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Genre
Murder in the Title
Simon Brett
A Charles Paris mystery.
Playing the corpse in a murder mystery at the Regent Theatre is not exactly a triumph for Charles Paris. In fact, his career could not sink any lower. However, suddenly the mystery spills over into real life with the artistic director's apparent suicide. But was it suicide - or murder? Charles Paris determines to find out.
UK edition
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Publication Date: 1 Sep 2012
ISBN: 9781448300082
Price: £7.99
Dimensions:
Extent: 144 pages
US edition
Select Format
Publication Date: 1 Sep 2012
ISBN: 9781448300082
Price: $9.99
Dimensions:
Extent: 144 pages
A Deadly Habit
Charles Paris has landed a part in a new West End play - but the production is halted when a body is discovered at the foot of the dressing room stairs. As one of the last people to have seen the victim alive, Charles is drawn into the investigation, and discovers that more than one person involved in the play has a scandalous secret to hide.
The Liar in The Library
When an author event at the local library ends in murder
When a talk by successful author Burton St Clair at Fethering Library ends in sudden, violent death, Jude finds herself the prime suspect in the ensuing murder investigation. She must enlist the help of her neighbour Carole not just to solve the crime, but to prove she didn't commit it.
Mrs Pargeter's Public Relations
Mrs Pargeter is at a charity reception, where she meets a woman who claims to be her late husband's sister. This encounter leads to digging into past secrets, the discovery of a body, visiting Greece and danger for Mrs Pargeter, as she learns the true nature of charity and the dubious skills by which Public Relations can make evil look good.
The Killing in the Cafe
The wickedly entertaining new Fethering mystery featuring chalk-and-cheese detective duo Carole and Jude
Coerced into joining the Save Polly's Cake Shop Action Committee, Fethering resident Jude finds the committee meetings fraught with petty power struggles and clashing egos. Matters take a turn for the worse when she and her neighbour Carole come across a badly-decomposed body on Fethering beach - and uncover a link to Polly's.
Mrs Pargeter's Principle
A cozy featuring the dazzling return of Mrs Pargeter.
Attending the funeral of the rich and respected Sir Normington Winthrop, because his is one of the names in the little black book bequeathed to her by her late husband, Mrs Pargeter sets out to discover the connection between the two men. Her investigations will draw her into a shady world of gun-runners, shifty policitians - and a kidnapped vicar.
The Tomb in Turkey
Carole and Jude's Turkish holiday takes a murderous turn in this Fethering mystery.
Having been persuaded to join her neighbour Jude for a fortnight's holiday in a luxurious Turkish villa, Carole Seddon's sightseeing trip to nearby Pinara is curtailed by the discovery of a body in one of the ancient Lycian tombs. Who is the victim, and what is their connection with Barney Willingdon, the owner of the villa?
The Penultimate Chance Saloon
A sixtieth birthday changes everything for Bill Stratton.
On the verge of his sixtieth birthday, his wife told him she was leaving him for another man. This all came as a bit of a shock to Bill.
Post menopausal dating might be very different to dating in your twenties or thirties, but then he didn't know much about either scene. Still, as a mildly famous television newsreader who'd managed to hold on to (most of) his looks, it seemed he was about to have plenty of opportunities to find out.
A Shock to the System
A promotion causes trouble...
Graham Marshall's ambition has made him a professional success, and he has the usual domestic problems to prove it. When he is passed over for promotion by an ambitious colleague he is shocked, but not half as shocked as when he is implicated in a murder, but is it by accident or design?
Singled Out
People aren't always who they appear to be...
TV producer Laura Fisher sets out to have a baby before her 30th birthday. But on the day of her son's birth, she discovers something about her child's father that shocks her to the core. Twenty years later, Laura's past begins to close in on her and she is forced to face up to a legacy of murder.
Dead Romantic
A deadly romantic triangle by Simon Brett
Madeleine Severn is a tutor at the Garrettway School of Languages, she has a young outlook on life and is proud of her looks. Eighteen-year-old student Paul Grigson idolises Madeleine and during a date of his own he sees Madeleine with the married Bernard Hopkins. When Bernard arranges to meet Madeleine again, he feels jealous, but like most teenagers, Paul's moods change like a chameleon's. This is a romantic triangle surely destined for disaster and death.
Reconstructed Corpse
Charles Paris's acting career plumbs new depths when he takes on the part of a possible murder victim in Public Enemies, a true-crime TV series. Finding himself in a bizarre world somewhere between police procedure and showbiz, Charles can't help getting involved in the investigation - especially when dismembered limbs start turning up.
Corporate Bodies
Taking on his most unlikely performing assignment yet: 'forklift-driver-for-a-day' in the Delmoleen company corporate video, Charles Paris discovers - to his horror - that a forklift can lead to death. Industrial accident - or murder? Charles decides to find out.
Series of Murders
For once Charles Paris is gainfully employed in the role of Sergeant Clump in what promises to be a long-running TV series based on rather dated 1930s detective novels. Yet once again, Charles finds himself in the role of real-life detective when he discovers a young actress's body crushed beneath a props case, and sets out to prove his hunch that she was murdered.
What Bloody Man Is That?
Charles Paris is on his way up again, career-wise. No longer 'resting', he finds himself doubling almost every role in a provincial production of the play dreaded by superstitious theatre folk: Macbeth. Yet when death strikes in the night, Charles finds himself playing an all-too familiar role: that of private eye.
Dead Giveaway
A brief appearance on a TV game show, 'If the Cap Fits', means a day's pay, a few interesting contacts and a chance to visit the West End Television bar - not the least of incentives for a man of Charles Paris's thirst. But murder? Even for game shows where they'll try almost anything once, murder is going too far.
The Cinderella Killer
A Christmas production of Cinderella is marred by a series of killings in the waspishly funny new Charles Paris mystery
Charles Paris has landed a minor role in the Empire Theatre Eastbourne's Christmas production of Cinderella. But rehearsals descend into chaos when a member of the cast is discovered shot dead beneath Eastbourne Pier. Charles must put his renowned sleuthing skills to the test to find out who killed his co-star - and why.
Not Dead, Only Resting
During a period of 'resting', actor Charles Paris takes on a job as a house painter. Arriving for work at the flat above a fashionable Holland Park restaurant, he discovers the mutilated body of chef Yves Lafeu. It would appear to be an open-and-shut case. Yves' business partner Tristram Gowers caught the night boat to France within hours of a spectacular public quarrel with Yves, and has now disappeared. But is there more to it than that? Charles Paris determines to find out.
The Strangling on the Stage
The local dramatic society provides fertile ground for murder in the brand-new Fethering mystery.
Jude has landed a starring role in the local AmDram Society's production of George Bernard Shaw's The Devil's Disciple. It's an ambitious play, culminating in a dramatic execution scene: a scene that's played for real when one of the actors is found hanging from the stage gallows during rehearsals. A tragic accident - or something more sinister?
Tickled to Death and Other Stories of Crime and Suspense
Ranging from stark psychological suspense to frothy frolic, this stunning collection of twelve short stories demonstrates Simon Brett's astonishing versatility. In TICKLED TO DEATH, a lover of practical jokes is smothered to death in a custard pie. DOUBLE GLAZING reveals the patient and perverse logic of an elderly Do-It-Yourselfer. And in BIG BOY, LITTLE BOY, a former hotel porter plots the murder of a very rich wife - with shocking results.
Crime Writers and Other Animals
In this collection of ten short stories, each with a surprising twist, Simon Brett covers all seven of the deadly sins, with supremely entertaining results. In THE MAN WHO GOT THE DIRT, two Angry Young Men have become Angry Old Men - and one of them is angry enough to kill. In POLITICAL CORRECTIONS, a recently-discovered manuscript by a classic English crime writer falls foul of modern political correctness. But is it genuine?
Sicken and So Die
Things are going suspiciously well for Charles Paris. He has moved back in with his ex-wife and landed a proper part in a proper production: Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night. But when two members of the theatre company suddenly fall ill, Charles finds himself in trouble again - both on and off stage.
Dead Room Farce
A three-month run in a new farce, Not On Your Wife, is not to be sniffed at by jobbing actor Charles Paris. But by the time the troupe reaches Bath, a dark mood has set in, and Charles's old friend Mark has a drink problem that amounts to a death wish. But it's not the drink that kills Mark; it's somebody in the cast who has a dirty secret to hide.
A Decent Interval
By popular demand: a welcome return for Simon Brett's actor detective Charles Paris, last seen in 1997's Dead Room Farce.
After a long period of 'resting', life is looking up for Charles Paris, who has been cast as the Ghost of Hamlet's Father and First Gravedigger in a new production of Hamlet, but rehearsals are fraught. When the company reach the first staging post of their tour, matters get more serious, with one member of the company seriously injured in what appears to be an accident, and another dead. Once again, Charles Paris is forced to don the mantle of amateur detective to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Murder Unprompted
A Charles Paris mystery.
As understudy to the lead in a West End play, Charles Paris's thespian and detective skills are called upon once again when the lead is shot dead on stage on the opening night. The suspects range from a jealous wife to a bitter actor who lost his part, from the playwright who heard his beautiful lines twisted to the director who saw his work ruined.
Situation Tragedy
A Charles Paris mystery.
West End TV are planning a new sit-com series called The Strutters and Charles Paris has landed the role of a golf club barman. But when, one by one, members of the production crew start falling victim to mysterious 'accidents', Paris finds himself on the trail of a mass murderer.
Mrs Pargeter's Point of Honour
Another wonderful novel by Simon Brett.
Hired by another widow, Veronica Chastaigne, to return all the art treasures that her late husband accumulated in a long career of larceny, Mrs Pargeter is forced to find out more than she would wish about the deceased Mr P's "business activities" as she recreates one of his most famous scams.
Mrs Pargeter's Plot
A corpse in the wine cellar troubles Mrs Pargeter.
Construction on Mrs Pargeter's new country home comes to an abrupt halt when a corpse is discovered in the wine cellar. The accused is Concrete Jacket, the builder and great friend of Mrs P's late, lamented husband. Mrs P is not about to let prison come between her and her dream home. Concrete may be a scoundrel but he's no killer. Someone has set him up - but who? Mrs Pargeter determines to find out.
The Dead Side of the Mike
Murder at the BBC? It's almost unimaginable. But when Andrea Gower, the beautiful studio manager, is found murdered, actor/detective Charles Paris, having originally come to Broadcasting House to give a talk, finds himself wallowing through layers of BBC scandal to uncover a complicated fraud - with clues concealed in seemingly innocent announcements. What he is about to discover will very nearly lead to the end of Mr Paris.
A Comedian Dies
The murder of a comedian spells trouble for Charles Paris.
About to receive an award as Most Promising Newcomer, a rising young stage comedian sensationally drops dead on stage at the start of his act: as he picks up the mike, he is electrocuted. Faulty wiring seems to be the cause and a verdict of death by misadventure is returned at the inquest. But actor/detective Charles Paris was in the audience that night and when another member of the cast reveals that the comedian checked his equipment just before the performance, Charles decides to investigate further. Misadventure - or murder?
The Corpse on the Court
The genteel game of Real Tennis takes a murderous twist in Simon Brett's witty and entertaining new Fethering mystery.
Jude's life has been turned upside-down thanks her new man, Piers Targett, who's keen to get her involved in his hobby - or obsession - of Real Tennis. But when one of Piers' friends dies on the court in suspicious circumstances, Jude finds herself caught up in the police investigation. Meanwhile, Jude's neighbour Carole is trying to identify the human remains known locally as the 'Lady in the Lake.' As the two investigations become intertwined, Carole and Jude's efforts to find the truth look set to lead to more murders.
Star Trap
Joining the cast of a musical loosely based on She Stoops to Conquer, actor/detective Charles Paris is soon regretting his decision, irked as he is by the odious theatre and television star who is backing, producing and starring in the show. But when rehearsals are hampered by a strange series of mishaps, including the rehearsal pianist being shot in the hand and an actor falling and breaking his leg, Paris investigates and quickly decides that the star himself is responsible. But why would he want to sabotage his own show? The answer is much more human than it first appears.
Mrs Pargeter's Pound of Flesh
While she has never felt the need to change her figure, Mrs Pargeter is happy enough to accompany her friend Kim to a health farm. Until, in the night, she sees a body being wheeled out. What Mrs Pargeter doesn't realise is that this suspicious death will set her on a trail of detection which will bring her into direct conflict with her late husband's business associates.
Mrs Pargeter's Package
Although a trip to Corfu is not Mrs Pargeter's usual idea of a holiday, keeping a recently widowed friend company overrules her misgivings. But when that friend starts behaving strangely and is then found having apparently committed suicide, Mrs Pargeter resolves to get to the bottom of the mystery.
An Amateur Corpse
'Dear Old Shakespeare!' Charles Paris can hardly wait. He's already endured the amateur theatre company's production of 'Dear Old Chekhov'. God only knows what this self-centred group will do to the Bard. But before Charles can escape to the nearest bar, the company's young and beautiful leading lady turns up dead, Charles's friend Hugo is charged with the crime, and Charles's interest is very much revived.
So Much Blood
Appearing in his own one-man show on Thomas Hood at the Edinburgh Festival, middle-aged actor Charles Paris finds himself falling for a gorgeous young girl with navy-blue eyes. He also finds himself being dragged into a complex murder investigation involving the death of a fading pop star, a bomb scare in Holyrood Palace and a suicide leap from the top of the Rock.
A Nice Class of Corpse
The Devereux is a nice residential hotel which caters for a nice class of guest. But the arrival of Mrs Pargeter, an attractive widow, seems to act as a catalyst of disaster for everyone connected with the hotel. On the morning after her arrival, the corpse of one of the frailer residents is found at the foot of the main staircase, and shortly after that another death shakes the gentility of the hotel. Deciding to investigate herself, Mrs Pargeter discovers that more than one person in the Devereux has a motive for murder.
Mrs., Presumed Dead
The prosperous housing estate of Smithy's Loam should be the epitome of middle-class respectability, but Mrs Pargeter decides that there's something just a little bit odd about her new neighbours. When the central heating breaks down, she decides to contact the former occupants, the Cottons, for advice. But the address to which they should have moved doesn't exist and Mr Cotton's employers seem to have no trace of him. Then Mrs Pargeter finds an unposted letter addressed to the Church of Utter Simplicity - and begins to wonder, where are the Cottons?
Cast in Order of Disappearance
Who killed Marcus Steen, the theatrical tycoon with a fortune to leave to his young mistress Jacqui? And who killed Bill Sweet, the shady blackmailer with a supply of compromising photographs? Charles Paris, a middle-aged actor addicted to booze and women, decides to investigate by assuming a variety of roles, among them that of the mythical Detective Sergeant McWhirter. But, as Paris is about to discover only too painfully, impersonating a police officer is never a good idea.
Guns In The Gallery
An evening of art and murder.
Invited to a Private View of the work of controversial artist Denzil Willoughby, the good citizens of Fethering are not quite sure what to expect. And it turns out to be a lively affair, culminating in several embarrassing confrontations. But what no one could have anticipated was that the evening would end in sudden, violent death. The police seem happy to accept that it was suicide, but Fethering residents Carole and Jude remain unconvinced . . .