Find Them Dead (Roy Grace #16)
Published September 15th 2020 by Macmillan (first published July 9th 2020), Kindle Edition 448 pages
Roy Grace, creation of the award-winning author Peter James, unearths a powerful criminal network in Find Them Dead.
Ending his secondment to London’s Met Police, Roy Grace gets a tip-off about a county lines drugs mastermind operating out of Brighton. On his first day back in his old job in Sussex, he is called to a seemingly senseless murder.
Separately, Meg Magellan finally has her life back together, five years after the car crash that killed her husband and their son. Her daughter, Laura, now 18, is on her gap year travelling in South America with a friend, and Meg misses her badly. Laura is all she has in the world.
In between jobs, Meg receives a summons for jury service. She’s excited – it might be interesting and will help distract her from constantly worrying about Laura. But when she is selected for the trial of a major Brighton drugs overlord, everything changes.
Gradually, Grace’s investigation draws him increasingly into the sinister sphere of influence of the drug dealer on trial. A man utterly ruthless and evil, prepared to order the death of anyone it takes to enable him to walk free.
Just a few days into jury service, Meg arrives home to find a photograph of Laura, in Ecuador, lying on her kitchen table. Then her phone rings.
A sinister, threatening stranger is on the line. He tells her that if she ever wants to see Laura 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.
User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
I haven’t read a Roy Grace novel for a while so it’s a pleasure to return to the Brighton area and the Sussex team. All the usual characters are here, sadly including ACC Cassian Pewe and I look forward to the day that slimy toad gets what he’s overdue. In this one, a major drugs ring is operating in the region and the mastermind is masquerading behind the deceptive curtain of a respectable profession. Behind the mild and agreeable appearance there lies a ruthless, highly organised and dangerous individual. The case involves murder, threats and intimidation in order that Mr Big can elude the consequences of his many crimes. A considerable portion of the book is devoted to the subsequent court case.
The book starts in a very exciting way with an arrest and car chase which feels like an action movie. At this point Roy Grace is seconded to the Met’s Violent Crime Task Force aiming to address rising gang related knife crime in the capital. I think this section is also very good and extremely relevant and I would have loved more on this as it’s so pertinent. I really like the Sussex based characters (with one previously mentioned exception) and because so many of them have been in the series from the start they feel very realistic and clearly visible to the reader. I like the banter and touches of humour between them which also adds realism. The book is well written, it’s easy to read and flows well with the first half being well paced and keeps you intrigued.
Although there is a lot to praise in the book there are some overlong descriptions which seem at times to be “padding “. The trial section is overlong in my opinion and I had not expected this to be the primary focus and some interest is lost. No surprise to find that one expert witness gave evidence about gait analysis which the author seems overly fond of!!!! The ending of the court case is certainly dramatic and makes for good reading even if you question its plausibility!
Overall, I did enjoy a considerable portion of the book and I daresay that spending a long time in court is the reality of the role of a police officer. I’m looking forward to the next instalment where I sincerely hope Roy Grace enacts some well deserved revenge!
With thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for the ARC.
Rating: really liked it
It has been a long time since I have read a Roy Grace novel. After reading Find Them Dead this weekend I am wondering why. These books are so clever, with multiple crimes being worked on and connected. Peter James is one of those writers that you know what you are going to get when you pick up his books.... you get a well constructed story that you will get drawn into quickly with plenty of twists.
Find Them Dead is no different. Roy Grace returns to Brighton after a stint working with the MET in London. He is immediately pulled into a murder case, of a man with Downs Syndrome in his own home. Who would be so callous? Does it have anything to do with the victims brother being in prison for drug trafficking? Meanwhile, the brothers so called boss, a local solicitor is on trial for running a massive drug trafficking ring. He claims his innocence but the evidence is piling up. One of the jurors is being pressured into rigging the trial to get a not guilty verdict.
A part police procedural, part courtroom drama full of murder, drugs, jury tampering and nasty characters. What’s not to love? This is book 16 featuring Roy Grace. It can absolutely be read as a stand-alone nov l.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Rating: really liked it
Thanks to Net Galley, Pan McMillan, and McMillan UK, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At the risk of being called a heretic, but I have struggled with the last few Grace novels, as they have lacked in their usual lustre. 'Find Them Dead' (love the title) is emphatic evidence of a return to form. Welcome back Peter James. This book has it all: crooks, drug dealers, 'Mr Big' and several attempts to nobble the jury in a trial.
This is a bit of different from the usual Roy Grace novels as the majority is focused in the court room. As such it reads more like a legal thriller than the usual Police procedural novel. To the extent that Roy Grace and his team barely featured in the book. Seemed to be very little investigating occurring, most of the Roy Grace bit seemed to be more about office politics in the Police force, and his family life.
Having said all that the courtroom drama was very well done giving the reader a very good look at how jury trials work in the UK. (I can vouch for this having done jury service a few years ago). The court case is told from the perspective of a juror being nobbled, as a legal thriller, I felt the suspense was excellent.
As for the last chapters cliff hanger. ‘I’m writing because I have something of interest about our mutual friend. No names mentioned because all these letters are read, but I know you were interested in doing something with that park bench.’ I can’t wait till next year now.
Rating: really liked it
Thanks to Net Galley, Pan McMillan, and McMillan UK, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At the risk of being called a heretic, but I have struggled with the last few Grace novels, as they have lacked in their usual lustre. 'Find Them Dead' (love the title) is emphatic evidence of a return to form. Welcome back Peter James. This book has it all: crooks, drug dealers, 'Mr Big' and several attempts to nobble the jury in a trial.
This is a bit of different from the usual Roy Grace novels as the majority is focused in the court room. As such it reads more like a legal thriller than the usual Police procedural novel. To the extent that Roy Grace and his team barely featured in the book. Seemed to be very little investigating occurring, most of the Roy Grace bit seemed to be more about office politics in the Police force, and his family life.
Having said all that the courtroom drama was very well done giving the reader a very good look at how jury trials work in the UK. (I can vouch for this having done jury service a few years ago). The court case is told from the perspective of a juror being nobbled, as a legal thriller, I felt the suspense was excellent.
As for the last chapters cliff hanger. ‘I’m writing because I have something of interest about our mutual friend. No names mentioned because all these letters are read, but I know you were interested in doing something with that park bench.’ I can’t wait till next year now.
Rating: really liked it
Quite a few criticisms I'm afraid. Only about a quarter of the book involves Roy Grace ('Roy Grace 16'?) and this is largely recapping previous cases, or continuing the unseemly mutual vendetta with another police officer. The court story is good, but is rather long winded and quite often repetitive. The basic idea of a juror having to change the mind of almost all her co-jurors comes straight from '12 Angry Men' which is even referenced several times in the story. The other basic and unoriginal idea, is jurors being externally profiled by the bad guys to assess what vulnerabilities they have, which can be used to force the verdict in favour of the defendant (an early John Grisham novel springs to mind).
The bonhomie and camaraderie between the officers and even comments between Grace and his wife, seem rather corny and cliched and to me don't work well. Very detailed, as Peter James's books are, but do we really need to know about a friend of a minor character and that Meg chose a prawn baguette and two other named items, for her lunch?
The major issue with the story however for me, involved the threat against the Jury Foreman's daughter and friend. Did this threat actually exist? ('Find Them Dead'?). Who was breaking into her home and leaving messages? Who was Jorge working for and why was he stalking the daughter and her friend then ultimately helping them out? Maybe I missed something? Oh yes, and the juror who manages to uncover evidence seemingly not found by the police, which completely swings the verdict, and is also not brought to the attention of the judge or any legal representative.
Disappointing in several aspects, particularly as I normally have no criticism of this series of books and really enjoy them. Two stars as 'it was OK'.
Rating: really liked it
So that’s me up to date with this series, apart from the arc of book 17. It’s been a fun ride Mr James and I’m happy to see you have added an Indian runner duck to your menagerie. They are very entertaining.
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is back in Brighton after his 6 month secondment to the Met and he is into the thick of it straight away. Stuie Starr has been found bashed to death at his home by his social worker on her daily visit. 38 year old Stuie has Downs syndrome and has been looked after lovingly by his brother Mickey. But Mickey is currently on remand on drug charges. He is implicated in a criminal drug ring with his boss, Brighton lawyer Terence Gready - a poor excuse for a human being as there ever was. Mickey has pleaded guilty straight away but Gready has pleaded not guilty and Mickey won’t be sentenced until after Gready’s trial. Mickey Starr is going to take the rap, hoping to get a lower sentence as Gready has been good to him over the years.
But when he learns of his brother’s death, Mickey is planning to spill his guts on Gready. But Gready is an evil slime ball who will do anything to avoid jail and has his other minions put the frighteners on people. Meg Magellan is a pharmaceutical sales rep currently in between jobs when she gets the summons for jury duty. Little does she know the terror that is in store for her. Her only remaining family, daughter Laura, is having a gap year and is currently in Ecuador with her friend Cassie. The long arm of Terence Gready reaches in and Meg is threatened with Laura’s death unless the jury finds Gready not guilty. But the evidence against him is pretty strong. Oh dear!
The guy threatening her seems to be able to see and hear everything that Meg does. Is her house/phone/car bugged? She soon turns into a nervous wreck. That’s a tricky situation for sure. At the same time Grace’s problems with his newly discovered son, Bruno, are still ongoing and his boss, ACC Cassian Pewe tries to throw him under a bus more than once. James has a talent for wrapping up each crime within a book but the personal issues can be strung out over a long time. I do believe though that Grace may be about to learn something damaging to Pewe in the very near future so I’ll be keen to read about that in the next book.
Rating: really liked it
It's become a yearly tradition awaiting the latest Roy Grace novel, even more so this year as the publication was pushed back due to Covid-19.
In fact this instalment sees Roy and the team take a backseat as a drug smuggling court case takes the main stories focus.
Widowed Meg is slowly getting her life back on track after a devastating car accident that killed her husband and son.
She receives a summons for jury service just as her daughter is travelling around South America.
As the court proceedings start Meg comes home to discover a photograph of her daughter in Ecuador with the simple message that her life is in danger if Meg doesn't help secure a no guilty verdict.
I first started reading this series as they're set in my home town, yet again Brighton and the larger Sussex area is heavily featured.
With the drugs having arrived in Newhaven and the court case taking place in Lewes.
Even though the series regulars took a backseat, it still had the distinct local feel that makes this series so popular.
Experiencing Meg's worry of wanting to seek justice just like the closure of her husband's death, though knowing her parental instincts of wanting her daughter safe makes her fill as if she has no choice but to influence the rest of the jury.
The only problem is that with each passing day the daming eveidence is making the defendant is looking completely guilty.
Another great instalment in this series!
Rating: really liked it
I have to say this is my favourite series and I count the days down to the next instalment!!
Roy Grace is back from his secondment with the MET and is investigating the murder of a man whose brother Mickey, was stopped on the channel crossing with a Ferrari stuffed full of drugs, was his death related to this crime?
The main story is the trial of Terrence Gready. Meg is part of the jury service but Meg is threatened with violence to her daughter Laura who is in South America with her friend, if she cannot convince the other jury members to vote for a not guilty verdict.
I love this series, and reading about all the regular characters again .. well except for Cassian who I pray will get his comeuppance soon!!
As always the story was gripping and you will be so immersed that you won’t notice the time fly by!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Rating: really liked it
Peter James is one of my favorite crime and thriller novelists and once again, this talented author completely engaged, challenged, and enraptured me.
"Find Them Dead" is #16 in the author's "Roy Grace" series and it's certainly a strong contender for one of the best books in the series.
Yes, it was that good.
After going on a Peter James/Roy Grace binge in 2021, I hadn't read a Peter James book in 10 months.
As soon as I finished the first chapter in "Find Them Dead", I quickly remembered why I enjoy and idolize this author.
All of the books in the author's Roy Grace series are fast-paced, cleverly plotted, well-written, and boast strong characterizations.
In "Find Them Dead", a drug lord and his "left-hand man" are brought to trial.
What follows is murder, jury tampering, and an absolutely, positively riveting courtroom drama.
Unlike the author's earlier books that focus heavily on police procedurals, "Find Them Dead" takes readers right into the courtroom.
I listened to the audiobook and narrator Daniel Weyman did an over-the-top job with the narration.
Although "Find Them Dead" is #16 in this series, it is also a standalone read.
I read all of the books in the Roy Grace series in random order and experienced no difficulty following the storylines.
I will be enthusiastically looking forward to listening to Peter James' new Roy Grace book that will be released in September 2022.
Rating: really liked it
Find Them Dead is the 16th book in the Roy Grace series. I had no idea this was part of a series and I was well into the book before something came up about Roy's past that appeared to be out of the blue. I'm happy to say it works well as a stand alone. However I think if I had of been following the series from the start it would have bumped my rating up to a 5 star read.
The main plot is the trial of respected lawyer Terence Gready who is suspected of running a major drug importation company, making this novel more legal thriller than police procedural. There are a few minor plot lines that involve cases that Roy is working on.
Peter James explores the theme of jury tampering as one of the jurors receives a call that her daughter will die unless she delivers a not guilty verdict. You may have to suspend disbelief at times as there are hidden cameras and mobile phones in the court room. I have never been on a jury but I'm sure these things would be monitored.
I was on the edge of my seat as Gready's men seemed to be everywhere and know everything. Their terror was far reaching and I couldn't see how Meg could possibly influence the jury.
Short chapters make for a quick read with many chapters ending on a cliff-hanger. I enjoyed the manipulation and the lengths the accused went to, to be assured of a not guilty verdict. Reading
Find Them Dead has left me eager to start back at the beginning of the series with
Dead Simple.If you enjoy reading John Grisham you will love Peter James' Roy Grace series!
*I received my copy from the publisher
Rating: really liked it
Roy Grace #16
Meh Magellan has been called up for jury duty. She's quite looking forward to it as she is between jobs. Roy Grace' s secondment to London's Met Police is coming to an end. He gets a tip-off about a county lines drug mastermind operating out of Brighton. He's called in to investigate a seemingly senseless murder.
The story is based mostly around the court case of a drug smuggler. Roy Grace does not appear much in this story but some of his colleagues do. We don't learn any more about his mysterious son, Bruno, either. The plot was interesting and the pace is decent. The suspense builds around the court case and the events that are taking place surrounding it. We are left with a cliff hanger ending. Now the wait for book 17 to find out what happens next.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author Peter James for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
This is the 16th book in the Roy Grace series by one of my favourite authors Peter James.
This was a strange read for me, I did enjoy the read although I did have a few reservations. For a Roy Grace book he is very much a minor character and if I am honest I did miss him. The plot and ending was a little contrived and hard to believe but somehow given my reservations I still enjoyed it.
Novel focus' on the trial of a large drug dealer named Terence Gready and the illegal attempt to fix the jury. The case occurs after Mickey Starr a known criminal is arrested trying to smuggle £6 million of cocaine in to England hidden inside a Ferrari.
42 year old widow Meg Magellan, is on the jury and is identified as someone who could be intimidated to help swing the verdict. With her daughter Laura travelling in South America with her best friend, Cassie, leverage is put on Meg by making threats against Laura.
Not the best Peter James novel but still a very good read.
Rating: really liked it
Hmmm, a legal thriller from the point of view of a nobbled juror with a smattering of Roy Grace and an even less amount of police investigation make this my least favourite book. So a significant departure from the norm with this one in a series that for me is fading fast.
I have no problem with the plot line as the author has a great imagination.
I've mentioned it before in previous reviews of the series that supercop and superwife are beginning to grate on my nerves somewhat and this feeling still continues. Roy is too perfect by half and we even have him quoting Italian proverbs in this one as well as his knowledge of Akashic records! I've found myself taking notes on my kindle now and invariably it consists of the three letter acronym WTF!
An ever so little teaser that the caricature that is Cassian Pewe might be in the mire and a few more hints that Bruno may well be a sociopath.
An abrupt end to the book and I was left utterly disappointed. I'm hoping for better next year.
Rating: really liked it
Hard to believe, but this is the first Peter James novel I’ve read, and it soon becomes clear why he’s such a successful and acclaimed writer. There’s an assured clarity about the narrative that makes even a intricately plotted novel like this easy to follow. Also, it was very easy to warm to his main protagonist, Detective Chief Inspector Roy Grace.
The main plot centres around the trial of a local solicitor for being the mastermind behind a complex and highly lucrative drug-smuggling operation and his attempts to nobble the jury, particularly Meg Magellan, a widow, whose daughter Laura is currently on holiday in South America. At the same time, Roy Grace is investigating the brutal murder of a man with Down’s syndrome; a case which turns out to have connections to the trial.
The tension builds to almost unbearable levels as the trial nears its conclusion and Meg wrestles with her conscience and the price she must pay to keep Laura safe.
My first read of Peter James certainly won’t be my last.
Rating: really liked it
It seems all I needed to lift me out of a giant reading slump was the latest Roy Grace novel by Peter James.
Having read all 16 novels, I’m a big fan. However I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed this time around. Roy Grace has always been at the centre front, usually heavily involved in the plot whilst covering his private life at the same time. I expected more of the same but it felt like we barely heard from him, a few pages here and there with a very weak connection to the main storyline. Peter James could have easily have wrote this as a stand-alone. I hope he brings Roy Grace back with a bang for number 17. 4 stars from me. ✨
