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Death Comes Knocking: Policing Roy Grace's Brighton
Fans of Peter James and his bestselling Roy Grace series of crime novels know that his books draw on in-depth research into the lives of Brighton and Hove police and are set in a world every bit as gritty as the real thing. His friend Graham Bartlett was a long-serving detective in the city once described as Britain's "crime capital." Together they have written a gripping account of the city's most challenging cases, taking the reader from crime scenes and incident rooms to the morgue, and introducing some of the real-life detectives who inspired Peter James's characters. Whether it's the murder of a dodgy nightclub owner and his family in Sussex's worst non-terrorist mass murder or the race to find the abductor of a young girl, the authors skilfully evoke the dangerous inside story of policing, the personal toll it takes and the dedication of those who risk their lives to keep the public safe.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2017
33 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Graham Bartlett
5 books62 followersI am a best-selling author and crime and police procedural advisor to fiction and TV writers.
I was a police officer for thirty years and mainly policed the city of Brighton and Hove, rising to become a Chief Superintendent and its police commander. I started writing when I left the police in 2013 and, almost by accident, became a police procedural and crime advisor, helping scores of authors and TV writers (including Peter James, Mark Billingham, Elly Griffiths, Anthony Horowitz, Ruth Ware, Claire McGowan and Dorothy Koomson) achieve authenticity in their drama.
I run online crime writing workshops and courses with the Professional Writing Academy and deliver inputs to Masters programmes at the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia as well as at the Crime Writing Certificate programme at West Dean College.
I live in Sussex with my wife Julie and, variously, my 24yr old triplets!
My debut crime novel, Bad for Good is now on pre-sale on Amazon. It asks the question:
How far would you go?
"The murder of a promising footballer and, crucially, the son of the Brighton's Chief Superintendent, means Detective Superintendent Jo Howe has a complicated and sensitive case on her hands. The situation becomes yet more desperate following devastating blackmail threats.
Howe can trust no one as she tracks the brutal killer in a city balanced on a knife edge of vigilante action and a police force riven with corruption."
The next chapter in the Jo Howe series is published in 2023
Aside from my new fiction career, I have two non fictions to my name, both co-written with 2015 Crime Writer’s Association Diamond Dagger Award winner, Peter James.
The first, a Sunday Times bestseller, "Death Comes Knocking. Policing Roy Grace's Brighton," is an account of what it is like to police one of the UK’s most cosmopolitan cities, Brighton and Hove. With real stories, drawn from my 30 year career we link the events, incidents and investigations I describe into the fictional world created by Peter in his Roy Grace novels.
The second, "Babes in the Wood," is described as a gripping police procedural with an insight into the motivations of a truly evil man, in what became a thirty-two-year fight for justice.
"On 9 October 1986, nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway went out to play on their Brighton estate. They would never return home; their bodies discovered the next day concealed in a local park. This devastating crime rocked the country.
With unique access to the officers charged with catching the killer, former senior detective Graham Bartlett and bestselling author Peter James tell the compelling inside story of the investigation as the net tightens around local man Russell Bishop. The trial that follows is one of the most infamous in the history of Brighton policing – a shock result sees Bishop walk free.
Three years later, Graham is working in Brighton CID when a seven-year-old girl is abducted and left to die. She survives . . . and Bishop’s name comes up as a suspect. Is history repeating itself? Can the police put him away this time, and will he ever be made to answer for his past horrendous crimes?"
I was a police officer for thirty years and mainly policed the city of Brighton and Hove, rising to become a Chief Superintendent and its police commander. I started writing when I left the police in 2013 and, almost by accident, became a police procedural and crime advisor, helping scores of authors and TV writers (including Peter James, Mark Billingham, Elly Griffiths, Anthony Horowitz, Ruth Ware, Claire McGowan and Dorothy Koomson) achieve authenticity in their drama.
I run online crime writing workshops and courses with the Professional Writing Academy and deliver inputs to Masters programmes at the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia as well as at the Crime Writing Certificate programme at West Dean College.
I live in Sussex with my wife Julie and, variously, my 24yr old triplets!
My debut crime novel, Bad for Good is now on pre-sale on Amazon. It asks the question:
How far would you go?
"The murder of a promising footballer and, crucially, the son of the Brighton's Chief Superintendent, means Detective Superintendent Jo Howe has a complicated and sensitive case on her hands. The situation becomes yet more desperate following devastating blackmail threats.
Howe can trust no one as she tracks the brutal killer in a city balanced on a knife edge of vigilante action and a police force riven with corruption."
The next chapter in the Jo Howe series is published in 2023
Aside from my new fiction career, I have two non fictions to my name, both co-written with 2015 Crime Writer’s Association Diamond Dagger Award winner, Peter James.
The first, a Sunday Times bestseller, "Death Comes Knocking. Policing Roy Grace's Brighton," is an account of what it is like to police one of the UK’s most cosmopolitan cities, Brighton and Hove. With real stories, drawn from my 30 year career we link the events, incidents and investigations I describe into the fictional world created by Peter in his Roy Grace novels.
The second, "Babes in the Wood," is described as a gripping police procedural with an insight into the motivations of a truly evil man, in what became a thirty-two-year fight for justice.
"On 9 October 1986, nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway went out to play on their Brighton estate. They would never return home; their bodies discovered the next day concealed in a local park. This devastating crime rocked the country.
With unique access to the officers charged with catching the killer, former senior detective Graham Bartlett and bestselling author Peter James tell the compelling inside story of the investigation as the net tightens around local man Russell Bishop. The trial that follows is one of the most infamous in the history of Brighton policing – a shock result sees Bishop walk free.
Three years later, Graham is working in Brighton CID when a seven-year-old girl is abducted and left to die. She survives . . . and Bishop’s name comes up as a suspect. Is history repeating itself? Can the police put him away this time, and will he ever be made to answer for his past horrendous crimes?"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 24, 2019
The author draws upon his personal experiences during his thirty-year career that took him police cadet to Divisional Commander of the Brighton and Hove police force to show us every aspect of policing. His account gets very personal at times and often draws parallels between real cases and incidents and the stories and characters that we can read in the novels of prolific crime fiction writer, Peter James.
Graham Bartlett and his predecessor, Dave Gaylor, have advised Peter James on police procedures and authenticity. In fact, Mister James modelled his main protagonist, Roy Grace, on the career path of Dave Gaylor.
There are many anecdotes, revelations, insights and confessions in this book. When I say “confessions,” I am talking about mistakes that Graham and his colleagues made, especially early in their careers. Let’s face it, without mistakes, we would never learn and we would never improve. Life is cruel, and some of our errors will follow us to the grave thanks to the thoughtfulness of our closest friends and colleagues. There is one such instance in this book which particularly amused me. One of Graham’s colleagues missed a most obvious cause of death and was reminded of it by the Chief Constable on the occasion of his dining out from the force many years later. You’ll have to read the book to find out about that one.
Graham also reveals much about his family, which tells us how he was inspired by previous generations to become a police officer in the first place. His emotions come to the fore as he describes the torment that he and his wife went through as they strove to produce a family. Their eventual success is very emotional. A career in and service puts huge strains on family life and Graham’s strong love shines for his wife and children shines through his account of all that goes on around him in his job.
There were many aspects of policing which resonated with me and my own career in the Army. I could understand what he was going through, especially the need for black humour to take one through dark episodes.
The chapter which lends itself to the title of the book describes what the author believes to be probably the most difficult situation for any police officer: informing a family of the death of one of their nearest and dearest and the many ways in which that news is received. It is awful. Graham describes it so well that it is impossible for the reader to escape from the emotion of that moment.
The only reason that I awarded this book four stars rather than five, is that, for me, there were far too many references to Peter James’s books, comparing real police incidents to “… just as in by Peter James.” Sometimes, I had to read back to figure out whether I was in James’s land of fiction or in Bartlett’s world of reality. As I haven’t read any of James’s books, I found this to be a bit irritating and distracting. However, if did have the desired effect of making me want to read some of those stories.
On the other hand, those who are very familiar with Roy Grace’s fictional cases may find their reading experience enhanced by all the links to real policing experiences around Brighton and Hove.
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of crime fiction and non-fiction.
Graham Bartlett and his predecessor, Dave Gaylor, have advised Peter James on police procedures and authenticity. In fact, Mister James modelled his main protagonist, Roy Grace, on the career path of Dave Gaylor.
There are many anecdotes, revelations, insights and confessions in this book. When I say “confessions,” I am talking about mistakes that Graham and his colleagues made, especially early in their careers. Let’s face it, without mistakes, we would never learn and we would never improve. Life is cruel, and some of our errors will follow us to the grave thanks to the thoughtfulness of our closest friends and colleagues. There is one such instance in this book which particularly amused me. One of Graham’s colleagues missed a most obvious cause of death and was reminded of it by the Chief Constable on the occasion of his dining out from the force many years later. You’ll have to read the book to find out about that one.
Graham also reveals much about his family, which tells us how he was inspired by previous generations to become a police officer in the first place. His emotions come to the fore as he describes the torment that he and his wife went through as they strove to produce a family. Their eventual success is very emotional. A career in and service puts huge strains on family life and Graham’s strong love shines for his wife and children shines through his account of all that goes on around him in his job.
There were many aspects of policing which resonated with me and my own career in the Army. I could understand what he was going through, especially the need for black humour to take one through dark episodes.
The chapter which lends itself to the title of the book describes what the author believes to be probably the most difficult situation for any police officer: informing a family of the death of one of their nearest and dearest and the many ways in which that news is received. It is awful. Graham describes it so well that it is impossible for the reader to escape from the emotion of that moment.
The only reason that I awarded this book four stars rather than five, is that, for me, there were far too many references to Peter James’s books, comparing real police incidents to “… just as in by Peter James.” Sometimes, I had to read back to figure out whether I was in James’s land of fiction or in Bartlett’s world of reality. As I haven’t read any of James’s books, I found this to be a bit irritating and distracting. However, if did have the desired effect of making me want to read some of those stories.
On the other hand, those who are very familiar with Roy Grace’s fictional cases may find their reading experience enhanced by all the links to real policing experiences around Brighton and Hove.
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of crime fiction and non-fiction.
July 7, 2016
Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.
This book was an interesting one, because it dips in between fiction and non-fiction, although it’s a non-fiction book overall. Graham Bartlett used to be Brighton’s top cop, and he’s uniquely served as every rank in the Brighton and Hove police force; Peter James, meanwhile, is a successful crime writer, best known for his Roy Grace series of novels.
What’s interesting about this book is that Bartlett uses his in-depth knowledge of policing to tell you the stories of some of the real crimes that took place in Brighton whilst he was serving as a policeman. He also references some of James’ books, although I hadn’t read any of the books that he referred to; that said, I’ve only recently read my first Peter James novel, and it was a new release and so I’m guessing that the source material just wasn’t available when Bartlett was working on the manuscript.
Despite the fact that I didn’t really understand many of the references to James’ body of work, I really enjoyed reading the book – in fact, I’d rather read another non-fiction book by Bartlett than one of James’ Roy Grace books, although it’s a close call. What I liked in particular about this was that you got a schooling in the way that the police force works, and the way that they approach different crimes. Bartlett also used plenty of gallows humour, something that the force is famed for, and that helped to keep me entertained throughout it.
Overall then, if you have an interest in either true crime or in the Roy Grace series, this is the book for you. And even if you have an interest in just one of them, you’re going to enjoy it.
This book was an interesting one, because it dips in between fiction and non-fiction, although it’s a non-fiction book overall. Graham Bartlett used to be Brighton’s top cop, and he’s uniquely served as every rank in the Brighton and Hove police force; Peter James, meanwhile, is a successful crime writer, best known for his Roy Grace series of novels.
What’s interesting about this book is that Bartlett uses his in-depth knowledge of policing to tell you the stories of some of the real crimes that took place in Brighton whilst he was serving as a policeman. He also references some of James’ books, although I hadn’t read any of the books that he referred to; that said, I’ve only recently read my first Peter James novel, and it was a new release and so I’m guessing that the source material just wasn’t available when Bartlett was working on the manuscript.
Despite the fact that I didn’t really understand many of the references to James’ body of work, I really enjoyed reading the book – in fact, I’d rather read another non-fiction book by Bartlett than one of James’ Roy Grace books, although it’s a close call. What I liked in particular about this was that you got a schooling in the way that the police force works, and the way that they approach different crimes. Bartlett also used plenty of gallows humour, something that the force is famed for, and that helped to keep me entertained throughout it.
Overall then, if you have an interest in either true crime or in the Roy Grace series, this is the book for you. And even if you have an interest in just one of them, you’re going to enjoy it.
March 2, 2018
As an avid reader of Peter Jame's Roy Grace series, this was the perfect companion piece exploring the real life stories that Bartlett experienced whilst serving as a detective for Brighton and Hove police.
This book is a fascinating insight to some of the events that inspired some of James stories.
As it's littered with examples to the Grace stories this book is ideal aimed at those that have read the series (as it also reveals lots of spoilers).
The book tackles every aspect of policing, from murder enquirers to football crowd control.
I found it to be a fascinating read.
This book is a fascinating insight to some of the events that inspired some of James stories.
As it's littered with examples to the Grace stories this book is ideal aimed at those that have read the series (as it also reveals lots of spoilers).
The book tackles every aspect of policing, from murder enquirers to football crowd control.
I found it to be a fascinating read.
September 9, 2016
Brighton always seems like such a quiet place, somewhere to visit the sea with the family and enjoy the atmosphere, after all Brita have been doing that for years. Thought so too then I read Brighton rock, and death comes knocking just confirms my beliefs.
Seems to be a lot of crooks, some devious, some clever and some as thick as two short planks.
Interesting to read about one man's career through the ranks.
Seems to be a lot of crooks, some devious, some clever and some as thick as two short planks.
Interesting to read about one man's career through the ranks.
August 21, 2016
I really enjoyed reading Grahams book, you don't realise how hard the police force works. and the danger they are sometimes in, till you read the true facts, l have a nephew that was a police inspector and was stationed at West Sussex, who has now retired after doing 30yrs, he was also in a couple of Peter James books.
July 20, 2018
A must read for all Peter James fans, those interested in crime and the world of policing in general and of course, local residents of Brighton and Hove. Ex Brighton Police commander and consultant to the best-selling author team up with this collection of experiences on the Sussex beat, interspersed with policy and procedure examples from the Roy Grace series of books, set in the city.
In the book, we go undercover in the seedy world of the many different examples of crime that affects the South Coast of Britain. Whether it be murder, child abuse, theft, forgery or fraud, Brighton is a unique dichotomy of a small place that falls victim of all the sort of crime you would expect of a much larger cosmopolitan location. The retired copper and his author friend express candour, humour and honesty throughout these fascinating and intriguing cases.
For those of you unfamiliar. the Roy Grace series is just brilliant. Heavily researched and intriguing in its attention to detail when it comes to day to day procedure, I was surprised at how fascinating and surprising I found it all. The author achieves this by utilizing hardbolied noir and bonkbuster techniques in his writing to keep you hooked. The characters he has created are well crafted and sympathetic, which makes you really want to get to know them. To the point where you just cant put the book down. The book's read like film scripts sometimes, something the author knows a lot about, which makes it such easy and entertaining reading, full of plot twists turns and cliff hangers. Try the series but start at the beginning, just because not only are they great stand alone stories, but the magic is in the back story, the adventure and the intrigue. Highly recommended.
In the book, we go undercover in the seedy world of the many different examples of crime that affects the South Coast of Britain. Whether it be murder, child abuse, theft, forgery or fraud, Brighton is a unique dichotomy of a small place that falls victim of all the sort of crime you would expect of a much larger cosmopolitan location. The retired copper and his author friend express candour, humour and honesty throughout these fascinating and intriguing cases.
For those of you unfamiliar. the Roy Grace series is just brilliant. Heavily researched and intriguing in its attention to detail when it comes to day to day procedure, I was surprised at how fascinating and surprising I found it all. The author achieves this by utilizing hardbolied noir and bonkbuster techniques in his writing to keep you hooked. The characters he has created are well crafted and sympathetic, which makes you really want to get to know them. To the point where you just cant put the book down. The book's read like film scripts sometimes, something the author knows a lot about, which makes it such easy and entertaining reading, full of plot twists turns and cliff hangers. Try the series but start at the beginning, just because not only are they great stand alone stories, but the magic is in the back story, the adventure and the intrigue. Highly recommended.
Read
September 1, 2016I seem to be enjoying quite a bit of non-fiction at the minute and this is another that joins the ranks of interesting factual reads.
Graeme Bartlett was a high-ranking officer in Brighton and Hove and recently retired, but during his service, he became friends with Peter James. This is an account of the interesting jobs he came across during his career. Written with Peter James, they have linked the real life stories of Roy Grace’s career, linking books up with locations or types of cases mentioned.
The mixture of cases in the book holds something of interest for everyone, from fraud to murder, drug problem changes and public order policing. What I particularly enjoyed about it though was how Graham interspersed his own real life through the pages. As his career progressed, we learned how his home life was progressing, including some very difficult personal moments that I thought was incredibly brave of him to share.
In this book you will learn about real-life policing, the fantastic camaraderie, interesting real-life cases including photographs and if you’re a Peter James fan you’ll enjoy linking the real places with the fictional stories, and you’ll learn about the man behind the stories as there is a character in the James’ books based on Graham Bartlett.
I enjoyed this so much I became a bit melancholy about my old job, but as I tweeted Graham and told him this, he reminded me I was wearing my rose-tinted glasses. It’s always easy to think fondly of the past, but policing in today’s climate when the cuts are digging deep and morale is low, is a hard job to do. I loved it while I was there, but I love what I do now. Read this and get a real insight to policing.
Graeme Bartlett was a high-ranking officer in Brighton and Hove and recently retired, but during his service, he became friends with Peter James. This is an account of the interesting jobs he came across during his career. Written with Peter James, they have linked the real life stories of Roy Grace’s career, linking books up with locations or types of cases mentioned.
The mixture of cases in the book holds something of interest for everyone, from fraud to murder, drug problem changes and public order policing. What I particularly enjoyed about it though was how Graham interspersed his own real life through the pages. As his career progressed, we learned how his home life was progressing, including some very difficult personal moments that I thought was incredibly brave of him to share.
In this book you will learn about real-life policing, the fantastic camaraderie, interesting real-life cases including photographs and if you’re a Peter James fan you’ll enjoy linking the real places with the fictional stories, and you’ll learn about the man behind the stories as there is a character in the James’ books based on Graham Bartlett.
I enjoyed this so much I became a bit melancholy about my old job, but as I tweeted Graham and told him this, he reminded me I was wearing my rose-tinted glasses. It’s always easy to think fondly of the past, but policing in today’s climate when the cuts are digging deep and morale is low, is a hard job to do. I loved it while I was there, but I love what I do now. Read this and get a real insight to policing.
September 7, 2018
Graham Bartlett is the former Police Commander of Brighton & Hove and has provided technical and research assistance to Peter James for many of his DS Grace crime novels. After Bartlett retired, James repaid the favour by shepherding Bartlett’s memoir - inelegantly subtitled ‘Policing Roy Grace’s Brighton’ - into print.
In a stylistic gimmick that wears thin within 25 pages let alone the 298 that the volume comprises, Bartlett incessantly correlates every case he discusses with an incident in one of James’s novels. Obviously, the Peter James connection was the reason Bartlett got a book deal in the first place, but this device must surely have cost him a readership outside of the existing Peter James fan base, not to mention the amount of spoilers Bartlett casually throws out to the detriment of any Peter James fan who might not have read the entire Grace series.
Just as perplexing is how Bartlett can write almost affectionately about a man who killed his entire family, even-handedly about football hooligans, ruefully about corrupt fellow officers, and yet turn into a frothing-at-the-mouth gammon when he discusses activists and protestors.
There’s some interesting background here, but this is a long way off, say, Clive Driscoll’s clear-sighted policing memoir. Driscoll was that rarest of things: a genuinely decent copper. Bartlett comes off as little more than a prissy, self-righteous careerist.
In a stylistic gimmick that wears thin within 25 pages let alone the 298 that the volume comprises, Bartlett incessantly correlates every case he discusses with an incident in one of James’s novels. Obviously, the Peter James connection was the reason Bartlett got a book deal in the first place, but this device must surely have cost him a readership outside of the existing Peter James fan base, not to mention the amount of spoilers Bartlett casually throws out to the detriment of any Peter James fan who might not have read the entire Grace series.
Just as perplexing is how Bartlett can write almost affectionately about a man who killed his entire family, even-handedly about football hooligans, ruefully about corrupt fellow officers, and yet turn into a frothing-at-the-mouth gammon when he discusses activists and protestors.
There’s some interesting background here, but this is a long way off, say, Clive Driscoll’s clear-sighted policing memoir. Driscoll was that rarest of things: a genuinely decent copper. Bartlett comes off as little more than a prissy, self-righteous careerist.
December 28, 2016
I loved learning somethings about Brighton Crime that I never knew and having grown up in the area could easily visualize all the locations. I just found the book a little wishy washy sometimes it seamed to drift in and out of the story sometimes. The references to the Peter James books were totally annoying as even if you had read those books it was hard to remember that exact plot.
I will always have great admiration for the Police force and always wanted to be a copper but in my time there was a height restriction so for that side of things it was great to get an insight into the mechanics of the Sussex Police Force.
I will always have great admiration for the Police force and always wanted to be a copper but in my time there was a height restriction so for that side of things it was great to get an insight into the mechanics of the Sussex Police Force.
January 12, 2017
A good book however you need to ensure you have read all of previous peter james books (1-12) as there are a lot of references and can spoil it if you have not read them (which was in my case true :( ). However there were still lots of other stories which were good and overall a good read and interesting.
March 18, 2023
Intriguing and consistently interesting (author’s usual). Clean and well written. Almost an autobiography of PJ and GB - it’s brought policing to the forefront which provides the public with a sturdy fence against the “others.” I hope the author(s) continue their efforts in entertaining and informing the readers.
August 8, 2016
A good read and insight into the seedy parts of Brighton.
September 23, 2024
Not really worth it, unless you know the fictional series to which it keeps on referring.
November 1, 2018
I bought this book at the Theakston’s Crime Festival in Harrogate a couple of years ago and have just got round to reading it now. When I bought the book I hadn’t read any of Peter James’s Roy Grace novels and I resolved to read Death Comes Knocking when I had read some of the Grace stories. Having just finished my 12th Roy Grace novel, however, I figured that now was a good time to read an account of what it’s like to police Roy Grace’s Brighton.
Former detective Graham Bartlett has done a great job writing this book with Peter James. You really get a sense of what policing a modern city is like and also an insight into the characters - both police and cons - involved in crime. I was struck by how similar this factual account of policing is with Peter James’s fictional depictions. That’s not surprising as the Grace books are meticulously researched and James is very lucky to have people like Graham Bartlett to keep him on the straight and narrow coppering-wise.
Bartlett’s is an honest and often self-effacing account of his time as a Brighton cop and he reveals a fair bit of personal stuff about himself and his family along the way. I enjoyed his descriptions and his revelations and there’s no doubt that he and James make the perfect partner’s in crime.
I highly recommend this book.
Former detective Graham Bartlett has done a great job writing this book with Peter James. You really get a sense of what policing a modern city is like and also an insight into the characters - both police and cons - involved in crime. I was struck by how similar this factual account of policing is with Peter James’s fictional depictions. That’s not surprising as the Grace books are meticulously researched and James is very lucky to have people like Graham Bartlett to keep him on the straight and narrow coppering-wise.
Bartlett’s is an honest and often self-effacing account of his time as a Brighton cop and he reveals a fair bit of personal stuff about himself and his family along the way. I enjoyed his descriptions and his revelations and there’s no doubt that he and James make the perfect partner’s in crime.
I highly recommend this book.
November 24, 2018
I must say, I have loved this book. I’m not a fan of non -fiction normally, and I must admit to not reading Peter James’ Grace novels(I know, booo) , but after attending Mr Bartlett’s crime fiction masterclass, I’ve decided to buy the book. I am so glad I did.
I give it four stars as I’ve mentioned not preferring non-fiction, plus lack of knowledge to the Grace novels references(a fact I am now going to rectify), also a detached , non fiction characterisations (I prefer those romantic, dramatic characterisations), but boy did I enjoy and admire Mr Bartlett’s story.
A love for policing, desire to help and to serve the community he so loves is commendable and inspiring. His rise from a constable to the Chief Superintendent through hard work and love of his profession is endearing. The projects to help addicts and to communicate and reason, rather than force and intimidate is very admirable and something I think highly of.
I have laughed at the anecdotes, cried at the sad experiences of witnessing the darkest moments with some families and I’ve finished the book wanting to read more.
Highly recommended and quite useful if you want an inside scoop on policing for writing fiction, too.
I give it four stars as I’ve mentioned not preferring non-fiction, plus lack of knowledge to the Grace novels references(a fact I am now going to rectify), also a detached , non fiction characterisations (I prefer those romantic, dramatic characterisations), but boy did I enjoy and admire Mr Bartlett’s story.
A love for policing, desire to help and to serve the community he so loves is commendable and inspiring. His rise from a constable to the Chief Superintendent through hard work and love of his profession is endearing. The projects to help addicts and to communicate and reason, rather than force and intimidate is very admirable and something I think highly of.
I have laughed at the anecdotes, cried at the sad experiences of witnessing the darkest moments with some families and I’ve finished the book wanting to read more.
Highly recommended and quite useful if you want an inside scoop on policing for writing fiction, too.
July 10, 2018
ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book!
If you want to find out about true crime in Brighton, whether that is stories about bank robberies, murders, stalking cases or football hooligans, this is the book to read!
Graham Bartlett gives a fascinating insight into the challenges of the Brighton police by picking out some of the most interesting stories of his 30 year career, climbing all ranks possible. He provides an intimate insight into his life, detailing the struggles of being in such a highly demanding job while raising a family at the same time.
This book has easy to digest chapters, which had the effect of "oh, I'm just gonna read one more page..." to me. You just can't put it down. On several occasions it made me go to Google to read more about the cases he talks about. I really hope there will be a second book, simply because I want to read about more Brighton Crime cases.
Highly recommended for anyone from Brighton, living in and around Brighton, having an interest in true crime AND anybody else!
If you want to find out about true crime in Brighton, whether that is stories about bank robberies, murders, stalking cases or football hooligans, this is the book to read!
Graham Bartlett gives a fascinating insight into the challenges of the Brighton police by picking out some of the most interesting stories of his 30 year career, climbing all ranks possible. He provides an intimate insight into his life, detailing the struggles of being in such a highly demanding job while raising a family at the same time.
This book has easy to digest chapters, which had the effect of "oh, I'm just gonna read one more page..." to me. You just can't put it down. On several occasions it made me go to Google to read more about the cases he talks about. I really hope there will be a second book, simply because I want to read about more Brighton Crime cases.
Highly recommended for anyone from Brighton, living in and around Brighton, having an interest in true crime AND anybody else!
January 20, 2020
Very readable
It seems odd to say that I enjoyed this book given that it is about situations where people have been the victims of crime and some have suffered terribly as a consequence but it is told in a reassuring and factual manner without sensationalism or self aggrandisement. It illustrates the determination of the Police to see justice done wherever possible, but doesn’t pretend that mistakes never happen, nor does it shy from observing that in the police, line all walks of life, there are occasional bad apples, the few who tarnish the image of the many brave people who put on the uniform of the constabulary.
To reach the high rank which he did, Graham Bartlett must have had a core of steel about him but in this account appears to have retained his humanity throughout and tells the stories of criminals and victims alike with a hefty dose of self deprecating humour and likeability.
It seems odd to say that I enjoyed this book given that it is about situations where people have been the victims of crime and some have suffered terribly as a consequence but it is told in a reassuring and factual manner without sensationalism or self aggrandisement. It illustrates the determination of the Police to see justice done wherever possible, but doesn’t pretend that mistakes never happen, nor does it shy from observing that in the police, line all walks of life, there are occasional bad apples, the few who tarnish the image of the many brave people who put on the uniform of the constabulary.
To reach the high rank which he did, Graham Bartlett must have had a core of steel about him but in this account appears to have retained his humanity throughout and tells the stories of criminals and victims alike with a hefty dose of self deprecating humour and likeability.
June 3, 2021
I haven't yet read any of Peter James's Roy Grace series- set around Brighton and East Sussex. I will do now. James's books draw on in-depth research into the lives of Brighton and Hove police. His friend Graham Bartlett was a long-serving detective in the city once described as Britain's 'crime capital'. Together, in Death Comes Knocking, they have written a gripping account of the city's most challenging cases. I really enjoyed these real life vignettes of the crime world in and around Brighton, as told by Graham Bartlett- especially fascinated with the chapter on Brighton and Hove Football Club and the policing involved on match days. Looking forward to making my way through the fictional series now.
January 9, 2020
I listened to this as an audio book and really enjoyed it. Graham's life as a top cop in Brighton and the surrounding area gives him a fund of interesting, often funny, sometimes sad, and sometimes scary experiences that he shares in this book co-written with thriller writer Peter James. Graham was also Peter James' advisor on the Inspector Grace series of books, with many of Peter's plots being directly referenced to Graham's real-life cases. I found it a fascinating insight into the policing of what was, at one time, one of the crime capitals of the UK, and a place where I visited wider family members during the time that Graham was writing about. Highly recommended!
May 24, 2021
I thought this was a great memoir from an officer who has worked at almost every level of the police force in England. Now, as a retired Chief Superintendent, he recalls some of his more interesting cases. I was moved by some of his accounts such as the chapter named after the book's title, about when the police must tell a relative of their loved one's death. I found it shocking that the author was in a horrendous car accident that nearly ended everything. Good writing, good stories. He points out correlations between his cases and the fictional character Roy Grace's cases, which added an interesting dimension to the book.
January 30, 2018
I love the Peter James books and I saw this book and thought how interesting it would be to read alongside the series of Roy Grace novels. It really was a thoroughly entertaining and also sobering read, detailing the inside track of many police actions and investigations and the showed the human and intelligent side of policing that is more frequently required today. This is an excellent read and one that I will recommend to family and friends.
May 12, 2025
44 for 2025 rated 4🌟
Graham Bartlett was Brighton and Hove’s Chief Superintendent and helped Peter James with all his police facts.
Graham tell stories of crimes committed in his 30 yrs serves and the criminals who committed them.
Interesting tales, funny, sad and some stupid people thinking they can get away with things.
If you like detective crime books, you’ll appreciate how policing is really done.
Graham Bartlett was Brighton and Hove’s Chief Superintendent and helped Peter James with all his police facts.
Graham tell stories of crimes committed in his 30 yrs serves and the criminals who committed them.
Interesting tales, funny, sad and some stupid people thinking they can get away with things.
If you like detective crime books, you’ll appreciate how policing is really done.
June 24, 2020
I will confess that I have never read a book by Peter James (I will after reading this), I was more interested in the true crime tales in my home town of Brighton.
And this enjoyable account of a man who rose through the ranks and policed the streets of East Sussex gave a real insight into his world.
And this enjoyable account of a man who rose through the ranks and policed the streets of East Sussex gave a real insight into his world.
October 6, 2019
I give this book 3.5 stars. Makes interesting reading especially if you read Peter James books, though you don’t have to have read them to read this book. I found it interesting because I live kinda near to Brighton.
September 12, 2020
A great book of real cases and how they've been used to inform fiction. Includes a real mix of cop humour and the tragedies involved with police work, crime, and the effects this can have on those associated.
February 22, 2018
Absolutely brilliant book about the police service in Brighton, tackling everything from murders to student protests. Devoured this book in 3 days and couldn't wait to get back to it.
January 21, 2019
Funny, sad, shocking. A fascinating insight into policing Brighton and Hove.
January 28, 2019
I'm a big Roy Grace fan and was looking forward to reading this. Graham Bartlett gives us a fascinating insight into policing Brighton, each story is so interesting and some are very shocking!
May 9, 2019
This book was a really interesting insight into what it's like to be in the police. It had me both shaking my head in disbelief and frustration, and laughing till I cried.
August 16, 2020
a fascinating book with excellent photos ~ a marvelous collaboration
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