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Charles Paris #12
What Bloody Man Is That?
Charles Paris, the actor-sleuth, mixes both professions when he receives a part in a provincial production of "Macbeth" and one member of the cast is murdered
231 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1987
21 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Simon Brett
329 books532 followersSimon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 3, 2019
2 1/2 stars. The characters and the insider view of getting a play ready for the stage are very good. The mystery was lacking a bit.
April 13, 2020
My favorite book from the Charles Paris series although is more a comedy than a Whodunit.
Want to read
February 10, 2019Synopsis: Charles is directing that Scottish play, Macbeth, and doubling most of the roles. Sparks fly and it's not long before death strikes.
July 1, 2016
I would have given more stars if a horrible "joke" about rape was not countenanced as acceptable within the text. The depiction of the theatre is so accurate, even based on my limited experience (high school musical theatre, with me playing 3 parts, altering costumes, doing the choreography, setting the stage, greeting the guests, serving the food, cleaning up, and finally getting to eat and fall over at the end of it all--after the tables were all put away of course!). I really enjoyed the book mostly for those descriptions of the play and now it has me wanting to act again, which is really unfortunate because I live in the sticks. I guess the fact that this book was about Macbeth helped too...I have a great fondness for "the Scottish play" and still long to play Lady Macbeth someday.
The actual plot is pretty weak and unimaginative, but most of the characters are well drawn.
The actual plot is pretty weak and unimaginative, but most of the characters are well drawn.
July 26, 2009
More interesting as a back-stage look at a production of Macbeth than as a mystery novel, but the characters are fun. A good beach read.
August 2, 2020
Charles Paris is back, this time playing a selection of minor roles in a new production of Macbeth at the Pinero Theatre in Warminster which is being directed by his old friend, Gavin Scholes. Other members of the cast include: John B Murgatroyd, an itinerant actor whose career has been almost as devastatingly unsuccessful as Charles's; George Birkett, a man who despite possessing little more than journeyman ability has encountered considerable commercial success through having played pedestrian roles in a selection of mindless situation comedies; Felicia Chatterton, an alluring yet intense actress whose career has been almost exclusively served in the RSC and who has to devote hours to think herself into her role;, and Warnock Belvedere, an outrageous old ham who prides himself on being a theatrical "character" encompassing all the worst traits of old self-aggrandising stars without any compensatory talent.
Almost from the start Belvedere shows himself to be obnoxious, overriding the feelings of anyone else in the company and blatantly undermining the director. Within days of the company first coming together there is no-one whom he has not driven to utter fury. Consequently, there is an immense feeling of relief which politeness and propriety do little to hide, when he is found dead in the cellar of the theatre's bar, having seemingly fallen over and knocked himself out while simultaneously dislodging the carbon dioxide hoses. Drunk and unconscious, he succumbs to asphyxiation. This is put down as a dreadful accident, and just another manifestation of the dreadful luck that historically bedevils companies staging "the Scottish Play".
Predictably the body is discovered by Charles who, having overdone things in the bar earlier in the evening, had fallen asleep in his dressing room and found himself locked in the theatre. It is only gradually afterwards, as he struggles to reconstruct the events of the night, that Charles recognises vital clues that point to Belvedere's death as murder, and he also realises that the perpetrator must be another member of the theatre company.
Brett is always capable of weaving an intricate yet plausible plot, which he lightly peppers with humour. Similarly, Charles Paris is always a sympathetic character - flawed (a virtual alcoholic and recalcitrant philanderer) yet essentially well-meaning, even to the point of frequent self-disgust. The conflicting ambitions and lifestyles of the different members of the theatrical company are also well constructed, and Brett clearly knows the theatrical milieu very well, and he is sufficiently conversant with the text and subtexts of Macbeth to throw in some convincing exegesis of the play's more obscure stretches.
Most entertaining on a number of levels!
Almost from the start Belvedere shows himself to be obnoxious, overriding the feelings of anyone else in the company and blatantly undermining the director. Within days of the company first coming together there is no-one whom he has not driven to utter fury. Consequently, there is an immense feeling of relief which politeness and propriety do little to hide, when he is found dead in the cellar of the theatre's bar, having seemingly fallen over and knocked himself out while simultaneously dislodging the carbon dioxide hoses. Drunk and unconscious, he succumbs to asphyxiation. This is put down as a dreadful accident, and just another manifestation of the dreadful luck that historically bedevils companies staging "the Scottish Play".
Predictably the body is discovered by Charles who, having overdone things in the bar earlier in the evening, had fallen asleep in his dressing room and found himself locked in the theatre. It is only gradually afterwards, as he struggles to reconstruct the events of the night, that Charles recognises vital clues that point to Belvedere's death as murder, and he also realises that the perpetrator must be another member of the theatre company.
Brett is always capable of weaving an intricate yet plausible plot, which he lightly peppers with humour. Similarly, Charles Paris is always a sympathetic character - flawed (a virtual alcoholic and recalcitrant philanderer) yet essentially well-meaning, even to the point of frequent self-disgust. The conflicting ambitions and lifestyles of the different members of the theatrical company are also well constructed, and Brett clearly knows the theatrical milieu very well, and he is sufficiently conversant with the text and subtexts of Macbeth to throw in some convincing exegesis of the play's more obscure stretches.
Most entertaining on a number of levels!
September 21, 2021
( Format : Audiobook )
"Old soak so literally demonstrated."
Charles Paris is finally back in work ('Be thankful!'), rehearsing several small appearances in the Scottish Play - what can possible to wrong? Read, this time with aplomb by the author, Simon Brett, this the twelfth in the series of stories about a struggling actor who so often finds himself in the position of reluctant investigator. The mystery isn't too taxing but the behind the scenes peeps into the production of the play and of the actors themselves is glorious. Told in the first person by Charles himself, the book is funny, an absorbing and easy read, with delicious throw away lines like 'I've had so many hairs of the dog I could have knitted myself my own St.Bernard'
I am very fond of the Charles Paris character created by Simon Brett. A failure in his acting career, his marriage a d attempts as sobriety, he still remains a delight. Recommended.
"Old soak so literally demonstrated."
Charles Paris is finally back in work ('Be thankful!'), rehearsing several small appearances in the Scottish Play - what can possible to wrong? Read, this time with aplomb by the author, Simon Brett, this the twelfth in the series of stories about a struggling actor who so often finds himself in the position of reluctant investigator. The mystery isn't too taxing but the behind the scenes peeps into the production of the play and of the actors themselves is glorious. Told in the first person by Charles himself, the book is funny, an absorbing and easy read, with delicious throw away lines like 'I've had so many hairs of the dog I could have knitted myself my own St.Bernard'
I am very fond of the Charles Paris character created by Simon Brett. A failure in his acting career, his marriage a d attempts as sobriety, he still remains a delight. Recommended.
November 13, 2025
The Scottish Play curse strikes again.
Back in Charles Paris land again. Laugh out loud giggles as a theatre near Stonehenge gives passers-by and and all the local schools seniors a hilarious master-class in the Scottish Play. Charles playing....? Who isn't he playing? And a ghastly old pain of a 'celebrated' actor boss out in a drunken end. Misadventure or murder and if the latter, Charles playing yet another role of chief murderer. Plot? Must you? Oh, well young earnest actress as Lady Mac, puppy novice actor, a host of suspects, Charles (can you believe shocked into temporary sobriety?) Acting as sleuth. Enough said. Thespian life and jokes. Great fun. Enjoyed it. Having delved back into Charles Paris country after a long abstinence I find myself, a bit like the man himself, addicted. You either like these or hate them. I love them.
Back in Charles Paris land again. Laugh out loud giggles as a theatre near Stonehenge gives passers-by and and all the local schools seniors a hilarious master-class in the Scottish Play. Charles playing....? Who isn't he playing? And a ghastly old pain of a 'celebrated' actor boss out in a drunken end. Misadventure or murder and if the latter, Charles playing yet another role of chief murderer. Plot? Must you? Oh, well young earnest actress as Lady Mac, puppy novice actor, a host of suspects, Charles (can you believe shocked into temporary sobriety?) Acting as sleuth. Enough said. Thespian life and jokes. Great fun. Enjoyed it. Having delved back into Charles Paris country after a long abstinence I find myself, a bit like the man himself, addicted. You either like these or hate them. I love them.
September 10, 2023
Charles Paris, veteran actor, has been cast in a bewildering series of minor roles in a production of Macbeth, one includes a obnoxious actor playing Duncan. The details of production are well developed.
It is likely that Shakespeare's actors played multiple roles, so an account of how many parts can be played by a single actor is fascinating. The title is from Macbeth and is one of the parts Paris plays. Also, in addition to "the bloody man" are the drunken porter, the second murderer, old man, Apparition of an Armed Head, English doctor, Scottish doctor. The description of the school matinee performances are very funny.
It is likely that Shakespeare's actors played multiple roles, so an account of how many parts can be played by a single actor is fascinating. The title is from Macbeth and is one of the parts Paris plays. Also, in addition to "the bloody man" are the drunken porter, the second murderer, old man, Apparition of an Armed Head, English doctor, Scottish doctor. The description of the school matinee performances are very funny.
December 14, 2017
I think I am done with Brett's Charles Paris. As a main character, Paris ranks up there in terms of purposelessness and amoral behavior. His personal life is depressing at best! The insights into the world of acting are interesting but I have tired of his sad domestic state.
May 24, 2018
My first Charles Paris mystery. Nice. But if I’d ever entertained a notion of a career in the theater, this novel would have put me off it!
September 24, 2018
What a disgusting murderee. He got what he deserved!
Read
August 9, 2024Mars 1991
December 11, 2025
A solid mystery with good integration of Shakespeare.
April 3, 2024
Charles Paris is back, this time playing a selection of minor roles in a new production of Macbeth at the Pinero Theatre in Warminster, which is being directed by his old friend, Gavin Scholes. Other members of the cast include: John B Murgatroyd, an itinerant actor whose career has been almost as devastatingly unsuccessful as Charles's; George Birkett, a man who despite possessing little more than journeyman ability has encountered considerable commercial success through having played pedestrian roles in a selection of mindless situation comedies; Felicia Chatterton, an alluring yet intense actress whose previous career has been almost exclusively served in the Royal Shakespeare Company and who has to devote hours to think herself into her role; and Warnock Belvedere, an outrageous old ham who prides himself on being a theatrical "character" encompassing all the worst traits of old self-aggrandising stars but sadly without any compensatory talent.
Almost from the start Belvedere shows himself to be obnoxious, overriding the feelings of anyone else in the company and blatantly undermining the director. Within days of the company first coming together there is no-one whom he has not driven to utter fury. Consequently, there is an immense feeling of relief, which politeness and propriety do little to hide, when he is found dead in the cellar of the theatre's bar, having apparently fallen over and knocked himself out while simultaneously dislodging the CO2 hoses. Drunk and unconscious he rapidly succumbed to asphyxiation. This is put down as a dreadful accident, and just another manifestation of the dreadful luck that historically bedevils companies staging "the Scottish Play".
Predictably the body is discovered by Charles who, having himself overdone things in the bar earlier in the evening, had fallen asleep in his dressing room and awakened a few hours later to find himself locked in the theatre. It is only gradually afterwards, as he struggles to reconstruct the events of the night, that Charles recognises vital clues that serve to indicate that Belvedere's death was murder. He also realises, equally gradually, that the perpetrator must be another member of the theatre company.
Brett is always capable of weaving an intricate yet plausible plot, which he lightly peppers with humour. Charles Paris is always a sympathetic character - flawed (a virtual alcoholic and recalcitrant philanderer) yet essentially well-meaning, even to the point of frequent self-disgust. The conflicting ambitions and lifestyles of the different members of the theatrical company are also well constructed, and Brett clearly knows the theatrical milieu very well. Brett is also sufficiently conversant with the text and subtexts of Macbeth to throw in some convincing exegesis of the play's more obscure stretches.
Most entertaining on a number of levels!
Almost from the start Belvedere shows himself to be obnoxious, overriding the feelings of anyone else in the company and blatantly undermining the director. Within days of the company first coming together there is no-one whom he has not driven to utter fury. Consequently, there is an immense feeling of relief, which politeness and propriety do little to hide, when he is found dead in the cellar of the theatre's bar, having apparently fallen over and knocked himself out while simultaneously dislodging the CO2 hoses. Drunk and unconscious he rapidly succumbed to asphyxiation. This is put down as a dreadful accident, and just another manifestation of the dreadful luck that historically bedevils companies staging "the Scottish Play".
Predictably the body is discovered by Charles who, having himself overdone things in the bar earlier in the evening, had fallen asleep in his dressing room and awakened a few hours later to find himself locked in the theatre. It is only gradually afterwards, as he struggles to reconstruct the events of the night, that Charles recognises vital clues that serve to indicate that Belvedere's death was murder. He also realises, equally gradually, that the perpetrator must be another member of the theatre company.
Brett is always capable of weaving an intricate yet plausible plot, which he lightly peppers with humour. Charles Paris is always a sympathetic character - flawed (a virtual alcoholic and recalcitrant philanderer) yet essentially well-meaning, even to the point of frequent self-disgust. The conflicting ambitions and lifestyles of the different members of the theatrical company are also well constructed, and Brett clearly knows the theatrical milieu very well. Brett is also sufficiently conversant with the text and subtexts of Macbeth to throw in some convincing exegesis of the play's more obscure stretches.
Most entertaining on a number of levels!
December 7, 2011
Charles Paris is cast in "The Scottish Play" as thespians call Shakespeare's "MACBETH." In fact, he is cast five-fold, since he is "doubling" in five different small parts. Then the company's rather disagreeable Duncan is found dead in a locked theatre mystery. Locked - with Charles Paris in it, too! Can he solve the mystery before the police take him in for some questions he can't really answer easily or well?
Spoilers Below
Charles Paris, after being trapped passed-out drunk in a locked theatre with a dead body tries to stay sober. This is a novel state for him and he does not like it. He actually vows to stay sober until he finds out who the killer is. He does his usual waffling about his estranged wife who is no longer speaking to him and hangs up when she realizes it is him on the telephone (he has many accents at his disposal and tries to reach her by using them. That just makes her more angry).
Their Duncan is really magnificently awful as an old, boring, loud theatre queen. Lady Macbeth is irritating as an actress who wants to spend 3 weeks just talking about her character's motivation. Enjoyable, if cringe-worthy portrayals.
We learn a couple interesting traditions associated with Macbeth, but not very many.
I was annoyed by Brett's continual referral to Two witches. If someone was doubling as a witch, I missed that, completely. He does say there are three, but he keeps saying in places that there are two. Annoying!
The theatrical term I learned in this book is a "Tannoy." It is a loud speaker or public address system. I was imagining that the audience sound was somehow coming through the wall by the dressing rooms, but the house noises were actually coming over a speaker set backstage. Tannoy is a company that makes the systems in Scotland.
Spoilers Below
Charles Paris, after being trapped passed-out drunk in a locked theatre with a dead body tries to stay sober. This is a novel state for him and he does not like it. He actually vows to stay sober until he finds out who the killer is. He does his usual waffling about his estranged wife who is no longer speaking to him and hangs up when she realizes it is him on the telephone (he has many accents at his disposal and tries to reach her by using them. That just makes her more angry).
Their Duncan is really magnificently awful as an old, boring, loud theatre queen. Lady Macbeth is irritating as an actress who wants to spend 3 weeks just talking about her character's motivation. Enjoyable, if cringe-worthy portrayals.
We learn a couple interesting traditions associated with Macbeth, but not very many.
I was annoyed by Brett's continual referral to Two witches. If someone was doubling as a witch, I missed that, completely. He does say there are three, but he keeps saying in places that there are two. Annoying!
The theatrical term I learned in this book is a "Tannoy." It is a loud speaker or public address system. I was imagining that the audience sound was somehow coming through the wall by the dressing rooms, but the house noises were actually coming over a speaker set backstage. Tannoy is a company that makes the systems in Scotland.
June 12, 2013
I would very much like to love Simon Brett’s theatrical whodunits: I am not a reader of mysteries, but I like the idea of them in principle, and I love novels of theatre life. Brett’s books, with their amusing portrayal of an alcoholic jobbing actor and amateur detective, set in the lovingly and cynically detailed lower reaches of the English theatrical world, seem immensely appealing in prospect. Every time I see one I am tempted to pick it up and read it, hoping that it might be better than I remember.
Unfortunately, for all the books’ many incidental pleasures, this has not been the case, so far. The prose is generally flat, the characters recycled, the plot and exposition contrived. Brett certainly seems to know his world well, but he is no stylist. The books are no doubt good whodunits of their kind, if that is your thing – and they would undoubtedly make a lovely TV series – but is it unreasonable of me to expect just a little more?
Perhaps I am being unfair to Brett. I suppose this review is a way of trying to work out my ambivalent relations with the ‘mystery’ genre: I am forced to conclude that it is, for me, like golf or drinking games: a good walk spoiled, a good drink spoiled...
Unfortunately, for all the books’ many incidental pleasures, this has not been the case, so far. The prose is generally flat, the characters recycled, the plot and exposition contrived. Brett certainly seems to know his world well, but he is no stylist. The books are no doubt good whodunits of their kind, if that is your thing – and they would undoubtedly make a lovely TV series – but is it unreasonable of me to expect just a little more?
Perhaps I am being unfair to Brett. I suppose this review is a way of trying to work out my ambivalent relations with the ‘mystery’ genre: I am forced to conclude that it is, for me, like golf or drinking games: a good walk spoiled, a good drink spoiled...
November 28, 2025
Another installment from Charles - and this time Mr Paris has a role in a production of Shakespeare. Or rather several roles as the cast is small and he's doubling (and tripling and quadrupling) up. There's an RSC trained starlet struggling to adapt to the realities of commerical theatre, an aging "personality" of an actor and a director who is struggling to control proceedings. And that's just in the cast. Soon there's a body and Charles needs to work out who did it - as that's to a bender, he's the prime suspect. Fun and clever as always.
December 12, 2012
I like these books for the clear portrayal of Charles Paris as a schmuck. Often a likable schmuck but always weak. This book includes a weekend bender which led to a Monday morning rehearsal with vicious hangover. This was followed by hair of the dog at midday and then drinking til closing time that night. I almost started drinking water myself to try and offset the dehydration. My least favorite part of these books is consistently the psychology of the killer.
March 7, 2016
Series character, Charles Paris, a hard-up, but likable, alcoholic actor, accepts a part -- turning into umpteen parts -- in a small production of Hamlet. (I could see Hugh Grant playing Paris.) Of course, murder happens, this time to one of the lead actors. Simon Brett's writing is always amusing and while this may not be a great clued mystery, it is a fun cosy, and a humorous look backstage with the company involved. Actually 3.5 stars.
October 5, 2016
Superb installment in the Charles Paris series
Charles is rehearsing a production of Macbeth, taking many roles, when "Duncan" is found dead in the bar cellar. Accident or Murder? Charles investigates
The mystery is superb, clues and red-herrings all in the right places. The denoument is well crafted and satisfying
The setting appeals to me as an amatuer actor. The observations of theatre life is spot-on even today.
Wonderful 5 stars
Charles is rehearsing a production of Macbeth, taking many roles, when "Duncan" is found dead in the bar cellar. Accident or Murder? Charles investigates
The mystery is superb, clues and red-herrings all in the right places. The denoument is well crafted and satisfying
The setting appeals to me as an amatuer actor. The observations of theatre life is spot-on even today.
Wonderful 5 stars
February 17, 2015
I love Simon Brett novels and plays. The radio adaptation of the Charles Paris novels, with Bill Nighy, are sublime. This book was up to the usual, pleasantly formulaic, crime-busting actor/drunk/investigator standards.
October 18, 2016
A Charles Paris mystery. Charles is due to appear in that Scottish Play Macbeth, even though he knows it brings bad luck. He is playing a number of the smaller parts. There is a murder near the beginning which sets off Charles' investigative skills.
June 13, 2009
Fun to know all the Macbeth references, but as a mystery...meh.
June 24, 2014
Another Charles Paris mystery, this time taking place during a production of Macbeth. Nice cozy, quick read, usual suspects and ending.
January 10, 2015
another nice mystery from Simon Brett
June 15, 2017
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
March 31, 2011
good plot, characters, hysterical ending, LOL
November 29, 2014
It wasn't a bad book, but I didn't like the protagonist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews