This is by far the best book in the series so far. The previous 3 or 4 books were pretty awful but this was really good ( )

A slightly shorter Grace book. It was just OK - I wasn't overly enthusiastic on the plot line. And the whole suggestion about the missing wife turning out to be some kind of mad revenge seeking stalker just made me roll my eyes. ( )

Not Dead Yet by Peter James is the eighth book in his series that features Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. The series is set in Brighton and the author has made full use of many of Brighton’s landmarks throughout the season. In this book, Brighton’s Royal Pavilion comes into play as one of Roy’s assignments is ensuring the safety of world famous movie star, Gaia, who has received a number of death threats recently. Roy’s team is also working on a case that involves the discovery of a male torso and until they discover more body parts, they haven’t a clue as to who he is. Roy’s personal life also plays a large part of the story as Roy and his partner, Cleo, are preparing for the birth of their first child.

Ongoing secrets, hunting an obsessed stalker, and former enemies all come into this forceful and tense story. The author delivers a gripping story that keeps the reader turning the pages and hoping for a good outcome. While some aspects of this story are a little difficult to believe, the author builds his plot into a complicated yet fascinating narrative that is a great addition to the series. ( )

Ytterligare en bra bok i serien om Roy Grace. ( )

DS Roy Grace is concerned with identifying a corpse found buried in an industrial chicken shed. The team is struggling to identify the body since it was found without a head, arms or legs. Meanwhile, his boss asks him to ensure the safety of visiting star, Gaia Lafayette, who is filming a movie about King George IV and his lover, Maria Fitzherbert. Roy is also being pulled into some personal issues. After ten years he's having his missing wife declared dead so he can marry his current partner, Cleo Morey, who is just about to give birth to his child. He's also preparing for a major trial and trying to make a good impression on his new boss.

The reader is not sure who is threatening the safety of Gaia, but we meet at least two possible suspects. American, Drayton Wheeler, is convinced they've stolen his screenplay and is determined to ruin the movie, and Anna Galicia, an obsessive fan, has created a Gaia shrine and is convinced that Gaia makes secret signs only for her during performances. The book is written in short chapters jumping between various characters and this adds some tension to the mix.

I thought it was fast paced and filled with well crafted characters. The recurring story line of what's happened to his wife, Sandy, is filled in a little more. I do wish this would conclude at some point.
The character of Roy Grace is well rounded and he's changed so much from the first book where he was so introspective. We can feel his joy escalating as the birth of his child draws near and his marriage to Cleo approaches. I thought the story was over the top in many instances but maybe that's what I liked about it. I was certainly entertained and can't wait to read the next book in the series, Dead Man's Time.
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