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Roy Grace #18
Picture You Dead
Discover the darkness that lurks around every corner in the latest instalment of Peter James’s award-winning detective series, which is now a major BritBox series starring John Simm as Roy Grace.
Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.
It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did . . .
They buy a drab portrait for twenty pounds for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then, studying it back at home, there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.
One collector is certain it is genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get what he wants.
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into the unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand. And Harry and Freya are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare . . .
Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.
It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did . . .
They buy a drab portrait for twenty pounds for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then, studying it back at home, there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.
One collector is certain it is genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get what he wants.
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into the unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand. And Harry and Freya are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare . . .
435 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2022
859 people are currently reading
1788 people want to read
About the author
Peter James
247 books3,673 followersPeter 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 471 reviews
May 30, 2022
In 2015 art dealer Charlie Porteous thinks he has found the golden ticket out of his financial mess but sadly not. In 2019 Harry and Freya Kipling, both fans of car boot sales, which is where Harry acquires an old picture frame he is certain is worth considerably more than the twenty quid he pays. However the painting it contains gives Freya the creeps!
Meanwhile, DSU Roy Grace, head of Major Crimes in Sussex is also tasked with reviewing cold cases and he takes a look at the Charlie Porteous murder which he reopens in “Operation Canvas“. Does Charlies death link to a potentially high value painting he had in his possession? Perhaps in this case it’s a case of “art is what you can get away with” (Andy Warhol).
It’s hard to believe that this is number 18 in this series and what a good addition this one is! It’s quite a busy plot with a lot of characters to familiarise yourself but it is worth it as I really enjoy the focus on art. There really is never a dull moment in this latest Roy Grace mystery thriller.
There are burglaries and burglars, a master forger, tv programme Antiques Roadshow, obsessive characters and very dangerous cat and mouse games to keep you interested! It’s all told at a brisk pace with plenty of plot twists and turns with an added amounts of mayhem, shenanigans, ruthlessness and sheer greed to keep your reading on . I like the ending where one character does redeem himself and the outcome raises an ironic smile from me!
The police team of Roy Grace are familiar now but they’re not as ebullient as they once were which is very understandable after all they’ve been through over the last few years. Even Norman Potting, maybe especially Norman, is not quite so perky as he once was but still capable of the odd moment of un-PC! He makes me laugh! Probably shouldn’t!
Overall, this is a highly entertaining read with an especially enjoyable focus on art which has me intrigued throughout.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan MacMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Meanwhile, DSU Roy Grace, head of Major Crimes in Sussex is also tasked with reviewing cold cases and he takes a look at the Charlie Porteous murder which he reopens in “Operation Canvas“. Does Charlies death link to a potentially high value painting he had in his possession? Perhaps in this case it’s a case of “art is what you can get away with” (Andy Warhol).
It’s hard to believe that this is number 18 in this series and what a good addition this one is! It’s quite a busy plot with a lot of characters to familiarise yourself but it is worth it as I really enjoy the focus on art. There really is never a dull moment in this latest Roy Grace mystery thriller.
There are burglaries and burglars, a master forger, tv programme Antiques Roadshow, obsessive characters and very dangerous cat and mouse games to keep you interested! It’s all told at a brisk pace with plenty of plot twists and turns with an added amounts of mayhem, shenanigans, ruthlessness and sheer greed to keep your reading on . I like the ending where one character does redeem himself and the outcome raises an ironic smile from me!
The police team of Roy Grace are familiar now but they’re not as ebullient as they once were which is very understandable after all they’ve been through over the last few years. Even Norman Potting, maybe especially Norman, is not quite so perky as he once was but still capable of the odd moment of un-PC! He makes me laugh! Probably shouldn’t!
Overall, this is a highly entertaining read with an especially enjoyable focus on art which has me intrigued throughout.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan MacMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 30, 2022
Roy Grace, book 18
This long running and much loved series is now up to book 18, hard to believe. In Picture You Dead, Roy and his team come up against some very slippery and dodge characters indeed. I can’t help but picture Roy now as John Simms, thanks to the TV series. Not that that is a bad things in any way. I think he is perfect in the role of the detective who never gives up
As always with Peter James, there is a lot going on. There is never time to get bored. This is the story of a famous missing artwork and I appreciated the background history in the painting and it’s journey. In a nutshell, a couple buy a paining at a car boot sale one weekend. They hate the painting but the frame is gorgeous and they will re use it with a painting they have at home. They discover by chance, that underneath the ugly painting is a beautiful artwork and believe it could be valuable. They take it along to be examined at Antiques Roadshow and end up having to be escorted out by security as it is worth millions… if it is real. This is the start of a series of events that makes them wish that they had never bought the painting.
At the same time, Roy Grace and his team are working on a cold case of a murdered art dealer from 2015. Could there be a connection between their case and the appearance of this masterpiece? There is somebody out there that will stop at nothing to get their hands in this piece of art, and I mean nothing. There is murder, burglars, master forgers, a fire and so so much more.
While this is book 18,I do believe that any of these books can be read as stand alone. James gives us enough background on all the storylines happening to be able to follow along without having to have read all of the books.
Thanks to Macmillan Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published in Australia on July 26th.
This long running and much loved series is now up to book 18, hard to believe. In Picture You Dead, Roy and his team come up against some very slippery and dodge characters indeed. I can’t help but picture Roy now as John Simms, thanks to the TV series. Not that that is a bad things in any way. I think he is perfect in the role of the detective who never gives up
As always with Peter James, there is a lot going on. There is never time to get bored. This is the story of a famous missing artwork and I appreciated the background history in the painting and it’s journey. In a nutshell, a couple buy a paining at a car boot sale one weekend. They hate the painting but the frame is gorgeous and they will re use it with a painting they have at home. They discover by chance, that underneath the ugly painting is a beautiful artwork and believe it could be valuable. They take it along to be examined at Antiques Roadshow and end up having to be escorted out by security as it is worth millions… if it is real. This is the start of a series of events that makes them wish that they had never bought the painting.
At the same time, Roy Grace and his team are working on a cold case of a murdered art dealer from 2015. Could there be a connection between their case and the appearance of this masterpiece? There is somebody out there that will stop at nothing to get their hands in this piece of art, and I mean nothing. There is murder, burglars, master forgers, a fire and so so much more.
While this is book 18,I do believe that any of these books can be read as stand alone. James gives us enough background on all the storylines happening to be able to follow along without having to have read all of the books.
Thanks to Macmillan Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published in Australia on July 26th.
October 8, 2022
I've never read or listened to a Peter James book before and can categorically say that this will be definitely the first of many. I have however attended an online library book session where he was the speaker and read a chapter of a previous book and I thought it sounded pretty good, but had not yet got round to reading one, so when I spotted this on Netgalley, I was very keen to read and leave a review. I loved it - and the narrator of the audio book -Daniel Weyman was absolutely brilliant and really did it a justice. If I was to compare the similarity of the writing to another author, it would be to Jeffrey Archer another favourite of mine, as he always writes a very thorough and totally engrossing book.
Although Picture you Dead is book 18 in the series, the characters are so well written and described that it really doesn't matter if you start here. In fact, it's a great introduction. The great thing is now, I know I enjoyed it so much, I have another 17 in the series and many others to catch up on, and although it might not be soon that I get round to them, I've already purchased the first book Dead Simple to my library and can't wait to listen to it.
A big thanks to Macmillan UK Audio for approving me to read and review this book.
Although Picture you Dead is book 18 in the series, the characters are so well written and described that it really doesn't matter if you start here. In fact, it's a great introduction. The great thing is now, I know I enjoyed it so much, I have another 17 in the series and many others to catch up on, and although it might not be soon that I get round to them, I've already purchased the first book Dead Simple to my library and can't wait to listen to it.
A big thanks to Macmillan UK Audio for approving me to read and review this book.
August 22, 2022
Over the years I've read several books in this series and every time I think: some day I'm going to read all of them, in order! Thanks to NetGalley I've read book 18 now, and I found book 17 for a very low price so I will read that later this year. Reading a book in this series is a bit like coming home; all characters feel like you really know them, that you could meet them in your own city every day. On the other hand, there is so much going on in Roy Graces' life that I'm sometimes a bit overwhelmed in trying to keep track.
Book 18 is no exception. I was suprised and sad to read Roy's son Bruno died but happy to see he's still very happy with Cleo and his growing family.
In Picture You Dead we meet a couple of men who will do everything to get their hands on some priceless art, and the great thing about the story was for me Peter James makes it clear that you don't get to be a better person when you have an insane amount of money - let alone a happier person. The story of finding a priceless item at a car boot sale is not uncommon; I've watched several times the happy and suprised faces of people on television when being told this 'old painting they found in the attic' was in fact very rare and special. It always pleases me to see when people then decide to keep it, because it belonged to a loved family member.
Although sometimes the flow of the story is interrupted by a lot of background information that is not necessarily needed to understand what's happening - including small stories about people who don't play a role in the book - it was a pleasant read. I was thinking of giving it three stars but I ended up with giving four stars because there is a great twist at the end that shows how an accomplished storyteller Peter James is.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for this review copy.
Book 18 is no exception. I was suprised and sad to read Roy's son Bruno died but happy to see he's still very happy with Cleo and his growing family.
In Picture You Dead we meet a couple of men who will do everything to get their hands on some priceless art, and the great thing about the story was for me Peter James makes it clear that you don't get to be a better person when you have an insane amount of money - let alone a happier person. The story of finding a priceless item at a car boot sale is not uncommon; I've watched several times the happy and suprised faces of people on television when being told this 'old painting they found in the attic' was in fact very rare and special. It always pleases me to see when people then decide to keep it, because it belonged to a loved family member.
Although sometimes the flow of the story is interrupted by a lot of background information that is not necessarily needed to understand what's happening - including small stories about people who don't play a role in the book - it was a pleasant read. I was thinking of giving it three stars but I ended up with giving four stars because there is a great twist at the end that shows how an accomplished storyteller Peter James is.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for this review copy.
February 18, 2025
3.5 Stars.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was an interesting book about a corrupt art dealer. There is no nail-biting moments and the pace is steady. It's not the most exciting book but I did enjoy it enough to finish it.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was an interesting book about a corrupt art dealer. There is no nail-biting moments and the pace is steady. It's not the most exciting book but I did enjoy it enough to finish it.
September 18, 2022
Roy Grace #18
Harry and Freda, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried in the tat of a car boot sale. It's a dream they know in their hearts would never come true - until the day it did.... They buy the drab portrait for a few pounds, for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then studying it back home there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions. One collector is certain that it's genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get what he wants and will stop at nothing.
Roy Grace is reviewing cold cases. He decides to reopen the case of the murder of Charlie Porteous an art dealer. At the same time Harry and Freda buy a framed painting at a car boot sale.
This police procedural series never gets tired or feels stale to me. I can't quite believe it's the eighteenth book in the series. Doesn't seem that long ago that I read Dead Simple, the first book in this series. This time we are dealing with Fine Art theft, fraud and forgery, something Roy Grace knows nothing about. It's not long before the cold case has a connection to the current case Roy Grace and his team is investigating. I love the authors writing style. He knows how to pull you in and keep you there until you've turned over the final page. I like that we still get personal development to all the main characters, who feel like old friends now. My attention was held throughout. This brilliant series has been made into a TV series. This book could be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you read the series from the beginning if you haven't done so already.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMacmillan and the author #PeterJames for my ARC of #PictureYouDead in exchange for an honest review.
Harry and Freda, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried in the tat of a car boot sale. It's a dream they know in their hearts would never come true - until the day it did.... They buy the drab portrait for a few pounds, for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then studying it back home there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions. One collector is certain that it's genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get what he wants and will stop at nothing.
Roy Grace is reviewing cold cases. He decides to reopen the case of the murder of Charlie Porteous an art dealer. At the same time Harry and Freda buy a framed painting at a car boot sale.
This police procedural series never gets tired or feels stale to me. I can't quite believe it's the eighteenth book in the series. Doesn't seem that long ago that I read Dead Simple, the first book in this series. This time we are dealing with Fine Art theft, fraud and forgery, something Roy Grace knows nothing about. It's not long before the cold case has a connection to the current case Roy Grace and his team is investigating. I love the authors writing style. He knows how to pull you in and keep you there until you've turned over the final page. I like that we still get personal development to all the main characters, who feel like old friends now. My attention was held throughout. This brilliant series has been made into a TV series. This book could be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you read the series from the beginning if you haven't done so already.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMacmillan and the author #PeterJames for my ARC of #PictureYouDead in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2022
Peter James you are the best!!!
I cannot recommend this series enough, although you can read them individually, Peter James puts so much effort in building strong likeable characters and backstories that are masterfully fed into the main plot!
I cannot recommend this series enough, although you can read them individually, Peter James puts so much effort in building strong likeable characters and backstories that are masterfully fed into the main plot!
February 18, 2025
Wow finally caught up with all the Roy Grace books and can’t wait for the next book let alone the tv series next year. A very emotional read partly a murder investigation and partly Bruno’s funeral as well as Cleo expecting another baby (a girl)
June 12, 2023
3.75 / 5
Well written, well thought out plot. Consistent relatable characters not a bad introduction to Roy Grace and his team. Surprised by how well it all went.
The plot follows the unsolved case of Charlie Porteous who was found dead outside his home. He was a famous art dealer known to many with various connections of the art world. He was the last person in possession of the infamous Spring by Jean Claude Dubois. Fast forward a few years later we follow Harry and Freya who’s hobby is picking up finds from car boot sales and stumble across a funky painting. Harry who only wanted the frame pays £20 for the piece thinking it’s junk. Roy grace opens a review of the cold case in the dead of Charlie Porteous from his previous successor, to see whether an investigation is worth reopening. Fast forward some miracle, Freya and Harry accidentally burn the painting which reveals another painting behind which could be the potential long lost Dubois paining. Harry and Freya are in fighting for their life with their diabetic son, where the infamous painting brings more harm than good with many people wanting to get their hands on a few things. Things being to turn ugly in the quest to have the original painting. And a few determined to get there hands on it no matter the consequences.
What ends up as a routine review ends up becoming a rollercoaster of events, one event setting the other events off. Overall I enjoyed the read, it was easy to follow surprisingly give that this is the first book I’ve read of Peter James. The plot was straight forward and each event felt linked, so I wasn’t going backs a few pages to remember. The plot felt natural, cohesive but not forces. I felt invested in the story line which did pay off, although the ending wasn’t what I expect nor how I felt it should have ended, but nevertheless not a bad read. I guess my only issue is that it felt long winded, and although the police procedure is up there being methodical and on point. At points it did feel like they were behind and Roy was relying too much on events to occur before figuring out what was happening. Felt like too much had happened, and it did feel like the plot was dragged abit to get to the final stage. But overall a solid read. Definitely up there, if you are interested in the world of art, collecting art as well as police procedures this is definitely a book for you!
Well written, well thought out plot. Consistent relatable characters not a bad introduction to Roy Grace and his team. Surprised by how well it all went.
The plot follows the unsolved case of Charlie Porteous who was found dead outside his home. He was a famous art dealer known to many with various connections of the art world. He was the last person in possession of the infamous Spring by Jean Claude Dubois. Fast forward a few years later we follow Harry and Freya who’s hobby is picking up finds from car boot sales and stumble across a funky painting. Harry who only wanted the frame pays £20 for the piece thinking it’s junk. Roy grace opens a review of the cold case in the dead of Charlie Porteous from his previous successor, to see whether an investigation is worth reopening. Fast forward some miracle, Freya and Harry accidentally burn the painting which reveals another painting behind which could be the potential long lost Dubois paining. Harry and Freya are in fighting for their life with their diabetic son, where the infamous painting brings more harm than good with many people wanting to get their hands on a few things. Things being to turn ugly in the quest to have the original painting. And a few determined to get there hands on it no matter the consequences.
What ends up as a routine review ends up becoming a rollercoaster of events, one event setting the other events off. Overall I enjoyed the read, it was easy to follow surprisingly give that this is the first book I’ve read of Peter James. The plot was straight forward and each event felt linked, so I wasn’t going backs a few pages to remember. The plot felt natural, cohesive but not forces. I felt invested in the story line which did pay off, although the ending wasn’t what I expect nor how I felt it should have ended, but nevertheless not a bad read. I guess my only issue is that it felt long winded, and although the police procedure is up there being methodical and on point. At points it did feel like they were behind and Roy was relying too much on events to occur before figuring out what was happening. Felt like too much had happened, and it did feel like the plot was dragged abit to get to the final stage. But overall a solid read. Definitely up there, if you are interested in the world of art, collecting art as well as police procedures this is definitely a book for you!
September 7, 2022
Picture you Dead by Peter James is the 18th book in the series and another great book in the series. You may be able to read this as a standalone book but there is some parts of the story that is involved bit from the last book. S reading the others is recommended.
Roy Grace has returned to work after the death of his son Bruno. When he gets involved in an old case involving an assault of an Art dealer.
Years on, the Hegarty’s are at a car boot sale when they come across a picture of an old hag, but the frame of the picture is nice and seems to be worth something, so they buy it for £20. When they get it home and by accident, they find that there is a painting underneath the ugly one. They take advice from an old art forger and clean it up. When in the local town. The Antiques roadshow comes to town. So, they bring the picture with them, they really think that the painting is a forgery. But when they show it to the expert, they said it if it is legit, it may be worth 5 million pound. But if they had the other paintings in the collection, it would be worth four times that. A local art dealer sees the episode of the antique show the couple was on and goes to the ends of the earth to get the painting as he has the other paintings in the collection that was supposed to have disappeared in the Nazi occupation.
Roy Grace is leading the investigation when a body turns up outside the art forgers house and is linked to the investigation.
Thank you, Pan Macmillan for a copy of Picture you dead by Peter James. This is another riveting read from the author Peter James. Although it is book 18 the quality of the storyline is still good and lots going on in this story to keep you entertained throughout. It is an interesting story regarding paintings, art dealers, forgery and even murder and the highs and lows of his personal life. But it doesn’t stop him from doing his job. 4 stars from me.
Roy Grace has returned to work after the death of his son Bruno. When he gets involved in an old case involving an assault of an Art dealer.
Years on, the Hegarty’s are at a car boot sale when they come across a picture of an old hag, but the frame of the picture is nice and seems to be worth something, so they buy it for £20. When they get it home and by accident, they find that there is a painting underneath the ugly one. They take advice from an old art forger and clean it up. When in the local town. The Antiques roadshow comes to town. So, they bring the picture with them, they really think that the painting is a forgery. But when they show it to the expert, they said it if it is legit, it may be worth 5 million pound. But if they had the other paintings in the collection, it would be worth four times that. A local art dealer sees the episode of the antique show the couple was on and goes to the ends of the earth to get the painting as he has the other paintings in the collection that was supposed to have disappeared in the Nazi occupation.
Roy Grace is leading the investigation when a body turns up outside the art forgers house and is linked to the investigation.
Thank you, Pan Macmillan for a copy of Picture you dead by Peter James. This is another riveting read from the author Peter James. Although it is book 18 the quality of the storyline is still good and lots going on in this story to keep you entertained throughout. It is an interesting story regarding paintings, art dealers, forgery and even murder and the highs and lows of his personal life. But it doesn’t stop him from doing his job. 4 stars from me.
May 16, 2023
I've been following the Roy Grace series pretty much from the beginning.
It's always an annual treat to catch up with Roy, Glenn Branson and Norman Potting as they try to solve the latest case in my hometown of Brighton.
Following the series for nearly twenty years has seen my attachment to the characters grow, there's more of a blend of personal life aswell as police procedural in this later novels and Roy certainly has a lot to deal with in this story.
The case itself features art as alluded by the books title.
Harry Kiplin buys a cheap painting mainly because of the frame a local car boot sale only to discover that underneath the undistinguished picture is a beautiful piece of artwork.
Much of the plot is fueled by happenstance as the hit BBC series Antiques Roadshow is recording a show soon, as Harry gets the picture valued and the broadcast is conveniently bumped forward still makes for a fun compelling page turner.
It's always an annual treat to catch up with Roy, Glenn Branson and Norman Potting as they try to solve the latest case in my hometown of Brighton.
Following the series for nearly twenty years has seen my attachment to the characters grow, there's more of a blend of personal life aswell as police procedural in this later novels and Roy certainly has a lot to deal with in this story.
The case itself features art as alluded by the books title.
Harry Kiplin buys a cheap painting mainly because of the frame a local car boot sale only to discover that underneath the undistinguished picture is a beautiful piece of artwork.
Much of the plot is fueled by happenstance as the hit BBC series Antiques Roadshow is recording a show soon, as Harry gets the picture valued and the broadcast is conveniently bumped forward still makes for a fun compelling page turner.
May 1, 2023
https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Peter James' eighteenth Roy Grace novel brings his readers right into the high stakes world of antique art.
Roy Grace and his team are working on the four year old cold case murder of an art dealer.
Harry Kipling and his wife uncover what may be a long lost Fragonard painting after picking it up from a car boot sale. If it is genuine it could be worth millions!
Roy Grace and his team soon find themselves plunged into the deadly world of fine art and the Kipling's world will be changed forever but it may not be the dream they envisioned.
Peter James has excelled in his research for this book. I was totally drawn into the world of fine art and art forgery and found myself googling the masterpieces and famous forgers.
Drawing inspiration from a real life art forger James has delivered a story that is as fascinating as it is engrossing. The deadly world of fine art involves underhanded dealings, forgery, theft, double crossing and even murder. Some collectors will stop at nothing to get the piece they want!
Whilst Picture You Dead is a compelling police procedural, James also builds on the development of his main group of characters and the reader attains a peek into their personal lives and their ups and downs.
A few things I loved about this book were; the short paragraphs, the inclusion of advances in forensics and DNA identification, the use of technology from onboard car computers, the backstory came in short bursts, the scene at Antiques Roadshow (I love that show), the inclusion of a character with type 1 diabetes, the criminals are purely evil.
I have no qualms about recommending this series to all crime readers.
All Peter James' Roy Grace novels read well as standalone.
*I received my copy from the publisher
Peter James' eighteenth Roy Grace novel brings his readers right into the high stakes world of antique art.
Roy Grace and his team are working on the four year old cold case murder of an art dealer.
Harry Kipling and his wife uncover what may be a long lost Fragonard painting after picking it up from a car boot sale. If it is genuine it could be worth millions!
Roy Grace and his team soon find themselves plunged into the deadly world of fine art and the Kipling's world will be changed forever but it may not be the dream they envisioned.
Peter James has excelled in his research for this book. I was totally drawn into the world of fine art and art forgery and found myself googling the masterpieces and famous forgers.
Drawing inspiration from a real life art forger James has delivered a story that is as fascinating as it is engrossing. The deadly world of fine art involves underhanded dealings, forgery, theft, double crossing and even murder. Some collectors will stop at nothing to get the piece they want!
Whilst Picture You Dead is a compelling police procedural, James also builds on the development of his main group of characters and the reader attains a peek into their personal lives and their ups and downs.
A few things I loved about this book were; the short paragraphs, the inclusion of advances in forensics and DNA identification, the use of technology from onboard car computers, the backstory came in short bursts, the scene at Antiques Roadshow (I love that show), the inclusion of a character with type 1 diabetes, the criminals are purely evil.
I have no qualms about recommending this series to all crime readers.
All Peter James' Roy Grace novels read well as standalone.
*I received my copy from the publisher
June 6, 2022
Peter James is a best selling author whose books always end up on the best sellers list. For me however I find they have become too formulaic and repetitive. His first book Dead Simple was outstanding a real who done it and what the heck was going on type novel. Over the course of subsequent novels various ideas and thoughts and sayings kept repeating themselves to the point of my finding them tiresome, “ he was reminded of the saying….” “ so and so once said…” obviously it is just me as he still regularly tops the worlds best seller charts.
Meticulous research is done into each book as is the police procedures for handling cases, and this time the research is attributed to the art world. Roy Grace finds his team looking into a cold case from 2015 of the death of a player in the art field who had reportedly come into ownership of a very valuable painting originally thought lost to the world. The case soon is linked to the present day when a young couple purchase a painting at a car boot sale and find the above mentioned painting, Summer by Fragonard, hidden beneath the painting they bought. They take the painting to the Antiques Roadshow to see if it is of any value, and learn that it possibly could be worth millions of pounds. Once the show airs on tv, their lives are in danger from the unscrupulous art dealers who will use any means to get what they want.
#PictureYouDead. #NetGalley
Meticulous research is done into each book as is the police procedures for handling cases, and this time the research is attributed to the art world. Roy Grace finds his team looking into a cold case from 2015 of the death of a player in the art field who had reportedly come into ownership of a very valuable painting originally thought lost to the world. The case soon is linked to the present day when a young couple purchase a painting at a car boot sale and find the above mentioned painting, Summer by Fragonard, hidden beneath the painting they bought. They take the painting to the Antiques Roadshow to see if it is of any value, and learn that it possibly could be worth millions of pounds. Once the show airs on tv, their lives are in danger from the unscrupulous art dealers who will use any means to get what they want.
#PictureYouDead. #NetGalley
September 15, 2022
Masterfully told with an intriguing dip into the art world, Picture You Dead is a fantastic addition to a stellar series.
Without doubt, Peter James is my favourite crime fiction author. His Roy Grace series got me hooked on police procedurals many years ago. I love how he takes a group of quirky, interesting characters and uses them to construct plots that twist and turn in directions you never expect.
Peter James’s careful research brings the story alive, with details adding interest rather than slowing down the plot, which is breathless as it hurtles along with Peter’s typical short chapters and pacy prose. Quite simply, I loved it!
Without doubt, Peter James is my favourite crime fiction author. His Roy Grace series got me hooked on police procedurals many years ago. I love how he takes a group of quirky, interesting characters and uses them to construct plots that twist and turn in directions you never expect.
Peter James’s careful research brings the story alive, with details adding interest rather than slowing down the plot, which is breathless as it hurtles along with Peter’s typical short chapters and pacy prose. Quite simply, I loved it!
September 6, 2022
Picture You Dead was a big disappointment. I have read all of the novels in the series and was looking forward to this one. The subject of art forgery sounded promising, particularly as I have a background in collectibles and art.
Everyone who visits a car boot sale or antique fair dreams of picking up something of value and there is no doubt that there have been some significant finds over the years. There was great potential to develop a really engrossing novel but unfortunately, it fell flat.
The story began when the Kiplings purchased a painting at a car boot sale. Through chance, they realised that the unattractive painting had actually covered another painting on the canvas. Henry Kipling decided to remove the top painting with nail polish remover (believe it or not!) and reveal the original painting beneath. The task of removing the painting is something that needs to be entrusted to an expert and it is likely that there could be damage to the painting underneath by the amateur restorer. Miraculously though, we are expected to believe that Henry Kipling expertly removed the painting without any issues to the painting beneath.
That aside, Kiplings then take the painting to the Antiques Roadshow and discover that they may have something very valuable. The logical thing would then have been to entrust it to one of the major auction houses where it would be safe. The way they chose to handle what could have been a life changer was a real stretch of the imagination and I lost count of how many near perfect copies the forger made of the painting.
The nefarious villains who became embroiled in the story were implausible and their attempts to steal the painting were ridiculous in the extreme.
The novel ended very abruptly with a lame conclusion. It almost seemed as if the author was rushing to wrap it up within the 100 Chapter limit.
Roy Grace is becoming a little tired, a goody two shoes character who boringly always does the right thing and doesn't show any of the human foibles that would make things more interesting.
There was a hint at the end of the novel that Cassian Pewe will have a role in future novels and maybe that might spice things up a bit.
Everyone who visits a car boot sale or antique fair dreams of picking up something of value and there is no doubt that there have been some significant finds over the years. There was great potential to develop a really engrossing novel but unfortunately, it fell flat.
The story began when the Kiplings purchased a painting at a car boot sale. Through chance, they realised that the unattractive painting had actually covered another painting on the canvas. Henry Kipling decided to remove the top painting with nail polish remover (believe it or not!) and reveal the original painting beneath. The task of removing the painting is something that needs to be entrusted to an expert and it is likely that there could be damage to the painting underneath by the amateur restorer. Miraculously though, we are expected to believe that Henry Kipling expertly removed the painting without any issues to the painting beneath.
That aside, Kiplings then take the painting to the Antiques Roadshow and discover that they may have something very valuable. The logical thing would then have been to entrust it to one of the major auction houses where it would be safe. The way they chose to handle what could have been a life changer was a real stretch of the imagination and I lost count of how many near perfect copies the forger made of the painting.
The nefarious villains who became embroiled in the story were implausible and their attempts to steal the painting were ridiculous in the extreme.
The novel ended very abruptly with a lame conclusion. It almost seemed as if the author was rushing to wrap it up within the 100 Chapter limit.
Roy Grace is becoming a little tired, a goody two shoes character who boringly always does the right thing and doesn't show any of the human foibles that would make things more interesting.
There was a hint at the end of the novel that Cassian Pewe will have a role in future novels and maybe that might spice things up a bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2022
Book number 18 in the series, and Peter James is on top form after the strange Bruno saga. Detailed research into the ruthless world of art collection and forgery, one of his best!
October 24, 2022
Disappointing
Out of all the Grace series this is definitely my least favourite. I felt at times I was reading some rubbish from Jeffrey Archer! Yes, I've read a few of his books! Sorry Peter, not up to you're usual standard 😪
Out of all the Grace series this is definitely my least favourite. I felt at times I was reading some rubbish from Jeffrey Archer! Yes, I've read a few of his books! Sorry Peter, not up to you're usual standard 😪
May 26, 2023
3.5⭐️
It’s great to be back in the world of Roy Grace and his team. After binge reading this series last year I was excited to finally be diving into book 18.
A cold case and a painting found at a car boot sale that could be a priceless masterpiece from the 1770s send Roy and his team into the world of rare art and just what some collectors will do to own these pieces.
Now I just have to wait for the next instalment because as always Peter James has left a few tendrils floating about and some unanswered questions.
It’s great to be back in the world of Roy Grace and his team. After binge reading this series last year I was excited to finally be diving into book 18.
A cold case and a painting found at a car boot sale that could be a priceless masterpiece from the 1770s send Roy and his team into the world of rare art and just what some collectors will do to own these pieces.
Now I just have to wait for the next instalment because as always Peter James has left a few tendrils floating about and some unanswered questions.
July 4, 2022
On, I’m a huge Peter James fan and love the Roy Grace books, but I found this a bit slow and struggled to finish it. Not to say it was a bad read but I just thought it wasn’t one of the best. But o look forward to the next one!!!!#PictureYouDead #NetGalley
October 13, 2022
I give this book 4.5 stars
November 11, 2022
I have now completed the fantastic Roy Grace series to the current book. What am I going to do with myself now?
May 9, 2022
Wow! This is classic Peter James at his best. A riveting storyline involving the murder of an art dealer and forged paintings. Its all so down to earth and believable. I love how it portrays a reflection of how society behaves today - Antiques roadshow, car boot sales, vegan food options. Its completely addictive. The short chapters just flow on nicely and I couldn't stop reading - just one more chapter! You won't be disappointed.
January 1, 2023
Kind of slow, and not as gripping as the earlier novels. I also can't get fully comfortable with the low-key sexism in these books, how the women are always great looking and the men slobs. Also, the use of surnames for men, first names for women. Nah...not for me.
(Review copy for NetGalley)
(Review copy for NetGalley)
August 25, 2023
3.5 ⭐️. This was my first James novel following Roy Grace. I have not started at the beginning so there was clearly a lot of back story about Graces life, however as a stand alone this was easy to follow. The story of a lost piece of art, it’s appearance on ‘The Antique’s Roadshow’ and the chaos that ensues when it is rediscovered. I enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable and interesting without their back stories. Learning about lost art pieces was quite fascinating and the underworld surrounding them. I would most definitely read another Peter James book, perhaps starting at the beginning of the series.
February 3, 2023
I tore through this latest instalment of Roy Grace. As, a Type 1 diabetic I really appreciated the correct details about this disease, as compared to Elly Griffiths treatment of the condition in the latest of her Harbinder Kaur series.
The underbelly of the art world is the intriguing hook for this case. We see both the wealthy, showy veneer of art collectors alongside the search for provenance where greed and violence is exposed.
I found the whole story credible and compelling. The "family" of characters also chimed for me as they are developed further in each book. I thought this was the best yet!
The underbelly of the art world is the intriguing hook for this case. We see both the wealthy, showy veneer of art collectors alongside the search for provenance where greed and violence is exposed.
I found the whole story credible and compelling. The "family" of characters also chimed for me as they are developed further in each book. I thought this was the best yet!
March 13, 2023
Bookish Books Reading Challenge & #LibraryLoveChallenge
April 9, 2023
Another great Roy Grace! Thoroughly enjoyed.
February 9, 2024
Reading Roy Grace books for me is like putting on an old pair of slippers. This one didn't disappoint and it gave me an insight in to the world of art originals and forgeries.
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