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Lambert and Hook #29
Final Act
A successful British television producer who fancies himself as a Hollywood mogul, Sam Jackson makes enemies easily and delights in the fact. It is no great surprise that such a man should meet a violent death. Detective Chief Superintendent Lambert and Detective Sergeant Hook deduce that the person who killed him is almost certainly to be found among the company of actors who are shooting a series of detective mysteries in rural Herefordshire. But these are people who make a living by acting out other people's fictions - and the two detectives find interrogating them a difficult business. How can Lambert and Hook fight their way to the truth when faced with a cast of practised deceivers?
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First published September 1, 2016
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About the author
J.M. Gregson
63 books48 followersJames Michael Gregson taught for twenty-seven years in schools, colleges and universities before concentrating on full-time writing. He has written books on subjects as diverse as golf and Shakespeare.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 10, 2019
This book was entertaining to read with a satisfying (though towards the end predictable) solution in a setting that was very reminiscent of Midsomer Murder, and with enough red herrings to stock a good-sized fish pond. The only thing that had me disturbed, and why I gave 3 stars instead of 4, was the author's contention that a domestic abuser all of a sudden turns into a model boyfriend when he finally finds a job that suits him (once an abuser, always an abuser), though that feeling of unease may have been brought on by personal experience.
Overall, since this was my first Lambert and Hook story, I might try other titles.
Overall, since this was my first Lambert and Hook story, I might try other titles.
August 9, 2017
This novel is strictly a mystery. There are no extra themes or information - just a police procedure to find the killer. The characters are well written and the plot moves quickly dropping little clues along the way. A nice change!
October 2, 2017
Not as enjoyable as previous books
May 5, 2019
A television producer is killed. Lambert and Hook and the team find it hard going interviewing actors. Can they solve the mystery before more people die?
Good writing.
Good writing.
August 19, 2021
Lacked something as far ad investigating the murder. All about interviews, little sleuthing.
June 2, 2016
No acting required for murder.
Sam Jackson is the producer of an internationally famous TV detective series. He is an obnoxious character who doesn’t have a good word to say to either his crew or the actors taking part in the latest Loxton mystery being filmed in a hamlet on the borders of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. When he’s discovered strangled in his on-site caravan, no one sheds a tear, in fact, they hoping that all the secrets he’s discovered about them will be taken to the grave. Ernie Clark (his co-producer) takes over the production on his death, but his new status as producer is short-lived.
Chief Superintendent John Lambert and Detective Sergeant Bert Hook are tasked with discovering the murderer as quickly as possible so that production of the “Herefordshire Horrors” can continue being filmed with as few disruptions as possible.
The police set about interviewing all the stars and the crew. Is the stars and their egos and past secrets who have the most to gain from the murders?
This is a book I’d suggest if you had a day next to the pool because it won’t tax your brain in trying to work out who has the most to gain or who has the biggest secret or in fact, whether the murders are committed by someone simply ridding the earth of two nasty blackmailers.
JM Gregson has more than twenty books in this series with CS John Lambert and DS Bert Hook as the main protagonists. Unfortunately, I haven’t read any previous books in the series, so my review is based only on this novel. Lambert and Hook have a good relationship having worked together for so long and their characters are well drawn. Decent police getting the job of discovering the murderer done in a timely fashion. However, I found the other characters, from the obnoxious Sam Jackson to the titled actor unconvincing and shallow. It felt that their presence was just to fill the pages. And, from the outset my irritation was with the title of this particular show: “Hereford Horrors” My reaction was “Would I even tune into a programme with this title?
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Sam Jackson is the producer of an internationally famous TV detective series. He is an obnoxious character who doesn’t have a good word to say to either his crew or the actors taking part in the latest Loxton mystery being filmed in a hamlet on the borders of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. When he’s discovered strangled in his on-site caravan, no one sheds a tear, in fact, they hoping that all the secrets he’s discovered about them will be taken to the grave. Ernie Clark (his co-producer) takes over the production on his death, but his new status as producer is short-lived.
Chief Superintendent John Lambert and Detective Sergeant Bert Hook are tasked with discovering the murderer as quickly as possible so that production of the “Herefordshire Horrors” can continue being filmed with as few disruptions as possible.
The police set about interviewing all the stars and the crew. Is the stars and their egos and past secrets who have the most to gain from the murders?
This is a book I’d suggest if you had a day next to the pool because it won’t tax your brain in trying to work out who has the most to gain or who has the biggest secret or in fact, whether the murders are committed by someone simply ridding the earth of two nasty blackmailers.
JM Gregson has more than twenty books in this series with CS John Lambert and DS Bert Hook as the main protagonists. Unfortunately, I haven’t read any previous books in the series, so my review is based only on this novel. Lambert and Hook have a good relationship having worked together for so long and their characters are well drawn. Decent police getting the job of discovering the murderer done in a timely fashion. However, I found the other characters, from the obnoxious Sam Jackson to the titled actor unconvincing and shallow. It felt that their presence was just to fill the pages. And, from the outset my irritation was with the title of this particular show: “Hereford Horrors” My reaction was “Would I even tune into a programme with this title?
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
July 20, 2016
A killer hides on the set of a television mystery series
Most mystery lovers enjoy on-screen detectives as well as those that grace the pages. (Midsommer Murders anyone?) Thus it was a delicious treat to discover that the newest Lambert and Hook police procedural places them on the set of a popular British television mystery series. When Sam Jackson, the successful and despised television producer is murdered, Lambert and Hook are put on the case. Faced with a bevy of suspects to whom deception is part of the job description, DCI Lambert is challenged to uncover which of the many lies he is told matter.
One of the things I enjoy about J M Gregson is that he effectively spreads suspicious behavior around. So many people had a motive for murder. It was far from easy to unravel the threads of this challenging and engrossing mystery. It was pleasantly chilling when my top suspect ended up as a victim. I also loved the juxtaposition of two fictional styles of detecting.
The Lambert and Hook mysteries are extremely well done, and Final Act is a terrific addition to the series. Whether you love reading mysteries or prefer your detectives on screen, Final Act will keep you glued to the page.
5/5
I received a copy of Final Act from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Most mystery lovers enjoy on-screen detectives as well as those that grace the pages. (Midsommer Murders anyone?) Thus it was a delicious treat to discover that the newest Lambert and Hook police procedural places them on the set of a popular British television mystery series. When Sam Jackson, the successful and despised television producer is murdered, Lambert and Hook are put on the case. Faced with a bevy of suspects to whom deception is part of the job description, DCI Lambert is challenged to uncover which of the many lies he is told matter.
One of the things I enjoy about J M Gregson is that he effectively spreads suspicious behavior around. So many people had a motive for murder. It was far from easy to unravel the threads of this challenging and engrossing mystery. It was pleasantly chilling when my top suspect ended up as a victim. I also loved the juxtaposition of two fictional styles of detecting.
The Lambert and Hook mysteries are extremely well done, and Final Act is a terrific addition to the series. Whether you love reading mysteries or prefer your detectives on screen, Final Act will keep you glued to the page.
5/5
I received a copy of Final Act from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
May 13, 2016
Lambert and Hook have their work cut out when Samuel Jackson is murdered on location while is he producing the latest episode in a long running TV detective series. How can they possibly know whether what they're seeing in genuine reactions or actors doing what they do best? Sam himself is a thoroughly dislikeable corpse who has made enemies of just about everyone who has come within his orbit. Everyone involved in the production is therefore a potential suspect.
In this well written crime novel the reader sees the investigation mainly from the perspective of the people questioned by the police rather than reading about how the investigation is going from the perspective of the police so the reader is able to work out for themselves who is the likely murderer.
I enjoyed the book though I don't think it is as good as some in this series - possibly because I prefer to read about the thoughts of the detectives involved. However it is still worth reading for its interesting characters and touches of humour. I did work out who the murderer was quite early on but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
In this well written crime novel the reader sees the investigation mainly from the perspective of the people questioned by the police rather than reading about how the investigation is going from the perspective of the police so the reader is able to work out for themselves who is the likely murderer.
I enjoyed the book though I don't think it is as good as some in this series - possibly because I prefer to read about the thoughts of the detectives involved. However it is still worth reading for its interesting characters and touches of humour. I did work out who the murderer was quite early on but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
July 24, 2016
Superintendent Lambert and Sergeant Hook are back on the case in Final Act, the latest entry in J.M. Gregson’s long running (and excellent) British police procedural series. This entry finds them investigating the murder of a TV producer of a popular fictional copper series, a man thoroughly hated by everyone involved. All the series participants are suspects -- and there is a bunch of ‘em. Lambert and Hook begin to dig into the truth -- and a second murder occurs.
The story is deftly told. Each prominent member of the cast gets their spotlight in the plot, and they all have secrets they want to keep hidden. Gregson teases the reader with just enough information to whet one’s appetite for deciding who the killer is. Lambert spends a lot of time going over the evidence, and finally, figuring out the killer with a little help from an outside source. I might have wanted a bit more detecting, as it were, but that’s a minor quibble.
A NetGalley book for me.
The story is deftly told. Each prominent member of the cast gets their spotlight in the plot, and they all have secrets they want to keep hidden. Gregson teases the reader with just enough information to whet one’s appetite for deciding who the killer is. Lambert spends a lot of time going over the evidence, and finally, figuring out the killer with a little help from an outside source. I might have wanted a bit more detecting, as it were, but that’s a minor quibble.
A NetGalley book for me.
October 9, 2016
I loved it but the ending was a quick letdown ...
December 15, 2016
has an old-fashioned british bobby mystery feel to it.
April 17, 2017
*** Possible Spoilers ***
This was a great whodunit. The scene is a television shoot for ... a whodunit. The producer comes in waving a cigar and reviling one and all for an unavoidable delay that was caused by the weather. Soon he is found dead in this trailer and the cross examinations begin. All the actors and actresses who were part of the production are suspects. Everyone has a secret to hide.
The inspector and his assistant are fairly bland characters. Their purpose is to expose enough of the other characters as to provide the reader with hints as to who the actual murderer is and they do that very well. Unfortunately I think one would need to have a pretty in-depth knowledge of the British theater to recognize the significant clue but, no matter, it's a fine mystery and a thoroughly enjoyable book.
If one is looking for deep insights into the human condition you'll have to look elsewhere but if what you want is an exciting mystery to curl up with then I can certainly recommend this book.
This was a great whodunit. The scene is a television shoot for ... a whodunit. The producer comes in waving a cigar and reviling one and all for an unavoidable delay that was caused by the weather. Soon he is found dead in this trailer and the cross examinations begin. All the actors and actresses who were part of the production are suspects. Everyone has a secret to hide.
The inspector and his assistant are fairly bland characters. Their purpose is to expose enough of the other characters as to provide the reader with hints as to who the actual murderer is and they do that very well. Unfortunately I think one would need to have a pretty in-depth knowledge of the British theater to recognize the significant clue but, no matter, it's a fine mystery and a thoroughly enjoyable book.
If one is looking for deep insights into the human condition you'll have to look elsewhere but if what you want is an exciting mystery to curl up with then I can certainly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews