Another bestselling Roy Grace novel with STOP THEM DEAD by Peter James

STOP THEM DEAD, the 19th instalment of Peter James’ Roy Grace series, has flown straight to Number Two in the UK Bestsellers list, after only three days on sale in paperback. STOP THEM DEAD is published by Pan Macmillan in the UK and US.

‘Peter James has a talent for creating memorable villains. Those in STOP THEM DEAD – Detective Superintendent Roy Grace’s 20th outing – are all thieves, black-market breeders and traffickers of dogs. Once again, deep research, vile behaviour and much-needed humour combine to produce ruthlessly efficient entertainment. Pedigree fun.’ – Mark Sanderson, The Times, ‘The best new crime fiction for October 2023’

‘Peter James’s STOP THEM DEAD is the 19th entry in his formidable Roy Grace series; here, the Brighton-based detective is up against brutal black-market gangs.’ – Financial Times, ‘Best New Crime Fiction’

‘DS Roy Grace confronts an alarming illegal trade in dogs which leads to savage murder in this unputdownable addition to James’ acclaimed crime series’ – Waterstones, ‘The Best Books of 2023: Crime & Thriller’

This month also sees the release of THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD: Sandy’s Story, the much-anticipated standalone novel that will reveal the astonishing reasons behind Sandy Grace’s disappearance. Announced today, Gemma Whelan will narrate Pan Macmillan’s audiobook edition which will be published on 9th May alongside the hardback, trade paperback and ebook editions.

THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD will see Whelan voice Sandy Grace in a story that sheds light on the mystery of why she disappeared. It is set in a parallel timeline to the main Roy Grace series, and reveals why Sandy left Roy, joining her as she travels down an increasingly dark path, as she struggles with addiction and tries to keep one step ahead of her enemies.

Whelan is known for TV appearances such as GAME OF THRONES, GENTLEMAN JACK and THE TOWER. She said: ‘It is such a pleasure to be narrating THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD and giving a voice to Sandy Grace. Peter James is a captivating storyteller and I was absolutely gripped by Sandy’s story, from start to finish.’

James said: ‘Gemma Whelan is an extraordinary actor and I can see no one better to bring the story of Sandy’s disappearance to life. She encapsulates Sandy’s voice and feeling so well and I’m sure fans will feel the same.’

Audio editor Laura Marlow said: ‘At Pan Macmillan, we knew fans had waited a long time to hear from Sandy, and that meant finding the perfect voice to tell her story. It has been a pleasure to work with Gemma and hear her incredible talent bring Sandy Grace to life.’

 Four more books in the bestselling Roy Grace series and one more standalone have been signed up by Pan Macmillan.

 About Peter James
Peter James is the international bestselling author of many award-winning novels, repeatedly occupying the Number One slot on the Sunday Times bestseller charts in both hardback and paperback. Peter writes both thriller standalones and the hugely popular Brighton-set Roy Grace series, now adapted for ITV by screenwriter and ENDEAVOUR creator, Russell Lewis. The opening episode of GRACE, based on the first Roy Grace novel, DEAD SIMPLE, was broadcast in March 2021 with John Simm starring in the lead role as the tenacious detective. It was a TV Pick of the Day across all the major UK newspapers, appeared on ITV 1’s prime Sunday night slot and viewing figures quickly reached more than 8.8 million, with glowing reviews. The fourth series is due to air in Autumn 2024. And the fifth series of GRACE began filming in April 2024.

Peter’s books have been translated into thirty-eight languages, with worldwide sales of over twenty-one million copies and his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, set in Brighton, has given him 19 consecutive Sunday Times Number Ones. In 2015 WH Smith customers voted him the Greatest Crime Author of All Time and in 2016 he was awarded the coveted CWA Diamond Dagger, a lifetime achievement award for sustained excellence. In 2018 he received a Specsavers Honorary Platinum Bestseller Award and in 2024 he won four Silver Nielsen Bestseller Awards. Peter James has also written two books based on true crime stories, with former senior detective Graham Bartlett.

Successful nationwide tours of the stage plays of THE PERFECT MURDER (2014), DEAD SIMPLE (2015,) NOT DEAD ENOUGH (2017), THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL (2019), LOOKING GOOD DEAD (2021) and WISH YOU WERE DEAD (2023) have packed theatres in dozens of British cities, and garnered magnificent reviews. His stage shows to date have grossed over £17 million at the box office. Several of his works are optioned for film.

Peter took part in the launch podcast of the Queen’s Reading Room in January 2024, having had the Grace series featured on the Royal Reading Room previously.

Praise for Peter James

‘If you have never read Peter James’ crime thriller series about the Sussex detective Roy Grace, I would highly recommend you give it a try.’ – Queen Camilla, Press and Journal

‘Peter James is one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters.’ – The Daily Mail

‘Roy Grace ... is fast becoming one of the more memorable coppers in modern crime fiction ... A first class police procedural.’ – The Times

‘James just gets better and better and deserves the success he has achieved with this first-class series.’ – Independent on Sunday

‘Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business’ – Karin Slaughter

‘Probably the closest we’ll get to a British Stephen King’ – The Financial Times

‘Peter James is one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters’ – The Daily Mail

‘In unncertain times, I always tend to fall back on old, familiar favourites, so I’ll be reading Peter James’ Roy Grace series. They are thrillers with enough drama to keep you guessing. Reading a well-crafted mystery gives me a sense of accomplishment – almost as if I’ve solved everything myself!’ – Emma Shacklock, Books Editor, Women & Home Magazine

‘Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business’ – Lee Child

‘A master plotter.’ – The Bookseller

‘James has been compared with Stephen King, but in many ways he's better’ – Daily Express

‘This compulsive horror story is a tale of the search for immortality . . . I cannot remember when I last read a novel I enjoyed so much’ – Sunday Telegraph

‘A thought-provoking menacer that’s completely technological and genuinely frightening about the power of future communications’ – Time Out

Visit Peter’s website.
Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Six Blake Friedmann titles selected as The Bookseller’s Season Highlights

We are delighted to share that a fine array of six Blake Friedmann authors have been picked by The Bookseller in their Spring/Summer Buyers’ Guide Season Highlights. Three of our authors’ titles were selected in the Fiction guide, and a further three in the Non-Fiction guide.

Top Row: GROW WHERE THEY FALL by Michael Donkor (Fig Tree); THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD by Peter James (Pan Macmillan); PASSIONTIDE by Monique Roffey (author photo: Marcus Bastel).
Bottom Row: NEWBORN by Kerry Hudson (Chatto & Windus); MY FAMILY MEALS by Grace Mortimer; EVERY KIND OF PEOPLE by Kathryn Faulke (Fig Tree).

The nominated titles in fiction are: GROW WHERE THEY FALL, the stunning second novel by Michael Donkor (Fig Tree, 7 March); the much-anticipated THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD: Sandy’s Story by Peter James, which spins off from the bestselling Roy Grace series to uncover the long-speculated mystery of Sandy’s disappearance (Pan Macmillan, 9 May); and PASSIONTIDE, a powerful new Caribbean-set novel by Costa Prize winner Monique Roffey (Harvill Secker, 27 June).

In Non-Fiction, the titles selected are: NEWBORN by Kerry Hudson, her beautiful memoir detailing her experience of building a family without a blueprint to work from (Chatto & Windus, 1 February); EVERY KIND OF PEOPLE, a heartbreaking and uplifting debut memoir by a community care worker (Fig Tree, 11 July); and MY FAMILY MEALS by Grace Mortimer, a fresh collection of simple but delicious five-ingredient recipes (HQ, 18 July).

The Bookseller is the UK’s weekly trade magazine for the publishing industry: their biannual Buyer’s Guides, listing almost every book publishing in the UK, are highly influential catalogues, used by bookshops to select stock they want to order; by the press looking for books to feature and review, and authors to interview; and by other literary enthusiasts who want to know what’s coming out when and what to get excited about.

Congratulations to all of our authors whose upcoming publications have been selected!

Two new Peter James thrillers for Pan Macmillan

Pan Macmillan will publish two new standalone novels by Peter James, acquired by former Associate Publisher Wayne Brookes from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann. The first, THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD, will be published as a lead hardback in May 2024, with the paperback to follow in October 2024.

This all-new standalone novel will finally reveal the astonishing reasons behind Sandy Grace’s sudden disappearance, first brought to life in the inaugural Roy Grace novel DEAD SIMPLE. For years Peter has teased his readers about her whereabouts, and now for the first time he will tell all about her shocking departure!

Francesca Pathak, who has taken on publishing James after Wayne Brookes’s departure last year, says: ‘As a lifelong fan of Peter’s I am thrilled to be working with him on Sandy’s story. Grace readers around the world have been desperate to learn the details of what exactly happened to Roy Grace’s wife and what her motivations were, and Peter has truly delivered in this incredible standalone novel. It’s the book all Grace fans have been waiting for, and the perfect entry point to the series for any new reader who wants the perfect thriller this Spring.’

Peter James says: ‘Sandy’s story is one I have been excited to write for a long time. So many of my fans have messaged me over the years speculating on what might have happened to her… and as a thriller author there are few things more fun than wrong-footing our readers – in the nicest possible way – and most importantly in a way that will both make them smile and go WOW!’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘In THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD Peter expertly delivers both twisty mystery and sensational revelation about the ever-elusive Sandy. A standalone that also deepens and complements the series story, it’s a fantastic bonus for all of Peter’s international fans, ahead of the 20th Roy Grace later in the year – another very big year for Grace in print and on-screen!’

About Peter James

Photo credit: Mark Dixon

Peter James is the international bestselling author of many award-winning novels, repeatedly occupying the Number One slot on the Sunday Times bestseller charts in both hardback and paperback. Peter writes both thriller standalones and the hugely popular Brighton-set GRACE series, now adapted for ITV. Peter took part in the launch podcast of the Queen’s Reading Room in January 2024, having had the Grace series featured on the Royal Reading Room previously.

Peter’s books have been translated into thirty-eight languages, with worldwide sales of over twenty-one million copies and his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, set in Brighton, has given him nineteen Sunday Times Number Ones. In 2015 WH Smith customers voted him the Greatest Crime Author of All Time and in 2016 he was awarded the coveted CWA Diamond Dagger, a lifetime  achievement award for sustained excellence. In 2018 he received a Specsavers Honorary Platinum Bestseller Award. Peter James has also written two books based on true crime stories, with former senior detective Graham Bartlett, with a newly expanded edition of BABES IN THE WOOD re-issued in January 2024.

Successful nationwide tours of the stage plays of THE PERFECT MURDER (2014), DEAD SIMPLE (2015), NOT DEAD ENOUGH (2017), THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL (2019), LOOKING GOOD DEAD (2022), and WISH YOU WERE DEAD (2023) have packed theatres in dozens of British cities, and garnered magnificent reviews. Several other Peter James novels are optioned for film and in further development.

Praise for Peter James

‘Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business’ – Karin Slaughter

‘Probably the closest we’ll get to a British Stephen King’ – The Financial Times

‘Meticulous research gives his prose great authenticity’ – Sunday Express

‘Peter James has penetrated the inner workings of police procedures, and the inner thoughts and attitudes of real detectives, as no English crime writer before him.’ – The Times

‘Peter James is one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters’ – Daily Mail

‘In my thirty-four years of policing, never have I come across a writer who so accurately depicts “The Job’’ – Detective Investigator Pat Lanigan, Office of the District Attorney, NYPD

‘One of the most consistently readable crime writers.’ – Daily Mail           

‘A master plotter’ – The Bookseller

Visit Peter’s website

Follow Peter on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.