Picture You Dead by Peter James (Roy Grace #18)
Published by PanMacMillan
Publication Date: 29th September 2022
Genre: Crime, Mystery & Thrillers
My thanks to the publishers PanMacMillan for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Book Description:
Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.
It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did…
They buy the drab portrait for a few pounds, for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then studying it back at home there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.
One collector is certain it is genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get want he wants and will stop at nothing.
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into an unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand. And Harry and Freya Kipling are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare. . .
My Thoughts:
Even though this is book 18 in the series, Peter James smashes it out of the park once again with Roy Grace's latest case. Each of the books can be read as a standalone however why would you want to when the series is so fantastic? The first one, Dead Simple, still stands out as my favourite but the combination of new cases and Grace's personal back story make this one of the strongest crime series ever written.
We return to Brighton's Major Crime Unit with Grace struggling to cope with the sudden loss of his son. As ever when he's got personal issues going on he immerses himself in his work, this time considering cold cases which need resolution. One of those left on his radar by his former colleague is the murder of Charlie Porteous, a local art dealer who was bludgeoned to death in his car outside his home in 2015.
Local builder Harry Kipling and his wife Freya are keen car boot sale opportunists. Harry spots an ugly painting in an exceptional frame and gives £20 for it purely on the off chance that the frame might make him some money. Therein lies the start of their problems, which escalate when they take the picture to an expert on The Antiques Roadshow which happens to be filming locally.
We are led into the murky underworld of dodgy art dealers and small-time criminals in the Sussex area. All out to make a quick buck, often at other people's expense. But this time it looks like someone has overstepped the boundaries of acceptable behaviour - even in the criminal world.
As always Peter James leads us through the detectives thought processes - with the usual comedy/cringeworthy comments from the legendary Norman Potting - as they untangle the seedy world of the south coast criminal fraternity and all its connections. The human side of the detective team is represented equally as well with a professional dilemma being faced by one of the team being explored as it potentially threatens the relationship with his partner. It would seem that not all professions can work well alongside one another.
Another 5 star novel from Peter James which will be sure to top the bestseller list.
About the Author:
Peter James is a UK No.1 bestselling author, best known for his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, now a hit ITV drama starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper.
Much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing, he has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger.
To date, Peter has written an impressive total of 19 Sunday Times No. 1s, sold over 21 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. His books are also often adapted for the stage – the most recent being Looking Good Dead.
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