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DC Smith #9
The Truth
He said if he hadn't heard from you by high noon today, he was going to strap on his six-guns and ride back into town. So I think you should call him, Charlie. Call him before you come home. Charlie Hills, former desk sergeant at Kings Lake Central, is in trouble. He hasn't told Smith, his old friend and sparring partner, but someone has, and now the two former policemen are about to embark on a difficult and potentially dangerous search for the truth. For one of them, it could be life-changing.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2021
325 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Peter Grainger
70 books868 followersA 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
April 29, 2021
The Truth, Peter Grainger, A DC Smith Investigation.
Once again I must state that my reviews of Mr. Grainger’s work are becoming repetitive. There are, after all, only so many words that one can use to describe top-notch writing, intriguing and believable plots, fascinating characters, and on-going character development. Mr. Grainer’s work is outstanding in all these respects.
I am delighted that The Truth is a DC Smith investigation, who is one of my all-time favourite characters. (This is not to say, however, that I do not enjoy just as much Mr. Grainger’s Kings Lake Investigations Series.) DC brings his sharp mind, his incredible ability to see beneath the obvious, and his wonderful dry sense of humour to his first case as a private detective. I for one hope it is not his last. He finds work as a private detective rather different than his work as a detective. While he is at first hesitant, he cannot but help an old friend with a nasty problem and takes on this first case with his usual ability to clearly and calmly find the truth behind the lies.
Mr. Grainger has the ability to bring his characters to life in vivid detail and to put his readers into the beauty of the countryside as well as the sometimes brutality of inner-city life.
If you enjoy cop procedurals and murder mysteries in general, this is not a series to be missed. Mr. Grainger always delivers a first-class and captivating read. I have never once been disappointed and have no hesitation in recommending this novel, or any in this or the Kings Lake series. Each book is both a continuing story and a stand-alone mystery. If you haven’t read the series from Book 1, I definitely suggest you should.
Keep on writing Mr. Grainger. I cannot help but wonder where you will go next. Back to Kings Lake, more of DC as a Private Investigator, or perhaps, a merging of both. No matter what or where, you can be sure we, the reader, will be waiting.
May 7, 2021
Happy to have discovered this 9th book. I have read and enjoyed all DC Smith books. Smith is made of strong stuff and does not fit any stereotype. I was excited to find him physically stronger now and happy with his Jo, but a friend from the force asks for help when his son is charged with a serious crime. It is a complex puzzle of a drug operation, and Smith has to sign up temporarily as a PI to have any authority to conduct investigation. People from the past play prominent roles and it seems good for Smith to be back in the saddle and strong enough to take a trip to Amsterdam to follow the leads. It is worrisome seeing he has to operate as a lone ranger when he could have used some backup.
This is a great series!
Kindle Unlimited
This is a great series!
Kindle Unlimited
October 24, 2021
Another DC Smith book. This time he is retired but takes on a private investigation. Love his dry humor.
November 8, 2022
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT?
Charlie Hills, the former Desk Sergeant at King's Lake Central and verbal sparring partner of DC Smith has a problem—his son has been arrested on drug charges. Charlie's retired, and apparently forgotten about by everyone at the station, so can get no favors pulled on his son's behalf. The lawyer he's hired for his son is one of the best around, and they think they're in good shape. But Charlie doesn't want to wait for that.
DC Smith gets wind of the trouble and volunteers to help out—he first has to get himself hired on (albeit temporarily) with PI firm so he can get standing to do any investigating. Then he dives in.
It's quite an adjustment having to rely on his own wits and guile, without any threat of official power behind him as he pokes around the evidence. On the other hand, when has DC not relied on his wits and guile more than anything?
The investigation brings him close to more than one unsavory character, a couple of faces from his past, and a little more danger than we're accustomed to DC facing—along with a bit of international travel and our man having to figure out how Airbnb works. That last just might cause DC to retire for good.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
DC decides to do his PI work under his Christian name, David. If for no other reason, the joke wouldn't work without any Detective Constables around. So apart from some old friends of his (and the series' fans), he's called David or Smith by everyone. This is a rather minor note, but imagine what it would be like if we actually learned Spenser's name and everyone started using it.
I never adjusted to it—David will always be D.C. to me, and I didn't stop doing audio double-takes every time anyone other than Jo referred to him as "David." Neither in this post or any future ones (assuming there are future PI cases for him) will I call him anything but DC or Smith. It does make for a pretty clear line of demarcation between his two careers, but...ick.
GILDART JACKSON'S NARRATION
I know I'm supposed to talk about the narration for this book—everyone who writes blog posts or articles about reviewing audiobooks says you have to. And, you really should—they are tasked to bring the author's words to life, convey the characters, and keep the listener engaged.
But I've talked about Jackson's work on the 8 previous Smith novels, 3 King's Lake novels, and likely some Alex Verus stuff. I don't know what to say about him that I haven't said before. He's perfect for this series and it's fantastic to hear him spending this much time with DC and other old friends. But I don't know how to say anything new about him and I'm tired of saying the same things over and over (and loyal readers are probably tired of my stretches toward novelty). So, I guess I have to take a pass on it this time.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE TRUTH?
It's great to see DC back in action again—such an old pro playing the fish-out-of-water is a nice touch, too. Sure, with Rebus and Bosch (among others), it's not unheard of to see the retired police detective doing the PI thing. But it feels different (if inevitable) with DC. He's been such a believer in the police services, and so denigrated PIs, that it's striking to see him do this.
But oh, so good for the fans. It's a good case for DC, no matter who is paying the bills. And it's a good novel for the author—in particular, the last chapter or two are killers. Grainger's firing on all cylinders here with DC back at the helm. It's a joy to see.
It's clear from what Jo's said to Chris over the course of time in the King's Lake books that DC needed something to do other than putter around the house and play around with the dog. So you knew something like this was coming. It also seemed like it'd take something like Charlie Hills being in trouble to get him moving. Now the hope has to be that he realizes how good it was for him, so that Grainger has to work in the occasional (or frequent, I'd be okay with frequent) case for DC between King's Lake books.
I heartily recommend this one—it'd probably be best if you were familiar with the character before this novel, but not necessary. Come on in, the water's fine.
---
WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT?
Charlie Hills, the former Desk Sergeant at King's Lake Central and verbal sparring partner of DC Smith has a problem—his son has been arrested on drug charges. Charlie's retired, and apparently forgotten about by everyone at the station, so can get no favors pulled on his son's behalf. The lawyer he's hired for his son is one of the best around, and they think they're in good shape. But Charlie doesn't want to wait for that.
DC Smith gets wind of the trouble and volunteers to help out—he first has to get himself hired on (albeit temporarily) with PI firm so he can get standing to do any investigating. Then he dives in.
It's quite an adjustment having to rely on his own wits and guile, without any threat of official power behind him as he pokes around the evidence. On the other hand, when has DC not relied on his wits and guile more than anything?
The investigation brings him close to more than one unsavory character, a couple of faces from his past, and a little more danger than we're accustomed to DC facing—along with a bit of international travel and our man having to figure out how Airbnb works. That last just might cause DC to retire for good.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
DC decides to do his PI work under his Christian name, David. If for no other reason, the joke wouldn't work without any Detective Constables around. So apart from some old friends of his (and the series' fans), he's called David or Smith by everyone. This is a rather minor note, but imagine what it would be like if we actually learned Spenser's name and everyone started using it.
I never adjusted to it—David will always be D.C. to me, and I didn't stop doing audio double-takes every time anyone other than Jo referred to him as "David." Neither in this post or any future ones (assuming there are future PI cases for him) will I call him anything but DC or Smith. It does make for a pretty clear line of demarcation between his two careers, but...ick.
GILDART JACKSON'S NARRATION
I know I'm supposed to talk about the narration for this book—everyone who writes blog posts or articles about reviewing audiobooks says you have to. And, you really should—they are tasked to bring the author's words to life, convey the characters, and keep the listener engaged.
But I've talked about Jackson's work on the 8 previous Smith novels, 3 King's Lake novels, and likely some Alex Verus stuff. I don't know what to say about him that I haven't said before. He's perfect for this series and it's fantastic to hear him spending this much time with DC and other old friends. But I don't know how to say anything new about him and I'm tired of saying the same things over and over (and loyal readers are probably tired of my stretches toward novelty). So, I guess I have to take a pass on it this time.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE TRUTH?
It's great to see DC back in action again—such an old pro playing the fish-out-of-water is a nice touch, too. Sure, with Rebus and Bosch (among others), it's not unheard of to see the retired police detective doing the PI thing. But it feels different (if inevitable) with DC. He's been such a believer in the police services, and so denigrated PIs, that it's striking to see him do this.
But oh, so good for the fans. It's a good case for DC, no matter who is paying the bills. And it's a good novel for the author—in particular, the last chapter or two are killers. Grainger's firing on all cylinders here with DC back at the helm. It's a joy to see.
It's clear from what Jo's said to Chris over the course of time in the King's Lake books that DC needed something to do other than putter around the house and play around with the dog. So you knew something like this was coming. It also seemed like it'd take something like Charlie Hills being in trouble to get him moving. Now the hope has to be that he realizes how good it was for him, so that Grainger has to work in the occasional (or frequent, I'd be okay with frequent) case for DC between King's Lake books.
I heartily recommend this one—it'd probably be best if you were familiar with the character before this novel, but not necessary. Come on in, the water's fine.
August 11, 2023
Ninth book in and the author finds ways to surprise the reader and his MC. Brilliant.
Smith is back on a case, one that is personal, but having retired he finds himself on the outside. An old dog learning new tricks and all that except that they're not so new.
Ingeniously characters who we met in passing in other books or seemed inconsequential window dressing reemerge sometimes in a different light and almost center stage. Only almost because Smith continues to be the beacon of these stories and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Turns out Smith can only be so much of a househusband before his brain fries and Jo sees it even when he doesn't or doesn't want to. Taking on a case to help a friend is just the thing to test out the waters.
Things go well until they don't and that's something I appreciate about this series. There is no sugar coating the bitter pills but there's no gratuitous cruelty either.
Eagerly awaiting the audio for the next one and I'll likely dive in to the other Kings Lake stories.
Smith is back on a case, one that is personal, but having retired he finds himself on the outside. An old dog learning new tricks and all that except that they're not so new.
Ingeniously characters who we met in passing in other books or seemed inconsequential window dressing reemerge sometimes in a different light and almost center stage. Only almost because Smith continues to be the beacon of these stories and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Turns out Smith can only be so much of a househusband before his brain fries and Jo sees it even when he doesn't or doesn't want to. Taking on a case to help a friend is just the thing to test out the waters.
Things go well until they don't and that's something I appreciate about this series. There is no sugar coating the bitter pills but there's no gratuitous cruelty either.
Eagerly awaiting the audio for the next one and I'll likely dive in to the other Kings Lake stories.
November 26, 2023
My first reading of this book is gave it 3.5 - 4 stars. At the time I wrote “I’ve loved all the books in this series, but this one was slow to start. Not a high action book, but enjoyable”
I decided to re-read before I listened to the latest book, and I’ve upped my rating to 5 stars. I love this series and this is an excellent book with an excellent narrator.
I decided to re-read before I listened to the latest book, and I’ve upped my rating to 5 stars. I love this series and this is an excellent book with an excellent narrator.
April 28, 2021
Heart stopping and soul searching
All the boxes are checked: intelligent, warm, thrilling, informative, provocative. Grainger is my favorite detective story writer. He would never stoop to formulaic commercial fiction, I feel certain. yes, we have heard of drug smugglers on the Norfolk coast before, but Grainger was able to set my heart racing by his protagonist telling us blow by blow what a detective turned private investigator feels when he may have only minutes to live.
All the boxes are checked: intelligent, warm, thrilling, informative, provocative. Grainger is my favorite detective story writer. He would never stoop to formulaic commercial fiction, I feel certain. yes, we have heard of drug smugglers on the Norfolk coast before, but Grainger was able to set my heart racing by his protagonist telling us blow by blow what a detective turned private investigator feels when he may have only minutes to live.
December 8, 2021
disappointing -- I love the DC Smith series but in this story, he's talking (thinking) to himself. The fun repartee with Chris is missing, and DC/Grainger is pontificating.
June 6, 2021
There are two common usages of the English word “perfect”. Most often used is “without blemish or flaw”, a definition which has created no end of consternation to all who strive for its unattainable pinnacle. The far better one is “the best possible means to accomplish a desired goal”. In this meaning the gold standard among all police procedural fiction is David C Smith, former officer of the Kings Lake Police and central character in nine of Peter Grainger’s novels. DC Smith is without a doubt the perfect detective.
He is flawed, and the latest installment of his saga show us how perfectly so. His super power is his unwavering loyalty to his own hard-won moral standards. The Truth pits his commitments to friendship and justice against those to justice and law, but not necessarily in that order nor in those combinations. He’s a real man confronting complex situations with a complicated history and uncertain future. It’s an engrossing and intelligent master stroke.
I hope for the opportunity to meet Mr. Grainger someday, hoping that he is not as demanding a conversation partner as his literary alter ego.
He is flawed, and the latest installment of his saga show us how perfectly so. His super power is his unwavering loyalty to his own hard-won moral standards. The Truth pits his commitments to friendship and justice against those to justice and law, but not necessarily in that order nor in those combinations. He’s a real man confronting complex situations with a complicated history and uncertain future. It’s an engrossing and intelligent master stroke.
I hope for the opportunity to meet Mr. Grainger someday, hoping that he is not as demanding a conversation partner as his literary alter ego.
November 16, 2021
Great to have Smith back in this book, undertaking a new role and seeing the return of some characters we have come to know and love. The story is peppered with Smith's dry wit, there are references to cases past which bring back memories, and we learn a little more about Smith and Jo's relationship.
May 23, 2022
So happy to see another Peter Grainger again, and especially so with DC in the starring role. Hoping there are more. I the meantime, maybe I’ll start again from the beginning.
As usual, I listened to the book. To me, Gildart Jackson IS DC. Wouldn’t be the same without him. One of the best reader to book series pairings that I know.
As usual, I listened to the book. To me, Gildart Jackson IS DC. Wouldn’t be the same without him. One of the best reader to book series pairings that I know.
October 27, 2021
What did marijuana ever do to Peter Grainger?
December 14, 2024
Did it keep my interest? 4.5. I was worried I was not going to find a decent British detective novel after my very enjoyable Hawthorne & Horowitz binge, but I’ve found two good ones in a row. I liked Deborah Crombie and now I like Peter Grainger.
Did I enjoy the topic? 4.5. Like stories centered around competent old people. Like a cozy British detective story. Slowly told story that was narrated excellently
Was the dialogue realistic? 4.5. A very realistic story, as Grainger builds the story slowly. I enjoyed the retired cop-turned-private eye’s technology ignorance.
Now that I’ve been out of the tech work world for a couple years, I can feel any tech skill I had slip away. I’m typing this on my iPad with one finger, as spellcheck is working overtime, correcting every other word.
Would I recommend to Jen (smart, discerning reader)? 4. Jennie is not familiar with Peter Grainger, but I think her Mom would be. I think I could trick Jennie into reading one of the series by telling her that Mom has read them all. Her competitiveness will come out
Would I have recommended to my Mom (read for entertainment)? 4.5. I would have steered her toward these completely satisfying British detective novels. Perfect mix of charm and detectiving.
Quality of narrator? 4.5. Gildart Jackson was most excellent. I think he is an older British gent, so he nailed the retired DI. As for narrating awards, he won the 2015 Behind the Voice Actor Award for Anime Dub Television Voice Acting Award. Prestigious, indeed.
Did I enjoy the topic? 4.5. Like stories centered around competent old people. Like a cozy British detective story. Slowly told story that was narrated excellently
Was the dialogue realistic? 4.5. A very realistic story, as Grainger builds the story slowly. I enjoyed the retired cop-turned-private eye’s technology ignorance.
Now that I’ve been out of the tech work world for a couple years, I can feel any tech skill I had slip away. I’m typing this on my iPad with one finger, as spellcheck is working overtime, correcting every other word.
Would I recommend to Jen (smart, discerning reader)? 4. Jennie is not familiar with Peter Grainger, but I think her Mom would be. I think I could trick Jennie into reading one of the series by telling her that Mom has read them all. Her competitiveness will come out
Would I have recommended to my Mom (read for entertainment)? 4.5. I would have steered her toward these completely satisfying British detective novels. Perfect mix of charm and detectiving.
Quality of narrator? 4.5. Gildart Jackson was most excellent. I think he is an older British gent, so he nailed the retired DI. As for narrating awards, he won the 2015 Behind the Voice Actor Award for Anime Dub Television Voice Acting Award. Prestigious, indeed.
October 29, 2024
This is the first in the series after Smith switches from being a police detective sergeant to a PI, here only to help out an old colleague, whose son is in trouble. I found this slow to get going, but the section in Amsterdam was excellent and the very ending was unexpected (in a good way).
Read
November 10, 2021(audio book)
I think someone on the Ace of Spades weblog recommended the D.C. Smith series by Peter Grainger. I have now read all of them except a couple and absolutely love this author. Besides the outstanding crime mysteries, the series explores the office culture of British police departments, and the various personalities presented are fascinating. In this volume, D. C. Smith is retired, but bored, and we are evidently presented with the possibility of new stories in which he becomes a private investigator, which of course is quite different from having the legal system behind one as an officer.
Here, the son of the now-retired desk officer is accused of drug smuggling, and there is an interesting twist at the end.
Very much looking forward to more great writing from this author.
The reader of the audio version was outstanding.
I think someone on the Ace of Spades weblog recommended the D.C. Smith series by Peter Grainger. I have now read all of them except a couple and absolutely love this author. Besides the outstanding crime mysteries, the series explores the office culture of British police departments, and the various personalities presented are fascinating. In this volume, D. C. Smith is retired, but bored, and we are evidently presented with the possibility of new stories in which he becomes a private investigator, which of course is quite different from having the legal system behind one as an officer.
Here, the son of the now-retired desk officer is accused of drug smuggling, and there is an interesting twist at the end.
Very much looking forward to more great writing from this author.
The reader of the audio version was outstanding.
May 12, 2025
2025: Enjoyable repeat listen, back to back, of each D.C Smith book.
2022: relisten. This wraps up my last book for a crime spree reading challenge for 2022.
This is a really good series and one I’ve enjoyed rereading.
2022: relisten. This wraps up my last book for a crime spree reading challenge for 2022.
This is a really good series and one I’ve enjoyed rereading.
November 15, 2021
Love Smith (I always think of him as Psmith) but the series is petering out. Might be time to really retire him. It was a great ride though :)
January 23, 2022
This DCSmith book was a bit slow for most of the book, then there was some excitement, then confusion. Sometimes the information is delivered in such a vague way that I am left unsatisfied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2024
And thus ends my solid binge of listening to this series, though I plan to return to this author in the future. So much I enjoyed about these books. Meaningful mysteries, solid characterizations, contemplative bits, wry humor, flashes of intensity, literary references, and a delicious main character. Plus the most satisfying audio narration. I’m a little intrigued by the author’s apparent great familiarity with the Bible, weaving in an abundance of literary references from it. Did he just end this one by obliquely referring to Jesus as a poet? I like it.
June 3, 2024
Thank goodness Smith is back first private case, it was gripping and different enjoyed. Please dont stop!!
October 11, 2022
I'm going to leave my original review as is but this is an addition comment because I have finished book #8 (A Private Investigation). In my original review I mentioned that I read #9 before #8 but wrote that it didn't really matter because the books can be read as a stand-alone. That's what I thought at the time but, having finished "A Private Investigation", I have to confess I was very wrong in this case. Read #7, #8 and #9 in order to enjoy the books fully.
Original Review:
I had finished Grainger’s books a few years back, thoroughly enjoying all of them. This author is, for me, right at the top of the writers in the mystery/police procedural genre. In each case I’ve ‘read’ the audiobook and it’s possible that my love of these books is due in part to the amazing performances given by Gildart Jackson. His voice, the pacing, the cadence and the style are more perfectly matched to the narratives than any other audiobooks I’ve experienced. I recently learned of two newer books so I got them right away. Although I’ve read quite a few good books since my last Grainger, I’m tempted to go back and increase my ratings for all the Graingers because few of the many of the intervening books can hold a candle to Peter Grainger and his protagonist, DC Smith.
When I last left off, it was in the related “King’s Lake” series of novels, which feature many of the same characters. Smith had retired and moved in with a new love to enjoy life and putter about in a sailing dingy. He has maintained contact with his old team and occasionally helps out in an unofficial capacity but he is happy in retirement, glad to no longer be working for a rapidly reorganizing police unit. “The Truth” is #9 in the “DC Smith” series and I’m currently reading #8: “A Private Investigation” so I’m missing bits of the character’s history. In #8 Smith is about to retire but in “The Truth” he is retired and is brought in to help out his former desk sergeant, Charlie Hills. It’s a bit complicated but it all makes complete sense if you read them roughly in order.
Charlie Hills calls him because his son has been arrested for being part of a cocaine smuggling operation. Anthony Hills sells expensive cars to the wealthy but swears he was just offered a ten percent owner of a yacht by a fleet vehicle customer/friend. The yacht in question is the one on which the drugs were found but Anthony swears he's only seen the boat once and knows nothing at all about the cocaine. Charlie is positive that his son would never endanger his wife and two children by getting involved in such a scheme.
In his search for the truth, Smith finds himself working as a self-employed consultant for the private investigators he encountered in earlier books, Diver and Diver, a brother and sister team involved mostly in cyber-investigation. Smith doesn’t entirely trust the two and is still out of his depth with modern technology but he’s willing to sign on for one job to help out Charlie. He is also beginning to get a bit restless in retirement, so much so that even his live-in partner Jo thinks he might benefit from finding something a bit more mentally challenging.
This book also brings back another character from earlier books in the form of a lawyer, who was once the nemesis of the police. Even when on the same side their relationship is not a smooth one. The fireworks are mostly understated and he deals with them in the same calm, detached, practical and humourous way that Smith employed when he was still with the force. He chats his way into secrets and finds himself in Amsterdam stepping on the toes of a complex undercover investigation and putting himself in mortal danger without the back-up he could have once counted on as a DS.
There are some delightful surprises at the end of the book. The loose ends are nicely tied up and the definition of “the truth” is shown to be more flexible than he previously thought. Smith is probably my favourite character in the genre; he is modest, smart, loyal, principled, devious and usually funny but occasionally fierce if it’s called for. It was a pure delight to see him back in action.
Original Review:
I had finished Grainger’s books a few years back, thoroughly enjoying all of them. This author is, for me, right at the top of the writers in the mystery/police procedural genre. In each case I’ve ‘read’ the audiobook and it’s possible that my love of these books is due in part to the amazing performances given by Gildart Jackson. His voice, the pacing, the cadence and the style are more perfectly matched to the narratives than any other audiobooks I’ve experienced. I recently learned of two newer books so I got them right away. Although I’ve read quite a few good books since my last Grainger, I’m tempted to go back and increase my ratings for all the Graingers because few of the many of the intervening books can hold a candle to Peter Grainger and his protagonist, DC Smith.
When I last left off, it was in the related “King’s Lake” series of novels, which feature many of the same characters. Smith had retired and moved in with a new love to enjoy life and putter about in a sailing dingy. He has maintained contact with his old team and occasionally helps out in an unofficial capacity but he is happy in retirement, glad to no longer be working for a rapidly reorganizing police unit. “The Truth” is #9 in the “DC Smith” series and I’m currently reading #8: “A Private Investigation” so I’m missing bits of the character’s history. In #8 Smith is about to retire but in “The Truth” he is retired and is brought in to help out his former desk sergeant, Charlie Hills. It’s a bit complicated but it all makes complete sense if you read them roughly in order.
Charlie Hills calls him because his son has been arrested for being part of a cocaine smuggling operation. Anthony Hills sells expensive cars to the wealthy but swears he was just offered a ten percent owner of a yacht by a fleet vehicle customer/friend. The yacht in question is the one on which the drugs were found but Anthony swears he's only seen the boat once and knows nothing at all about the cocaine. Charlie is positive that his son would never endanger his wife and two children by getting involved in such a scheme.
In his search for the truth, Smith finds himself working as a self-employed consultant for the private investigators he encountered in earlier books, Diver and Diver, a brother and sister team involved mostly in cyber-investigation. Smith doesn’t entirely trust the two and is still out of his depth with modern technology but he’s willing to sign on for one job to help out Charlie. He is also beginning to get a bit restless in retirement, so much so that even his live-in partner Jo thinks he might benefit from finding something a bit more mentally challenging.
This book also brings back another character from earlier books in the form of a lawyer, who was once the nemesis of the police. Even when on the same side their relationship is not a smooth one. The fireworks are mostly understated and he deals with them in the same calm, detached, practical and humourous way that Smith employed when he was still with the force. He chats his way into secrets and finds himself in Amsterdam stepping on the toes of a complex undercover investigation and putting himself in mortal danger without the back-up he could have once counted on as a DS.
There are some delightful surprises at the end of the book. The loose ends are nicely tied up and the definition of “the truth” is shown to be more flexible than he previously thought. Smith is probably my favourite character in the genre; he is modest, smart, loyal, principled, devious and usually funny but occasionally fierce if it’s called for. It was a pure delight to see him back in action.
April 5, 2025
This is a review of the whole 11-book series…
*************************************
I stumbled upon An Accidental Death on Audible while browsing for something that came free with my subscription — and a few minutes in, I was completely hooked. I had no idea at the time that this would become not only my favorite detective series, but one of my favorite series of all time. When I discovered there were ten more books in the DC Smith Investigation series by Peter Grainger — all included in my subscription — I was ecstatic!
What sets this series apart is its quiet brilliance. The writing is elegant but unpretentious. The plots are thoughtful and cleverly woven, not rushed or overly dramatized. Each case stands on its own while contributing to a greater arc, and every single book holds up — something I rarely experience with long-running series. There wasn’t one installment that felt like a dip in quality. If anything, the series just kept getting better with every new release.
DC Smith himself is one of THE most memorable, charming, and well-drawn characters I’ve ever encountered. Dry, intelligent, modest, and often quietly hilarious, he feels like someone you genuinely know — someone you’d trust, listen to, and be endlessly intrigued by. Over the course of the series, more characters are introduced and fleshed out, and soon enough, they start to feel like a real team, with dynamics and inside jokes that made me feel like I was right there with them.
The character development is what truly makes this series exceptional. These people aren’t just solving crimes — they’re living their lives, with quirks, backstories, ambitions, relationships, and heartbreaks. It’s all so well-balanced. The pacing never lags, and the humor, subtle as it often is, brought a warmth that made the series deeply enjoyable, even when dealing with darker themes.
The narrator, Gildart Jackson, deserves just as much praise as the author. His performance brought the entire cast to life. The tone, delivery, and emotional nuance he brought to each character elevated the writing — and I genuinely believe this series owes a large part of its success to how perfectly he captured its voice.
I only wish these books were available in print — I would absolutely own physical copies in a heartbeat. I’ve recommended this series to everyone who would listen, and I truly believe it deserves more attention. There’s also a spin-off series (or perhaps two?) featuring some of the characters, and I fully intend to listen to that next. I will actually read EVERYTHING Peter Granger writes, period!
In short: this series is a gem. If you’re looking for a smart, character-driven detective series that builds a world you’ll never want to leave — this is it. In my humble opinion, DS Smith belongs with the best of them – Sherlock, Miss Marple, Poirot, Dupin, etc… Just please go read those books. They’re the epitome of brilliance.
*************************************
I stumbled upon An Accidental Death on Audible while browsing for something that came free with my subscription — and a few minutes in, I was completely hooked. I had no idea at the time that this would become not only my favorite detective series, but one of my favorite series of all time. When I discovered there were ten more books in the DC Smith Investigation series by Peter Grainger — all included in my subscription — I was ecstatic!
What sets this series apart is its quiet brilliance. The writing is elegant but unpretentious. The plots are thoughtful and cleverly woven, not rushed or overly dramatized. Each case stands on its own while contributing to a greater arc, and every single book holds up — something I rarely experience with long-running series. There wasn’t one installment that felt like a dip in quality. If anything, the series just kept getting better with every new release.
DC Smith himself is one of THE most memorable, charming, and well-drawn characters I’ve ever encountered. Dry, intelligent, modest, and often quietly hilarious, he feels like someone you genuinely know — someone you’d trust, listen to, and be endlessly intrigued by. Over the course of the series, more characters are introduced and fleshed out, and soon enough, they start to feel like a real team, with dynamics and inside jokes that made me feel like I was right there with them.
The character development is what truly makes this series exceptional. These people aren’t just solving crimes — they’re living their lives, with quirks, backstories, ambitions, relationships, and heartbreaks. It’s all so well-balanced. The pacing never lags, and the humor, subtle as it often is, brought a warmth that made the series deeply enjoyable, even when dealing with darker themes.
The narrator, Gildart Jackson, deserves just as much praise as the author. His performance brought the entire cast to life. The tone, delivery, and emotional nuance he brought to each character elevated the writing — and I genuinely believe this series owes a large part of its success to how perfectly he captured its voice.
I only wish these books were available in print — I would absolutely own physical copies in a heartbeat. I’ve recommended this series to everyone who would listen, and I truly believe it deserves more attention. There’s also a spin-off series (or perhaps two?) featuring some of the characters, and I fully intend to listen to that next. I will actually read EVERYTHING Peter Granger writes, period!
In short: this series is a gem. If you’re looking for a smart, character-driven detective series that builds a world you’ll never want to leave — this is it. In my humble opinion, DS Smith belongs with the best of them – Sherlock, Miss Marple, Poirot, Dupin, etc… Just please go read those books. They’re the epitome of brilliance.
February 2, 2023
DC Smith, retired and living the life with Jo in a little cottage by the sea with his boat and dog, is brought back into service by an old buddy, Charlie Wellis, to clear his son of drug charges.
DC takes on a consulting job with Driver and Driver to assist Anthony Wellis attorneys.
DC is not completely comfortable finding info to clear someone when he spent his entire career nabbing the bad guys.
Things get very tense when DC is in Amsterdam tracking the drug dealers on their boat.
DC fell into the middle of a multi-national sting and threatened to ruin months of work.
Turns out, Anthony Wellis, was actually involved and the odd way he was arrested was necessary because the police wanted to keep the drug trafficking undercover while the sting was evolving.
DC was very angry when he found out the Truth and felt a bit embarrassed over stepping into an undercover case. He was glad to help his buddy, but felt justice had not been served.
DC takes on a consulting job with Driver and Driver to assist Anthony Wellis attorneys.
DC is not completely comfortable finding info to clear someone when he spent his entire career nabbing the bad guys.
Things get very tense when DC is in Amsterdam tracking the drug dealers on their boat.
DC fell into the middle of a multi-national sting and threatened to ruin months of work.
Turns out, Anthony Wellis, was actually involved and the odd way he was arrested was necessary because the police wanted to keep the drug trafficking undercover while the sting was evolving.
DC was very angry when he found out the Truth and felt a bit embarrassed over stepping into an undercover case. He was glad to help his buddy, but felt justice had not been served.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2021
PG is one of my favorite authors. This was my least favorite of the DC Smith series and I say this only in the context that the author has set a very high bar for himself and this one just didn't quite hit that bar. What was there was excellent, but the alleged bad guy/victim wasn't developed at all, nor were any of the other supporting characters developed enough. Definitely suggest reading it to keep abreast of the developments in the series.
April 28, 2021
My favorite genre is crime fiction and Peter Grainger has worked his way up to the top of my list. Alongside Colin Dexter and Mick Herron, the characters in his books are what makes them rise above the rest. He just gets better and better. If you haven’t discovered him yet, you’ve been missing one of the best.
May 5, 2021
I loved reconnecting with DC Smith. This book is a great addition to a wonderful series. I am so happy DC came out of retirement and look forward to reading about his next case! Truly an exceptional detective series. The characters are wonderfully developed and many appear in this captivating story.
May 31, 2021
Wonderful Change in the Series
DC is back! This was a very refreshing read without PC fascist jargon and threats to freedom of expression that is found in so many novels coming out Brit countries these days. DC was at his best in this one- Thanks to the great novelist who created him. Super Job!
DC is back! This was a very refreshing read without PC fascist jargon and threats to freedom of expression that is found in so many novels coming out Brit countries these days. DC was at his best in this one- Thanks to the great novelist who created him. Super Job!
June 16, 2021
What a pleasure to read. A detective that thinks through, and not smart because the author says he/she is, then does all kinds of daft things, but smart because he is. A perfectly believable supporting cast of goodies and baddies. Keep writing Peter, while I catch up on the previous 8 DC Smith books!
October 31, 2021
I was waiting for this D C Smith novel, and I was not disappointed. Peter Grainger’s prose is intelligent and interesting. His character Smith is a complicated, nuanced man with a strong moral compass. This novel, which has Smith acting as a Private Investigator, was vintage Grainger.
My husband found this series on audio, and the narrator is excellent.
My husband found this series on audio, and the narrator is excellent.
May 1, 2023
Unabridged audio e version read by Gildart Jackson borrowed from the Norfolk Libby App.
A well structured and cleverly plotted storyline that allows our protagonist, newly retired, and recovering from a knife attack, to investigate a case privately when the son of one of his oldest police mates (Charlie, from whom Smith was always stealing biscuits when Charlie worked at the front desk of the Central Police Station).
We get to see Smith manoeuvring his way around being a PI without his previous network and support team including a trip to the Netherlands. I love the character of Smith, although I'm not sure I would know how to interact with him in real life! Particularly his pedantry! I liked how closely we followed him through this novel, and his interactions with DCI Cara Freeman and DC John Murray. I missed newly promoted DS Chris Waters but I believe there's a spin off series just for him which I shall investigate. I also thought Jo was a bit flat in this one. She's there almost in the role of facilitator for Smith when he needs help with the sat nav, booking an Air B&B, uploading stuff to the cloud etc. She's got him back on his feet, given up a prestigious lecturing job abroad and she's basically been demoted to the role of PA!
There is one more in the series, although not available through the library, but the series must be winding up now as there are more limited options now Smith has retired. Looking forward to investigating the spin off series and returning to Kings Lake.
A well structured and cleverly plotted storyline that allows our protagonist, newly retired, and recovering from a knife attack, to investigate a case privately when the son of one of his oldest police mates (Charlie, from whom Smith was always stealing biscuits when Charlie worked at the front desk of the Central Police Station).
We get to see Smith manoeuvring his way around being a PI without his previous network and support team including a trip to the Netherlands. I love the character of Smith, although I'm not sure I would know how to interact with him in real life! Particularly his pedantry! I liked how closely we followed him through this novel, and his interactions with DCI Cara Freeman and DC John Murray. I missed newly promoted DS Chris Waters but I believe there's a spin off series just for him which I shall investigate. I also thought Jo was a bit flat in this one. She's there almost in the role of facilitator for Smith when he needs help with the sat nav, booking an Air B&B, uploading stuff to the cloud etc. She's got him back on his feet, given up a prestigious lecturing job abroad and she's basically been demoted to the role of PA!
There is one more in the series, although not available through the library, but the series must be winding up now as there are more limited options now Smith has retired. Looking forward to investigating the spin off series and returning to Kings Lake.
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