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
Absolutely entertaining read!
I always live Grainger books. He is such a good writer.
Too slow for me – did not finish it and I love BBC TV.
I really irked the main character and particularly the humor he expressed. I really prefer European mysteries to American ones, as they seem to pay more attention to character development.
did not finish book could not get really interested in the book by the the time I read 1/3 of book. waisted my time
Love a police procedural with realistic characters.
Clever. This is a slow moving book at first, written with subtle humor as only the British can write. No need for fast action (although there is some). Like a good scotch, you savor it and enjoy every word.
I am looking for other DC Smith books. It is slow, solid detective work but keeps your interest.
I really enjoyed this book. Very straightforward deceive novel. Very much enjoyed Smuth’s Character. Will definitely read more in the series.
I enjoyed this. I would read another by this author.
DC Smith is an engaging copper.
How can you get through an entire book without glimpse of sex or violence/ i guess quite happily, if Peter Grainger is your guide. It was everything I like about Britcrime novels and their underdog heroes.
Complex, believable characters and story. Great mystery to unravel.
I Love this kind of book! Love the main character!
Good – Worth reading.
I liked the characters but it did not make me love the characters. It was slow reading and no twists. Took me a while to read because parts were unclear & got boring. I did finish but I’m not eager to read another book from this series
I love the whole series. it’s a pleasure to read about the life of an older, but still active main character who deals with elder discrimination while doing a superlative job catching the “bad” guys”
Great story that kept the plot line all the way through, no sneaky sub-plots that distract your attention, it just flowed.
Almost straight away you are drawn into police procedure with refreshingly “normal ” people, no super humans here just down to earth coppers.
Highly recommended
Not usually a fan of “police procedurals”, but this one is outstanding! The plot is excellent, the characters real, and the ending is a complete surprise. I will have to get the next one
I will read ANYTHING Peter Grainger writes. His characters are well-rounded and develop in a very organic, interesting way. Everyone is far more layered than they first appear, but new revelations are almost always subtle and not in an in-your-face-aren’t-I-a-clever-writer sort of way. The ending of every book leaves me wondering what the next story will bring.
This series features DC Smith, he has become one of my favorite characters of all time. Highly recommended!!