Dead Simple/ Looking Good Dead

Roy Grace #1-2

by Peter James

Appears extremely good read from the description on the back but never had the time to even open the pages.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Crime

Published November 1, 2008

About the author

Peter James is a global bestselling author, best known for writing crime and thriller novels, and the creator of the much-loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. With a total of 21 Sunday Times No. 1s under his belt, he has achieved global book sales of over 23 million copies to date and has been translated into 38 languages.

Synonymous with plot-twisting page-turners, Peter has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career – which also included stints writing for TV and producing films. He has won over 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons for which he was an Executive Producer. Many of Peter’s novels have been adapted for film, TV and stage.

Reviews

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was passed to me by my Mum who claimed that it was "un-put-downable". At the time I had just finished another book and decided to give it a go.

In this book, Michael Harrison is left in a life or death situation after four of his friends wind up dead after a Stag night prank gone wrong. The lead detective Roy Grace is on the case and with only three days until Michael is due to get married urgency is of the highest order. he starts with Michael's distraught fiancee Ashley Harper. Roy Grace has his own demons as his own wife went missing a few years ago. The one person who should know Michael's whereabouts, is the one person who seems to be avoiding the situation at all costs. Roy Grace is hot on the heels of any lead he can find and his only mission is to return Michael safe and sound in time for his wedding.

The first thing that struck me about this book was that the storyline (although maybe a little exageratted) was so unusual. It's the first time an author has come up with something so different. Some of the scenes that are written had me holding my breath with fear, which is always a good sign for me. The book was fresh and new and the story line gripping and a complete page turner. I read the book in a matter of hours and must say it is one of the best books I have picked up in a long time. I would highly reccommend this book to anybody as I think it's gripping. Peter James has me hook line and sinker!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Simple
I originally picked this book up after my mum recommended another Peter James book (Dead Tomorrow) and am so glad I did! This is a real page turner that had me hooked from start to finish, I didn't want it to end.

The characters were engaging and the twists in the story were just fantastic. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves crime thrillers. Definitely worth 5 stars

Looking Good Dead
I read this one straight after Dead Simple and whilst it was good, it didn't quite match the level of Dead Simple. I found it a bit slower to start but then couldn't put it down for the last third of the book. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more had I read something else in between each novel. I would still give it 4 stars

[Brenda McTaggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read really did bring out some of my darkest fears. As a claustrophobic person, I can tell you that there were times that I had to remind myself to breathe that it wasn't me trapped and left for dead. I found it very difficult to leave this book out of my hands. So many times, I found myself wanting to yell at the book, save him!!!!! Anyway, it's a very well written story. You should give it a go, you won't regret it.

[Hans Brienesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another "onion" book. Like the peeling back the blayers of an onion the plot and story slowly reveal themselves. A story for the thinking man the twists and turns keep one guessing all the time: nothing is quite what it appears to be. Well crafted, devilishly detailed and masterfully told this is one great detective book. Five stars for me.

[Girish Kamplimath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start... Unputdownable... real surprises through to almost 80% of the book. I took out half 🌟 just because the end was made almost run-of-the-mill type - as if the author expected it to be made into a movie. No option for 4.5 stars. Finished it in a day and a half though

[Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book from the prolific Peter James, a suspenseful and gripping read. Highly recommend

[Giulia Sportelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is breathtaking.

[Rosie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. 2nd time reading but still couldn't put it down at the end

[Lionel Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, well written and the main character came across well.
nice twist at the end and the smaller characters were detailed enough to get to know but not know too much

[anonymousreader]

to-read

[VM Larsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An omnibus by Peter James. Disturbing, gripping, and very well-written.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a fantastic read, I think it was Debbie and Annie that encouraged me to give Peter James a try and I'm so grateful that they did.

I've totally fallen hook, line and sinker for Inspector Grace and am desperate to read the next in the series and find out more about him - I do hope that James tells us a little more about his background and the mystery of his wife.

The plot of Dead Simple was anything but simple, I thought many times that I'd got it all sussed, only to be twarted again at almost the next page. Tense, suspenseful, edge of the seat stuff - I totally loved it and cant wait to get my teeth into the rest of the series.

[Darrenml · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completed my second helping "Looking Good Dead" yet another exciting read from Peter James. I wished though that I could give this a 5plus as I feel that this story is far far superior. I particularly enjoyed sharing the lives of all the individuals and characters from the victims to those of DS Roy Grace (this is the second in the DS Grace series), his team members not even mentioning the extremely unpleasant bad guys. I really did want to keep turning the pages and was quite dissapointed (not in the storyline!) when the book finally did come to an end. There are some real gruesome events some of which are not for the feint hearted!!!!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha! Peter James.

Here we are again!

Finally a book i thought was really really really good. Liked the story, i like Roy; i want to know more about Roy!

But dammit, this book is older than the other ones i read and that means an older book is actually better than the more recent ones, and i get all "Why Peter James?" again.

This book has a nice detective story, a good twist, overall very very enjoyable.

Please let the next book i read be as good :)

[Thasc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dead Simple

What a cracking read full of twists and turns. I wondered whether Michael would ever be rescued, I didn't expect his fiancee and business partner to be involved in the scheme of things.

Looking Good Dead

Another cracking read, I didn't expect Tom and Kellie Bryce to still be alive at the end of the story. And what a twist at the end. I hope there will be a follow on.

[Sivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though i'm still reading it, i must say: Great and thrill book that i ever read for a long time.

Go read it. Looking Good Dead, so as far as i know it is the second book in the series, but the plot is defferent, i think. And yet this is awesome.

The book is one of a kind, i believe with the unique plot, angst and describe scene which i will not spoiler, as you need to read it to know.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought the story was great , nothing scarier than being buried alive . The only thing that I didn't like was over detailed writing on some things. Felt there was to much description and detail about things that really weren't important and felt like it was there to fill the book. I will how ever be reading the next one .

[Nehal · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay..so it started pretty well...with all the twists and turns ...the lead guy.. Michael Harrison has been dumbed inside a coffin by 4 of his friends for a stag night prank..they were supposed to return in a couple of hours but they all die in a tragic accident. After that the book revolves around getting him back safe. But the books isn't that great or gripping.

[David Crossfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is my second book by Peter James, the first was DREAMER which I was not keen on. Dead Simple is a much better read. I love the main character DS Grace. Interesting ending did not get that one right. A good read would recomment.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! It would make a great movie !
I enjoyed James' writing. He kept me on the edge of my seat as I waited to see if the groom would end up a victim of murder or a cruel prank. I didn't expect the black widow plot. Great twist with a truly nasty character.

[James Marinero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well plotted police procedural. If you like Brighton, then you will learn more about it. I just get the feeling of 'padding'. Entertaining nevertheless. I read a Crais book immediately afterwards, and the comparison was stark. This fall as a 3+ for me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a reader normally. But when I get into a book I never want to put it down. I started reading this last weekend and nearly finished it. That's great for me! I'm loving it! Can't wait to read the next one in the series!

[Sheona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inhaled this book. Great twists and turns throughout. All the traditional ingredients are present: greed, betrayal, seduction and love. All have been concocted into a hard-to-put-down thriller.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good crime read

[Andrew Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the books in this series. They are thrilling, disturbing, pacy, with extremely human and believable characters. Great Brighton backdrop. Start at the beginning with this series.

[Geoff French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant start to the Roy Grace books.

[Sue Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book, the storey line kept you guessing, it was tense, and you really felt for the characters, I am really loving Peter James.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very good, a lot twists and turns, it was amazing at the beginning, middle and end, the coffin was a good twist, it was fantastic. Keep them coming mr james.

[Meonwanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ripping stuff, don't read if you're claustrophobic!!! Unputdownable!!

[Sherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns....good read!