Although I listened to this as an abridged version, it had been well cut and was excellently narrated by William Gaminara, so I was barely aware that it was not the full book. I've never read anything by Peter James before, although I had heard him speak at a literary festival.

The plot itself was well suited to audio, as there was nothing too demanding or complex to concentrate on and I was happy having it playing in the background while I worked in the house.

I wonder whether the 'Simple' of the title might be considered politically incorrect these days, being as it refers to a young man of low intelligence, who finds a walkie talkie, yet fails to comprehend its importance; to him it is just a toy. In reality it holds the clue to the whereabouts of Michael Harrison, who has disappeared while out celebrating his stag night. Mark, his business partner and best man, seems to know more than he is letting on, while the fiance, Ashley Harper, is distraught, with the wedding just a few days away.

Detective Superintendent Grace leads the investigation. He is a likable enough detective, if a bit ineffective at times. His use of a medium towards the end did seem a bit of a cop-out. The fact that his wife had disappeared 10 years ago, though, was a good cliff-hanger for the future of the series.

I am vaguely familiar with Brighton and my Grandmother used to live in Hove, which added interest and I would certainly give the second book a try, preferably in audio format again.

The first in the Roy Grace series of books and for me it won't be the last. Aside from the fact that everyone in this book was good looking and as soon as anyone was introduced we immediately got a list of their physical attributes, which I found irritating and interrupted the flow if several people turned up for the first time all together, I enjoyed the book a lot.

Dead Simple is the last Dylan Scott Mystery, which saddens me greatly. So it is appropriate that for his final tale, Dylan heads back to Dawson’s Clough, where the series and his career as a private investigator began. He’s decided to find out who killed Stevie Greenwood, a simple-minded local who helped Dylan solve his first case. He’s doing this one out of personal motivation, driven to fill the huge void in his life left by the sudden death of his beloved wife, Bev.

Dylan is a different man than he was those few years ago. He’s aged, matured, and grown a bit wiser. This is reflected in how he views Dawson’s Clough; seeing changes in the town or noticing bits and pieces he hasn’t before. Ever the astute investigator, Dylan finds a way to get the information he needs to solve his case. And this time around, he’s even willing to break a few laws to give Stevie’s memory some justice (and work out his own demons). 

As always, Ms. Wells creates a complex, fact-driven, detail-filled world that captivates me from the get go. Building the case from the first words on the page, she never shares extraneous information, but certainly can lead readers astray. And while it is Dylan’s tale, the story is told from multiple perspectives, which not only gives the reader a better sense of the grand picture, but creates more than one suspect and motive for the crimes.

While searching for the truth about poor Stevie’s demise, Dylan stumbles onto a couple other crimes in progress - ones that even the police don’t know about. I enjoyed the multiple storylines, especially how the author ties them together rather than forces each one to stand alone. And I love reading Dylan’s train of thought - how he puts together pieces of the puzzle so logically. It’s both thrilling and nerve-wracking to see where his ideas take him.

One of the best aspects in each Dylan Scott mystery is the intermixing of Dylan’s personal life with the overall story. Over the course of eight books, I’ve come to know Dylan and his family, his hopes and dreams, his fears and vices. In the previous book, Ms. Wells tossed a major curveball into Dylan’s life with the death of his wife. Left to raise his children and move on through his grief, Dylan realizes what is truly important in life. Ms. Wells handles this period with touching grace, giving life to Bev’s memories. I loved how little things would happen, reminding Dylan of Bev, and it’s all so real for someone who is grieving.

Overall, Dead Simple is a gripping mystery coupled with a heart-warming story of a man dealing with life. The excellent tale is full of twists and turns, with all the pieces fitting together without feeling contrived or rushed. The story is packed with tense moments and rugged emotions, creating an ideal mix. Ms. Wells’ superb storytelling is evident in each of the Dylan Scott stories, and I strongly encourage you to pick one up. Dylan has been a wonderful companion over these past few years, and I am grateful to Ms. Wells for sharing him with me.

My Rating:  A, Loved It

Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About

Review copy provided by publisher