The Perfect Murder by Peter James

This novella from Peter James, the bestselling author of the Sussex Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thriller series, is short, sharp, and entertaining for mystery fans, but don't set your expectations too high. James's writing is competent but unremarkable. A little predictable, but fun for a quick diversion.

Brighton couple Victor and Joan Smiley have been married for almost 20 years. All they do is fight; he loathes her more each day, and she is bored with him. Their cat Gregory doesn't like either one of them. She doesn't know Victor has fallen for the 'hostess' he sees at the 'Kitten Parlour', spending their money on gifts and tips. He doesn't know Joan has been sleeping with married taxi driver Don and plans to leave Victor. Neither aware they plan to kill each other. Victor's plan is to paint the extra room she now sleeps in with cyanide-tainted paint, the fumes making death look accidental. Joan decides to swap his insulin with a sugar solution for an accidental overdose. The perfect murder takes planning.

The day he is fired from his job, she can't take it anymore. All plans are off. She kills him. Now what?

Don helps hide the body, and Joan contacts the police about her missing husband, telling stories that just don't add up. Lost without a plan, this is far from a perfect murder. When they discover he was cheating, things look up for her. Nervous at home, she sees Victor from the corner of her eye and smells his cigars. Is he going to get the last laugh?

This simple thriller reads like an outline for a novel; the characters ready to be fleshed out, and the ending abrupt. It can easily be read in a sitting. Mystery fans will love the twists, perfect for adaptation into a UK theatrical production. The hit stage play made the prostitute character into a bit of a psychic, who works with the detectives, changed for the play into James' series character DS Roy Grace. The Roy Grace series has already been turned into the TV series Grace, with five seasons already filmed.

A fun premise for people who like mystery twists, but the simple writing prevents it from being great.

2010 / Tradeback / 160 pages

My other reviews for Peter James

Dead Simple (Roy Grace #1)

The House On Cold Hill