An Accidental Death: A DC Smith InvestigationThe story opens with the apparently accidental drowning of a British sixth form student in the Norfolk countryside. As a matter of routine, or so it seems, the case passes across the desk of Detective Sergeant Smith, recently returned to work after an internal investigation into another case that has led to tensions between officers at Kings Lake … between officers at Kings Lake police headquarters.
As an ex-Detective Chief Inspector, Smith could have retired by now, and it is clear that some of his superiors wish that he would do so. The latest trainee detective to work with him is the son of a member of his former team, and together they begin to unravel the truth about what happened to Wayne Fletcher.
As the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that others are involved – some seem determined to prevent it, some seem to be taking too much interest. In the end Smith operates alone, having stepped too far outside standard procedures to ask for support. He knows that his own life might be at risk but he has not calculated on the life of his young assistant also being put in danger.
Perfect for fans of Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, P D James, R D Wingfield or even John le Carre.
DC Smith Investigation Series;
- Book 1: An Accidental Death: A DC Smith Investigation
- Book 2: But for the Grace: A DC Smith Investigation
- Book 3: Luck and Judgement: A DC Smith Investigation
- Book 4: Persons of Interest: A DC Smith Investigation
- Book 5: In This Bright Future: A DC Smith Investigation
- Book 6: The Rags of Time: A DC Smith Investigation
What readers are saying –
“Really enjoyed this book. A police procedural with its own twist and a detective with a different way than others I have read in this very full market. As a first book I doubt it could be faulted.”
“This first story is much deeper than it first appears and had me gripped from the very start to the extremely satisfying ending. There isn’t a lot of blood and gore, the language never strays into the offensive tirades that have become all too common in crime books these days and all in all it is, for me in the same league as Morse and Lyndley et al and that’s a jolly good league to be in I think.”
“As an American fan of British mysteries, I was delighted to find a new voice who deserves attention for creating a character who is warm, funny and endearingly human.”
“I absolutely loved this book. It has everything a British mystery should have: great characters and an interesting police case. It definitely makes me want to read the rest of his books. A new favorite author!”
“I was introduced to this series by a friend who is a great Anglophile. His recommendation was that it was his favorite British detective series. The first book, An Accidental Death, is a great read and I have now downloaded the whole series.”more
I enjoy mystery/detective dramas set in England. This is a good series. Maybe the end is predictable for those who like to solve mysteries. For me, the interest is seeing how the characters solve it, and his one has interesting characters, who don’t resort to bullying.
I am so glad I stumbled across this author and that there are 8 books in the series featuring Dective Sergeant “DC” Smith. DC is his nickname. The setting is the Norfolk countryside and the author’s descriptions bring it to life. When his superiors hand him the case of a student dead by drowning, DC Smith colors outside the lines in his hunt for the killer. The death has already been written off as an accident, but Smith isn’t convinced.
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Getting to know DC Smith was as much a pleasure as following his persistent pursuit. The last line of the Amazon description suggests that fans of Colin Dexter (Morse), Ruth Rendell (Wexford), P D James (Adam Dalgliesh), R D Wingfield (Frost) will enjoy this series, and I wholeheartedly agree.
I have now read the entire DC Smith series by Peter Grainger and I can say without a doubt it is the best mystery series I have ever read in my 70 years. I’ve gotten five friends hooked on Peter Grainger books and they all agree. His writing is absolutely beautiful and his books have twists and turns so it’s a great mystery
Enjoyable series!!
A VERY WONDERFUL AUTHOR GREAT USE OF WORD PICTURES RECOMMEND THE ENTIRE SERIES BE READ IN ORDER.
I have tried to read all of Peter Grainger’s books featuring D.C. Smith. The characters are interesting and well delineated, the story’s are compelling, well constructed and hold your interest. His mysteries are excellent reading but one comes to appreciate that these are more than just crime stories. Mr. Grainger is an excellent writer who ranks, in my opinion, in the upper echelon of active novelists.
Although I found it entertaining I was expecting more of an exciting climax and twist at the end.
Not a lot of action but definitely interesting with great characters. Easy to read.
Good read.
Nicely written with uncharacteristic hero.
I liked this book a lot. It was stimulating to get to know the detective and his thought process.
There is an accidental drowning and DC Smith is asked to look over the paperwork before the case is closed. What looks like an accident turns out to be much more under his keen eye. The storyline was good and I liked the teaming of the experienced older detective with the fresh young guy just starting out. DC Smith is likable and obviously competent, but the author doesn’t share much information about his background and story—at least in this book. I liked this book, but I found the writing to be choppy in places jumping from one scene to the next without giving the reader enough information to figure out what was happening and who the players were in the scene. A lack of dialogue tags added to the confusion. I think part of the problem is the author tried to hold back too much information until the end rather than letting the reader in on things as DC Smith figured them out. It was apparent that DC Smith knew a whole lot more than what was revealed to the reader. I like to be in on the discoveries in a police procedural as they happen rather than have the brilliant detective explain it all at the end.
I really liked this book. Especially enjoyed the team of the experienced investigator and the rookie. They made a great pair.
Sometimes I think the descriptive passages are rather long and tedious, but then I’m captured by the very descriptions that I first thought too tedious! I’m never quite sure how Littlejohn comes to his conclusions, but I always enjoy the storytelling!
Loved this book
Will prob read more from this author
Good story. Some bad language that wasn’t necessary, but it wasn’t constantly throughout the book. The author stayed true to the plot and did not throw in a sex scene to mess up the real story.
If you like your crime character driven with an absorbing plot, then you should enjoy the first in the DC Smith series, set in Norfolk. The DC are Smith’s initials, by the way, not his rank in the police.
It all starts with what looks like an accidental death in the river. Only it’s not that simple. Enter DC Smith, like a dog with a bone, nibbling away at the evidence, casting more and more doubt on the cause of death until his unorthodox approach lands him in sinister waters.
The gentle pace and attention to detail allow the characters of DC Smith and his new recruit, Waters, to develop and drive the story along with purpose and humour. With Smith almost at the end of his career, and Waters just beginning his, they make a great team, complementing each other and teaching the other new tricks.
I never felt the story lagging and didn’t need any fireworks or thrilling chase scenes. Each time I switched on my Kindle, I enjoyed reading the story and look forward to reading more of the series.
Engrossing story
I picked this up for free, and Peter Grainger got me hooked on his detective, DC Smith. I binge-read the entire series. It isn’t often I encounter books so compelling that I take time off writing and immerse myself in someone else’s world.
The emotional terrain, the relationships, the insights, the natural world, the nuances and larger questions all entranced me—this author has an immense gift.
I grew up on British mysteries, and I was looking for a traditional detective. These aren’t high-heat books, although there are heart-felt perceptions, and love is present in many ways. In an era of trend-chasing and copycat books, it’s refreshing to discover an author so original. Clear some time and go for an adventure that will make you feel you’ve spent time in the cities, shores, villages, and outdoor world Grainger evokes so well. Be prepared for a ride that wrings all the emotions.
OVERVIEW OF STORY: An Accidental Death tells the story of a boy who is seventeen and hanging out at the river with his friends. They are drinking and bothering other people along the river. At one point he goes off on his own to harass a lone canoeist. He chases the canoe out of sight of his friends around a bend in the river. They worry when they don’t see him again. It is assumed by the initial investigation that he has died of an accidental drowning. The newly returned DC Smith is handed the folder to review and a new officer to take along for the ride. DC isn’t one to follow all the new rules as the force changes with the times. But he is a dogged detective who will look at everything with wide eyes and follow where the leads take him, no matter what trouble it leads him into. He follows the trail of a presumably intoxicated lad who unexpectedly drowned down river from his mates. DC Smith finds himself in the middle of a war that didn’t stay on foreign soil. The mysterious lone canoeist was on a quest for vengeance for the murder of his family when he was young.
OPINION OF BOOK: I admit that I am at times a little dense and I got lost occasionally and would have to go back and read something because I missed a little detail. The book was tailored together brilliantly. It wasn’t a true by-the-book police procedural because that isn’t how DC Smith does things. Without being action packed it maintained a steady flow that wasn’t slow and kept me wanting more.
OPINION OF WRITING: There were no editorial errors that I noticed that stuck out over the book itself. It read great. It is fluid in the movement from one scene to the next. The action isn’t so overwhelming that I lost track of what was going on. An Accidental Death is written with British English vernacular for those who care about the difference between American and British English. It was a pleasure to read from start to finish.