For years, readers have wondered what happened to Sandy Grace, wife of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. Now, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Peter James finally takes his readers on the epic adventure they’ve been begging for, answering all their questions in his typical breathtaking and relentless fashion.
This is Sandy’s story—really—as in Sandy Grace is the narrator of James’ new thriller (number 20 in the series overall), allowing fans to hear directly from her as she recounts the events that ultimately led to her disappearance. Longtime readers of James’ work may think they know how this one will play out, but you don’t know anything. Yes, fans will already know that Sandy disappeared on Roy’s 30th birthday, which caused a national search headed up by the best detective on the planet, her husband. They’ll know that they never found her. And they’ll also know that, eventually, the search came to an end. Roy, who was nearly destroyed because of Sandy’s vanishing, never truly quit working the case, but everyone else? Well, everyone else thought she was dead.
Hence the title.
Now we know the truth. As it turns out, Sandy is very much alive. That alone won’t come as a total shock to some, given the numerous possible sightings throughout James’ other books. Still, the reasons for her disappearance are layered with complexities, woven across lines that require absolute precision and careful consideration, and of course, James, who has long proven to possess the skillful, deft touch necessary, not to mention a deep understanding of the characters who propel his stories forward, is once again more than up to the task.
While this book works as a standalone crime thriller wrapped in a mystery, longtime fans will no doubt appreciate that Sandy is no longer just a name mentioned in the Roy Grace series and relish the opportunity to experience these events as they unfold through her perspective. It’s a fresh take, frankly, and James serves up another delicious reading experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series, watching Grace on BritBox, or just on the hunt for a can’t-miss, must-read mystery, James’ latest is not to be missed.
Once again displaying his unmatched ability to blend intricate plotting with deep psychological insight and brilliant character development, Peter James shows with every page of They Thought I Was Dead why he is celebrated as one of the finest crime writers of our time.
Book Details
Author: Peter James
Series: Roy Grace #20
Pages: 480 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 1529031435
Publisher: Macmillan UK
Release Date: July 2, 2024
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor in addition to running TRBS. He is the author of FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” LETHAL RANGE, OUT FOR BLOOD, and TED BELL’S MONARCH. For more information, follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and BookBub. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.