An Accidental Death

DC Smith #1

by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson (Narrator)

The story opens with the apparently accidental drowning of a sixth form student in the Norfolk countryside. As a matter of routine, or so it seems, the case passes across the desk of Detective Sergeant Smith, recently returned to work after an internal investigation into another case that has led to tensions between officers at Kings Lake police headquarters. As an ex DCI, Smith could have retired by now, and it is clear that some of his superiors wish that he would do so. The latest trainee detective to work with him is the son of a member of his former team, and together they begin to unravel the truth about what happened to Wayne Fletcher. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that others are involved-some seem determined to prevent it, some seem to be taking too much interest. In the end Smith operates alone, having stepped too far outside standard procedures to ask for support. He knows that his own life might be at risk but he has not calculated on the life of his young assistant also being put in danger.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime, Procedural, Detective, Mystery Thriller

Audio CD

First published October 3, 2013

About the author

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

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So once again I'm asking myself....how have I missed this series?! Instead of being fashionably late to the party, apparently I've shown up after everyone ate, drank, danced, got arrested & made bail.

This is a wonderful read, a straight up procedural full of well developed characters that grow on you with each passing page. The MC is D.C. Smith, a seasoned detective in Kings Lake, Norfolk. He's a widower who can't imagine not being on the job despite some not so subtle hints to retire. After a recent department scandal, he's handed low level cases....like signing off on the accidental drowning of a local teen.

I won't get into the investigation. Obviously there's more there than meets the eye or we wouldn't have a story. 'Nuff to say it's well plotted with some interesting historical ties. What makes this so readable is the cast. Smith is an engaging character. He's deceptively low key, a smart mild mannered guy who misses nothing. Instead of the usual personal demons ubiquitous in the genre, his only baggage is a quiet grief following the recent loss of his beloved wife. But it's his dry sense of humour that elevates the story & makes dialogue sparkle. Other characters of note include Smith's superior officer DCI Reeve & DC Waters, a shiny new recruit with much to learn.

This is a good example of all you need for a compelling read. No flash, no OTT drama....just well developed characters & great story telling. There's already a squillion reviews for this little gem so I'll end by saying if you're a fan of police procedurals, don't be a Sandy-come-lately. Read it.

4.5 stars

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect to like this British police procedural and its characters so much. I honestly checked the publishing date more than once
because it felt like it was so well-crafted and I could not believe it was a newer author. The character DC Smith is not at all the stereotypical hard-beaten detective. The murder (or is it?) is not gruesome and the language is clean and yet for all that it doesn't feel like some light cozy mystery at all but rather a real story about real people in a real place. For a February diversion, this was the perfect book for me and I will be listening to the next one in the series narrated by Gildart Jackson whose voice is everything a British narrator's voice should be.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this straight forward police procedural concerning an older DS the brass wants to retire and his brand new DC. When DS Smith is asked to sign off on an accidental drowning death he finds inconsistencies.
The two make for an interesting team - opposite ends of the age spectrum but they immediately work well together. They end up each learning something from the other.
I love that there wasn’t anything flashy to this story. It was believable and moved throughout at an easy pace. Well developed characters and an in depth resolution.
I will definitely be seeking out the following books in the series.
Gildart Jackson did a perfect job with the narration.

[Diane Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just discovered Mr Grainger's - DC Smith series and if this first one is any indication then I am off and running on another series marathon. DC Smith is a fascinating, endearing character with hidden depths some of which we are shown in full and some which are merely hinted at. He is real and believable with a poignant history and the hint of mischief and subversiveness about him that will be loved by fans of David Jason's - Frost.

This first story is much deeper (sorry) than it first appears and had me gripped from the very start to the extremely satisfying ending. There isn't a lot of blood and gore, the language never strays into the offensive tirades that have become all too common in crime books these days and all in all it is, for me in the same league as Morse and Lyndley et al and that's a jolly good league to be in I think.

Loved this and am looking forward to the next one, thrilled that I have more to go after that.

[TBV (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teenagers, alcohol, drugs, water, swimming…. It was tragic, but not surprising that a young life was lost. The reader knows from the outset that Wayne Fletcher had drowned. Detective Sergeant Smith (‘DC’ to all his colleagues) is asked to read through the paperwork and sign off what is deemed to be an accidental death. DC soon finds cause to dig a little deeper, and he is very ably assisted by a rookie for whom this is a first case. They are very well matched, as DC is of the old school, very experienced and not far from retirement. He is a dinosaur when it comes to modern technologies, but young Chris Waters is fully conversant with internet searches, maps and mobile phones.

An Accidental Death focuses on the characters, particularly the two mentioned above. There are no gruesome details, and the novel is more about the why and wherefore of the drowning. I enjoyed the wry humour, the puns and allusions. This is the first novel of the series, but apparently there are nine books in the series. I don’t read much in this genre these days, but having read a dozen non-fiction books in a row my brain’s batteries were flat. This was a nice lazy read and perfect for recharging those batteries.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Grainger’s An Accidental Death was an accidental discovery, and what a hidden gem! I’d not read anything by this author until I found this lovely police procedural, and now I will definitely be looking to continue the series.

DC Smith is a nearly 30-year veteran of the Kings Lake police force. He’s a recent widower, so rather than retiring, as some of his superiors no doubt would prefer, Smith keeps on truckin’. When a teenager’s body is found in the river after a gathering of his peers for a day of fun and drinking, the case is nearly closed as an open-and-shut case of accidental drowning. But Smith is assigned to have another look; since he is a seasoned pro, a detective-in-training, Chris Waters, is assigned to be his assistant.

DC, as most call him, finds Waters to be a quick study, and he is also surprised to learn that the young man can also teach an old dog new tricks. They make an amazingly good team right off the bat. Not surprising is that Smith has excellent instincts, and as he asks questions and makes observations, bits and pieces emerge that tell him something’s off. I loved seeing Smith’s character unfold. He’s smart, eagle-eyed, sharp-witted, and an experienced investigator. He’s also a creature of habit. Once Chris is on board, we also learn a few personal tidbits about Smith. My very most favorite scene in the entire book starts at 98% after the case has been solved. It’s just a very special look at our detective.

Chris shows great promise as well. Since this was my first venture into this series, I can only hope that he appears in future books. Their boss this time around is DCI Alison Reeve, who like many middle managers, seems to walk a fine line between the higher-ups and the troops. Reeve (don’t call me Ma’am) and DC seem to have a good working relationship, and I don’t think he ever feared for his backside when discussing the case with her.

What seems like a no-brainer of a case becomes quite complex, and Smith, with the competent aid of Waters, does a fine job of making educated guesses and conclusions. There is much more afoot than meets the eye, and at times, I had trouble sorting it all out. But it tidies up nicely.

I’m happy to have found a detective of my generation to root for, and I will be looking for more books in this series soon.

4 stars

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

4-Stars - "I Really Liked It"
Ahhh... reading #1 was an eye-opener and properly established, for me, the main characters with whom I became acquainted in #3 "Luck & Judgement"

[Ms.pegasus · Rating 4 out of 5]

AN ACCIDENTAL DEATH; A D.C. Smith Investigation, Peter Grainger

This mystery opens with a witness statement. The statement is dry and measured. It is a contradiction of the true feelings of Melanie Carter, a student at St. Martin's Comprehensive, describing the events prior to the drowning of fellow student Wayne Fletcher. Nevertheless, its an accidental death, an open-and-shut case, right?

The officer assigned to close-out the case is D.C. Smith, and no – the “D.C.” is not the elevated rank of "detective chief inspector" – It's simply his initials! (Smith was demoted from detective chief inspector to detective sergeant due to a bungled investigation for which he was the "fall guy."). Detective Superintendent Allen, a much younger man, would love to see this insistently inquisitive veteran retire, and drops broad hints about the allure of fishing and golf. The quick witted Smith responds jauntily: “Hopefully there are a few more miles left in the tank.” (p.2) Allen silently groans, proof that Smith's reply has hit the bullseye.

Smith is an unusual detective. He delves deeply into the powerful emotional contradictions that coalesce into a superficial assessment of “motivation.” As an interrogator he has a canny ability to gain trust. Trust can lead to someone saying much more than they had originally intended.

Coinciding with his return to duty, Smith is assigned a trainee, Detective Constable Christopher Waters. Waters is clever, energetic and enthusiastic: “...Smith could see that if Waters was on a lead, he'd be pulling at it now, eager to get into the field – that always needed careful watching. Something to sober him up just a little, then.” (p.22) The sobering task he assigns Waters is to view the videotape of the recovery of the body, striking home the awfulness of a life cut short at such a young age, as well as the weed-choked shore of the recovery site.

Smith knows enough to be alert as well to the machinations of the police hierarchy. His supervisor, Detective Inspector Reeves, conducts a balancing act between political necessity and scrupulous investigation. Why has she assigned this apparent non-mystery to him when the department's mantra is cost-cutting and time management? Why do certain remote figures in the upper echelons suddenly seem interested in Smith's evolving investigation?

Grainger has created interesting characters within a crime procedural interwoven with political subterfuge. Smith has great emotional depth. I enjoyed this book. The English setting and understated tone made for an immersive read, one I discovered thanks to Goodreads friends.

NOTES: a A useful glossary of the English constabulary hierarchy: https://foreigncrimedrama.com/uk-rank...

[Bicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. A police procedural which makes your heart thump at every small step of the investigation purely through good quiet writing and not by thrills being provided by the villains committing audacious acts in quick succession.
Sergeant DC Smith (DC) has been a policeman for over thirty years. What makes him unique is that at some point he took a voluntary demotion for reasons unknown to us. This means that he is never in awe of his superiors. His DI was once his trainee and the way DC deals with his Superintendent (who is keen that DC retire as soon as possible) is delightful.
DC’s wit, clarity of thought and basic humanity has made me a fan after only one book. A question arises as to how long the author can continue with this series. With every book DC will get older and this will either mean an end to the series or an artificial continuation. Incidentally, there are already eight books in the series.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Norfolk on holiday, I wanted to read something set there and chose this book set in King’s Lake (loosely based on King’s Lynn). Much of this book is familiar - the older detective due for retirement but not wanting to go, something of a maverick, a widower; the green trainee detective attached to him. The storyline is quite original, however, and leads the reader in an unexpected direction. This is essentially a police procedural but with more depth in terms of character development and background. I suspect this is because Grainger was planning the series that followed. It’s a good read and I intend to read the next in the series to see if the standard is repeated.

One thing though - given that this was first published in 2013, why on earth is a black person twice referred to as ‘coloured’? The setting is contemporary, by which I mean that had it been in the 1960s or 1970s, I might have read it as reflecting those times, so the use of this term is anachronistic, to say the very least.

[✨Susan✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm? 3 or 4 stars. Narrative was a 5. I am on the fence with this first book in a cozy detective series. I liked the main character and the fact that a case can be investigated without gunfights and brutality. A bit of a throw back to Agatha Christi and maybe even Louise Penny’s, Three Pines series, but, I felt the story just plodded along. I would have liked more of a back story of DC Smith and a faster pace. That being said I would not pass up another book in the series should it be on sale.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done. The characters feel like friends. An older police officer close to retirement age and a brand new pup learning the ropes. It worked. I liked them both.

[TheBookWarren · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★½ — A throughly enjoyable British Procedural, that being the first in a series with multiple spin-offs is exciting. More your thinking readers matters than an adrenaline ensorcelled monster, it’s a smartly written novel with interesting characters, cutting dialogue & the usual British dark humour!

Peter Grainger’s An Accidental Death is a masterclass in British detective fiction, introducing readers to the enigmatic and profoundly compelling Detective Sergeant D.C. Smith. With unparalleled subtlety, Grainger crafts a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. 

D.C. Smith is a paragon of detective protagonists—his understated brilliance and sardonic wit set him apart in a genre crowded with larger-than-life characters. A seasoned investigator with a past shrouded in mystery, Smith’s approach to policing is as unconventional as it is effective. His interactions are laced with a dry humor that belies a deep well of empathy and understanding. The relationship between Smith and his new trainee, Detective Constable Chris Waters, is particularly well-drawn, showcasing a dynamic that is both mentorly and refreshingly devoid of condescension. 

Grainger’s prose is taut and economical, a breath of fresh air in a literary landscape often bogged down by verbosity. Every word serves a purpose, and the dialogue is razor-sharp, cutting to the heart of matters with surgical precision. This brevity enhances the novel’s pacing, ensuring that the reader remains engaged without the distraction of superfluous detail.

The plot unfolds with meticulous care, beginning with the ostensibly accidental drowning of a sixth-form student in the Norfolk countryside. What appears to be a straightforward case gradually reveals layers of complexity, each twist and turn expertly executed without resorting to melodrama or implausibility. Grainger’s ability to weave a narrative that is both intricate and believable is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Set against the backdrop of the Norfolk landscape, the novel’s setting is rendered with a subtlety that enhances the story without overshadowing it. The atmosphere is palpable, immersing the reader in a world that is at once familiar and tinged with an air of quiet mystery. 

‘An Accidental Death’ is a superlative addition to the canon of British detective fiction. Grainger’s deft characterizations, incisive dialogue, and masterful plotting coalesce into a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. This novel is a testament to the enduring appeal of well-crafted mysteries and stands as a shining example of the genre. 

📓Key Passages📚

“You think it’s just selfishness?’ ’Just? Makes it sound trivial. All crime is caused by selfishness, I say.” 

“In quick succession he tried surprise, toughness and nonchalance but nothing lasted and the end result was only uncertainty.” 

“Death’s the end of all. But look at the misery we’ve seen today. And it’s endless, it goes on rippling back and forwards through all these lives forever.” 

[Becky Almon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, if you like Touch of Frost you will like this

I got this on my Prime monthly loan after reading the sample for book three of this series. I was interested in the characters and decided to read the series from the start. I intend to buy the rest as a result of reading this first DS Smith story - not something I can afford to do often on my limited budget !
I like a lot of British police procedurals, but have found some recent ones on Amazon's list to be disappointing in view of what seem to me to be unwarranted five star reviews. This one was not a flop. The main character was an unconventional one with unexpected complexity. David Conrad Smith, known as DC Smith (a bit confusing at first was his rank is DS ! ) is a widower in his 50s who for undisclosed reasons is now a Detective Sergeant rather than his former rank of Detective Chief Inspector. He has a reputation for unorthodox methods which don't endear him to superior officers with the exception of his DI, who was herself his Sergeant at one time. There is some bad blood with a couple of other officers in his station due to a previous case which is hinted at but not explained. He is just back on duty after some internal affairs investigation. He was exonerated, but higher ups would really rather he take his retirement after 30 years than possibly ruffle more feathers. He is assigned giving anti-drug talks weekly at area schools, picking up a not too bright local car thief, letting a new fast track trainee DC follow him ( but not to pass on his unique working style ! ), and finish up a report on a "routine" accidental drowning.
Smith's DI has asked him to check this not-quite-a-case drowning out wondering if she is reading more into it than the initial report seems to find. She knows that if there was something the first officers missed, Smith would be the one to spot it and follow it to a result whether or not it is a result she will like.
Smith reminds me of Jack Frost in the Touch of Frost TV series, except he is not as grumpy. There is a refreshing lack of gratuitous foul language, and lots of hints of the complex character that Smith is and subtle humor. It was a quick read, not a lot of unnecessary descriptions, and the plot moved along nicely.
As I said earlier, I certainly will read - and buy - the rest of this series. I hope that the author keeps up the standard, and that other fans of this genre give his books a try.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A waffly 3 stars. A writer of some skill and potential. A story alternately tepid and readable, predictable and insightful. Interesting enough to finish it. Unsatisfactory enough to be relieved to reach the end.

[Kathy Via · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as a free book for the Kindle. I wasn't familiar with the author but I like detective stories. It was free so I wasn't expecting anything from it. It was very interesting! I liked his characters and the plot was well thought out. I guess the highest praise that I can offer is that I would like to read the other two books in the series! I had just finished watching the Inspector Morse series and it reminded me of Morse.

[Barbara K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t a bad book by any means. It was capably written, and by the end it was easy to have become engaged with the principle characters. But my overall sense was that there was nothing exceptional about it. I’m always disappointed when the explanation of the mystery doesn’t emerge organically, when a character has to explain all the details.

I was probably influenced in my opinions by a couple of other books I’ve read this year. Elly Griffiths did a more effective job of describing Norfolk, the setting for this book and also for her Ruth Galloway series. And Val McDermid, in The Skeleton Road, portrayed lingering effects of the war in the Balkans more vividly, and in a way that was more naturally integrated into the plot.

And on top of those things, I wasn’t crazy about the narrator of the audio version. Maybe if I’d read it in print and supplied my own characterizations I would have enjoyed it more.

Again, it wasn’t a bad book, just one I had hoped to enjoy more than I did.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in the D.C. Smith series and it read like a first novel. I had planned on reading the second and am excited to have found a new series.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Sergeant Smith is no longer a young policeman. He is no longer a Detective Chief inspector. With some people in the police department in Kings Lake, he is also no longer a friend. But, the upper officers in the department are well aware of Smith's abilities and the intend to use him whenever they can.

When a 16 year old young man drowns in a river, Smith is given the paperwork and told to check on things.

At the same time, he is given Waters. Waters is the son of an old friend and new to the department and Smith has been chosen to show him the ropes. Waters is college educated, intelligent, and very observant. He also does not have to be told things twice.

Smith is a man of many layers. He is still recovering from the death of his beloved wife. His history includes time in Northern Ireland with the British Army. He understands human nature. He does not suffer fools gladly. And most of all he is a terrific police investigator.

I fell in love with Smith. He is a policeman who takes the reader on a wonderful journey of discovery. And as clues come along, we are given all the information. It is a wonderful way to go.

A simple accidental drowning can be very much more than what is seen at first glance. It takes Smith and Waters on a trail that seems to make no sense, until it does.

Mr Grainger is a new to me author. And I feel very fortunate to have found him.

This is the first in a series. Smith's abilities are evident. What is also evident is that Mr Grainger knows Smith very well. So, the reader gets to know him very well.

All the characters become clear very quickly. Even lesser characters are clearly drawn. Each of the characters, whether lesser or not, add to the depth of the story. The plot is fast moving and tells a complete story. Nothing is left dangling.

I look forward to finding the next book in this series.

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well the book summary lays out the primary storyline of DI David C Smith (aka DC) being demoted to a DS rank resulting from some previous investigation that he was involved in; the brass was hoping that the demotion would result in DC retiring. He also gets saddled with training a newbie right out of school, Watson, who turns out to be the son of one of DC’s former unit members. There is also the secondary storyline of a DS Wilson who harbors some resentment towards DC for that previous investigation. There is another secondary storyline of DC also grieving the death of his wife of many decades.

Most of the story revolves around DC and Watson investigating the drowning of a 17yr kid. DC and Watson’s investigation and collection of leads and evidence begin to reveal a very different picture from what was being reported and DC begins to believe that the death is most likely a murder and not accidental drowning. DC and Watson are well into the second half when they discover who the mystery rower was and it’s not long before they zero in on him.

The end comes pretty quickly after that in some pretty intense scenes for DC and Watson and most of the other characters and comes to a satisfying end to the investigation and case. However, it was the very end (kind of like an epilogue), that had DC and Watson in a very different scene and locale. I really enjoyed this passage because Grainger reveals a very different DC. It also gives a hint to the next installment – maybe.

This was a quick read and as much as DC doesn’t want to get saddled with training the newbie, Watson, I think DC likes Watson and liked working with him. I think they are really good partners for each other too. I really like DC, he’s a quirky kind of guy, but really smart and extremely wise and experienced. Then there were the hints at something about DC and a son, although, his DI Reeves says he never had kids. Hmmm…..more to be revealed later?

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man on an outing with friends dives into the river to follow a canoe. He goes around the bend and his body is located the next day along the shore. At first glance it appears to be an accidental drowning, but a couple of things bother the pathologist and DS Smith (ex-DCI Smith who to confuse things more, is called by his first initials DC.) There was a bruise on the boy's head that suspiciously seemed to match the engraving on paddles rented by a canoe rental agency that had had a canoe stolen.

Grainger has written a really good police procedural with just the right amount of sardonic humor reminiscent of RD Wingfield's Frost series. I am adding Grainger to my list. 

[Jilrene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bored. Very bored. The entire story is from one DC Smith's POV. He solved the mystery. In his head. Like a math problem. ;) I figured it out too. Except, it really wasn't a mystery. Then there was this side plot thread that added nothing to the story. Well, it added pages. It did not add suspense. Or anything interesting to the story. It took me 20 days to read 200 pages.

At least it was free.

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book, and is the first of a series featuring DC Smith. I really like this character! He has been widowed, and his superiors seem to want him to just retire. He is no fool, and has a wry sense of humour, which I really appreciate, and I may try the next in the series - assuming that he has not retired 😉

[Marty Fried · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I think I just found a new author to enjoy with a bunch of books in this and other series. I liked this one a lot, and it's only the first in the series. I hope the series continues to be so good.

It's nice to read a clever story without a lot of violence to give my brain a rest from its usual fare. I thought D.C. Smith was a really interesting character. He's a bit mysterious, and we learn more and more as the story progresses. He's called D.C. by most people, because it's his initials; but it's also his job title although he used to be higher ranking but demoted himself and now works for someone he trained originally, which seems to work out OK. He's smart, and is good at talking to people rather than bullying them. He uses his brain to solve mysteries, and apparently some of the higher-ups have trouble accepting his methods. Seems at least one of them has trouble accepting the fact that he hasn't retired like he should

In this one, he gets handed a case that is almost closed, and needs a quick 2nd look to make sure there are no loose ends, but he ends up with a complicated international plot.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky but very interesting British Police detective story. The main character, DC Smith, is an older man of many hidden talents of which most are unknown to his colleagues. He is not afraid to use unorthodox methods to achieve successful results. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading other books in the series.

I have rated this book 4.25 stars.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.

[Annery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good intro to a series centering on the standard 'gruff but with a heart of gold' detective & the seemingly babe in the woods who comes under his unwitting tutelage. I enjoyed it and the narration by Gildart Jackson is top notch. I'll be continuing on this journey.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started it was hard to put down. DC Smith is going to be a new favorite British detective as I am already looking forward to the many books ahead.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not really a cozy mystery, but there isn't any gore or even much violence for all that it's a murder investigation. An excellent start to a series new to me. Set in England, DC Smith is an old hand at investigating crimes & even took a demotion rather than get stuck behind a desk. He's not too old as he proves by following a very twisty trail. A real bonus is there is obviously a lot of backstory that is only slowly & partially filled in. He's an interesting, likable guy & really I'm interested in reading more even though this case is solved.

Very well narrated. Highly recommended.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very great book. I figured it was like the third or fourth book in the series and I was going to look up the earlier ones. But this was the first one with DC Smith. I found the characters were very real to me and so was the story. I liked the fact that as the story progressed so did my understanding of Smith and Waters. I will be reading more of DC Smith's Investigations. Peter Grainger will be going on my To Look For List.

I got the book for free off of Amazon but I don't remember how or why. Don't remember if it was a daily deal or what. But I will pay to read more!

[Mary Frances · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very old-fashioned. I kept being shocked when Google was mentioned, because it feels like a novel from the 70’s or 80’s. A tragic hero who laments how well defense lawyers are paid, that type of thing. The story was uninteresting and so were the two detectives.

Also, please note that the writer refers to a person as “a colored woman,” twice. Published in 2013.

Not for me.