Detective Superintendent Roy Grace unearths a powerful criminal network in the sinister crime novel Find Them Dead, by award winning author Peter James.Ending his secondment to London’s Met Police, Roy Grace gets a tip-off about a drugs mastermind operating out of Brighton. On his first day back in his old job, he is called to a seemingly senseless murder.Gradually, Grace’s investigation draws … murder.
Gradually, Grace’s investigation draws him into the evil sphere of an utterly ruthless drug dealer on trial. A man prepared to order the death of anyone it takes to enable him to walk free from court.
Sitting in the jury is Meg Magellan, whose daughter’s life is being threatened by a stranger who tells her that if she ever wants to see her alive again, it is very simple. At the end of the trial, all she has to do is make sure the jury says just two words . . . Not guilty.
Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Find Them Dead is the sixteenth title in the bestselling series. Discover more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Left You Dead.
Now a major ITV series, Grace, starring John Simm.
more
Roy Grace takes something of a back seat as the story focuses on the trial of a ruthless drugs baron who will do anything to escape justice. All he needs to do is lean on a couple of jurors to ensure the jury returns a not guilty verdict.
Meanwhile, back from an exciting six months with the Metropolitan Police, Grace resumes his battle with his nemesis and boss, Cassien Pewe. The brother of a key witness in the trial is brutally murdered and Pewe wants results.
The Crown Court proceedings dominate much of the story, but they’re exciting, tense and delivered with the level of detail I’ve come to expect from the author. I really felt for Meg Magellan, singled out to be the juror that will persuade the others to deliver a not guilty verdict, even though she believes he’s guilty on all counts. With threats to kill her daughter weighing on her mind, the tension and danger is palpable as she wrestles with her conscience and fears.
Then, just when you think it’s all over, the author throws in another of his masterful double twists to surprise and delight you. It made up for the moment where I had to suspend my disbelief during one scene.
While this is classic Peter James with his eye for detail, accuracy and a convoluted plot, he’s not afraid to try something a little different and tackle another area of the justice system.
I thoroughly enjoyed Find Them Dead and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys police procedurals.
Very interesting behind-the-scenes view of the working of a UK jury. Peter James is also very good at writing female characters. Loved it 🙂
”Find Them Dead” by Peter James is part of The Detective Superintendent Roy Grace Series, but it is not necessary to have read the other books to enjoy this one. Characters are introduced and incorporated easily into current scenarios to help new readers catch up on previous events. Roy Grace has grown and changed throughout the series, and now his family is Cleo, Bruno, and Noah, however, the family dynamic is not without complications. His professional life is complicated as well; in a recent temporary assignment in London, he dealt with epidemic drug-dealing gangs and turf wars between gangs.
As the story unfolds, events are shown from different points of view, giving a global perspective; this allows readers to get to know all the players well and to know what others do not. Chapters conveniently identify day and date. Readers get a firsthand look at varied lives of criminals and their crimes. The action is intense, and divergent scenarios include drug smuggling, classic cars, serial killers, manipulating juries, and everything in between.
Roy Grace likes his job; he relishes the mental challenge of a murder scene, especially in potentially high-profile cases. Of course things are always complicated, and he also has to deal with the jumbling of things by his “arch enemy” on the force, supervisor Cassian Pewe. James is as skillful storyteller and expertly balances personal stories with criminal events. Divergent events dovetail to form a complete scenario. Grace and his colleagues are professional, well trained, and sometimes lucky, very seriously lucky.
“Find Them Dead” is a persuasive and gripping book. Regular readers will find Grace’s complicated personal life intriguing, and fans of crime fiction will be drawn in by the elaborate crimes and detailed police investigations. There is also a convenient glossary of ranks and abbreviations included
Sharp, engrossing, and unexpected!
In this menacing sixteenth installment in the Roy Grace series, Find Them Dead, DS Roy Grace is just finishing up his post at the London Met when he quickly becomes immersed in the newly commenced, high-stakes, illegal drug smuggling and distribution trial in Sussex of a ruthless defendant that’s not opposed to a little jury coercion and manipulation to get the verdict he’s hoping for.
The writing is taut and fluid. The characters are scheming, callous, and anxious. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine into a mysterious, courtroom drama filled with corruption, deception, manipulation, malevolence, speculation, violence, and murder.
Overall, Find Them Dead is another solid, complex, cunning addition to the Roy Grace series by James that’s a little different than the usual action-packed police procedural we’re used to and more of a tense, crafty, satisfying legal thriller.
5 stars plus !
Roy Grace is back!!
Find Them Dead does not disappoint. Though it is a bit of departure from the regular Roy Grace novels as a lot is focused in the court room , Roy is still out doing his job investigating a murder that must be related to this high profile case.
His nemesis Cassian Pewe is still stirring the pot as far as Roy is concerned
There is jury tampering, bribery, did I say more murder, this book has it all.
Peter James always throws a curve ball your way in his novels ( my favourite series) and I did not see the ending coming at all.
I really enjoyed Find Them Dead because when Roy and his team made an appearance it was even better than before.
Thanks to Net Galley, Pan McMillan, McMillan UK for a great and entertaining read. See you soon Roy Grace !!