wendoxford's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first of the series that I have not enjoyed. Whilst I like the team of "regular" characters, there was something a bit off in this one. The plot was over the top and I think the local crimes, local victims, local suspects and local knowledge is the key to the success of this Detective.
In other volumes I have been able to suspend belief because the plot/writing carried it, here I wasn't.
In other volumes I have been able to suspend belief because the plot/writing carried it, here I wasn't.
kingfan30's review against another edition
3.0
I was very excited to hear plans that Roy Grace was being filmed for TV although I guess that’s on hold now
syren1532's review against another edition
4.0
A torso is found at a chicken farm just outside Brighton along with some distinctive material. Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and his team are investigating. Grace has also been put in charge of security for an actress, Gaia, who is starring in a film to be shot at Brighton Pavilion. One of her assistants was killed in LA but police believe she was the true target. Peter James always gives the reader several threads to follow in his books and then expertly weaves them together. Absolutely love this series.
urbansapphire's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the previous books in the series, unfortunately Roy Grace is now so nice he's unrealistic and a bit sad. His character is undeveloping as the series grows. If you imagine Book 1 Roy Grace, he'd be played on TV by Robson Green. Book 8 Roy Grace would be played by a cardboard cutout of John Barrowman...he's *that* interesting.
Problem is, all the characters have been 'developed' so that the good ones are all virtually perfect and saintly and while that's all very admirable behaviour, it's really very, very boring to read about.
The bad characters are effectively panto villains, you can almost hear the 'boo, hiss' as you turn the page.
The romantic dialogue is stilted and cringey, and the constant reminders of minor character's traits is very annoying. I'm not watching x-factor Mr James, I know what happened last chapter!
It's a real shame for me because I've loved PJ's older books (Twilight, Host, etc) for many years and I was enjoying the Grace series too. However Book 7 wasn't quite up to par but had a tense climax and a good plot. Book 8 has a fairly obvious plotline with a few small but irritating distractions.
I'll be honest. It got a 3 out of sentimentality. Reading the last 1/3 was like trying to wade through custard. Sorry PJ, step it up for number 9, or send Roy off to pasture.
Problem is, all the characters have been 'developed' so that the good ones are all virtually perfect and saintly and while that's all very admirable behaviour, it's really very, very boring to read about.
The bad characters are effectively panto villains, you can almost hear the 'boo, hiss' as you turn the page.
The romantic dialogue is stilted and cringey, and the constant reminders of minor character's traits is very annoying. I'm not watching x-factor Mr James, I know what happened last chapter!
It's a real shame for me because I've loved PJ's older books (Twilight, Host, etc) for many years and I was enjoying the Grace series too. However Book 7 wasn't quite up to par but had a tense climax and a good plot. Book 8 has a fairly obvious plotline with a few small but irritating distractions.
I'll be honest. It got a 3 out of sentimentality. Reading the last 1/3 was like trying to wade through custard. Sorry PJ, step it up for number 9, or send Roy off to pasture.
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book in the Roy Grace series. A few twists throughout none of which I saw coming. Bring on the next one!
marconeill999's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
willriker's review against another edition
2.0
Really 3/5 stars as it was an OK story but one massive, glaring error alongside a huge overuse of exclamation marks, (I mean really, was Peter James getting paid a bonus if he hit a requisite number of them?), meant I had to knock a star off....off the rating, not knock a star off in the manner that the book is about.
elinevandm's review against another edition
4.0
"Schijndood is weer een enorm vlot lezend boek en zeker één van de betere boeken uit de serie!"
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021/07/16/schijndood-van-peter-james-4/
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021/07/16/schijndood-van-peter-james-4/
margenotbutter's review against another edition
4.0
I like how the Roy Grace series hasn't just stuck to Brighton, it uses Brighton as an anchor to bring in more outrageous plots and characters. This book brought Hollywood to Brighton, adding stalking, murders, and drama, and I did enjoy it because instead of tipping over into outrageous, it used Brighton and Grace's team to balance out the 'Americanised' plot. I didn't guess the end which is always good. The Sandy plot developed as well, which I am enjoying after several books of nothing.