Detective Roy Grace series

[PopcornAndWine]

So I've nearly finished the first book in the Detective Roy Grace series and I'm in two minds about it. On the positive side it's fast-paced, it's a pretty decent plot and a bit different from the usual crime fare. I'm from East Sussex so I recognise a lot of the locations and I like that too!

On the less positive side, the writing is a bit clunky in places, the characters seem a bit thin so far and if the supernatural/medium element is going to be major factor in how he solves crimes I think that will just irritate the fuck out of me. I like these kind of books for the police procedural stuff not stupid supernatural crap. If I want that I'll read sci-fi/fantasy.

So just wondering from others who've read the series, is it worth proceeding?

Bump

I read nine of the Grace books on holiday and really enjoyed them. The books kind of explain the supernatural/spiritual thing to an extent.

Although I live many, many miles from Brighton, I also enjoyed the change of scenery from the normal big city crime stuff I read.

I'd say, read on, or don't bother. Life's too short for books that irritate you.

All I can say, is that the stories and characters kept me entertained enough to keep me reading
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Hi op I have read the entire series and loved them. The medium is not really throughout but it all starts to make sense. On another note I really dislike the series. The characters do not work for me. I recommend continuing. Peter James also does supernatural I highly recommend hill House I think it's called and another one where they clone a child.

I don't normally read supernatural but as I love Peter James thought I would try, I was pleasantly surprised.

I’ve just finished book 13 or 14 as there’s something compelling about them. However the writing is clunky, some characters are a bit questionable, and the dialogue can be excruciating.

Like I said though, book 15 awaits They’re fast paced, I like the procedural weight, and the characters I like I really like.

As an aside, and I know you haven’t mentioned the TV show OP, but as much as I like John Simms, he’s not young enough, tall enough, and I’m sad to say he isn’t quite handsome enough for Grace.

I've read about 8 of the books. The medium.isnt a feature really.
I stopped reading them because I got uncomfortable on the portrayal of the missing wife and the girlfriend for Grace.

Cannot really explain it, just felt sleazy, bad writing.

Thanks all... I think I'll give the next one a go at least. I think I was just slightly disappointed by the quality of the writing as this series is so highly rated. But I raced through it and found it hard to put down so I guess there is plenty to like as well!

I get them all from the library. I enjoy them but they don't get re-read.
The one where potting is bait for a dating site is good,- a different view of that character.

Because of this thread I got the first one on audible. I’m enjoying it. So far. Not sure I would read the next one. In terms of police proceedings books I think I prefer Michael woods Matilda Dark.

Not come across those before - they look good, although some of them seem to involve bad things happening to children which I can't handle!

@PopcornAndWine the latest one does. ( not got to read it yet. ) the rest are good. Apart from one that most other people was a bit unbelievable. But they are good.

The medium stuff takes a back seat as the series goes on. In fact I can't remember the last time it was mentioned and I'm up to about book 10 now. They're not like the James Oswald McLean books in that regard.

I do quite like them and I believe they're pretty accurate procedurally, but they are rather predictable and cliched. It's one of those series I keep reading, despite never being quite sure why. Grace never meets another copper who he doesn't 'like and respect' and the way the author describes female characters is often weirdly over-sexualised. "Tits McGoo, who had breasts all over the place and legs up to here, was competent at her job despite being a right bit of crumpet." (That's not an actual quote, although it's not a million miles off!)

YY to PPs they're very misogynistic, sexist and cliched but they are good page turners. I'm working my way through the series but have to take long breaks because they annoy me!

I'd noticed that about the female characters and it annoyed me. To be honest pretty much all the crime fiction I have read to date has been written by women. Hope most male crime writers aren't like this!