You can't go wrong with a Roy Grace novel.
This one features a resurrected criminal, plenty of believable characters and a gripping midair finale.
Peter James has that uncanny knack of penning page turners and never dropping the quality over the series.

A cleverly written storyline. Well written characters. Overall an intriguing well put together read. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. A well earned five stars from me.

I love this series and was so chuffed to get the next book in the series to review. I devoured it in one sitting thank you so much for the opportunity to review.

James Taylor stands at the back of the church is at his friend’s funeral. When he sees a man six rows in front of him, which he recognises him of his old friend Rufus Roarke’s. But he must be mistaken as two years previously he read out a eulogy at Rufus Roarke’s funeral. Rufus is dead.
Meanwhile DS Roy Grace is investigating a row of suspicious deaths. Which he can’t get out of his mind. Some clues reveal that the death are somehow linked to Rufus Roarke. But how and when he gets further near the truth he also could be in danger.
One of us is dead is another fabulous episode of the Roy Grace series. His books never disappoint. This has another intriguing story line, with several plot twists to keep you guessing throughout. 5 stars

This is book #20 of the Roy Grace series and whilst it is part of a series it stands alone well. I would suggest reading them in series order though to avoid spoilers. The beloved Roy Grace returns, and even at the 20th installment, his story doesn't falter. Focusing on the crime and investigation, Roy's personal life is less prominent this time. The tale starts at a funeral where a friend spots someone who supposedly died two years prior. Concurrently, Roy's team investigates a series of suspicious deaths. Are these events connected?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The plot immediately plunges into the enigma of Rufus Rorke's apparent resurrection from his own funeral. The unfolding mystery is compelling, especially as we wonder if James Taylor really saw his old friend. Grace and Branson's relationship is a highlight, and it's interesting to see Branson lead the investigation with Grace's methodical support. I loved seeing Norman Potting again and loved how his banter with the rest of the team injects humour into the dark storyline.

The story is enthralling, and moves steadily deepening the intrigue. The identity of the killer is not hidden, but the motives and methods unfold later, adding to the suspense. The plot is cleverly crafted, especially the inventive causes of death. Fascinating details about the dark web, 3D printing, and cryptocurrency enrich the story. With its twists and turns, the book captivates until the final page. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

You know what you're going to get with a Peter James story- a meaty storyline with some nifty twists and turns, all overseen by Roy Grace and Glenn Branson. One of Us is Dead is another worthy addition to the series- starting with a seemingly dead man come back to life, moving swiftly into the dark web, and crossing the globe in the search for justice. There are a few spoilers if you haven't read 'Sandy's Story' but I guess if you're reading this one, you're likely to be a Peter James fan and will know all there is to know about her own journey too.

Wow book 20 featuring Roy Grace, where has the time gone? But every time a new novel comes out it feels like meeting up with an old friend albeit with a few deaths thrown in. Starting at a funeral, Taylor arrives at his old school friend Barnie’s funeral but he is convinced he sees his other school friend Rufus Rorke there but he can’t be as he died two years before, so how can he be there, also Roy & Branson have there work cut out on some seemingly random deaths, oh and Cassian Pewe raises his embittered head. A true treat for any Peter James fan.

One of Us is Dead is the latest DCI Roy Grace police procedural thriller by Peter James and it another worthy addition to this long running series.

Grace and his loyal team are faced with a complex hunt for a murderer who supposedly died 2 years ago and this main storyline keeps the book pages turning from the beginning to the end. There is also still time for the long running arc to progress without it overshadowing or distracting from the main story.

If you haven’t read any of the series before then One of Us is Dead can be read as a stand-alone but expect your TBR pile to lengthen as you will want to read the full series afterwards.

Recommended.

It's good to have Roy Grace back after the aberration of Sandy's story. This has everything tha t makes Peter James so good, a great plot, superb characters and palpable tension throughout. And it's good to have a decent bunch of cops who get on well. (Not you Cassian Pewe!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for my copy of One Of Us Is Dead by Peter James.
When James Taylor goes to the funeral of an old school friend, he doesn't expect to see Rufus Rorke there. He made up the three musketeers, James, Rufus and Barnie whose funeral it is. But it can't be him, can it?
James gave his eulogy 2 years ago!
And there is the mystery, and who better to get wind of it than Roy Grace.
Rufus was on their radar before he died. Could it be ????

The next instalment in the Roy Grace series of novels is another compelling read. Roy Grace is now a Detective Superintendent and it has been brilliant to read the progression throughout all the books. Although it can be sad as a standalone I would advise anyone who hasn't read the series to start from the beginning. You will not be disappointed.

James Taylor arrives late for a funeral of a friend and notices somebody a few rows in front of him who he believes to be dead, In fact James gave a eulogy at the funeral of Rufus Rorke. Rufus disappeared in the Caribbean two years ago just as he was about to be arrested.

DS Grace has been alerted to several deaths which appear suspicious in Brighton and sets out to find the perpetrator.

Full of twists and turns we follow Roy Grace and his team as they delve into the background of Rufus and his 'widow'.

Another excellent read. Highly recommended.

Roy Grace is back with his colourful sidekick in this intriguing and unusual story. Lots going on and much to unravel for the team. A great read.

Roy Grace #20

When James Taylor arrives late for a funeral, he has to stand at the back of the small church. But, as the service progresses, Taylor notices a man six rows in front of him. At first, he thinks he must be mistaken, but the more he looks at the man, the more convinced. Taylor becomes that this is his old school friend Rufus Rorke. Except it couldn't be his, could it? Because two years ago, Taylor had attended Rufus Rorke's funeral. He even delivered Rufus's eulogy. On the other side of Brighton, at Police HQ, Detective
Superintendent Roy Grace has been alerted to a number of suspicious deaths that he can't get out of his mind. But how are they linked? And how could they possibly be connected to Rufus?

When James Taylor attended a funeral, he is convinced the man six rows down from him was his old school friend Rufus Rorke. But Rufus Rorke passed away two years ago. Roy Grace, Glenn Branson and the rest of the team are investigating several deaths that might be linked together. The plot is complex, there are lots of twists and great, well-developed characters, this is what we are guaranteed when we open up a Roy Grace book. We are surfing the dark web, dealing with cryptocurrency and illegal 3d gun making, which make this book a highly entertaining read.

At school the three friends had called themselves the Three Musketeers . Two years ago James Taylor had given the eulogy at his friend Rufus Rorke’s funeral but now when he goes to their mutual friend Barnie’s funeral he thinks he has spotted someone looking like Rufus there. That should be impossible but James needs to know form certain that Rufus is dead. Questions are raised over Barnie’s death and soon other people are dying in suspicious circumstances. Detective Roy Grace must find the killer.

Peter James delivers another well plotted thriller which pitches the nasty villain against the good guy. Grace and his colleagues are given some humour to lift the mood and as usual there is a gripping ending. Hold on to your seats!
Thanks to the publishers for the ARC.

Another book in the Superintendent Roy Grace series
And another brilliant read
Hooked from page one a real page turner
Can’t wait for the next one
Thanks NetGalley

I thoroughly enjoyed "One of us is dead", the latest one in the Roy Grace series. The kind of killer chosen by Mr James is highly unusual and I really liked to follow the way that the killer presents of himself to the world towards the multiple and creative ideas he comes up with for his murders. Really recommend this book to keep you entertained at night ! Thank you so much NetGalley for an advanced copy of One of Us Is Dead.

One of Us is Dead is the 20th in the DS Roy Grace series and is a must read for fans and crime thriller lovers.

Imagine attending a funeral of an old school friend only to see a man whose eulogy you gave just two years previously sitting in a pew a few rows in front of you. Well that is what happened to one of the characters in One of Us is Dead. James Taylor is mystified and second-guesses himself as to whether he should believe that his old pal Rufus Rorke was really in attendance.

Meanwhile Roy Grace is investigating some weird but seemingly unconnected deaths in the Brighton and Hove area but as the investigation progresses a familiar name makes an appearance and let's just say the plot thickens!

As always with this series the story is engaging, the plot ingenious and the characters always well-drawn, all of which makes for compelling reading.

I always look forward so much to the new Peter James. This one didn't disappoint although I felt it was a slightly different style to his previous Grace books in some way. Still fabulous and loved every minute of it and can't want for the next one!

Oh it is so good to be back in the company of Roy Grace and the team. And after the rather dark tale (tail?) they investigated last time around, and the tragedy of reading Sandie's story, this book almost feels like some well very needed light relief. Almost. I mean, we are faced with a case, (or two or three) of murder after all. Probably. At least, that is exactly what Roy Grace, Glenn Branson and rest of Brighton's finest are trying to work out. Whether or not the recent spate of deaths in the area are merely a run of tragic accidents or something a little more calculated and sinister. A coincidence too far sets them on the trail of a killer who very likely cannot exist as they, too, are very much dead, but perhaps a little less buried.

I like how Peter James has set out this novel. In truth, there are few surprises in it for us as readers as we see the whole thing from three very different perspectives. Firstly there is that of Roy and the team, first alerted to a couple of deaths that are a touch to similar to be mere coincidence by Glenn Branson, all too keen to cut his teeth as SIO on a murder case. Then we have James Taylor, a private pilot who sees someone he couldn't possibly have seen at the funeral of a friend. Finally we have the not quite to mysterious 'killer', a person whose identity is revealed to us very early on but which remains hidden from the police and everyone else for quite some time. It makes for an interesting dynamic, seeing who will work out what first, and whether or not the 'killer', who always appears one step ahead, may, through their own hubris, meet what would be sure to be a somewhat unfortunate end.

The 'murders' in this book, by the very nature of being presented to the world as unfortunate accidents, may appear quite pedestrian by the standards of some of Mr James' previous murder sprees, however do not be fooled. When you think about it, there are nicer ways to meet your end than poisoning, and as car accidents go, the author has plotted a real doozy here. A good example of why you should always driver sensibly, especially at night. Whilst we are not privy to anything particularly disturbing by way of the depiction of the deaths, the aftermath certainly stick in the memory. And it is those moments when you realise what the killer has planned that bring a smile to the face. Not because the situation is funny, more the satisfaction of being a few steps ahead of the action. I definitely don't fancy upsetting the author any time soon though. He has a very devious mind and I'm sure would find it all too easy to cover up any crime.

The characters are, as always, brilliantly crafted and I love the humour in the team, particularly the banter between Grace and Branson, and the pearls of wisdom that drip from Norman Potting like butter from a hot knife. In some strange way, I actually kind of liked the killer too. I mean, they are mercenary and heartless, clearly on the psychotic spectrum somewhere, but still. There was something about the very down to earth nature of how they applied their particular talent, and the pride in their craft that made me smile far too often. James Taylor was a brilliant character too. The everyday guy who just wanted to find out the truth about his former friend. He features in what is perhaps one of the books most dramatic and pulse pounding scenes, but as to whether he comes out on top, you can only find that out from reading the book. I certaintly wasn't expecting what came to pass, but it fits the story perfectly. Well done Mr James.

A thoroughly enjoyable return trip to Brighton that I simply ate up with a cast of characters and a series that show no signs of growing old just yet. Definitely recommended.

Two cases of accidental death by poisonous mushrooms in a short space of time triggers suspicion in the Major Incident Team. As Roy Grace investigates he is surprised that the main suspect, Rufus Rorke, is a man who died two years ago. Grace isn't the only person to begin to wonder if Rorke really is dead.

One Of Us Is Dead by Peter James is the twentieth book in the Roy Grace series. The opening is slow as the author takes his time to build the complex storyline. We are introduced to pilot James Taylor at the funeral of one of his close school friend, Barnie Wallace, who died by mistaking field mushrooms for death cap mushrooms. Taylor is surprised to spot another close friend in the congregation, Rufus Rorke. The surprise is because Rorke died at sea two years ago. At the end of the service, the man disappears before Taylor can confront him.

Death by ingesting poisonous mushrooms has also piqued the interest of Roy Grace as it's the second case in a short space of time. Pretty quickly Grace also begins to wonder if Rufus Rorke is still alive. Rorke was close to being arrested for murder when he disappeared at sea.

Rorke is a highly intelligent sociopath who uses his acumen for financial gain. Through the dark web his main business is the sale of 3D-printed handguns. Murder is a sideline but one he relishes. Rorke excels at carrying out murders that appear to be tragic accidents, meticulous planning and execution avoid any suspicions.

Peter James works closely with the police when researching his novels. After reading One Of Us Is Dead I'm intrigued to know how much is based on actual cases and how much is simply down to the imagination of the author. Attention to detail is shown in the dogged investigation by the police. Analysing CCTV and questioning suspects is just the tip of the iceberg. The thought of going through rubbish bins is enough to turn the strongest stomach.

Being hunted from two different sides would be enough to make anyone with the means flee, but Rorke is filled with hubris. Having got away with things almost undetected for so long gives him a sense of invulnerability and this leads to his downfall in quite a dramatic way.