One of Us is Dead, a Detective Superintendent Roy Grace novel by Peter James does not disappoint.
It is a suspenseful, mystery crime thriller that keeps you engaged and guessing just how this story will end.
James Taylor arrives late for his friend Bernie Wallace’s funeral. Seated six rows in front of him he notices another school friend, Rufus Rorke. However, there is no way it could be him, as James had given the eulogy at Rorke’s funeral two years prior.
James, Rufus and Bernie called themselves The Three Musketeers. Feeling certain it was Rorke, James starts to investigate the circumstances of his death.
It’s rather a dangerous thing to do, as dead people would prefer to stay dead!
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and his team are investigating a number of suspicious deaths. Grace is wondering if these deaths could be connected, just unfortunate accidents, or even murder.
We, the reader, know exactly what is going on as we watch the clever and meticulous planning of each event. Thus begins the race for Detective Superintendent Roy Grace to catch this clever killer, who is always one step ahead, before more people die.
The plot is intriguing, the characters fantastic, and the writing style brilliant and easy to follow.
Definitely well worth the read, 5 stars. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading One of Us Is Dead by Peter James. You can read the comments below, or leave your own review.
I love to read, any book on any topic. I now love ebooks as they are easier to store, I was running out of bookshelves! My other interests are family, gardening and our beautiful King Charles spaniel dog who is my reading companion.
The story kicks off with James Taylor (not the singer, sadly) spotting someone who looks exactly like Rufus Rorke, his old schoolmate who’s supposed to have been dead for two years. From there, the mystery deepens as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace investigates a string of suspicious deaths, all somehow circling back to Rufus. Is Rufus actually dead? Is he alive? What’s the deal? You’ll be hooked trying to figure it out.
The best part? It doesn’t matter if you’ve never read a single Roy Grace book before. Peter James does an awesome job of weaving in the background you need without overwhelming you. It works just as well as a standalone as it does for longtime fans of the series.
The story is packed with twists, solid character development, and that perfect mix of suspense and action. If you’re into crime thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, this one’s definitely worth picking up. Whether you’re new to Peter James or a die-hard fan, One of Us Is Dead delivers the goods.
One of Us is Dead was my introduction to author Peter James.
Arriving late to a funeral James Taylor is left to stand at the rear of the small church. As the funeral service progresses, he notices a man 6 rows ahead of him who looks scarily familiar but quickly thinks he is mistaken. As the service continues James is becoming more and more convinced, he knows this man – he is sure it has to be his friend Rufus Rorke whose funeral he attended 2 years prior and delivered his eulogy at that funeral – but how can it be him if he is already dead?
Meanwhile Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is alerted to a growing number of suspicious deaths – deaths that are linked and seemingly connected to the supposedly deceased Rufus Rorke – dead men can be dangerous indeed. I definitely didn’t anticipate the way this book ended!
I haven’t been able to recommend this book enough to my family and friends since I finished reading this amazing book and I look forward to reading Peter James other books.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace book club and Pan Macmillan Australia for my copy of One of Us is Dead.
Thank you, Beauty & Lace, for allowing me to read and review ‘One of Us is Dead by Peter James’.
When going to an old friend’s funeral, James Taylor thinks he sees a mutual friend who died only 2 years prior. As James delves deeper into this mystery, he unknowingly helps to set off a series of events. Meanwhile, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has been tasked with investigating potentially suspicious deaths which he knows may very well be linked but as to how? It is a great read with a very unusual completion.
I have previously read ‘They Thought I Was Dead by Peter James’, the following book answered some questions with others still left out there – I’ll have to wait until the next book comes out. I’m very happy to recommend both books as great thrillers with characters you love, and others have you cheering for at the end of the book. Thank you ‘Beauty & Lace Bookclub’ for the opportunity to read ‘One of Us is Dead by Peter James’.
One of us is Dead is a great book especially if you like crime thrillers.
I was intrigued from the first chapter as James sees someone he thinks he used to know…but is very confused as he had attended this same persons funeral a few years ago.
Was he seeing things?
A detective from the same area is investigating some strange and suspicious deaths and is trying to work out if they are linked…
Can’t wait to read more books from Peter James..I like his style of writing.
One of Us Is Dead by Pete James is a darkly thrilling exploration of the lives of a group of wealthy, privileged individuals whose lives unravel after a murder is committed within their tight-knit social circle. Set in an affluent neighborhood, the novel focuses on the fragile nature of their relationships, filled with jealousy, secrets, and resentment. The plot is driven by an intriguing central mystery: Who killed one of their own, and why?
James intertwines the perspectives of several characters, raising the question of who can truly be trusted. The narrative is both gripping and character-driven, with commentary on social status and the lengths people will go to protect their image.
I enjoyed the pace of the novel was good but thought some of the secondary characters could have been further developed. I guessed a couple of the twists but others got me! One of Us Is Dead succeeds as a suspenseful, atmospheric read with plenty of dark humor and biting social critique. It’s an engaging psychological thriller that will keep readers on edge until the final page. Highly recommended!
I’m a big fan of Peter James, so I jumped at the opportunity to review this book. It didn’t disappoint!
One of us is dead is a well written book that is full of suspense and drama.
Each chapter peels back layers of the characters lives, revealing how they are all connected by their secrets and lies.
This book had me absolutely hooked without feeling rushed. The attention to detail made the book more impactful. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this one’s for you!