Dead Simple by Peter James

Peter James crime novels are major worldwide bestsellers. His series features Roy Grace, a Detective Superintendent in Brighton, over (so far) twenty novels selling over 15 million copies. The first in the series is Dead Simple, which was turned into a hit nationwide touring play this year, with film and TV to follow.

Dead Simple starts out with a group of stag night revellers playing a prank on the groom. They place him drunk into a coffin (with a breathing tube) which they slightly bury with a screwed on lid. The idea is to make him panic and then release him. Driving off to get another pint, they are all killed in a traffic accident. The question on everyone's mind now is: Where is Michael? Did he pull a runner before the wedding? No one knows he is out there scraping at the inside of the lid, with a slow pool of water slowly rising inside. His best man doesn't know - he was out of the country when it happened. His wife and mother are distraught. It's three days before the wedding, and although it is not Grace's official case, he begins to overhear colleagues and collect clues. Fair and methodical, with a photographic mind, he's well liked on the force and welcomed to help out as time ticks away.

Then - someone in the night goes out to the coffin and removes the breathing tube.

It's a classic set-up, like Ira Levin's suspense play DeathTrap. It seems simple, but slowly layers are revealed showing hidden assets in the Caymans, adultery, betrayal, and a giant masquerade. At least twice as the story went on there was a 'big' twist I didn't see coming, and I was literally shocked. Just what you want in a thriller.

Roy Grace is a great character worthy of a series. A flawed character whose wife Sandy 'disappeared' one night without a trace or warning nine years ago. He has been consistantly searching for a sign of her, including becoming friendly with local psychics. He's not afraid to look outside the investigative box to discover where Michael is buried alive.

Really a top notch mystery that doesn't lose steam.

A real thrill ride.

2005 / Tradeback / 468 pages