Peter James launches 17th book in Roy Grace series, Left You Dead Brighton News

Left You Dead, book number 17 in the series, comes out this week with a virtual launch Wednesday.

Peter had had the idea for this particular book for years – and said he was fascinated by the stories behind missing people and the challenges police face in ‘bodyless murder’ cases.

The author said: “Most of the time missing people are found within four or five days. But if they haven’t been found within 30 days, they certainly won’t come back.

Peter James’ last book

“Where are they? Some may have fled and changed identities, perhaps to escape debt, or sadly committed suicide and their bodies were never found.

“I remember asking a policeman if there was a perfect murder and he said, ‘Absolutely. They are the ones we never hear about ”.

“These are the hardest cases for the police to investigate – when they don’t have hard evidence of a body. And that’s how this story begins.”

Left You Dead begins with a couple from Brighton arguing over kitty litter.

On a Sunday drive near Steyning, Niall and Eden Paternoster stop in front of the Tesco in Holmbush so that Eden can retrieve the kitty litter that Niall forgot to buy.

Niall waits impatiently in the car, eager to get home so he can watch the Grand Prix, but Eden never leaves the store.

Peter said: “I had the idea years ago – I was driving somewhere and my wife would like to stop in a store.

“I’ve often thought, what if she rushed over and never came out again?”

“How long would I wait and what would I do?” Unless there is CCTV, would anyone believe my story?

“I call it the daily grim – I’m more interested in the idea of ​​something happening to any individual, like you or me.

Peter James

2021 promises to be busy for the perpetrator.

Two weeks after the release of Left You Dead, Peter’s short story for the book agency’s Quick Reads program, aimed at bringing less confident readers back to books, will launch on May 27.

Peter’s contribution, Wish You Were Dead, centers on Roy Grace’s family on “Hell Vacation”.

Following its world premiere this summer, a play from Looking Good Dead, starring Adam Woodyatt in the lead role, will air at Brighton’s Theater Royal in October.

And of course, filming is also set to begin later this year on the second series of ITV’s small-screen adaptation Grace, with three new 120-minute films based on the novels of Peter Not Dead Enough, Dead Man’s Footsteps and Dead Tomorrow.

Peter said he was thrilled with the city’s appearance on the first show, which garnered 8.8 million viewers when it aired earlier this year.

He said: “I have never seen Brighton look so beautiful on film – I am so happy that I am passionate about the city.

Peter James was thrilled with the ITV adaptation, Grace

“John Simm is exactly the Roy Grace of my imagination and a great pleasure to work with.

“There is a scene at the beginning of the book where we first learn that Roy’s wife, Sandy, is missing.

“Grace’s mate set her up on a blind date, and the morning they filmed this scene,” John said to me, “do you think I should wear my wedding ring or take it off?”

“I love that he thought of so many details.”

Anyone can attend Left You Dead’s virtual launch on Wednesday by registering online, and signed copies of the book can be ordered from City Books in Hove.

Peter, who is already halfway through his next book, said the lockdown’s only saving grace was the time he gave her to write.

He said, “This is the first time in my life that I’m ahead of my schedule on a book.

“But normally I would go out with the police on a regular basis for my research, and I really missed that aspect.

“And with the return of theater production and audiences, I can’t wait to be there.

“I love to sit in the back and listen to the audience’s reaction.”

You can register to attend the virtual book launch here.

Read excerpts from the new book in the Argus newspaper printed this Friday.