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Roy Grace #1
Dead Simple
It was meant to be a harmless stag-night prank. A few hours later Michael Harrison has disappeared and his friends are dead. With only three days to the wedding, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace—a man haunted by the shadow of his own missing wife—is contacted by Michael's beautiful, distraught fiancée, Ashley Harper. Grace discovers that the one man who ought to know Michael Harrison's whereabouts is saying nothing. But then he has a lot more to gain than anyone realizes, For one man's disaster is another man's fortune.
457 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2005
3348 people are currently reading
16388 people want to read
About the author
Peter James
247 books3,672 followersPeter 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,475 reviews
July 30, 2022
Roy Grace 01: A lesson in how to kick off a detective series by the talented and inspirational Peter James. Roy Grace, he of the disappeared wife, magic dabbling and of great morality, but not infallible, is racing (no pun intended) against the clock as his team seek to find a missing person, who has been buried alive! A truly suspenseful thriller, which was really hard to put down! 8 out of 12, a smashing debut for this series that pretty much guaranteed readers seeking out the next book in the series.
2016 read; 2009 read
2016 read; 2009 read
May 10, 2013
Don't tell me that none of my Goodreads friends has read this fabulous thriller/crime novel, start of wonderful series about Roy Grace???? Hurry up, must read!!!!!!!!!!!
July 30, 2018
«Κάτω απο το χώμα»
Το πρώτο βιβλίο του Peter James που διάβασα και δυστυχώς θα είναι και το τελευταίο.
Ξεκινάει με γρήγορη και ενδιαφέρουσα πλοκή, που αφήνει τον αναγνώστη έκπληκτο και πεπεισμένο πως γυρίζει τις σελίδες απο ένα μοναδικά πρωτότυπο ψυχολογικό-αστυνομικό θρίλερ.
Εντυπωσιακή η κεντρική ιδέα της ιστορίας.
Ένας νεαρός άνδρας, γιορτάζει με τους φίλους του τα τελευταία εικοσιτετράωρα πριν δεσμευτεί με τα δεσμά του γάμου.
Προς τιμήν της ελευθερίας που θα χάσει, αφήνεται στα χέρια των φίλων του με σκοπό να του κάνουν μια αξέχαστη φάρσα.
Τον τοποθετούν μεθυσμένο μέσα σε ένα φέρετρο και τον θάβουν σε βάθος 2 μ. Έχουν φροντίσει να έχει τα απαιραίτητα που ίσως χρειαστεί τις λίγες ώρες που θα τον αφήσουν θαμμένο.
Οι φίλοι σκοτώνονται σε τροχαίο δυστύχημα και ο θαμμένος ζωντανός παραμένει χωρίς ελπίδα διάσωσης μέσα σε ένα φέρετρο σκεπασμένο με πολύ χώμα, σε μια ερημική, δασώδη περιοχή, μακριά απο την πόλη.
Εξαιρετική κεντρική ιδέα, πολύπλοκοι αν και χάρτινοι χαρακτήρες, ανατροπές και εξελίξεις ραγδαίες.
Απο τεχνική άποψη το βιβλίο καλύπτει τέλεια την ιδιότητα του, με άνεση. Καλή γραφή. Έντονα στοιχεία θρίλερ και αγωνίας. Μυστικοί παίχτες γεμάτοι ψέματα και δολοπλοκία.
Απο εκεί και μετά αρχίζει να φθίνει κάθε προσέγγιση σε πραγματικά γεγονότα και ρεαλιστικές εξελίξεις.
Η πλοκή γίνεται ανούσια, άστοχη στα όρια του γελοίου. Καταρρίπτει πανηγυρικά κάθε διαδικασία αποδοχής που θα έκανε ένα αστυνομικό μυστήριο δολοφονίας να γοητεύσει με δέος τον αναγνώστη.
Καταρχάς το βασικό θύμα έτσι όπως εξελίσσεται η ιστορία δεν θα μπορούσε σε καμία περίπτωση να επιβιώσει απο την αρχική δοκιμασία.
Παρ’ολα αυτά οι καταστάσεις χειροτερεύουν όσο εκτυλίσσεται η πλοκή και οι συμπτώσεις με τις επαναλήψεις γίνονται βασικά στοιχεία αληθοφάνειας.
Προς το τέλος που αναμένεται η κορύφωση έρχεται το υπερφυσικό στοιχείο σε συνδυασμό με παραψυχολογία, μέντιουμ και ινστιτούτα ψυχικών ερευνών να αποτελειώσουν τον άμοιρο αναγνώστη που αναμένει να λυθεί το αγωνιώδες μυστήριο χωρίς δεισιδαιμονίες, προκαταλήψεις μεσαιωνικού τύπου, υπνωτισμούς, ανεξήγητα ενεργειακά πεδία και ξεματιάσματα.
Ένα θρίλερ κλισέ που ο συγγραφέας δείχνει να μην έβρισκε άλλη λύση λογικά τεκμηριωμένη και πέρασε στην κάθαρση με μια νευρωτική ανασφάλεια κομπογιαννιτισμού.
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
Το πρώτο βιβλίο του Peter James που διάβασα και δυστυχώς θα είναι και το τελευταίο.
Ξεκινάει με γρήγορη και ενδιαφέρουσα πλοκή, που αφήνει τον αναγνώστη έκπληκτο και πεπεισμένο πως γυρίζει τις σελίδες απο ένα μοναδικά πρωτότυπο ψυχολογικό-αστυνομικό θρίλερ.
Εντυπωσιακή η κεντρική ιδέα της ιστορίας.
Ένας νεαρός άνδρας, γιορτάζει με τους φίλους του τα τελευταία εικοσιτετράωρα πριν δεσμευτεί με τα δεσμά του γάμου.
Προς τιμήν της ελευθερίας που θα χάσει, αφήνεται στα χέρια των φίλων του με σκοπό να του κάνουν μια αξέχαστη φάρσα.
Τον τοποθετούν μεθυσμένο μέσα σε ένα φέρετρο και τον θάβουν σε βάθος 2 μ. Έχουν φροντίσει να έχει τα απαιραίτητα που ίσως χρειαστεί τις λίγες ώρες που θα τον αφήσουν θαμμένο.
Οι φίλοι σκοτώνονται σε τροχαίο δυστύχημα και ο θαμμένος ζωντανός παραμένει χωρίς ελπίδα διάσωσης μέσα σε ένα φέρετρο σκεπασμένο με πολύ χώμα, σε μια ερημική, δασώδη περιοχή, μακριά απο την πόλη.
Εξαιρετική κεντρική ιδέα, πολύπλοκοι αν και χάρτινοι χαρακτήρες, ανατροπές και εξελίξεις ραγδαίες.
Απο τεχνική άποψη το βιβλίο καλύπτει τέλεια την ιδιότητα του, με άνεση. Καλή γραφή. Έντονα στοιχεία θρίλερ και αγωνίας. Μυστικοί παίχτες γεμάτοι ψέματα και δολοπλοκία.
Απο εκεί και μετά αρχίζει να φθίνει κάθε προσέγγιση σε πραγματικά γεγονότα και ρεαλιστικές εξελίξεις.
Η πλοκή γίνεται ανούσια, άστοχη στα όρια του γελοίου. Καταρρίπτει πανηγυρικά κάθε διαδικασία αποδοχής που θα έκανε ένα αστυνομικό μυστήριο δολοφονίας να γοητεύσει με δέος τον αναγνώστη.
Καταρχάς το βασικό θύμα έτσι όπως εξελίσσεται η ιστορία δεν θα μπορούσε σε καμία περίπτωση να επιβιώσει απο την αρχική δοκιμασία.
Παρ’ολα αυτά οι καταστάσεις χειροτερεύουν όσο εκτυλίσσεται η πλοκή και οι συμπτώσεις με τις επαναλήψεις γίνονται βασικά στοιχεία αληθοφάνειας.
Προς το τέλος που αναμένεται η κορύφωση έρχεται το υπερφυσικό στοιχείο σε συνδυασμό με παραψυχολογία, μέντιουμ και ινστιτούτα ψυχικών ερευνών να αποτελειώσουν τον άμοιρο αναγνώστη που αναμένει να λυθεί το αγωνιώδες μυστήριο χωρίς δεισιδαιμονίες, προκαταλήψεις μεσαιωνικού τύπου, υπνωτισμούς, ανεξήγητα ενεργειακά πεδία και ξεματιάσματα.
Ένα θρίλερ κλισέ που ο συγγραφέας δείχνει να μην έβρισκε άλλη λύση λογικά τεκμηριωμένη και πέρασε στην κάθαρση με μια νευρωτική ανασφάλεια κομπογιαννιτισμού.
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
August 29, 2013
The first case for Detective Superintendent Roy Grace was a relatively unique thriller in the way it was presented. The basic storyline is thus: groom goes on stag night, groom buried in coffin as stag night joke, stags killed in car accident, hunt for missing groom.
From the outset, we are told that his best man knows where he is but is keeping silent, effectively allowing him to die. The book follows the story through the victim, the would-be murderer and the detective. It’s not a whodunnit, or even a howdunnit, more of a what-are-they-going-to-do-now-since-they’ve-dunnit.
Let’s start with the victim. Michael Harrison may or may not survive his coffin ordeal, and unlike many whodunnits that start with a body, we suffer with the victim through what could be his final days. The scenes are well written and very claustrophobic, and the reader feels Michael’s panic, hope and disappointments.
The villains of the piece are a little underdeveloped. Although some thought has gone into each character, they’re quite one-dimensional and could have been more rounded.
And Detective Superintendent Grace, the star of the show and of this new series? A down-to-earth and likeable character who has a dry sense of humour and strong sense of conviction. He’s achieved moderate success but has his frustrations. The disappearance of his wife ten years ago looks set to be a theme which will continue through the series, and one particularly pertinent to this case, even if dealt with a little inconsistently. He keeps her toothbrush and dressing gown in situ in case she returns, but also goes on two dates in the course of the book. Is this the realisation of his own inner conflict, or just poor writing?
As a standalone book, Grace would have been forgettable. But for a long-running series, his character could be slow-burner we’re going to keep learning more about, and it’s a journey I’m happy to take with him.
Set in Brighton, there are a number of welcome reminders that it’s a UK series with lots of cultural references. As police procedurals go, James has done his homework and provides detailed, interesting background to the inner workings of Brighton’s police force. Having said that, it seems American in tone and I wasn’t surprised to learn subsequently that James has written screenplays in the US.
I was also slightly annoyed by silly mistakes – quotation marks opening again in the middle of speech, at one point not closing, elsewhere missing out an apostrophe. Basic errors and editor should have spotted. Elsewhere, swearing was used too gratuitously and the sex scenes were perhaps more graphic than necessary.
The plot moves quickly and the chapters are short, giving great readability. Some of the twists are far fetched, and Grace appears thick as a brick. Although the reader has the benefit of knowing what’s going on, Grace bumbles along wondering, “I have 1 and 1, I wonder what they equal?”
Very obvious conclusions are not made where they should have been. Easy leads aren’t picked up on. And instead of proper police work or following up on these leads, the man seems lead by hunches. And then…
Spoiler warning
Normally, I keep my review strictly spoiler free, but on this occasion I feel compelled to make an exception. Forgetting all else, the case starts and ends as a missing person investigation. The thrust, the purpose, is to find the missing person.
A reasonably written book with a great ending would have been a respectable 4 out of 5. An ending in keeping with the writing, a healthy 3. But I can’t go any higher than 2 on the basis of what unfolded.
Harrison is found (though I’m not saying whether alive or dead) in the final couple of pages. How? Grace chucks a psychic in the car, the psychic says “He’s here” and hey presto!
I accept police forces may use mediums at times, and it was reportedly used in the search for Madeline McCann. But readers of detective books want to see their stars solve mysteries by detection, not by some bloke humming over cufflinks. It robs us of an ending, it’s a complete cop out and breaks the unwritten rules of the genre. Any detective story could end that way. (“Ooo, aaaahhh, uuummmm. The spirits tell me the butler did it, Poirot.”) It’s lazy, so lazy, and cheapens the whole affair.
For that reason, I cannot recommend Dead Simple, because if the author didn’t care enough about the book to even devise and ending – why should we care either?
From the outset, we are told that his best man knows where he is but is keeping silent, effectively allowing him to die. The book follows the story through the victim, the would-be murderer and the detective. It’s not a whodunnit, or even a howdunnit, more of a what-are-they-going-to-do-now-since-they’ve-dunnit.
Let’s start with the victim. Michael Harrison may or may not survive his coffin ordeal, and unlike many whodunnits that start with a body, we suffer with the victim through what could be his final days. The scenes are well written and very claustrophobic, and the reader feels Michael’s panic, hope and disappointments.
The villains of the piece are a little underdeveloped. Although some thought has gone into each character, they’re quite one-dimensional and could have been more rounded.
And Detective Superintendent Grace, the star of the show and of this new series? A down-to-earth and likeable character who has a dry sense of humour and strong sense of conviction. He’s achieved moderate success but has his frustrations. The disappearance of his wife ten years ago looks set to be a theme which will continue through the series, and one particularly pertinent to this case, even if dealt with a little inconsistently. He keeps her toothbrush and dressing gown in situ in case she returns, but also goes on two dates in the course of the book. Is this the realisation of his own inner conflict, or just poor writing?
As a standalone book, Grace would have been forgettable. But for a long-running series, his character could be slow-burner we’re going to keep learning more about, and it’s a journey I’m happy to take with him.
Set in Brighton, there are a number of welcome reminders that it’s a UK series with lots of cultural references. As police procedurals go, James has done his homework and provides detailed, interesting background to the inner workings of Brighton’s police force. Having said that, it seems American in tone and I wasn’t surprised to learn subsequently that James has written screenplays in the US.
I was also slightly annoyed by silly mistakes – quotation marks opening again in the middle of speech, at one point not closing, elsewhere missing out an apostrophe. Basic errors and editor should have spotted. Elsewhere, swearing was used too gratuitously and the sex scenes were perhaps more graphic than necessary.
The plot moves quickly and the chapters are short, giving great readability. Some of the twists are far fetched, and Grace appears thick as a brick. Although the reader has the benefit of knowing what’s going on, Grace bumbles along wondering, “I have 1 and 1, I wonder what they equal?”
Very obvious conclusions are not made where they should have been. Easy leads aren’t picked up on. And instead of proper police work or following up on these leads, the man seems lead by hunches. And then…
Spoiler warning
Normally, I keep my review strictly spoiler free, but on this occasion I feel compelled to make an exception. Forgetting all else, the case starts and ends as a missing person investigation. The thrust, the purpose, is to find the missing person.
A reasonably written book with a great ending would have been a respectable 4 out of 5. An ending in keeping with the writing, a healthy 3. But I can’t go any higher than 2 on the basis of what unfolded.
Harrison is found (though I’m not saying whether alive or dead) in the final couple of pages. How? Grace chucks a psychic in the car, the psychic says “He’s here” and hey presto!
I accept police forces may use mediums at times, and it was reportedly used in the search for Madeline McCann. But readers of detective books want to see their stars solve mysteries by detection, not by some bloke humming over cufflinks. It robs us of an ending, it’s a complete cop out and breaks the unwritten rules of the genre. Any detective story could end that way. (“Ooo, aaaahhh, uuummmm. The spirits tell me the butler did it, Poirot.”) It’s lazy, so lazy, and cheapens the whole affair.
For that reason, I cannot recommend Dead Simple, because if the author didn’t care enough about the book to even devise and ending – why should we care either?
December 7, 2018
Looks like I am committing myself to yet another good series! I enjoyed spending time with Detective Superintendant Grace and will be happy to find out more about him. I liked spending time in Brighton and Hove too which is where my grandparents used to live and where I visited often as a child.
Some of the book was gruesome and the chapters about being buried alive were the stuff of nightmares! However there was lots of realistic and interesting police work and some great characters who I assume the author will expand upon as the series progresses. This book starts out nice and steadily, gathers momentum in the middle and then races to a conclusion.
Very enjoyable and I am glad I have #2 on my shelf ready:)
Some of the book was gruesome and the chapters about being buried alive were the stuff of nightmares! However there was lots of realistic and interesting police work and some great characters who I assume the author will expand upon as the series progresses. This book starts out nice and steadily, gathers momentum in the middle and then races to a conclusion.
Very enjoyable and I am glad I have #2 on my shelf ready:)
March 26, 2017
This 450 page book could have been told in about 150 pages. I've read a lot of books and this has to be the wordiest book I have ever, ever read. I skipped so many pages and I know I didn't miss a thing. Not sure why I finished but I was curious what would happen to the guy trapped in a coffin. Huge let down, and the damn ending? It could have used a few more pages. Can you believe that?! It ended almost mid fucking paragraph. Huge waste of $1.20. Jesus Christ.
September 26, 2015
Whew! That was a twisty, nail biter! This book kept me guessing and on edge the entire time. I will be on the lookout for the next in the series. The only reason I even knew about or read this book was because I happened across a review by a random person on Goodreads who said "For heavens sake, read it" that intrigued me, so I did and really enjoyed it! Love finding books I never would have heard about!
November 19, 2015
Wow! What a roller coaster ride! Once this story got up that first hill of the coaster it never really let up. A good thriller with an engaging detective and also a very good police procedural. There were twists and turns throughout. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
July 28, 2015
I have recently discovered Peter James books. I find them fast paced and full of suspense and I read this book in one sitting.
I will certainly be reading more of his novels.
I will certainly be reading more of his novels.
August 5, 2018
Αυτό που έχω να πω για το «Κάτω από το χώμα» είναι πως είναι ένα πολύ καλό βιβλίο. Διαβάζεται ευχάριστα, άνετα, έχει καλή γραφή και πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα υπόθεση. Και πώς να μην είναι όταν από τις πρώτες ακόμα σελίδες αποκτά μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον με την ξαφνική ανατροπή των πρωταγωνιστών.
Δεν είναι το απόλυτο page turner αλλά σε προ(σ)καλεί να το διαβάσεις για να δεις τι γίνεται και πως μπορούμε να φτάσουμε στο τέλος.
Γενικά είναι πολύ καλό αλλά έχει 2-3 θεματάκια που με απασχόλησαν.
1) Θα μπορούσε να μην είναι τόσο «φλύαρο». Σε πολλά σημεία επαναλαμβάνεται ή αναφέρει πράγματα που το κάνουν λίγο κουραστικό.
2) Το στοιχείο του μεταφυσικού. Από την αρχή ακόμα βλέπουμε ότι ο Roy ασχολείται με μέντιουμ κτλ.
3)
Θα συνεχίσω τώρα με το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς για να δω πως θα εξελιχθούν τα πράγματα. Όποιος θέλει ένα καλό και σχετικά γρήγορο αστυνομικό, ας το προτιμήσει!
Δεν είναι το απόλυτο page turner αλλά σε προ(σ)καλεί να το διαβάσεις για να δεις τι γίνεται και πως μπορούμε να φτάσουμε στο τέλος.
Γενικά είναι πολύ καλό αλλά έχει 2-3 θεματάκια που με απασχόλησαν.
1) Θα μπορούσε να μην είναι τόσο «φλύαρο». Σε πολλά σημεία επαναλαμβάνεται ή αναφέρει πράγματα που το κάνουν λίγο κουραστικό.
2) Το στοιχείο του μεταφυσικού. Από την αρχή ακόμα βλέπουμε ότι ο Roy ασχολείται με μέντιουμ κτλ.
3)
Θα συνεχίσω τώρα με το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς για να δω πως θα εξελιχθούν τα πράγματα. Όποιος θέλει ένα καλό και σχετικά γρήγορο αστυνομικό, ας το προτιμήσει!
April 1, 2019
This review reveals the juvenile and insulting ending to this lump of a book. don't read it if you dont want to know the ending. Do yourself one better and don't read the book either.
I will admit that I read this whole thing and finished it in a few days. It is readable and a bit of page turner just to see what happens and the twists. Having said that, the main character is a terrible misogynist . On top of that he is a police detective who believes in psychics and uses them to solve crimes. Have I turned you off this mess yet?
This book is full of unrealistic and ridiculous scenarios. The bachelor prank? ya sure, 4 guys are actually going to put the groom in a casket with a breathing tube and actually bury him for 2 hours? Maybe I could see putting him in a coffin and closing the lid for 5 minutes, and pretending to leave? Maybe. These guys would be charged with attempted murder , and the victim would be scarred for life. Think about it. The 4 best friends of the groom die a few days before the wedding, and everyone actually goes to the ceremony anyway expecting the missing groom to show? With suits and wedding dress etc.? Forget about the groom being missing, the wedding would be called off immediately after a tragedy like 4 ushers being killed. The single 40 yo cop takes an 8 year old girl out every few months for a full day to get ice cream and do stuff? She's not related to him, just a friend. Ya, that doesn't happen....He's not related to her, and her parents have no issues with that? Thats just creepy.
The ending.....I;m still mad that publishers and editors let this PoS be published. If the last paragraph said "Then he woke up. it was all a dream" and it suddenly ended, that would have been more honest. At least that is something that could have happened. But no., the end is " I picked up a psychic and he took me to where the guy was held, and I rescued him" That's it. A PSYCHIC is how the author decided a cop will solve this crime!!!!!!! AFTER I read this book, I looked at the jacket and saw that James includes his interest in the paranormal in all his books. IN POLICE PROCEDURALS. I'm done with this series. Is every book going to end the same/......The last page : "Then the psychic showed up and solved the crime" What a bunch of BS. This is an insult to detective books, english authors, literate readers, and people who actually have common sense. the number of 4 & 5 star reviews has made it clear that fortune tellers, psychics, and other common scammers and grifters will always be able to make a living.
I will admit that I read this whole thing and finished it in a few days. It is readable and a bit of page turner just to see what happens and the twists. Having said that, the main character is a terrible misogynist . On top of that he is a police detective who believes in psychics and uses them to solve crimes. Have I turned you off this mess yet?
This book is full of unrealistic and ridiculous scenarios. The bachelor prank? ya sure, 4 guys are actually going to put the groom in a casket with a breathing tube and actually bury him for 2 hours? Maybe I could see putting him in a coffin and closing the lid for 5 minutes, and pretending to leave? Maybe. These guys would be charged with attempted murder , and the victim would be scarred for life. Think about it. The 4 best friends of the groom die a few days before the wedding, and everyone actually goes to the ceremony anyway expecting the missing groom to show? With suits and wedding dress etc.? Forget about the groom being missing, the wedding would be called off immediately after a tragedy like 4 ushers being killed. The single 40 yo cop takes an 8 year old girl out every few months for a full day to get ice cream and do stuff? She's not related to him, just a friend. Ya, that doesn't happen....He's not related to her, and her parents have no issues with that? Thats just creepy.
The ending.....I;m still mad that publishers and editors let this PoS be published. If the last paragraph said "Then he woke up. it was all a dream" and it suddenly ended, that would have been more honest. At least that is something that could have happened. But no., the end is " I picked up a psychic and he took me to where the guy was held, and I rescued him" That's it. A PSYCHIC is how the author decided a cop will solve this crime!!!!!!! AFTER I read this book, I looked at the jacket and saw that James includes his interest in the paranormal in all his books. IN POLICE PROCEDURALS. I'm done with this series. Is every book going to end the same/......The last page : "Then the psychic showed up and solved the crime" What a bunch of BS. This is an insult to detective books, english authors, literate readers, and people who actually have common sense. the number of 4 & 5 star reviews has made it clear that fortune tellers, psychics, and other common scammers and grifters will always be able to make a living.
July 18, 2021
Феерическая ебанина!
Не могу отказать себе в удовольствии пересказать сюжет.
Друзья Майкла, который за свою недолгую жизнь успел всех изрядно доконать своими предсвадебными розыгрышами, перед его собственной свадьбой решили отыграться по полной: выкопали ему могилу и, пьяного, засунули в гроб, оставили ему трубочку, чтобы дышать, фонарик, рацию, бутылку виски и порножурнал, а сами отправились дальше по пабам. Планируя вернуться за незадачливым женихом в течение пары часов (и найти того обкакавшимся, но готовым к свадьбе), ребята не учли, что они сами попадут в аварию и все четверо погибнут почти на месте.
Рацию подбирает чувак по имени Дейви, фанат американских криминальных драм, который не очень настроен спасать голос из подземелья: «папа ругается, когда я подбираю что-то на месте аварий».
Майкла ищет невеста, партнер по бизнесу, полиция. Свадьбу решительная невеста (несмотря на смерть четырех ближайших друзей жениха и отсутствие его самого!) не отменяет. Каждая вторая глава перемежается страданиями Майкла: одному в лесу ему, как мы догадываемся, не очень весело, тем более в засыпанной могиле в подтекающем гробу. Следователь вместо Майкла находит у того счета на Каймановых островах, а невеста слишком уж хорошо выглядит для убитой горем влюбленной.
Дальше начинается решительная белиберда, скажу только, что в финале, когда все причастные уже не могут помочь полиции найти заживо погребенного страдальца, следователь звонит экстрасенсу, тот две минуты колдует над картой и вуаля — два километра прямо, поверните налево, вы приехали!
Un-fucking-believable.
(Рейтинг 4.1!)
Не могу отказать себе в удовольствии пересказать сюжет.
Друзья Майкла, который за свою недолгую жизнь успел всех изрядно доконать своими предсвадебными розыгрышами, перед его собственной свадьбой решили отыграться по полной: выкопали ему могилу и, пьяного, засунули в гроб, оставили ему трубочку, чтобы дышать, фонарик, рацию, бутылку виски и порножурнал, а сами отправились дальше по пабам. Планируя вернуться за незадачливым женихом в течение пары часов (и найти того обкакавшимся, но готовым к свадьбе), ребята не учли, что они сами попадут в аварию и все четверо погибнут почти на месте.
Рацию подбирает чувак по имени Дейви, фанат американских криминальных драм, который не очень настроен спасать голос из подземелья: «папа ругается, когда я подбираю что-то на месте аварий».
Майкла ищет невеста, партнер по бизнесу, полиция. Свадьбу решительная невеста (несмотря на смерть четырех ближайших друзей жениха и отсутствие его самого!) не отменяет. Каждая вторая глава перемежается страданиями Майкла: одному в лесу ему, как мы догадываемся, не очень весело, тем более в засыпанной могиле в подтекающем гробу. Следователь вместо Майкла находит у того счета на Каймановых островах, а невеста слишком уж хорошо выглядит для убитой горем влюбленной.
Дальше начинается решительная белиберда, скажу только, что в финале, когда все причастные уже не могут помочь полиции найти заживо погребенного страдальца, следователь звонит экстрасенсу, тот две минуты колдует над картой и вуаля — два километра прямо, поверните налево, вы приехали!
Un-fucking-believable.
(Рейтинг 4.1!)
June 17, 2017
Definitely a gruesome premise: buried alive, a man waits for his "friends" to come back and release him....but they are all killed in a car accident.....and no one comes back.
The chapters told from inside the coffin are claustrophobic and terrifying.
This book seems written to be a movie. Lots of descriptions of the rooms, scenes, clothing, actions. At first, one pays attention....the scene could hold a clue. But, no, it's just description, so one starts to skim the descriptions.
I found the rest to be rather cheesy. The conversations, the situations, the chauvinism.....it was all old time and clichéd.
The chapters told from inside the coffin are claustrophobic and terrifying.
This book seems written to be a movie. Lots of descriptions of the rooms, scenes, clothing, actions. At first, one pays attention....the scene could hold a clue. But, no, it's just description, so one starts to skim the descriptions.
I found the rest to be rather cheesy. The conversations, the situations, the chauvinism.....it was all old time and clichéd.
October 2, 2024
Твърде остаряла и хаотична за моя вкус крими история.
От средата я дочетох направо по диагоналната система, за да видя края ѝ, който никак не ме впечатли. 😀
От средата я дочетох направо по диагоналната система, за да видя края ѝ, който никак не ме впечатли. 😀
October 27, 2012
The beginning of this book is the creepiest I have ever run across. Anxious to play a prank on their soon-to-be-married friend Michael Harrison, known for his pranks, four of his friends get him drunk and passed out, then bury him in a coffin with only a tube for air, a porn magazine and a walkie-talkie. Then they drive off and are T-boned by a concrete truck. All are killed. The tow truck driver's retarded son (or should I say mentally challenged), finds the walkie-talkie in the grass where it had been thrown by the accident, talks to Michael, but then drops it and thinks he has broken the unit. Now he's afraid to tell anyone about what he found. Michael's realization that he is buried and that no one is answering his increasing frantic calls on the walkie-talkie will give you nightmares, or at least it would, if you're susceptible to that sort of thing. Forget supernatural/horror crap, realism is far more frightening.
Superintendent Roy Grace is charged with finding the missing man who disappeared just three days before he was to be married. Michael's friend and business partner we soon learn has it in for Michael and Ashley's Michael's intended is startled to learn that the business had considerable funds in a Cayman Islands account. Or is she? (Spoiler police, please note:These really aren't spoilers as we learn the details from several points of view early in the book.) The scenes of Michael growing increasingly frantic in his coffin are really frightening. Some interesting twists kept things moving along nicely.
Superintendent Roy Grace is charged with finding the missing man who disappeared just three days before he was to be married. Michael's friend and business partner we soon learn has it in for Michael and Ashley's Michael's intended is startled to learn that the business had considerable funds in a Cayman Islands account. Or is she? (Spoiler police, please note:These really aren't spoilers as we learn the details from several points of view early in the book.) The scenes of Michael growing increasingly frantic in his coffin are really frightening. Some interesting twists kept things moving along nicely.
June 6, 2017
Αρχικά θα ήθελα να πω ότι το βιβλίο επανεκδόθηκε πριν από λίγο σχετικά καιρό, ενώ και η τιμή του είναι πολύ χαμηλή: στα 9,90 Ευρώ.
Στα θετικά, τώρα, του βιβλίου. Μιλάμε για ένα βιβλίο που διαβάζεται πολύ εύκολα. Αν και δεν είχα και πολύ χρόνο στη διάθεση μου, όποτε το έπιανα διάβαζα αρκετές σελίδες, ενώ και στο ΄΄άνοιγμα΄΄, την πρώτη μέρα πήγα κατευθείαν στην σελίδα 150. Έχει πολύ καλή ροή, λοιπόν, θέλεις να μάθεις τι γίνεται παρακάτω, τι ρόλο παίζει ο καθένας στη ιστορία, η οποία είναι τελικά αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα. Έχει πολλά μικρά κεφάλαια, το οποίο βοηθάει επίσης.
Δύο σημεία, όμως, προς το τέλος του βιβλίου , χάλασαν πραγματικά όλη την καλή εικόνα που είχα σχηματίσει. Πρώτο είναι ότι τελικά η όλη έκβαση της υπόθεσης προέκυψε από δύο τυχαία περιστατικά (του ίδιου είδους μάλιστα),μία στην αρχή του βιβλίου και μία στο τέλος. Ουσιαστικά το πρώτο δεν με χάλασε καθόλου. Σε πολλά βιβλία υπάρχουν τυχαία περιστατικά. Αλλά όταν στο τέλος είχαμε επανάληψη του συμβάντος χαλάστηκα πολύ. Το δεύτερο που με πείραξε ήταν η χρήση του υπερφυσικού. Έγινε χρήση σε δύο σημεία. Κι εδώ το πρώτο δεν με πείραξε , δεν ήταν και πολύ ουσιαστικό, αλλά το δεύτερο χάλασε όλη την ουσία του βιβλίου.
Μέχρι το τέλος το βιβλίο πήγαινε για βαθμολογία 4 με 5 , αλλά τα ανωτέρω δύο σημείο, χάλασαν την όλη καλή εικόνα του βιβλίου που είχα μέχρι εκείνη τη στιγμή.
Στα θετικά, τώρα, του βιβλίου. Μιλάμε για ένα βιβλίο που διαβάζεται πολύ εύκολα. Αν και δεν είχα και πολύ χρόνο στη διάθεση μου, όποτε το έπιανα διάβαζα αρκετές σελίδες, ενώ και στο ΄΄άνοιγμα΄΄, την πρώτη μέρα πήγα κατευθείαν στην σελίδα 150. Έχει πολύ καλή ροή, λοιπόν, θέλεις να μάθεις τι γίνεται παρακάτω, τι ρόλο παίζει ο καθένας στη ιστορία, η οποία είναι τελικά αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα. Έχει πολλά μικρά κεφάλαια, το οποίο βοηθάει επίσης.
Δύο σημεία, όμως, προς το τέλος του βιβλίου , χάλασαν πραγματικά όλη την καλή εικόνα που είχα σχηματίσει. Πρώτο είναι ότι τελικά η όλη έκβαση της υπόθεσης προέκυψε από δύο τυχαία περιστατικά (του ίδιου είδους μάλιστα),μία στην αρχή του βιβλίου και μία στο τέλος. Ουσιαστικά το πρώτο δεν με χάλασε καθόλου. Σε πολλά βιβλία υπάρχουν τυχαία περιστατικά. Αλλά όταν στο τέλος είχαμε επανάληψη του συμβάντος χαλάστηκα πολύ. Το δεύτερο που με πείραξε ήταν η χρήση του υπερφυσικού. Έγινε χρήση σε δύο σημεία. Κι εδώ το πρώτο δεν με πείραξε , δεν ήταν και πολύ ουσιαστικό, αλλά το δεύτερο χάλασε όλη την ουσία του βιβλίου.
Μέχρι το τέλος το βιβλίο πήγαινε για βαθμολογία 4 με 5 , αλλά τα ανωτέρω δύο σημείο, χάλασαν την όλη καλή εικόνα του βιβλίου που είχα μέχρι εκείνη τη στιγμή.
October 20, 2024
Loved this book. It’s the first in a very long series about a dectective based in Brighton, solving crime. This was exciting and kept me wanting to read it to find out how it finished. Twisty at times which I love. I will certainly be reading more from this series.
September 22, 2022
Dead Simple (Roy Grace #1) by Peter James
Synopsis /
It was meant to be a harmless stag night prank. A few hours later four of his best friends are dead and Michael Harrison has disappeared. With only three days to the wedding, Detective Superintendent Grace - a man haunted by the shadow of his own missing wife - is contacted by Michael's beautiful, distraught fiancée, Ashley Harper. Grace discovers that the one man who ought to know Michael Harrison's whereabouts is saying nothing. But then he has a lot to gain - more than anyone realizes. For one man's disaster is another man's fortune ... Dead simple.
My Thoughts /
When the suspense never quits in a tightly controlled mystery filled with stunning plot twists and mind-boggling turns. Just when you think you have the mystery figured out and know who the villain is – everything changes! I was hooked from the first couple of pages.
In just a few days, Michael Harrison is due to marry the love of his life, Ashley Harper.
The story opens with a stag night which does not go to plan. It was meant to be a harmless stag night prank, however, a few hours later, Michael Harrison has disappeared and, four of his friends are dead. A missing groom, a car crash, four dead bodies, and a frantic bride to be – these are the realities which face Detective Superintendent Roy Grace in Dead Simple.
I was thinking I should put in a trigger warning for claustrophobia, as the stag night prank involves burying the groom in a coffin! Honestly, my anxiety was high reading these passages – the writing was so vividly descriptive. When Michael Harrison’s stag night buddies are all killed in a van crash, he is effectively trapped buried in a coffin with only one person left in the world knowing where he is; and that person has most to gain by him staying lost. Therein lies the first of many twists; of which there are several. And yet somehow, they are nearly all credible within the confines of this book.
A little bit about Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. Grace has a photographic memory and is very sharp. He’s, just, the right side of forty. The son of a policeman, Grace can’t remember a time when he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. Now, to all intents and purposes a widower (his wife has been missing for nine years), Roy leads a solitary, workaholic life. His only joys are running along the Brighton and Hove Seafront and driving his Alfa Romeo 147 car. Now for the quirky. Roy also has an interest in the supernatural and collects books on the occult. Stationed at CID headquarters, Sussex House, Hollingbury, Brighton, he works on cold cases and has been known to seek the services of those possessing clairvoyant abilities to help solve them. Although, this aspect doesn’t play a huge role in the plot.
Quite apart from the main thread of the mystery of this plot, sub-threads in this book regarding Grace and his personal life will certainly (hopefully), flow on and draw the reader along to the next story in the Roy Grace detective series. At some stage the mystery of his own wife’s disappearance will, I’m hoping, be revealed.
There have been mixed reviews for Dead Simple. One reviewer wrote It’s not a bad book, but neither is it a particularly good book. The review goes on to say some of the writing was very good and some added nothing to the plot and was boring. I respect that. However, my body’s nervous system was on a state of high alert throughout most of this book, I wouldn’t have been able to tell.
If there is one thing Brits do extremely well, it’s police procedurals. Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse; Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby, and the crime drama series adapted from that book series, Midsomer Murders; and, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s series featuring the peerless Sherlock Homes.
But even Chief Inspector Morse had his faults. Morse was probably the most physically inactive fictional detective since Hercule Poirot. He disdained the rough stuff; house-to-house inquiries were invariably punctuated by visits to the pub; and he had no time for anything so vulgar as a high-speed car chase. In all this – as in his tastes for real ale, crossword puzzles, the classics and classical music – Morse was relentlessly old-fashioned. He was also high-principled. But he was saved from priggishness by his bluff honesty, and by his occasional crises of self-confidence – he always got his man in the end, but not without first enduring some exquisite mental tortures.
Roy Grace may not be the most animated cop, nor is he the most damaged, but he’s one of the most believable. With that in mind, I can easily forgive what may seem to be small passages of writing that may (or may not) appear to add nothing to the plot. I am looking forward to reading book 2, Looking Good Dead which I purchased immediately upon finishing.
Synopsis /
It was meant to be a harmless stag night prank. A few hours later four of his best friends are dead and Michael Harrison has disappeared. With only three days to the wedding, Detective Superintendent Grace - a man haunted by the shadow of his own missing wife - is contacted by Michael's beautiful, distraught fiancée, Ashley Harper. Grace discovers that the one man who ought to know Michael Harrison's whereabouts is saying nothing. But then he has a lot to gain - more than anyone realizes. For one man's disaster is another man's fortune ... Dead simple.
My Thoughts /
When the suspense never quits in a tightly controlled mystery filled with stunning plot twists and mind-boggling turns. Just when you think you have the mystery figured out and know who the villain is – everything changes! I was hooked from the first couple of pages.
In just a few days, Michael Harrison is due to marry the love of his life, Ashley Harper.
The story opens with a stag night which does not go to plan. It was meant to be a harmless stag night prank, however, a few hours later, Michael Harrison has disappeared and, four of his friends are dead. A missing groom, a car crash, four dead bodies, and a frantic bride to be – these are the realities which face Detective Superintendent Roy Grace in Dead Simple.
I was thinking I should put in a trigger warning for claustrophobia, as the stag night prank involves burying the groom in a coffin! Honestly, my anxiety was high reading these passages – the writing was so vividly descriptive. When Michael Harrison’s stag night buddies are all killed in a van crash, he is effectively trapped buried in a coffin with only one person left in the world knowing where he is; and that person has most to gain by him staying lost. Therein lies the first of many twists; of which there are several. And yet somehow, they are nearly all credible within the confines of this book.
A little bit about Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. Grace has a photographic memory and is very sharp. He’s, just, the right side of forty. The son of a policeman, Grace can’t remember a time when he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. Now, to all intents and purposes a widower (his wife has been missing for nine years), Roy leads a solitary, workaholic life. His only joys are running along the Brighton and Hove Seafront and driving his Alfa Romeo 147 car. Now for the quirky. Roy also has an interest in the supernatural and collects books on the occult. Stationed at CID headquarters, Sussex House, Hollingbury, Brighton, he works on cold cases and has been known to seek the services of those possessing clairvoyant abilities to help solve them. Although, this aspect doesn’t play a huge role in the plot.
Quite apart from the main thread of the mystery of this plot, sub-threads in this book regarding Grace and his personal life will certainly (hopefully), flow on and draw the reader along to the next story in the Roy Grace detective series. At some stage the mystery of his own wife’s disappearance will, I’m hoping, be revealed.
There have been mixed reviews for Dead Simple. One reviewer wrote It’s not a bad book, but neither is it a particularly good book. The review goes on to say some of the writing was very good and some added nothing to the plot and was boring. I respect that. However, my body’s nervous system was on a state of high alert throughout most of this book, I wouldn’t have been able to tell.
If there is one thing Brits do extremely well, it’s police procedurals. Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse; Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby, and the crime drama series adapted from that book series, Midsomer Murders; and, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s series featuring the peerless Sherlock Homes.
But even Chief Inspector Morse had his faults. Morse was probably the most physically inactive fictional detective since Hercule Poirot. He disdained the rough stuff; house-to-house inquiries were invariably punctuated by visits to the pub; and he had no time for anything so vulgar as a high-speed car chase. In all this – as in his tastes for real ale, crossword puzzles, the classics and classical music – Morse was relentlessly old-fashioned. He was also high-principled. But he was saved from priggishness by his bluff honesty, and by his occasional crises of self-confidence – he always got his man in the end, but not without first enduring some exquisite mental tortures.
Roy Grace may not be the most animated cop, nor is he the most damaged, but he’s one of the most believable. With that in mind, I can easily forgive what may seem to be small passages of writing that may (or may not) appear to add nothing to the plot. I am looking forward to reading book 2, Looking Good Dead which I purchased immediately upon finishing.
July 3, 2020
Τρία αστεράκια με επιείκεια.. Καλά το πήγαινε στην αρχή αλλά στην πορεία έγινε φλύαρο..Με χάλασε επίσης που έβαλε μέσα μέντιουμ και χαρτοριχτες(φυσικά όλοι οι αστυνομικοί χρησιμοποιούν τέτοιες μεθόδους για την εξιχνίαση εγκλήματος 😛)..Και το τέλος κακό.Αυτα!
March 12, 2017
4.5 Stars
This was a great thriller / murder mystery. The description was extremely realistic and the coffin scenes terrified me. It felt like I was stuck in that coffin too!
I also liked the multiple POV's especially having the killers it gave such a different take to the whole crime genre.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
This was a great thriller / murder mystery. The description was extremely realistic and the coffin scenes terrified me. It felt like I was stuck in that coffin too!
I also liked the multiple POV's especially having the killers it gave such a different take to the whole crime genre.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
August 19, 2007
DEAD SIMPLE (Police Procedural-UK-Cont) – VG
James, Peter – 1st of series
Macmillan, 2005 – UK Hardcover
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace’s wife disappeared several years ago without a trace. Now Grace is asked by Ashley Harper to find her fiancée, missing three days before their wedding. Michael Harrison is a practical joker. But his friends have turned the table, taken him out, got him drunk and buried him in a coffin with an air tube. But the joke goes bad when the friends are killed in an auto accident after leaving Michael buried.
*** This is a book one should start with plenty of time to finish it in one sitting. Gripping is the word which comes to mind. James’ background as a screenwriter and producer are evident in his ability to create strong characters and relationships, his ear for dialogue, and the pacing of the story. James’ previous books look to be more in the horror or psychological suspense category, where this is a solid police procedural. My one slight criticism is the authors years in Los Angeles show as I kept having to remind myself the book is set in England; the style is more American than British. But the good news is this is the first in a series. The second book, “Looking Good Dead,” is due out soon and is on my “must buy” list.
James, Peter – 1st of series
Macmillan, 2005 – UK Hardcover
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace’s wife disappeared several years ago without a trace. Now Grace is asked by Ashley Harper to find her fiancée, missing three days before their wedding. Michael Harrison is a practical joker. But his friends have turned the table, taken him out, got him drunk and buried him in a coffin with an air tube. But the joke goes bad when the friends are killed in an auto accident after leaving Michael buried.
*** This is a book one should start with plenty of time to finish it in one sitting. Gripping is the word which comes to mind. James’ background as a screenwriter and producer are evident in his ability to create strong characters and relationships, his ear for dialogue, and the pacing of the story. James’ previous books look to be more in the horror or psychological suspense category, where this is a solid police procedural. My one slight criticism is the authors years in Los Angeles show as I kept having to remind myself the book is set in England; the style is more American than British. But the good news is this is the first in a series. The second book, “Looking Good Dead,” is due out soon and is on my “must buy” list.
June 28, 2015
Another great read from Peter James.
I was intrigued by the idea of putting someone into a coffin as a bucks night stunt - the thought of being that person terrified me - and then I found out that Peter James had actually done it for research into his book. Brave man!
While out celebrating with a group of friends a few nights before his wedding, Michael suddenly and unexpectedly finds himself enclosed in a coffin equipped only with a flashlight, a dirty magazine, a walkie-talkie, and a tiny breathing tube. It's all in good fun — payback for the grief his mates suffered due to his own penchant for tomfoolery — that is until the four are killed in a drunk driving accident just moments after leaving Michael completely alone and buried alive.
But one of his mates never made it to the bucks party, and Detective Superintendent Grace thinks both he and the dead man's fiancee know more than they are letting on.
I really enjoyed re-reading this book, and will continue on with the remainder of the series.
I was intrigued by the idea of putting someone into a coffin as a bucks night stunt - the thought of being that person terrified me - and then I found out that Peter James had actually done it for research into his book. Brave man!
While out celebrating with a group of friends a few nights before his wedding, Michael suddenly and unexpectedly finds himself enclosed in a coffin equipped only with a flashlight, a dirty magazine, a walkie-talkie, and a tiny breathing tube. It's all in good fun — payback for the grief his mates suffered due to his own penchant for tomfoolery — that is until the four are killed in a drunk driving accident just moments after leaving Michael completely alone and buried alive.
But one of his mates never made it to the bucks party, and Detective Superintendent Grace thinks both he and the dead man's fiancee know more than they are letting on.
I really enjoyed re-reading this book, and will continue on with the remainder of the series.
May 10, 2018
Ενώ από την αρχή βλέπεις κάποια πράγματα και μπορείς να μαντέψεις και άλλα, είναι το στυλ του βιβλίου τέτοιο, που θες να δεις τι θα γίνει παρακάτω. Και αυτό που συμβαίνει είναι οι ανατροπές.
Η γραφή του μου άρεσε πολύ, γιατί είναι απλή και ο λόγος τρέχει. Δε σε κουράζει καθόλου.
Ο πρωταγωνιστής του -o Roy– μου άρεσε και τον συμπάθησα, οπότε θα ήθελα να δω τι θα γίνει σε επόμενο βιβλίο.
Ένα στοιχείο όμως που κάπως μείωσε τον ενθουσιασμό μου για το βιβλίο, είναι ότι ενώ χρησιμοποιεί κάποια στιγμή το μεταφυσικό στοιχείο, όχι κάτι έντονο και ούτε ενοχλητικό, το ξαναχρησιμοποιεί και στην πορεία κάπου που θεωρώ ότι δε χρειαζόταν. Εκεί είναι που με «χάλασε» κάπως. Κατ' εμέ ήταν μια άσκοπη χρήση του όπως το παρουσίασε και με αυτό τον τρόπο με έκανε να νιώσω λίγο απαξίωση για τις ικανότητες της αστυνομίας.
Κατά τα άλλα, μου άρεσε πολύ και πέρασα ευχάριστα διαβάζοντάς το και το προτείνω!
Η γραφή του μου άρεσε πολύ, γιατί είναι απλή και ο λόγος τρέχει. Δε σε κουράζει καθόλου.
Ο πρωταγωνιστής του -o Roy– μου άρεσε και τον συμπάθησα, οπότε θα ήθελα να δω τι θα γίνει σε επόμενο βιβλίο.
Ένα στοιχείο όμως που κάπως μείωσε τον ενθουσιασμό μου για το βιβλίο, είναι ότι ενώ χρησιμοποιεί κάποια στιγμή το μεταφυσικό στοιχείο, όχι κάτι έντονο και ούτε ενοχλητικό, το ξαναχρησιμοποιεί και στην πορεία κάπου που θεωρώ ότι δε χρειαζόταν. Εκεί είναι που με «χάλασε» κάπως. Κατ' εμέ ήταν μια άσκοπη χρήση του όπως το παρουσίασε και με αυτό τον τρόπο με έκανε να νιώσω λίγο απαξίωση για τις ικανότητες της αστυνομίας.
Κατά τα άλλα, μου άρεσε πολύ και πέρασα ευχάριστα διαβάζοντάς το και το προτείνω!
December 16, 2021
I was told to read the start of the Grace series and I’m not disappointed, enjoyable.
March 2, 2024
This is the first of Peter James' novels following D.S.Roy Grace. It hinges on a very good idea, which is well sustained throughout the novel. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Note - Do not read this if you are inclined to claustrophobia.
Note - Do not read this if you are inclined to claustrophobia.
July 6, 2020
This is the first book I have read by Peter James. It is a pretty straightforward entry in the British police procedural genre, with Detective Chief Superintendent Roy Grace as the main protagonist. Grace is a 39-year-old single man whose beloved wife disappeared nearly 9 years ago without a trace, but whom he has refused to have declared dead. Grace’s main sidekick is a fellow police officer, a Black bodybuilder named Glenn Branson. There are other sidekicks as well as a potential love interest for Grace which I presume will develop in the future.
The key strength of DEAD SIMPLE is the thrilling premise. A group of 4 friends takes a buddy out for a “stag night” a week before his wedding. Michael has played pranks on each of his friends and they decide to get revenge by leaving him in a buried coffin with a walkie-talkie, a bottle of whiskey and a straw for air for a few hours. Unfortunately they get in a horrific car accident which kills them all, leaving Michael trapped in a grave where it appears no one knows he is.
With the clock continually ticking towards a time when Michael will either die by dehydration, starvation or both, the plot becomes more complicated as Michael’s fiancé Ashley and best friend & business partner Mark appear to be reacting strangely to Michael’s disappearance. Although it begins as Branson’s case, eventually Grace himself gets involved and there are many surprising plot twists which demonstrate why Peter James is such a bestselling author of suspense thrillers. One slight wrinkle for me is apparently Grace is a believer in the supernatural and has used (and continues to use) mediums and similar dodgy means to help him make breakthroughs in cases. I can appreciate some “genre crossover” but supernatural is not my favorite blend. (I really love a good sci-fi mystery mix.)
Overall, I was impressed with DEAD SIMPLE and am definitely interested in going on future adventures with Roy Grace as I read the subsequent books in the series.
The key strength of DEAD SIMPLE is the thrilling premise. A group of 4 friends takes a buddy out for a “stag night” a week before his wedding. Michael has played pranks on each of his friends and they decide to get revenge by leaving him in a buried coffin with a walkie-talkie, a bottle of whiskey and a straw for air for a few hours. Unfortunately they get in a horrific car accident which kills them all, leaving Michael trapped in a grave where it appears no one knows he is.
With the clock continually ticking towards a time when Michael will either die by dehydration, starvation or both, the plot becomes more complicated as Michael’s fiancé Ashley and best friend & business partner Mark appear to be reacting strangely to Michael’s disappearance. Although it begins as Branson’s case, eventually Grace himself gets involved and there are many surprising plot twists which demonstrate why Peter James is such a bestselling author of suspense thrillers. One slight wrinkle for me is apparently Grace is a believer in the supernatural and has used (and continues to use) mediums and similar dodgy means to help him make breakthroughs in cases. I can appreciate some “genre crossover” but supernatural is not my favorite blend. (I really love a good sci-fi mystery mix.)
Overall, I was impressed with DEAD SIMPLE and am definitely interested in going on future adventures with Roy Grace as I read the subsequent books in the series.
April 19, 2017
Overall I enjoyed this book. I'm pleased to find another crime author to add to the ones I really rate - Ian Rankin, Elizabeth George, Susan Hill and Val McDermid. I like main characters that are interesting or have an interesting past and Roy Grace fits into that category. This is a good fast paced crime story which is also well written. What's not to like?! I'm looking forward to working my way through all of the novels in this series
December 6, 2020
Este autor fué todo un descubrimiento, gran libro de intriga, con un inicio brillante.
January 6, 2022
Lots of unexpected twists and turns; loved it.
April 30, 2019
Turned out to be better than when I started it.
While reading the first half of the book I was wondering where the mystery is since everything that happened had been summarized in the synopsis with only one thing missing, which turned out to play a bigger part in the story. Thankfully, the story picked up for a while and I was so surprised by the things happening that I was ready to forgive the ½ that I read however the end wasn’t satisfactory for me.
I predicted mostly every twist (except when a mystery guy comes into the game) which wasn’t making the book exciting, but somehow fun at least. The detective we are following was okay I guess; besides the tiny problem I had with his description of women he meets (don’t worry it’s nothing bad, he describes them as beautiful, I get having one or two beautiful females appearing and being beautiful but when he describes the majority of the women appearing in the book as beautiful… well, I don’t know, it just feels wrong?) he was a okay, he had a great memory that comes in handy, he is a great at observing people and has a good gut feeling. Him believing in mediums and supernatural was a tad weird in the beginning since in every book/show I read/saw the cops don’t believe in occult things and have to be convinced, the reversed situation was an interesting thing.
While reading the first half of the book I was wondering where the mystery is since everything that happened had been summarized in the synopsis with only one thing missing, which turned out to play a bigger part in the story. Thankfully, the story picked up for a while and I was so surprised by the things happening that I was ready to forgive the ½ that I read however the end wasn’t satisfactory for me.
I predicted mostly every twist (except when a mystery guy comes into the game) which wasn’t making the book exciting, but somehow fun at least. The detective we are following was okay I guess; besides the tiny problem I had with his description of women he meets (don’t worry it’s nothing bad, he describes them as beautiful, I get having one or two beautiful females appearing and being beautiful but when he describes the majority of the women appearing in the book as beautiful… well, I don’t know, it just feels wrong?) he was a okay, he had a great memory that comes in handy, he is a great at observing people and has a good gut feeling. Him believing in mediums and supernatural was a tad weird in the beginning since in every book/show I read/saw the cops don’t believe in occult things and have to be convinced, the reversed situation was an interesting thing.
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