Actually, I'm a Corpse

The Actually Murders

by Terry Deary

The new wickedly funny and clever murder mystery from the multi-million-copy bestselling author of the Horrible Histories.

'Delightfully fun' i PAPER

'The perfect thriller - transporting you to a point in time through exquisite period details, peculiarly beguiling characters and immediate page turning events. The sort of book you dream of writing!' TOM ALLEN
______________

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?
______________

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

'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

Genres: Crime

381 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 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

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
This book is the follow up to Deary's Actually, I'm a Murderer which was excellent. The sequel is just as fun, but I would recommend reading the books in order. Main characters from the first book, Aline James (Police officer), Tony Davies (actor), and the mysterious John Brown return for this sequel. These characters, as well as a couple of side-characters, are a delight, and the author's writing style is very engaging. Most of the story takes place in England in 1973 and along with the mystery, shows some of the attitudes towards women and specifically female police officers at that time.

Two people are killed and Scotland Yard thinks they are separate crimes, but Aline is convinced they are related and intends to solve the case. The story unfolds through alternating narration from Aline, Tony, and Mr. Brown. The last part of the book is so suspenseful and has a satisfying ending with a somewhat bittersweet epilogue taking place in the present. I love these characters and am happy to see there could be a book 3 next year. 

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about the Northern Liberation Army, which wants to liberate the north east of England from the rest of the country… or is it? This alone should tell you that the book doesn’t take itself seriously, even as the bodies pile up.
I enjoyed meeting up with the three characters from the previous book, and felt that, even the annoying Tony, they will be the reason I want to read more of this series. Sometimes the police misogyny and incompetence portrayed here gets me a bit cross, though I realise it’s been exaggerated for comic effect.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Caroline | dogtailsandcrimetales · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★.5

Tony Davies, aspiring actor and accidental magnet for murder investigations, is back. And if we learned anything from the prequel, Actually I'm a Murderer, it is that wherever Tony goes, trouble and murder are never far behind. Interestingly enough, this story begins at Sunderland station, a key location from the first book, setting the stage for another chaotic adventure.

Of course, the mysterious Mr. Brown and newly promoted Police Sergeant Aline James are also back, forming one of the most unlikely investigative trios imaginable. This time, they are dealing with the murder of a theater director, the death of an unidentified young woman on a train, and a bombing at the train station luggage room. Could these cases possibly be connected?

By now, I knew what to expect from Terry Deary: scattered clues, plenty of funny moments, and a surprising number of dark twists wrapped in wonderfully dark humor. Say less! The year is still 1973, Aline is still battling the police boys' club while navigating stockings and a police-issued purse, and Tony is still absolutely convinced he is destined to be a great actor.

The mystery was once again a tricky one. I read this with a group of amateur sleuths, and we were completely stumped for quite a while. Eventually, we started throwing out increasingly wild theories, and surprisingly, some of them even began to stick.

I especially enjoyed getting more insight into Mr. Brown, particularly his parents and upbringing. It answered some questions while creating just as many new ones. I also loved seeing Aline's ingenuity as she continues to deal with a boss who might be the least capable person in the force across every possible category. Sober? No. Leadership skills? Questionable. Detective instincts? Not exactly. Ability to think and analyze? Let's not even go there.

Overall, this was a solid follow-up to Actually I'm a Murderer. I am already hoping time moves quickly because I am eagerly awaiting the third installment, Actually, I'm a Gravedigger, which has already given me plenty of theories about what might be in store for Tony.

[Lynne Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to Sunderland 1973 ( the year I was born)and once again we meet Tony the struggling actor or as WPS James would describe him "the murder magnet", John Brown the assassin and Aline James the police officer all trying to solve the murder of the bomber who killed an innocent mother and child in a bombing that went wrong.
As before this book is littered with humour and real laugh out loud moments.
You really get the 1970's vibe throughout.

[Blake Grainger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just don't think this genre of crime is for me. I haven't enjoyed my multiple ventures into this subgenre and think this might be my last for a while.

The story was good but I just couldn't find myself being fully immersed and engaged with this book. It feels a little slow as it tries to make a real-life feel for the characters which some may enjoy, but I don't like slice of life stories.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Brian Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony, Alina and Mr Brown return in Terry Deary's sequel to 'Actually, I'm A Murderer'

We continue in 1973, with struggling actor Tony Davies returning to his hometown of Sunderland. As he leaves the station, the train porter checks the train is empty and finds the body of a woman on the train. Only two people got off the train, Tony and a mysterious woman with long black hair.

Alina has been promoted to Sergeant following her exploits the previous year, and is initially tasked with investigating the murder. That is until CID believe the body is linked to a recent bombing in York which killed three people.

John Brown is an assasin and a woman attempted to hire him to carry out the York bombing, which he refused but after the bombing was bungled he is being targetted by the terrorist organisation to silence him.

Meanwhile, Tony is rehearsing for a touring play with a group of fellow actors, when the producer of the play is found dead. Could this be linked to the body on the train, only Tony seems to be the common factor but Alina thinks there's more to this than meets the eye.

This is an enjoyable return to Sunderland with an interesting plot that forces our three returning characters reluctantly back together. The story is from each persons point of view, a chapter dedicated to their perspective, frequently of the same event. Which helps paint a clearer picture of some scenes.

I did find that whilst each character is more fleshed out in this book, the individual voices weren't noticeably different from each other. If it wasn't for the chapter title or location, the characters didn't have a uniqueness to them and they all sounded the same in my head.

The plot was good fun but I was disappointed with the solution which I found a little too easy. A couple of clues really make this crime obvious to solve, though the ride is enjoyable.

I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK Publishers for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.

Actually, I'm a Corpse is due to be published on June 11th 2026

[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

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually I’m a Corpse is the second of Terry Deary’s murder mysteries featuring the unlikely trio of a struggling actor, a police officer and an assassin. In this book, the three of them find themselves trying to solve the murder of someone who appeared to have been involved in planting a bomb that killed an innocent mother and child.
I love the three different POV characters in this book who each have their own very distinct personalities which shine through their view of things. The story takes place in 1973 at a time when bomb threats were all too common and women were definitely not seen as being equal to men. Terry Deary does a good job of conveying this period well especially with the derogatory comments made by her colleagues to and about Aline.
As with the previous book, the tone is darkly comic with a lot of the humour coming from poor Tony’s sheer bad luck at always being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I also liked the way that the characters moved on this book especially unexpectedly feeling sympathy for John Brown, the assassin. I loved the theatrical aspect of this story too and the way we saw the theatre group act out a true historical murder story.
The murder mystery itself was as complicated as anyone could wish with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. I have to say that part of the solution took me completely by surprise. I loved how all of the loose ends are sorted out at the end too and the epilogue completed the story nicely.
This was a fast paced mystery that I really enjoyed. Thsnk you to Net Galley and the publishers, Little Brown Book Group for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, period murder mystery from Deary.

Very much like the first, which I thoroughly enjoyed. A feel of Life on Mars to this, but it's also a three hander - a female police officer, a professional assassin and a self-obsessed actor somehow always caught up in cases share the narrative.

As murders take place. Simple premise, set up nicely for a TV series one thinks. All perspectives are fun, you like all three really. Mr Brown is a cold yet still likeable murderer - he has a mother in a care home, he has morals (won't kill a member of the Royal Family). That's where the problem starts actually.

Tony Davies gets off the train in Sunderland to head towards a short-term acting gig, and tries to scarper when he realises there's been a murder on the train - he can't be caught up in one of these again! Spotted by old acquaintance Alina James, now Police Sergeant, it's only a matter of time before paths cross more formally. Especially as the murder seems connected with a bomb meant for a visiting Royal dignitary (that mutual connection Mr Brown) refused to take part in.

Complications ensure, revelations, connections, leads, clues, dead ends, false trails and multiple suspects.

There's a great feel for the period (1973), with female officers carrying handbags and resized truncheons. There's a bit of mockery of local theatre. There's a subplot about nefarious goings on in a care home.

It was fun, again. Familiar characters (best to read this after the first) made this comfy and an easy read. It's jocular and pretty light, considering multiple murders.

An entertaining period murder story.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley.

Terry Deary is best known for his Horrible Histories books & is a very talented author. As a history lover, I've recently read his adult nonfiction books, A History of Britain in Ten Enemies & Revolting so when I saw Actually, I'm a Corpse on NetGalley I knew I had to request it. Unfortunately I do have a habit of not realising when books aren't the 1st in the series..... It didn't spoil it for me but it took me a little longer to get the relationship dynamics of the three main characters.

The story follows our three reluctant main characters as they try to find a bomber. John Brown, a professional assassin who was approached to plant a bomb in York but refused the job offer. Actor Tony Davies who seems to have the worst luck ever as not only is he one of the last few people on a train where a dead woman is found, he's also the 1st person to find another dead body. Newly promoted Sergeant Aline James, as a woman trying to compete in a man's world (or the police force of the 70s) she needs to work twice as hard to try & get ahead. If she can solve both murders before Scotland Yard, she hopes she can progress onto CID.

I really enjoyed this book, it is very well written & the alternating POVs keep you wanting more. I will be adding the 1st book, Actually, I'm a Murderer to my tbr.

[Steve Bewley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually I'm A Corpse by Terry Dreary


Rating : 4.5 ⭐

Format : eBook 💻

Released : 11th June 2026

Pages : 352

Duration : 5 days


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Returning to the world of a unlikely group of 'friends' an Assassin, a Police Sargent and a failing Actor as they investigate a train bombing as well as a new touring production in 1970's Sunderland.


Hapless Tony Davies has taken a role in touring production, Newly promoted Sargent Aline James is looking to make a name for herself and John Brown is, well, he's still assassinating those he is paid to do so.


As with the previous book this is a great fast moving romp of a investigation, full of great characters, lovelorn pairings and awkward humour. It does a great job of fleshing out Aline, Tony and Mr Brown and making them fuller characters.


I love these books and hope there is a 3rd (and 4th, 5th and maybe a 6th) book in this world yet to be released and Terry Dreary needs to be immortalised as a literary legend


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This is due to be released 11th of June, if this interests you then add it to you want to read list 


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Thank you to Netgalley & The Publisher for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own


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You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/


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[Acantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the first.

You do not need to have read the first one but equally, if you haven't and plan to, then read them in order. This book spoils the whole plot of the first within a chapter or two and reveals every little twist that happened across the course of the book. I don't need a recap of a murder mystery that tells me the killer, what is the point?

The story here is a fairly decent one although I am not sure how I feel about using the Troubles as an excuse to create a not funny, funny terrorist group looking for independence in the north of England.

Mr. Brown was very entertaining this time around, I really enjoyed these peeks into his life, his beliefs and his murders. Even a professional assassin has lines in the sand he will not cross and his mother was probably the best character in the book.

Tony is still a really annoying character and its frustrating that we spend so much time with him. His chapters are dull too, until right near the end, when all the plot lines start to come together. And the mystery is a stronger one too.

If we return to this world, I hope we move on in time. The amount of racist or sexist comments within the book wore thin quickly, as did the hand waving excuse of "it was 1973."

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[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

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

I was very excited when Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories, moved into crime fiction last year with Actually, I'm a Murderer, and now he's back with an equally good sequel.

As before, the plot is mainly based in the early 1970s. We continue to follow Tony, the struggling actor who has a habit of attracting dead bodies, Aline, the policewoman dealing with the sexism of the 1970s but beginning to progress through the ranks, and John Brown, professional assassin who we learn a little more about. Each chapter is told from alternating viewpoints, giving different perspectives on events.

The story moves quickly, and this book is really great fun to read. There is plenty of comedy, and it never gets too dark or grisly. The unlikely trio gradually piece together what's going on, and there is plenty to keep the reader guessing. I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend it if you don't want something too serious!

The story can be read fine as a standalone, but it does contain a few spoilers from the plot of the first book, so if you are planning to read both (and you should) then read that one first.

[Tex · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Actually, I’m A Corpse” (AIAC) is the second novel by British author Terry Deary (of Horrible Histories fame) and second in the “Actually Murder” series.

Set in Sunderland in 1973 AIAC main storyline focusses on tracking down a domestic terrorist responsible for a train station bombing, who may or may not have also murdered two other people.

Deary returns with another very cleverly plotted tale full of twists, turns, red herrings and comic relief. In many ways Deary’s humour makes AIAC more akin to a cosy mystery but one with a pretty dark underbelly.

The story is told from the three different perspectives of the recurring main characters (a contract killer, a female police officer, and an actor/writer). Deary does well to keep the story on track especially where the narrative intersects between the three and yet still provides all the clues needed to solve the “whodunnit” side of the story.

Deary’s writing also captures the feeling of the early 1970’s and sets the atmospheric tone and ideals, attitudes, and trends of the time perfectly.

Deary has once more delivered an entertaining murder mystery. A worthy second instalment to the series and one that has me looking forward to number three.

AIAC gets 3.5 smelly lumps of plastic explosives out of 5.

[Mrs Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Actually I'm a Murderer which I enjoyed reading so delighted to receive an ARC of the follow up novel. It was great to catch up with the lead characters. Tony Davies is still trying to make a living as an actor and has taken a part in a local community production alongside fellow actors who are soon to become suspects in two murders, However, this time professional assassin John Brown is an 'innocent' bystander and we are forced to feel sympathy for the situation we find him in.. Their sometime collaborator, sometimes adversary, Aline James is now a sergeant. With the story set at a time when women police officers were discriminated against and treated differently to their male counterparts, Deary manages to make the reader feel sympathy and admiration for her ability to pursue the truth despite her male colleagues attempts to side line her. The whole story is extremely well plotted and moves at fast pace a with humour and suspense in equal measure. I am eagerly awaiting the next episode!

[Helen French · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous murder mystery set in 1973 - and the second in a series, though my first experience (and while there were references to the first, I understood everything well enough without having read it).

I enjoyed this as it felt fresh compared to your average cosy crime - it was less cosy, more quirky, for a start. We follow three perspectives: Tony, your average guy who is just in the wrong place at the wrong time; Police Sargeant Aline James; and assassin (nb. not the bad guy as such, fyi) John Brown.

None of them are sweet and cuddly. Tony just wants to get on with his acting job, Aline's trying to fight crime and ignore the patriarchy, and John Brown mostly just wants to avenge his mother.

I enjoyed the historical-ish nature of it and the almost-relationships between the POV characters. It never fell into cliche or predictability. And I didn't laugh out loud, but I did make a lot of wry smiles as I read. Would definitely return for the next (and probably hunt out the first).

[Oundle Crime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better known as a children’s author, this is Deary’s second crime fiction book for adults. Set in 1973 in Sunderland, a train pulls into the station with a dead body on board. The area is on high alert because earlier in the day, a bomb had gone off in York’s Left-Luggage office, killing three people and the bomber was thought to have escaped on that train. There were no obviously suspicious passengers, apart from actor Tony Davies who is there to join a local theatre company. Police Sergeant Aline James knows Tony from before (from Deary's debut adult novel 'Actually, I'm a Murderer') and with his help, and that of the assassin John Brown, solves the case. In reviews this is described as a Cosy Mystery, and looked as if it was going to be funnier than it actually was. Light reading and rather forgettable. I don't think I'll be looking for any more of these.
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime

[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.

[Helen Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! A bit cosy crime and more than a little bit twee but with a great sense of humour and a biting wit. I loved the main characters, quirks and all. The astute observations of human character and nature was sublime and made me smile quite a lot! I’d love to run into them in true life and was fully invested and believed them to be real.
The storyline was pacy and ingenious and kept me on my toes, without my having to concentrate too much. The setting was both slightly historical (just before my time to be fair) and in a backdrop very familiar to me, Sunderland, so I appreciated and enjoyed all the local references.
I hadn’t read the previous book in the series but didn’t suffer for this, I’m definitely going to go back and read it now, however, as I can’t wait to read more. A definite recommend from me.

[Helen Arrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, I'm a Corpse by Terry Deary
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is book 2 in the Actually, I'm A Murderer series and I loved catching up with Aline, Tony, and Mr Brown. I have a soft spot for Mr Brown (the assassin! 😱😂)

It is a fun but sinister read. The story being told happened in the 70s and there's murder, misogyny, and mystery.

I am enjoying the character dynamics, and I'm hoping there'll be more books in the series.

I would definitely recommend reading Actually, I'm A Murderer first as it sets the basis of the relationship between the 3 MCs, (and it's another fun read!). Bits of the previous happenings are briefly explained so this could be read as a standalone but I think it's more fun to get the whole picture.

I received a gifted ARC of this book.
Thank you NetGalley and the Little Brown Book Group.
This is my honest review.

[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

[Matt Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not having read the first book to feature aspiring actor Tony Davies, and Police Sergeant Aline James, I was concerned that this would impact my understanding and enjoyment of this sequel. Not a bit of it. This was a very well written thriller set in 1973, investigating a couple of murders as well as a failed attempt against the Royal Family, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. It narrated the tale through different character's perspectives which done well, is a great way to explore the development of the story, and these different perspectives give a fresh flavour to the story. Whilst it initially felt a little slow in pace as the story and characters were established, this soon turned into a pacey story which kept me glued to the page.

[Ann Dewar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2nd instalment in the Actually I’m a Murderer series works perfectly well as a standalone novel, although I’m sure that character development is more obvious if you have read the first in the series (unlike me).

The narrative is provided via three protagonists: John Brown, an assassin for hire; woman police officer, Aline James and itinerant musician-come-actor-come-author, Tony Davis.

As you would expect from the author of the Horrible Histories series, there is lots of humour as well as an enjoyment of the period setting. Despite dealing with murder, terrorism and sectarianism this book falls easily within the cozy crime genre. A fun and enjoyable read.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony has returned to Sunderland to take up a job with a local touring theatre company but is almost immediately drawn into a murder. Aline has been promoted to sergeant but is still fighting the glass ceiling and a local would-be terrorist group. John is concerned that his mother is being treated badly in her care home. In a country scared by IRA threats, the three need to work together to stop Sunderland becoming the target.
This is the second book in a new series by Deary, an alternative to his history books. As with the first, there is lots to recommend it, not least a nicely imagined 1970s setting, some quirky characters and a complicated plot. For me it never really catches light but it's still very enjoyable.

[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.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, I’m a Corpse by Terry Deary is the second entry in the Actually series, though it’s not necessary to have read the first instalment to follow what’s going on.

Set in 1973, the novel centres on an unlikely trio of an actor, an assassin, and a policewoman as they hunt for a bomber, with a few murders thrown in for good measure.

Told through alternating points of view, each with a distinct voice, the plot moves quickly and the black humour is darkly entertaining. While an easy read, the mystery is compelling and layered enough to keep you guessing.

Worth a look.

With thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC.