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Peter James

(b.1948)

Peter James is the author of several very successful thrillers, two of which have been made into successful TV films. More are in production now. He was born in 1948 and educated at Charterhouse. He lives in Sussex near Lewes.

Awards: CWA (2016), Barry (2012) see all

Genres: Mystery, Horror, Thriller

New and upcoming books

October 2025

The Hawk is Dead
(Roy Grace, book 22)

Series

Max Flynn
1. Dead Letter Drop (1981)
2. Atom Bomb Angel (1983)

Roy Grace
   1. Dead Simple (2005)
   2. Looking Good Dead (2006)
   3. Not Dead Enough (2007)
   4. Dead Man's Footsteps (2008)
   5. Dead Tomorrow (2009)
   6. Dead Like You (2010)
   7. Dead Man's Grip (2011)
   8. Not Dead Yet (2012)
   9. Dead Man's Time (2013)
   10. Want You Dead (2014)
   10.5. In the Nick of Time (2014) (with Ian Rankin)
   11. You Are Dead (2015)
   12. Love You Dead (2016)
   Death Comes Knocking (2016) (with Graham Bartlett)
   13. Need You Dead (2017)
   14. Dead If You Don't (2018)
   15. Dead at First Sight (2019)
   16. Find Them Dead (2020)
   17. Left You Dead (2021)
   Wish You Were Dead (2021)
   18. Picture You Dead (2022)
   19. Stop Them Dead (2023)
   20. They Thought I Was Dead (2024)
   21. One of us is Dead (2024)
   22. The Hawk is Dead (2025)

Cold Hill
1. The House on Cold Hill (2013)
2. The Secret of Cold Hill (2019)

Inspector Rebus (with Ian Rankin)
In the Nick of Time (2014)

Novels

   Billionaire (1983)
   Travelling Man (1984)
   Biggles (1986)
   Possession (1988)
   Dreamer (1989)
   Sweet Heart (1990)
   Twilight (1991)
   Prophecy (1992)
   Host (1993)
   Alchemist (1996)
   Denial (1996)
   Getting Wired (1996)
   The Truth (1997)
   Faith (2000)
   No Rest for the Dead (2011) (with others)
   Perfect People (2011)
   Absolute Proof (2018)
   I Follow You (2020)

Collections

A Twist of the Knife (2014)

Novellas and Short Stories

Christmas is for the Kids (2011)

Series contributed to

Quick Reads 2010
The Perfect Murder (2010)

MatchUp Collection
Footloose (2018) (with Val McDermid)

Afraid of the light
3. Afraid of the Shadows (2021) (with others)

Quick Reads 2021
Wish You Were Dead (2021)

Non fiction show

Omnibus editions show

Books containing stories by Peter James

Ten Year Stretch (2018)
Celebrating a Decade of Crime Fiction and CrimeFest
edited by
Martin Edwards and Adrian Muller

MatchUp (2017)
edited by
Lee Child

Terror Tales of the Ocean (2015)
(Terror Tales)
edited by
Paul Finch

More books

Awards

	2016 CWA Diamond Dagger
	2012 Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel : Dead Man's Grip

Award nominations

	2021 CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (nominee) : Find Them Dead
	2015 CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (nominee) : Want You Dead
	2014 CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (nominee) : Dead Man's Time
	2013 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (shortlist) : Not Dead Yet
	2011 CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (nominee) : Dead Like You
	2010 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (shortlist) : Dead Tomorrow
	2010 Sainsbury's Popular Fiction Award (nominee) : Dead Like You
	2010 CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (nominee) : Dead Tomorrow
	2009 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (shortlist) : Dead Man's Footsteps
	2009 CWA Dagger in the Library (shortlist)
	2008 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (shortlist) : Not Dead Enough
	2007 BCA Crime Thriller of the Year (nominee) : Looking Good Dead

Peter James recommends

The Dogwalkers' Detective Agency (2025)
Michael Hogan
"A delight for lovers of cosy crime, and a must for all lovers of a good mystery involving dogs!"

A Sting in Her Tale (2025)
(Felicity Jardine, book 1)
Mark Ezra
"Mark Ezra is an accomplished writer. There are distinct echoes of the classy Agatha Christie espionage novels."

The Hideaway (2025)
Nikki Allen
"A brilliant, twisty thriller that makes you want to shout warnings out aloud to the characters! I was gripped."

Gunner (2025)
(Joseph Gunner, book 1)
Alan Parks
"Great storytelling, and a gripping insight into war-torn Glasgow - I loved it."

Isolation Island (2024)
Louise Minchin
"Gripping, compelling and way more terrifying than any TV reality show."

Look in the Mirror (2024)
Catherine Steadman
"Engaging, twisty and highly original."

The Reappearance of Rachel Price (2024)
Holly Jackson
"There is a lot to really enjoy in this story and there is great energy to the writing, as well as some fine characterization."

Deadly Animals (2024)
Marie Tierney
"Utterly mesmerising . . . This writer has huge talent."

Let Me In (2023)
Claire McGowan
"An engaging, compelling and twisty story - Claire McGowan at her very best."

The Scarlet Papers (2023)
Matthew Richardson
"A breathtaking thriller. A classic in the making."

The Warlock Effect (2023)
Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman
"This book is huge fun - gripping, informative and very clever. I didn't want it to end!"

Fatal Dose (2023)
(DC Mel Cotton Crime, book 3)
Brian Price
"Brian Price is a very clever and promising crime writer."

Femicide (2022)
(Vanessa Frank, book 1)
Pascal Engman
"Fresh, brilliant writing and utterly compelling, I loved it."

The Last Party (2022)
(DC Morgan, book 1)
Clare Mackintosh
"Clare Mackintosh is just getting better and better with every book. This is a wonderfully assured and gripping read."

Daisy Darker (2022)
Alice Feeney
"Clever, sinister, claustrophobic, beguiling and utterly compelling. I was totally hooked from the first sentence."

One Last Secret (2022)
Adele Parks
"As always with Adele Parks, One Last Secret is whip smart, original and utterly compelling."

The Bay (2022)
Allie Reynolds
"A truly gripping chiller of a thriller. Sensational."

Bad for Good (2022)
(DS Jo Howe, book 1)
Graham Bartlett
"Gripping."

Assassin's Lullaby (2022)
Mark Rubinstein
"Eli Dagan is one hell of a very human assassin, and this is one hell of a story."

Say Her Name (2022)
Ryan Carter and Dreda Say Mitchell
"A truly original voice."

The Soul Stealer (2022)
Graham Masterton
"Frightening and original."

The Night Shift (2022)
Alex Finlay
"A terrific thriller, tautly written with compelling characters. I was totally hooked."

Hot Water (2022)
Christopher Fowler
"A gripping page turner."

Good Cop Bad Cop (2021)
Simon Kernick
"An absolute master of the adrenaline-fuelled ride."

We Know You Remember (2021)
(High Coast, book 1)
Tove Alsterdal
"A terrific twisting roller-coaster of a thriller."

The Man on Hackpen Hill (2021)
J S Monroe
"Original and intriguing... kept me guessing to the very end."

Iron Annie (2021)
Luke Cassidy
"Wonderful, imaginative, highly original emotional rollercoaster of a story."

When Silence Kills (2021)
(Holly Wakefield, book 3)
Mark Griffin
"A thrilling new talent."

The Last Mona Lisa (2021)
Jonathan Santlofer
"This is a terrific read - compelling, intelligent, fascinating and deeply satisfying. It was a book I did not want to end."

Deadly Tide (2021)
(Jack Ferrell, book 10)
William Nikkel
"Gripping and scary, the best thriller of this kind I’ve read since Jaws. Nikkel is a born storyteller."

1979 (2021)
(Allie Burns, book 1)
Val McDermid
"A brilliant novel by a supremo of the genre at the height of her powers. A cast of engaging new characters promise to make this an unmissable new series."

Red Wolves (2021)
(Scott Pearce, book 2)
Adam Hamdy
"Intelligent and gripping."

Edge of the Grave (2021)
(Jimmy Dreghorn, book 1)
Robbie Morrison
"A mesmerizing debut – raw, brutally violent but immensely human. Early gangland Glasgow with the gloss razored off."

The Marlow Murder Club (2021)
(Marlow Murder Club, book 1)
Robert Thorogood
"I love Robert Thorogood’s writing."

Midwinter Murder (2020)
(Murder For All Seasons)
Agatha Christie
"All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt."

One Eye Open (2020)
Paul Finch
"A born storyteller."

The Minders (2020)
(Dark Future , book 3)
John Marrs
"Marrs is brilliant at twists and for the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides."

The Curator (2020)
(Washington Poe, book 3)
M W Craven
"Dark, sharp and compelling."

Dear Child (2020)
Romy Hausmann
"Dear Child is an accomplished thriller, beautifully written, intriguing and very compelling."

The Lantern Men (2020)
(Ruth Galloway Mysteries, book 12)
Elly Griffiths
"Elly Griffiths writes with a smart eye and great elegance."

Deathly Affair (2019)
(Geraldine Steel, book 13)
Leigh Russell
"Taut and compelling."

The War Widow (2019)
(Billie Walker Mystery, book 1)
Tara Moss
"Enough page-turning suspense to keep you up reading far later than you intended!"

Closer Than Blood (2019)
(PC Gareth Bell, book 2)
Paul Grzegorzek
"Writes with raw, engaging, authenticity."

Found (2019)
Erin Kinsley
"Brilliant, utterly compelling, heart-wrenching...I was gripped and loved it."

The Never Game (2019)
(Colter Shaw, book 1)
Jeffery Deaver
"Terrific writing, vivid and raw, Deaver grips from the very first line and never lets up. He is, hands-down, one of the finest thriller writers of our time."

The Insider (2018)
(Stone and Oliver, book 2)
Mari Hannah
"Mari Hannah writes with a sharp eye and a dark heart."

The Wanderer (2018)
(Magnus Iceland Mystery, book 5)
Michael Ridpath
"Michael Ridpath is trouncing the Scandinavians on their home turf. This is international thriller writing at its best."

Button Man (2018)
Andrew Gross
"Gripping, chilling and charged with emotion."

Do No Harm (2018)
L V Hay
"As dark and twisty as the Brighton Lanes."

Salt Lane (2018)
(DS Alexandra Cupidi, book 1)
William Shaw
"William Shaw is one of the great rising talents of UK crime fiction. This is his best book to date, instantly engaging, beautifully written with really well observed and rounded characters."

End Game (2018)
(Robert Finlay, book 3)
Matt Johnson
"Terse, tense and vivid writing. Matt Johnson is a brilliant new name in the world of thrillers."

The Innocent Wife (2017)
Amy Lloyd
"This is an original, assured and compelling tale of obsession. Amy Lloyd is a startling new talent, destined to become a big name."

The Dead Road (2017)
(Reviver trilogy, book 3)
Seth Patrick
"A startling new talent."

Glass Houses (2017)
(Chief Inspector Gamache, book 13)
Louise Penny
"Compelling...an original voice."

Watching You (2017)
(Detective Sam Berger, book 1)
Arne Dahl
"Grips you like a vice and never lets go."

Here and Gone (2017)
Haylen Beck
"A brilliant, relentless rollercoaster of suspense that shreds your emotions."

Child Taken (2017)
Darren Young
"A well told story from a very promising new writer."

The Stolen Child (2017)
Sanjida Kay
"Beautiful terse writing and the build to the shattering climax is palpable."

Dead Woman Walking (2017)
Sharon Bolton
"Bolton is a gripping storyteller with fine, haunted characters."

Say Nothing (2017)
Brad Parks
"Grips you in a vice from the very beginning, and shreds your emotions. Terrific, powerful storytelling at its very best. A tour de force."

The Freedom Broker (2017)
(Thea Paris, book 1)
K J Howe
"Spellbinding."

The Quiet Death of Thomas Quaid (2016)
(Lennox, book 5)
Craig Russell
"A great writer at the top of his game."

Babylon Berlin (2016)
(Gereon Rath, book 1)
Volker Kutscher
"Set in atmospheric 1930s Berlin where a maverick detective is hunting a serial killer The Silent Death, like its predecessor, Babylon Berlin, owes much to its author's commitment to historical accuracy and the cynical feel of the times."

Hold Still (2016)
Tim Adler
"Hooked me from the very beginning."

The Undesired (2015)
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir
"Yras is one most exciting new voices in the crime thriller world."

Solomon Creed (2015)
(Solomon Creed, book 1)
Simon Toyne
"Compelling, vivid and profound, I loved it. It stays with you long after you’ve finished the final page."

Black River (2015)
Tom Harper
"Harper is a master storyteller."

Pretty Girls (2015)
Karin Slaughter
"A great writer at the peak of her powers."

Snowblind (2015)
(Dark Iceland, book 1)
Ragnar Jónasson
"Ragnar Jónasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty... a must-read."

The Last Lullaby (2014)
(Hammarby, book 3)
Carin Gerhardsen
"writing that grips your heart and soul."

The Abrupt Physics of Dying (2014)
(Claymore Straker, book 1)
Paul E Hardisty
"A stormer of a thriller-vividly written, utterly topical, totally gripping."

The Thief Taker (2014)
(Thief Taker, book 1)
C S Quinn
"This is really captivating, vivid writing. Descriptions that come straight off the pages and permeate deep into your senses, and a truly electrifying pace. Quinn is a brilliant new talent!"

Night Heron (2014)
(Philip Mangan, book 1)
Adam Brookes
"A thriller packed with tension."

The Rock (2012)
(Sullivan & Broderick Murder Mystery, book 1)
Robert Daws
"Elegant storytelling and a fine sense of place. Robert Daws is an exciting addition to the canon of 21st Century crime writers."

Redemption Song (2012)
(Harry O'Connor, book 2)
Amanda Coetzee
"Tough, vivid, brutal and compelling. I was gripped and intrigued from the very first page. Amanda Coetzee writes with verve and energy in a very original voice."

Birthdays for the Dead (2012)
(Ash Henderson, book 1)
Stuart MacBride
"MacBride is a damned fine writer - no one does dark and gritty like him."

Storm Warning (2010)
Vanessa Gebbie
"Vanessa Gebbie is a massively gifted writer. Her harrowing honesty pulls no punches."

City of Dreadful Night (2010)
(Brighton Mystery, book 1)
Peter Guttridge
"A gripping yarn, brilliantly melding Brighton's murderous past with its murderous present. I loved it!"

Cut and Run (2010)
(Joe Hunter Thriller, book 4)
Matt Hilton
"A sparkling new talent."

The Gemini Factor (2010)
(Gemini , book 1)
Paul Kane
"A new, scarily original fearmonger. Watch out for this guy - carefully!"

A Deadly Trade (2009)
(Detective Kubu, book 2)
Michael Stanley
"I was gripped from the first page."

Burial (2009)
Neil Cross
"Stunning... it has been a long time since I've read a novel so compelling, chilling and satisfying."

Sheep (1994)
Simon Maginn
"The best debut novel I have read since [[The Wasp Factory]]."

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