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.

 

Deon Meyer’s record-breaking HEART OF THE HUNTER shoots to the top of the Netflix Charts

Credit: Netflix

HEART OF THE HUNTER, the first feature-length adaptation of one of Deon Meyer’s bestselling novels, has proven an instant worldwide success on its Netflix debut, becoming the first ever African film to reach the summit of the Global Top 10 for English language films. The film was viewed over 11 million times in the two days following its premiere, and entered the top ten in 75 countries for the week ending the 31st of March. Deon adapted the screenplay himself from his novel, which follows a retired assassin in post-apartheid South Africa who is pulled back into action when his friend uncovers a dangerous conspiracy at the heart of n government.

The film stars Bonko Khoza (THE WOMAN KING) as Zuko Khumalo, alongside a stellar cast of fellow South African actors, including Connie Ferguson (GENERATIONS), Masasa Mbangeni, Tim Theron, Deon Coetzee, Peter Butler, Connie Chiume and Meyer-adaptation regular Sisanda Henna (DEVIL’S PEAK, TRACKERS).  The director is Mandla Dube (SILVERTON SIEGE), and Deon co-wrote the screenplay with Willem Grobler; the film is a Scene23 production for Netflix.

Deon’s book HEART OF THE HUNTER was first published in Afrikaans in 2002 (as PROTEUS) and has since been translated into 14 different languages worldwide. It is published in South Africa in Afrikaans by Human & Rousseau and translated into English by K.L. Seegers: in the UK it is published by Hodder & Stoughton, and in the US and Canada by Grove Atlantic. It was selected as one of Chicago Tribune’s 10 best mysteries and thrillers of 2004, longlisted for the IMPAC Literary Award 2005 (now the Dublin Literary Award) and won the Deutsche Krimi Preis, International Category, 2006.

In the Netflix Original film adaptation, Zuko Khumalo is an unassuming family man with a deadly past – but his tranquil world is abruptly turned upside down when an old colleague calls on him to honour an oath he made and save the country from venal political interests. Though he resists being pulled back into his previous life, it becomes clear that events already pose a deadly threat to his domestic ambitions and the peaceful family life he holds so dear. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a tale of one man’s struggle for survival against a corrupt government, a group of bloodthirsty killers and, most of all, against his past.

In other news, Deon has also been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) arts festival, receiving the KKNK Afrikaans Onbeperk Prize for Literary Contribution. Deon’s first full-length stage musical, Roem: ’n Musiekverhaal, also premiered at the festival, to a series of standing ovations. ROEM, written by Deon in Afrikaans alongside musical director Coenie de Villiers, starred Anrich Herbst, Eldon van der Merwe, Daneel van der Walt and Nelandi Boshoff, and was directed by Nicole Holm.

Deon’s latest novel, LEO, a longstanding Number One in Afrikaans in South Africa will be published by Hodder in the UK and Grove Atlantic in the US later this year.

About Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer lives in Stellenbosch, South Africa, but also spends time with family in Italy and in France where he was awarded France’s highest arts honour, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2021. He writes in Afrikaans and his South African publisher Human & Rousseau has sold close to 800,000 Afrikaans copies of his novels. Rights in his titles are sold in 30 territories and 28 languages, and many of his books have been optioned for film. Among his awards are the Deutsche Krimi Prize in Germany, the ATKV Prize in South Africa, the Martin Beck Award in Sweden and Le Grand Prix de Littérature Policière and Le Prix Mystère de la Critique in France. COBRA was shortlisted for the 2015 CWA International Dagger, THIRTEEN HOURS was shortlisted for the 2010 CWA International Dagger, and HEART OF THE HUNTER, was longlisted for the 2005 IMPAC Prize and selected as one of Chicago Tribune’s ‘10 best mysteries and thrillers of 2004’. THE DARK FLOOD was longlisted for the 2023 CWA International Dagger (for Crime Fiction in Translation). His latest novel LEO, a new Benny Griessel thriller, enjoyed ten weeks at the top of the South African bestseller lists.

Praise for the film HEART OF THE HUNTER

‘HEART OF THE HUNTER is outshining a lot of recent entries in the action genre… this movie has its own flavor and a great action hero at the heart of the story… This movie repackages everything that other action films did before it while offering some fresh touches with its hero and setting. In other words, it’s a great choice for your next movie night when you’re looking for some action.’ – Blair Marnell, Digital Trends

‘Deon Meyer and Willem Grobler’s writing in HEART OF THE HUNTER tackles everything from the way apartheid eroded South Africa to how capitalism is doing the same to the country in the present day… it’s refreshing to see a film reckoning with its own past as well as the citizens who live in ivory towers… I was blown away by the action... The contact, the reactions, and the sound design in all the hand-to-hand fight sequences are simply perfect… I couldn’t help but applaud it. And standing in stark contrast to these exciting set pieces are the emotional, bloody, and heavy personal altercations between Tiger and Zuko. There is a real weight to their conflict, even though they don’t know a lot about each other, and that’s what makes the finale so impactful. The performances from the entire cast of HEART OF THE HUNTER are exquisite… As a fan of action films in general, I am impressed. So, I’ll recommend it to the regulars of the school of action cinema. In addition to that, I hope this becomes the gateway to mainstream and genre-specific South African films.’ – Pramit Chatterjee, DMT

Praise for the novel HEART OF THE HUNTER

‘Deon Meyer hooked me with this one right from the start. HEART OF THE HUNTER is a thriller with some weight attached and that is a rare find.’ – Michael Connelly

‘A pacy, wised-up, post-apartheid thriller; a fabulously page-turning book.' – Barbara Trapido

‘A rip-roaring adventure, a portrait of spy-world duplicity and a look at South Africa's post-apartheid politics.’ – Patrick Anderson, Washington Post

‘A thriller good enough to nip at the heels of le Carré… Wonderful setting; rich, colourful cast, headed by a valiant/vulnerable protagonist who makes empathy easy.’ – Kirkus, Starred Review

Praise for Deon Meyer

‘Deon Meyer's name on the cover is a guarantee of crime writing at its best.’ – Tess Gerritsen

‘Deon Meyer should be on everyone's reading list.’ – Michael Connelly

‘Deon Meyer is the monarch of South African crime novelists.’ – Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘Unquestionably the supremo of South African crime-writing fiction’ – Peter James

‘Deon Meyer is not just South Africa’s greatest crime writer, he’s up there with the best in the world.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times

‘Deon Meyer is good at sketching a realistic country, people we recognise and grow accustomed to, and telling a darn good yarn.’ – Diane De Beer, The Star

‘Deon Meyer is one of the best crime writers on the planet.’ – Mail on Sunday

Visit Deon’s website

Follow Deon on Twitter

GRACE returns to ITV for a fifth series

We are delighted to announce that ITV has recommissioned the popular Brighton-based detective drama GRACE. Based on the internationally bestselling Detective Superintendent Roy Grace books by Peter James, the TV adaptation is now confirmed for a fifth series.

John Simm returns as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace for another four feature length films (4 x 120 minutes) which will air on ITV1 and ITVX. Also reprising their roles for series five are Richie Campbell (Top Boy, Stephen) who plays DS Glenn Branson, Zoë Tapper (Liar) as Cleo Morey, Laura Elphinstone (Chernobyl) as DS Bella Moy, Brad Morrison (Outlander) as DC Nick Nicholl and Sam Hoare (The Castaways) as ACC Cassian Pewe.

Series five will be based on four books from the Peter James series: DEAD IF YOU DON’T, DEAD AT FIRST SIGHT, NEED YOU DEAD and FIND THEM DEAD.

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 second series was broadcast in 2022, starting with LOOKING GOOD DEAD, which like the subsequent episode NOT DEAD ENOUGH, topped the chart as most-watched UK TV show of the night. DEAD MAN’S FOOTSTEPS and DEAD TOMORROW followed. The popular streamer Britbox brought the GRACE series to US and Canadian viewers in 2021, followed by further world territories. The third series, DEAD LIKE YOU, DEAD MAN’S GRIP and NOT DEAD YET, began airing in March 2023, with the fourth series date due to be announced soon.

The series has been commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, and Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones. Huw will oversee production from ITV’s perspective.

Huw said: ‘We’re thrilled to be returning to Brighton and the world of Roy Grace and the team for another series of Peter James’ brilliant stories. Series five promises to deliver four more episodes full of surprises and intrigue that the ITV and ITVX audiences have come to love.’

GRACE is a co-production between Tall Story Pictures, part of ITV Studios, and Vaudeville Productions. Executive producers are Phil Hunter for Tall Story Pictures, and Andrew O'Connor and Paul Sandler for Vaudeville Productions, Kiaran Murray-Smith and Peter James. 

Executive Producer Phil Hunter said: ‘It’s fantastic that GRACE is back for a fifth series and we get to adapt another four of Peter's brilliant books for ITV. I can't wait to see the cast and crew assembled for what will be my first series. It's wonderful to be working with such a talented group of people who put their all into making a show they love.’

Author Peter James said: ‘When the first episode of GRACE aired in 2021, it was a dream come true. It is both heartening and astounding to me that we're already at series five! The continued success of GRACE is a testament to the outstanding cast headed by John Simm, and crew and, equally importantly, the fans, who have loved and devoted their time to these characters both on the page and now the screen. It is also a testament to just how faithfully ITV have adhered to both the characters and stories in the novels.’

The films will be written by Jess Williams, Guy Burt, Caroline Carver and Ed Whitmore. Kiaran Murray-Smith returns as Series Producer, Matthew Hamilton will co-produce the series. Production begins in Brighton this Spring. International distribution is handled by ITV Studios. Grace is a BritBox Original, available exclusively on BritBox in North America and Australia.

The paperback edition of the 19th book in the Grace series, STOP THEM DEAD, will be published by Pan Macmillan on 25 April 2024. Peter’s next book, THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD, reveals the truth behind the dramatic disappearance of Roy Grace’s first wife, Sandy. It will thrill readers of the Grace series and new fans alike with its gripping story of a woman on the run; Pan Macmillan will publish on 9th May 2024.  Peter is also currently writing the 20th Roy Grace title.

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.

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 GRACE
‘For fans still coming to terms with the end of Endeavour, the third series of Grace has arrived just in time to fill the Brit detective void… a world-weary detective; a younger sidekick; and plenty of knotty cases to be solved.’ – Poppie Platt, The Sunday Telegraph

‘Simm plays the lead with elegant understatement’ – Mail On Sunday

‘John Simm is very good as gentle DS Roy Grace’ – Carol Midgley, The Times

‘John Simm is perfectly cast as our morose hero.’ – The Sunday Times

‘Darkly compelling’ – Tim Oglethorpe, The Daily Mail

‘A stirring return’ – TV Times, 5-star review

‘A very effective appetite-whetter… The unpretentious storytelling makes this an easy watch, helmed by the always watchable Simm.’ – The Mail on Sunday, Pick of the Day

‘It’s a good’un... John Simm was pleasingly understated as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and the adaptation was well done by Russell Lewis, creator of ENDEAVOUR. Richie Campbell was great as Roy’s colleague, DS Branson, bringing just the right amount of energy to proceedings... If ITV can find room in the schedules, another Grace instalment would go down nicely.’ – Anita Singh, The Telegraph

‘Roy Grace doesn’t have any obvious gimmick to mark him out, but he swiftly establishes himself as a solid addition to the Sunday-night pack… Chilling.’ – James Jackson, The Times, Critic’s Choice

‘Grace and Branson’s race to find Michael made for truly nail-biting TV and there were great performances, with Simm as watchable as ever as the shrewd, yet vulnerable Grace… With more to come later this year… I’ll certainly be tuning in.’ – Gwendolyn Smith, The i

‘There is a reason why Peter James’s novels have sold all over the world, and one of the main ones is that… Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is a well-written and believable character… Simm makes for a likeable lead and the atmospheric Brighton setting is well used.’ – Sarah Hughes, The Sunday Telegraph, The Very Best of the Week Ahead

‘Simm gives [Roy Grace] a winning sense of humour beneath all the grit… Campbell is smooth foil, playing Branson quietly enough that Simm doesn’t have to be enormous to stand out. Brighton’s mix of pretty shoreline, faded glamour, criminal past and contemporary hipsterism makes it a ripe spot for some murder. The action feels rooted in its setting…It’s almost inconceivable Simm hasn’t already been in a long running franchise… and I expect the wait’s over.’ – Ed Cumming, The Independent

‘Few people do moody, angst-ridden men better than John Simm, who takes on the role of Grace. With so many books in hand, this series could run and run.’ — The best television shows in the UK this April, Prospect Magazine

Exciting new historical crime series by debut author Bridget Walsh sold to Gallic Books

Gallic Books have acquired World English Language rights to the first two novels in the Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook series by Bridget Walsh from Isobel Dixon. Set in Victorian London, both THE TUMBLING GIRL and THE INNOCENTS are fast paced, gripping mysteries that will delight fans of Janice Hallett and Anthony Horowitz’s Sherlock Holmes novels.

The first, THE TUMBLING GIRL, follows Minnie and Albert as they investigate the brutal murder of Minnie’s best friend Rose. But there is more to this murder than meets the eye, and as the bodies pile up and danger closes in, Albert’s feelings for his new partner start to interfere with the investigation. THE INNOCENTS continues their story…

Joe Harper, MD at Gallic Books, says: ‘We are delighted to be publishing Bridget’s debut. THE TUMBLING GIRL is the first in a gripping, evocative mystery series and we can’t wait to introduce readers to Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook.’

Bridget Walsh says: ‘These books grew out of my fascination with the darker, sometimes unexpected side of Victorian life. I’m delighted that Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook have found such a great home and am very excited to develop the series with the team at Gallic.’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘When I first heard Bridget read at an event, I was immediately struck by the story, characters and atmosphere she so deftly conjures. I’m delighted that Gallic Books are giving THE TUMBLING GIRL a good home and can’t wait for readers to meet Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook too!’

THE TUMBLING GIRL will be released in May 2023, with its sequel, THE INNOCENTS, following in 2024.  You can pre-order THE TUMBLING GIRL now.  

About Bridget Walsh

BRIDGET WALSH was born in London to Irish immigrant parents. She studied English Literature and was an English teacher for 23 years, before leaving the profession to pursue her writing. Bridget lives in Norwich with her husband, Micky, and her two dogs.

THE TUMBLING GIRL is her first novel and won the UEA Little, Brown Award for Crime Fiction 2019.

Follow Bridget on Twitter.