Novels No. 84

 

Peter James. Find Them Dead. UK: Macmillan, 2020.

Visiting DS Roy Grace again (see Novels No. 74) because this novel was available and my TPL list is not. It takes place when the Sussex detective’s secondment to the Met in London is ending. Trial preparation is beginning for a case of massive cocaine smuggling and distribution against Terence Gready who confidently pleads not guilty. Gready’s real business of drug importing was hidden behind his law practice; Mickey Starr, also arrested, was his main factotum. Mickey takes the guilty plea for the whole sorry business, not just out of loyalty but because of threats to his beloved disabled brother Stuie. It’s important that Mickey deny any connection whatsoever with Gready. But in case Mickey decides to spill everything he knows, Gready has a backup plan to prevent a guilty verdict at his trial: his associates Constantinidi and Zambrano are combing the jury list for a candidate they can manipulate.

Roy Grace and Major Crimes are not involved until Stuie is found dead from a violent battering. Motivation for the senseless death is puzzling since it defeats Gready’s purpose and alienates Mickey. With Gready’s trial underway in all its complexities, much could depend on Meg Magellan—the juror selected by Gready’s cohort for a secret, terrifying ultimatum: convince enough of the jury to vote not guilty or watch her daughter Laura die. In light of the growing evidence, that seems like an impossible task. The pressure creates such stress for Meg, it’s a wonder she doesn’t lose her mind. Author James’s specialty is meticulous descriptions of every court and trial function, almost to the point of tedium [am I just old and impatient?]. Court playing out as theatre provides its own tensions. New to me: nobbling is a word worth knowing.

This is not a fast-paced thriller, but delivers satisfying insights to personalities and teamwork. Certainly Grace and company exhibit more sensibilities than your average cop shop. Legal eagle fans of British justice will love it.

Bits

▪ “I need him backing me that this is all a stitch-up by rival drug dealers.” (64)

▪ “Murdered?” Mickey rose from his chair then sank back down into it and lowered his head into his hands. “No, please tell me – please tell me it’s – it’s not true.” (140)

▪ “Who the hell are you? How dare you come into my house? How – how do you know – my daughter?” (154)

▪ “I suggest that the defendant, Terence Gready, who purports to the outside world to be a simple legal aid solicitor, is in fact an immensely cunning and dangerous man, the criminal mastermind behind a vast and highly lucrative major drugs importation business.” (179)

▪ Judges wanted facts; juries wanted to listen to stories. Winning or losing a case was in large part a question of who told the jury the best story, the prosecution counsel or the defence. (188)

▪ Her daughter, thousands of miles away, was being followed around the clock and they had threatened to kill her if there was anything other than a ‘not guilty’ verdict. She was breaking the law and risked going to prison herself – not to mention trying to help a major criminal evade justice. (248)

▪ Grace bristled at the insult. “I’m sorry, sir, I’m not going to take that crap from you.” (273)

▪ “A child of three could see through the baloney he’s just spouted at us. Does he think we’re a bunch of idiots sitting around playing pass the brain cell?” (338)

Freida McFadden. The Boyfriend. USA: Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks, 2024.

As if we hadn’t heard enough about it, the dangers of online dating cloud the atmosphere for Manhattan women whose biological imperative rules their lives. Sydney is one of those thirty-something women who above all wants a decent shot at romantic and domestic happiness. Dozens of awkward dates are endured before the occasional one of rewarding companionship. Syd’s friends Gretchen and Bonnie, same; until Gretchen gets serious about Randy, the superintendent of their apartment building. One of Syd’s “rejects” called Kevin continues to stalk her, more or less. Bonnie’s holding her cards close since she began dating a doctor, afraid to jinx it by relating any details to her pals. Big mistake, because Bonnie’s mutilated body is next found in her bedroom, with no clues or suspects. The detective in charge, Jake Sousa, happens to be Sydney’s ex—an appealing man but married to his job 24/7.

Tom Brewer’s parallel story follows his teenage days in an abusive home and an unhealthy obsession with schoolmate Daisy Driscoll. During high school, we learn that Tom was secretly involved in a couple of murders; his friend “Slug” was part of the cover-up. Meeting Syd by chance, he’s ringing all her bells. Is he the perfect mate she’s been hoping for? Yet Jake’s been urging great caution in dating because his investigation indicates that Bonnie was a serial victim. Now, McFadden is either committing an obvious gaffe here or else the mother of all twists is coming. Naturally, one ploughs through the disappointments to see how it plays out.

Bizarre twist, yes, but unrealistic – incurring a backpedalling of the backstory. Not to minimize the suspense but it lacks a credible grip on psychology elements. Crisp writing and fun comments do not make up for cardboard characters with tunnel vision—but at least they are consistent. Good for a light look at Millennial mating rituals.

Sydney

▪ All I want is a decent man who doesn’t have a drinking or a gambling problem, who is fun to talk to, who has a nice smile, and who likes me as much as I like him. (39)

▪ Mystery Man’s smile widens to show off his straight white teeth, and once again, I get that jolt of electricity. (135)

▪ “So,” he says, “you have an ex who’s a cop?” (190)

▪ How is it possible he has never had a relationship serious enough for attempted cohabitation? Definitely commitment issues. (204-5)

▪ Because we are now on date number six, he feels very comfortable leaning in for a kiss. And as always, it’s enough to make my legs go weak. (216)

▪ His gaze drops to my purse. If he checks inside, I’m done. I can’t explain to him why I stuffed an empty water bottle into my purse. (290)

Tom

▪ I wonder if she would still feel the same way if she knew the thoughts that were going through my head as I squeezed the blood out of her finger. (91)

▪ About three or four times a week, I have a dream in which I am stabbing or strangling my beautiful girlfriend. (104)

▪ He lifts the fire poker and jabs the tip into my belly. It’s not enough to break the skin, but it tears my undershirt, and I gasp with pain. (107)

▪ I mean, even if she saw everything, all she knows is that we were stuffing a carpet into the trunk. (182)

▪ There’s something very wrong with me. My mother and Daisy might not see it, but Alison sees it, and so does Slug. (197)