Need You Dead

Starred review from May 1, 2017
In British author James’s superior 13th novel featuring Det. Supt. Roy Grace (after 2016’s Love You Dead), the Brighton cop is occupied—at times preoccupied—with his imminent trip to Germany to meet his 10-year-old son, Bruno. Grace’s first wife, Sandy, whose tragic life ended in suicide, left a note telling Grace that Bruno was his biological child and his responsibility. Meanwhile, Grace decides that the murder of Lorna Belling, a married woman who was having an affair with a man she eventually discovered was a lout, will be a good case for Temporary Det. Insp. Guy Batchelor to handle under his supervision. Lorna’s abusive husband, Corin, is immediately suspect, as is blackmailer Seymour Darling, whose threatening emails to Lorna come to light. Lorna’s lover, Greg, could also be the culprit. Grace ably lends guidance to Batchelor while still devoting a lot of time and energy to dealing with Bruno. This skillful twister shows why James was awarded the 2016 CWA Diamond Dagger.