POVs, primarily DC’s, which works well. It helps give a fuller sense of the different characters.
This isn’t a fast paced story by any means. It’s a down to earth, believable mystery. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good police procedural. I think this could probably work as a stand-alone.
I adore Gildart Jackson’s narration. He totally adds to my enjoyment. These books work really well as audio experiences.

[Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Listening
A strong 4-Stars - "I Really Liked It" Again!
I am amazed at how much I enjoyed this re-hearing, even though I had listened to the audiobook for the first time just five months ago! There was so much 'stuff' I had either missed, or simply couldn't remember.

An excellent experience, and a perfect example of the worth of reading/listening to books such as this in series order 😊. "Persons of Interest (D.C. Smith #4)" is sitting on the Reading Now shelf to be heard next, but only after a short 'settling down' period 😃!


Original Review and Rating - first Listen:
A strong 4-Stars - "I Really Liked It"
I was prompted to listen to "Luck and Judgement, DC Smith, #3", which had been in my unheard audiobook collection since April 2017, by a review of "The Camera Man, DC Smith, #10", by GR friend Jayne, who wrote: "DC Smith was a likable and endearing protagonist with an investigative approach that was detailed and methodical." Thanks Jayne!

I thoroughly enjoyed "Luck and Judgement". It was not a "police, crime, action!" story, but it was an excellent police procedural, with an intriguing plot and interesting characters. Being a procedural, the story developed without surprises and the presumed baddie finally was caught, but the ending of the book more or less petered out, which I thought was a little disappointing.

The audio narration by Gildart Jackson was splendid, if a little 'off-beat', and listening to Jackson's characterisation of DC Smith was a real delight.

There are ten DC Smith novels listed in Fantastic Fiction, the tenth being published in August 2023, so now my task is to source the remaining nine, add them to the "Leaning Tower of TBR", and listen to them in the proper order!

[MacWithBooksonMountains Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

What makes for an even more intriguing mystery than the age-old proven "who’s done it"? Well, the age-old missing person enigma, for it leaves you wondering whether a murder was even committed. The mind boggles at the possibilities. You guessed it, I just find the missing person scenario the most compelling of crime mysteries. "Luck and Judgement", is the third installment of Peter Grainger's D.C. Smith series. It has a well-developed protagonist in D.C Smith who convinces as a clear-thinking, sober in mind and action detective, solving cases par excellence, and all the while, and refreshingly so, remaining kind and empathetic. All in all as solid a fare 😀 as it gets in the detective mystery business. Very readable - recommended

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book about an English police detective, though it does show the benefits of starting a series on the first book with some writers. By the time this book starts it's clear that a lot has already happened to Detective Sergeant (DS) Smith. He has been demoted to DS from Detective Inspector (DI), a woman is writing up a book about murders from a previous volume, and his wife has recently died of cancer. This is the third book of a series now containing six volumes. It's a good book by itself, just be forewarned that there's some catching up to do.

Smith is a likeable detective, and it's a relief to see someone in a police management position who actually has the respect of those under him. Not that he doesn't have issues with those above him, including a Superintendent who seems to want him off the force. (If you find UK police rankings confusing there's a good article on WikiPedia that I have to go back to every time I read an English crime novel.)

The book begins with Smith and his assistant Walters taking a helicopter out to an oil rig. One of the workers has disappeared from the rig, apparently going overboard in the early hours. Did he slip? Did he jump? Was he pushed? Smith notes some oddities. Hardly any personal items in the man's quarters and a new lock on a security gate where the man was last seen on security cameras.

Smith finds working the crime a challenge. The victim wasn't important and not entirely likeable. Smith wants to put resources on a crime that, to many, seems like a simple accident. But as he pushes along he finds a crime more bloody and complicated than expected.

Grainger has created a wonderful team of detectives for Smith to work with and they all blend together well. The mystery is solid and put together well with several sympathetic side characters and interesting locations. A solid book but, as mentioned at the top, you may feel you're missing some important character information starting here in the middle.

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still loving this series, and getting to know DC better.

I do like his style.

[Amy Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

DC -

DC is a wonderfully and deeply complex character. It seems that after reading the second and now third book in the series, I know even less about DC than I had before reading each of them. I'm still trying to figure out why he went from DCI to DSL. I can't wait for more books that are sure to follow.

Note to Mr Grainger - Please review your manuscript. There are a number of typos including one where DC Butler being referred to as DC Bell. Your writing and storytelling are so good that it would be a shame if your work were to receive lower ratings because of a few editing errors. Thanks.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is everything people expect and love in a police procedural. DC Smith is my favorite literary policeman. This particular book felt like there was a chapter missing at the end though. We had one unresolved thread that I’m hoping is solved in the next book but that seems unlikely.

[Anne Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

No tidy ending

I found the story a bit ragged and hard to follow. Smoother transitions from one scene to the next would be appreciated. Good characters, enough background to hint at future revelations, enough interest to read the next book.

[Midwest Geek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having listened to the first two in this series, I looked forward to this one. Although the mysteries themselves are self-contained, I strongly recommend reading them in order. The style is that of a police procedural but one in which the characters reappear and their behavior and reflections are important to the stories. Indeed, in this book, the mystery seems almost incidental to D.C. Smith's interactions with friends and colleagues and his introspective reflections on his life and those with whom he comes into contact.

The writing is sound, and I find the reading by Gildart Jackson is outstanding. My reason for giving only 3 stars is that, given its content, the book is too long (400+ pages, or nearly 12 hours of listening.) Even though I much prefer mysteries to thrillers, these books are strictly police procedurals, in which the investigation and build-up of evidence is very slow and pain-staking. The first book, An Accidental Death, is about 250 pages or a little less than 7 hours of listening. The second, But for the Grace, is 300 pages or 9 1/4 hours, and this one is over 400 pages or 12 hours. The lack of action and extremely slow progress in the case made it
hard for me to keep track of what was happening and who was doing what. After a while, I ceased to care, altough I did finish the book. For the most part, the villains and their motivations were alluded to rather than experienced. The next book, Persons of Interest, is more like the second, about 350 pages (or 10.5 hours.) I'll probably give it a try at some point, but I need to give the series a rest for a little while.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying these characters, especially DC’s quick wit and dry humor. Slow burn police investigation that’s even more enjoyable on audio.

[Mike Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

IN A NUTSHELL
Nicely written, as always. A strong start, but the focus slowly drifted from the plot to an elegiac reflection on the inner life of DC Smith, and then meandered to a realistic but unsatisfying stop.

‘Luck And Judgement‘ was my third visit with DC Smith. I read the first two books in this series, ‘An Accidental Death‘ and ‘But For The Grace‘ in 2019. 

‘Luck And Judgement’ was a slightly disappointing read. It opened well, went on for too long, mutated from a police procedural into an elegiac reflection on the life of a widowed policeman who may have been in the job too long and then didn’t so much end as run out of energy. 

The descriptions of the people were vivid and credible. There were a few memorable scenes: the first trip to the platform, the undercover visit to the club and the interrogation of the person Smith most wanted to charge with murder. The police procedural aspects of the story seemed believable as did the team dynamics. The reality being described wasn't particularly tense or dramatic. The sub-plot around Smith's fitness served no purpose except to trigger Smith to launch into morose ruminations and nostalgic remembrances that distracted from the plot.

For me, the main appeal of this series is the cadence of Peter Grainger’s prose. It’s easy on the ear without being bland or simple, like listening to Spanish guitar music that slips into your mind as familiar and stays because it’s surprisingly fresh. 

The mystery plot is the wrought iron arch the text grows over, elegant and twisty, built to display the characters who drive the narrative, so I didn’t expect high drama. I also didn’t expect the book to lose its way and run out of momentum. 

I'm hoping the next one in the series will be better because I'd like to listen to more of Peter Grainger's prose and Gildart Jackson's excellent narration. Click on the YouTube link below to hear how Jackson delivers Grainger's words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOhsn...

[Candida · Rating 3 out of 5]

The disappearance of a oil rig worker ends up looking more like murder. There's a sex club involved with the storyline and it makes for a potentially awkward investigation but DC Smith handles it with grace. He is having trouble with his knee and is avoiding the physical fitness test and passing that ends up being the final mystery of the book.

[AndrewP · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual case for DC Smith. He gets called out to a North Sea gas platform to investigate the disappearance of a worker. At first glance it seems he may have just fallen but, as you would expect, things are not as simple as they first appear.
Decent premise and overall a good tale that became more complex as the case progressed.

[Annery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've waited too long to write a proper review and in any case many abound so no big loss. Suffice it to say that I'm enjoying this series which is a top-notch entry into the English detective genre. The excellent narration is the cherry on top,

[Sarah Haman · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn't feel finished

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely my least favorite so far, because I found the case a little uninteresting, but the last bit was pretty good.

[Mainer207 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better.

Yes, it's an English police procedural but it's more than that. In this case, a person is missing from a North Sea gas rig. The investigation into that takes interesting turns with the team working well together with some new members. But the best thing about these books to me is the wit and wisdom of Smith. He's a marvelous mentor to the younger cops - and they're all younger - all the while trying to get his life back in order after the death of his wife and a change in his status from DCI to DS. We need more of THOSE details.

Grainger's writing style is delightful. The subtle humor is the best! I also enjoy Gildart Jackson's narration a lot.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this understated series

I’m addicted to DC Smith and his team. In the wee hours of this morning, woken by something, I struggled to finish this novel, wanting to learn the end. I won’t lie: Of the three Grainger novels I’ve read so far, this was my least favorite. Gave it five stars because it was still terrific. The characters continue developing in intriguing ways, especially Smith. And if Grainger remains true to prior form, readers will learn more about Luck and Judgement in subsequent books. Definitely read. And I suggest reading in order.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

...this was, when you thought about it, typical of the places that Smith brought you to, of the situations that you could find yourselves in when working with him...He had these ideas which somehow seemed to be more than hunches and a way of making things happen before you realized it. Half suggestions would have momentum before you could blink.

I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it until it's no longer true* but there's a certain magic, an ineffable alchemy about Jackson narrating Grainger's work. It's just fantastic, I think I'd have liked these audiobooks with another narrator (or in print), but I don't think I'd have liked them as much. I've enjoyed Jackson's narration before, but it was (no offense intended) good, not great. But you put the two of them together? It's fantastic.

* I expect that will be roughly the time that one of them retires.

The downside here is, that I don't have a lot to say beyond that. And it kind of drives me crazy. I made a couple of notes, but I've misplaced them (which is pretty annoying).

WHAT'S LUCK AND JUDGEMENT ABOUT?
We start off with Smith and Waters taking a helicopter to an oil rig with some other police to investigate a death/missing person (the helicopter rides inject a much-needed bit of levity to keep the beginning of this novel from being too dark). Smith and Waters are really along for the ride, most of the work will be done by the others, but the victim was in Smith's jurisdiction—as it the rig. Or close enough, so they have to come along.

The higher-ups and the executives on the rig are willing to write it up as a suicide, but are leaning on an unfortunate accident as the explanation. Smith, shockingly, isn't convinced. Suicide seems unlikely for several reasons, and one would have to work really hard to get around all the safety measures, guard rails, fences, gates, and whatnot in order to have an unfortunate accident. It makes him no friends, but Smith is convinced (and is more so by the hour) that this is a homicide.

As bad as it is for the victim, their suffering is over—but for their survivors, the crime (if there was one) will affect their lives for years to come. In this case, we're talking about his wife and a small child. They didn't have a lot of money coming in before his death, but now, there's nothing. A small apartment, little financial security, and nothing else. Without becoming maudlin, or focusing on them too much, Grainger does allow us to see how these events will alter their lives and what the future may hold for them. We got a little bit of that in the previous novels, but it plays a larger role this time. It's a small thing, but one that's too often over-looked in Crime Fiction.

There's a new detective on the team, a transfer, and one that Smith has a hard time relating to—he's trying to be cautious and make sure she's acclimating. At the same time, he's worried that he's not using her, and that the best way to get her acclimated is to throw her in. With the rest of the detectives (including those he doesn't appreciate), you don't see him uncertain or reflective. So watching Smith trying to figure out how to manage someone is a new side to him.

That same detective plays a role in an undercover operation that Smith undertakes to follow a lead—it's possibly the most comedic part of the series to date—while not really being that funny at all. Judge for yourself.

As much as Smith's hunches, his intuition, might start his team down a road, or help him to see a connection that others miss, once he makes that intuitive leap to start an investigation, procedure takes over. I can't think of another "police procedural" where the procedure is as effective as it is in these books. Smith and the team (mostly the team) grind and grind and grind, doggedly going through all the steps before them, and it pays off—at least to a degree. I really respect that as a narrative choice—sure, Smith's (or someone else's) intuition (experience guided by intelligence, as Nero Wolfe would put it) will sometimes help set the direction, but it's legwork that gets it done.

WHAT'S GOING ON OTHER THAN THE MAIN CASE?
Smith continues to work with the True Crime writer on that previous case of his, and a friendship develops between the two As an ongoing arc, this is a real slow burn, and I'm enjoying it, as much as I don't understand what Grainger is up to. I'm assuming instead of a B (or C) story, this will eventually become the A story for a novel—maybe the last in the series? But unless this is just going to demonstrate that Smith's biggest case ever was his biggest failure and he's going to have to find the real killer now, I'm not sure I see how.*

* Okay, I just came up with a half-baked idea where it would work, but I'll hold off on that idea until it can get solidified.

Lastly, it's time for Smith to be recertified as physically fit to carry on his duties. He's missed two previous opportunities to qualify and he has no choice but to show up for this one. It feels pretty personal, the DCI who's had it in for him since before the series started seems to be using this to force him out. The reasons he missed the previous two are legitimate reasons, and the DCI just looks petty for forcing his hand like this. But then when doesn't this guy look petty? In the last book, he tried to get Smith to transfer to another office, and that didn't work, so this is his new attempt. It's short-sighted and small-minded to force Smith out, but the dies have been cast. While the new assignment was being dangled in front of Smith, a private-sector job was also offered—the lengths (the questionable, reckless, and likely illegal) that Smith goes go to pass this test demonstrates how un-tempting he actually found the offers last time, no matter what he may have thought. Smith loves this kind of police work and will have to be forced into retirement, kicking and screaming.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT LUCK AND jUDGEMENT?
So much for the three paragraphs that I was hoping to come up with for this post, I guess, eh?

I pretty much gave that away in my first paragraph, didn't I? There is something about the combination of Grainger's novels and Jackson's performance that make these books so satisfying. Are they the best written, most exciting and suspenseful Police Procedurals? No. But they are just about the most satisfying, most immersive, most effective that I can think of—even when the ending isn't what you'd want. There is a strong sense of humanity in these books, not just in the protagonists, but in the victim, the killer, the witnesses, the people who aren't the killer but who aren't up to anything legal/moral/ethical...everyone. There's no one cartoon-y or over the top (in any direction). You just don't see enough of that.

I was sucked into the intricacies of this case and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Smith and the rest of the team—and I can't wait to return to this world.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did it keep my interest? 4. 3rd in the series and a two day listen.

Did I enjoy the topic? 4. DC Smith heads to an oil rig to investigate a missing man. I looked up life on an oil rig and have decided against it as a next career. The conditions are harsh and dangerous. The work is demanding and the living is cramped. When we lived in England we met a couple of guys at pub quiz night who worked on the rig. John and Jason were two of our favorite characters we met and we rode their coattails to one of our few quiz wins. Jennie was ecstatic that night.

Was the dialogue realistic? 5. Funny how I can read a DC Smith story and absolutely love the pace, but if Jack Reacher isn’t beating someone up every 5 pages I get restless. These stories are my favorite police procedurals.

Would I recommend to Jen (smart, discerning reader)? 5 I recommended them again today on the beach dog walk. I put the fourth in the series on hold so I will bug her again after that on too.

Would I have recommended to my Mom (read for entertainment)? 5. I would add this series to my top ten Mom recommendations. A list I will have to cultivate.

Quality of narrator? 5. Gildart Jackson would be a great voice for a traditional British butler.

[LindaJ^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really liking this series. D.C. Smith is a great character, less troubled than Rebus, Charlie Parker, and Bosch. To follow his story, it would be best to read the series in order. However, the crimes are nicely resolved in each book, so you can dabble without worrying about knowing the outcome of the crime. The supporting characters, like D.C., develop through the series as well.

This crime concerned the "disappearance" of a worker from an oil and gas rig. Most think he slipped or committed suicide, but not D.C. and soon his team agreed. Now proving it and finding out what really happened took a lot of detective work and it was fascinating to see how D.C.'s mind works.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here I go again starting a series in the middle I can’t help it, it’s a compulsion.

The Main character is DS (Detective Sergeant) DC Smith as opposed to Detective Constable Smith

Here he is on a helicopter flying out to a gas rig in the North Sea to help solve a missing person crime

What I absolutely adored about the book is that you the reader have exactly the same amount of information as the police. Is the man kissing? dead ? Is it terrorism or foul play or just a simple accident

Once back on dry land we meet the team and start trying to solve the case

Honestly this would have been a five star book except for one bit of continuity that I can’t be the only person who caught it

Regardless I will be reading more of this series.

[Virginia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think I’ve read 4 books by this wonderful writer, and don’t feel like stopping. Very rare to find a police procedural without all the usual gratuitous accompaniment of things that make me cringe. Love DC Smith; very smart, gets into, and out of, gripping situations, all the while maintaining his ironic/cynical sense of humor, which is injected into conversations at just the right time. Thank you, Peter Grainger! Who apparently just relies on word of mouth to advertise his books, which is probably why I had never heard of him…think I found him on bookbub.

[Humbledaisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine example in a police procedural series. Sometimes, a mystery may have a fancy or unusual setting (a North Sea drilling platform, in this case) but hero/main character Smith slowly peels away the described reasons behind the disappearance of a young man to find it’s one of for the most classic reasons for crime. What is behind “just James being James” - passion, money or revenge? - as Smith described the crime to the victim’s father.

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t as good as the first two and there were too many loose ends at the end. There were a few edgy parts that I didn’t like. It was also a little darker than the others. I did like the team development and I really like some of the recurring characters so I will continue the series. Overall I would say this was less a cozy mystery and more a gloomy one.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the series and characters, a straight up nice guy just doing a coppers good job and leading his crew into a better morality (without preaching). Narrator is terrific . On to the next episode…

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want D.C. Smith to be real and a friend of mine. He is honest, dependable and has a dry sense of humor.
This story line involves an oil rig where a worker seem to have died. Of course the detective and his colleagues follow many lines of inquiry before discovering the truth. The highlight is the staid detective visiting an adult sex club. While the sordid, sad aspects are depicted D.C.,as usual is kind and a man of character.

[Richard Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid read

Characters really grow on you. Solid story, inventive, gritty, realistic. Humor is well managed. Love a good ending. Thank you.

[Jessica Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am truly loving this series! With each book I learn a bit more about the characters in the series and I am left guessing all the way to the end.

[Shary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've become a fan of this series, and the narration is excellent. The characters have depth and the story is complex. Things aren't tidied up with a neat ribbon; in fact, I'm wondering if there will be more closure in a subsequent book.