Roy Grace series

{{Short description|Series of detective novels by Peter James}} {{Infobox book series | name = Roy Grace | image = | image_caption = | books = | country = United Kingdom | language = English | genre = Crime fiction, Thriller fiction | author = Peter James | publisher = | pub_date = {{Ubl | 2005–present }} | media_type = Print | number_of_books = 23 }}

The '''Roy Grace series''' consists of twenty three crime thriller novels written by British author Peter James. The main character is a Detective Superintendent with the Sussex Police in Brighton, England.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter James reveals all on new book guaranteed to surprise Grace fans |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24288389.brightons-peter-james-reveals-new-crime-novel/ |website=The Argus |language=en |date=1 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Peter James praises Brighton's 'crime pedigree' ahead of next Grace novel |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/22573884.brighton-author-peter-james-speaks-new-roy-grace-book/ |work=The Argus |date=24 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Roy Grace character == Roy Grace is portrayed as a dedicated and successful police officer with a troubled personal life. His wife, Sandy, disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving him haunted and driven by the need to discover her fate. This backstory provides ongoing subplots across the series. Grace later remarries and starts a new family, reflecting changes in his personal outlook and circumstances.<ref>{{cite book |last1=James |first1=Peter |title=Not Dead Enough |date=14 April 2022 |publisher=Pan Macmillan |isbn=9781529091069}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=James |first1=Peter |title=Looking Good Dead |date=13 March 2021 |publisher=Pan Macmillan |isbn=9781529063028}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite book |last1=James |first1=Peter |title=Dead Simple |date=13 March 2021 |publisher=Pan Macmillan |isbn=9781529063011}}</ref>

Grace is known for his willingness to embrace unconventional methods, including using psychics and mediums, which sometimes puts him at odds with his colleagues. His methods, combined with solid police work, lead to him solving complex cases. Grace's character development throughout the series is shown by both professional achievements and personal challenges, making him a flawed but compelling character.<ref name="auto1"/>

== Books in the Roy Grace series == # ''Dead Simple'' (2005) # ''Looking Good Dead'' (2006) # ''Not Dead Enough'' (2007) # ''Dead Man's Footsteps'' (2008) # ''Dead Tomorrow'' (2009) # ''Dead Like You'' (2010) # ''Dead Man's Grip'' (2011) # ''Not Dead Yet'' (2012) # ''Dead Man's Time'' (2013) # ''Want You Dead'' (2014) # ''You Are Dead'' (2016) # ''Love You Dead'' (2017) # ''Need You Dead'' (2017) # ''Dead If You Don't'' (2018) # ''Dead At First Sight'' (2019) # ''Find Them Dead'' (2020) # ''Left You Dead'' (2021) # ''Picture You Dead'' (2022) # ''Wish You Were Dead'' - Quick Reads (2023) # ''Stop Them Dead'' (2023) # ''They Thought I Was Dead: Sandy's Story'' (2024) - Novella # ''One Of Us Is Dead'' (2024) # ''The Hawk Is Dead'' (September 2025)

== Reception == The Roy Grace novels have been critically acclaimed for their realism and depth of the characters. The author draws heavily from real police procedures using first-hand accounts, which lend authenticity and depth. The books have enjoyed widespread popularity, ranking on bestseller lists and building a strong fanbase.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Forshaw |first1=Barry |title=The best recent thrillers – review roundup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/05/best-recent-thrillers-review-roundup-barry-forshaw |website=The Guardian |date=5 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Kesh |first1=Krazy |title=Peter James, the master of crime fiction |url=https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/aug/06/peter-james-master-crime-fiction |website=The Guardian |date=6 August 2014}}</ref>

The series has won 21 Sunday Times Best-Sellers and sold 23 million copies worldwide.

== Adaptations == === Theatre === Several of the Grace novels have been adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna: ''The Perfect Murder'' (2014 and 2016), ''Dead Simple'' (2015), ''Not Dead Enough'' (2017), ''Looking Good Dead'' (2021), ''Wish You Were Dead'' (2023) and ''Picture You Dead'' (2025).<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter James Adaptations - Shaun McKenna|url=https://www.shaunmckenna.me/peter-james-adaptations |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Shaun McKenna's Official Website}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Previous Shows - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/previous-shows/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James' Official Website}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PICTURE YOU DEAD - UK TOUR 2025 - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/plays/picture-you-dead/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James Official Website}}</ref> Across the productions, Grace has been played by Steven Miller<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/steven-miller/ |title=Steven Miller|website=Independent Talent|accessdate=21 February 2026}}</ref>, Thomas Howes<ref>{{cite web |title=Downton Abbey star learns how to commit The Perfect Murder|url=https://www.yorkmix.com/downton-abbey-star-learns-how-to-commit-the-perfect-murder#google_vignette |date=6 May 2014 |access-date=21 February 2026|work=YorkMix}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bio - Thomas Howes|url=https://thomashowes.co.uk/bio/ |access-date=21 February 2026}}</ref>, Gray O'Brien<ref>{{cite web |title=DEAD SIMPLE To 2 May 2015|url=https://www.reviewsgate.co.uk/reviews-archive-part-2/dead-simple-to-2-may-2015 |date=17 May 2015 |access-date=21 February 2026|work=ReviewsGate}}</ref>, Benjamin Wilkin<ref>{{cite web |title=The Perfect Murder - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/plays/the-perfect-murder-spring-2016/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James' Official Website}}</ref>, Shane Richie<ref>{{cite web |title=The Perfect Murder - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/plays/the-perfect-murder-spring-2016/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James' Official Website}}</ref>, Bill Ward<ref>{{cite web |title=The Perfect Murder - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/plays/the-perfect-murder-spring-2016/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James' Official Website}}</ref>, Harry Long<ref>{{cite web |title=Looking Good Dead - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/plays/looking-good-dead/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James' Official Website}}</ref>, and George Rainsford.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wish You Were Dead - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/plays/wish-you-were-dead/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James' Official Website}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the cast of ”Wish You Were Dead” – led by Giovanna Fletcher and George Rainsford|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/meet-the-cast-of-wish-you-were-dead-led-by-giovanna-fletcher-and-george-rainsford_57802/ |date=14 November 2022 |access-date=21 February 2026|work=WhatsOnStage.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PICTURE YOU DEAD - UK TOUR 2025 - Peter James|url=https://www.peterjames.com/plays/picture-you-dead/ |access-date=21 February 2026|work=Peter James Official Website}}</ref>

=== Television === The books have been adapted into a television series titled ''Grace''. Starring John Simm as the superintendent, the series first aired in 2021 on ITV. It captures the essence of the books, focusing on Grace's investigative methods and personal life. The series has been well-received for its adaptation of the source material and strong performances, particularly by Simm.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mangan |first1=Lucy |date=14 March 2021 |title=Grace review – a twisty race against time for John Simm's fading detective |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/mar/14/grace-review-a-twisty-race-against-time-for-john-simms-fading-detective |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

== References ==

Category:Book series Category:21st-century books Category:Detective fiction