Synopsis
'What a fool I've been not to have read Peter James until The Hawk Is Dead! A great story' – JAMES PATTERSON
'A majestic treat!' – THE TIMES
Roy Grace never dreamed a murder investigation would take him deep into Buckingham Palace . . .
Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, is aboard the Royal Train heading to a charity event in Sussex when disaster strikes – the train is derailed.
A tragic accident or a planned attack?
When, minutes later, a trusted aide is shot dead by a sniper, the police have their answer.
Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced The Queen was the intended target. But he finds himself alone in his suspicions.
Fighting against the scepticism of his colleagues and the Palace itself, Grace pursues his own investigation. But when there is a second murder, the stakes rise even higher, and Grace is at risk of being embroiled in a very public catastrophe – and in mortal danger.
Failure at this level is not an option. But time is running out before a killer in the Palace will strike again . . .
Roy Grace is back with his most difficult case yet in this gripping instalment from number one bestselling author Peter James.
'It's going to be difficult to top this one'– READER REVIEW
'One of most exciting Roy Grace stories to date'– READER REVIEW
'The best he has ever written. The inclusion of real people lifts this up a few notches' – READER REVIEW
THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER
23 million books sold. Now a major ITV/BritBox show starring John Simm as Roy Grace.
Creator of Her Majesty Queen Camilla’s favourite fictional detective.
'A right royal page-turner' – ANGELA RIPPON
'Wildly entertaining! – TESS GERRITSEN
'I couldn’t put it down!' – ALEXANDRA POTTER
'Classic Peter James' – RACHEL ABBOTT
'One of the best crime writers in the world' – LEE CHILD
'One of the best in the business' – KARIN SLAUGHTER
'James at his masterful best' –THE SUN
'Underlines just how consummate a crime novelist James is' –DAILY MAIL
'One of the world’s most popular detective series' –THE GUARDIAN
Publisher information
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- ISBN: 9781529090062
- Number of pages: 512
- Dimensions: 246 x 165 x 43 mm
- Weight: 752g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Best Roy Grace book so far?
As a keen reader of Peter James's books over many years, having the good fortune to know the "real life Roy Grace", it's always a highlight when there's a ... READ MORE
Roy Grace at the Palace
My thanks to Peter and Netgalley for allowing me to read The Hawk is Dead prior to publication.
I am a fan of the Roy Grace series and this latest book is... READ MORE
Detail Overload
I've always been a big fan of the Roy Grace series, but this book number 21 in the series felt like a shift in the style of writing. The detail was far too... READ MORE
A fantastic read!
Peter James has surpassed himself with this cracking thriller!
Her Majesty Queen Camilla is aboard the Royal Train travelling to Sussex to embark on a v... READ MORE
Best police procedural series out there!
The Hawk Is Dead by Peter James
I give this book 5 stars
Having read all 21 books in Peter James Roy Grace series, this latest addition proves yet agai... READ MORE
A new case for Roy Grace
The new Roy Grace thriller centres on Queen Camilla with much of the action and investigation taking place within Buckingham Palace. Starting with Camilla ... READ MORE
Great Read and so Believable
I have just finished Peter James new book The Hawk is Dead, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I must admit to being a Peter James fan, and was very excited at b... READ MORE
Plenty of Drama!
This is something different and really interesting. Though a work of fiction, it's a fascinating incite into the charity work undertaken by the Royal Fami... READ MORE
Was the Queen the target?
The train carrying Queen Camilla is derailed in a tunnel heading towards Brighton and thankfully no one is seriously hurt. When the occupants leave the tr... READ MORE
Fun, informative and gripping
When a sniper narrowly misses Queen Camilla during a royal visit to Sussex, the whole nation is shocked. It's up to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace to i... READ MORE
Another Great Read by Peter James
I have just finished Peter James new book The Hawk is Dead,. and which i thoroughly enjoyed. I must admit to being a Peter James fan, and was very excited ... READ MORE
Cracking story. I loved it.
I loved it. It’s a bit of a diversion from the usual DCI Roy Grace novels in that it features real figures such as the King and Queen but I found it fascin... READ MORE
For all Roy Grace readers!
I wasn’t sure if this one was for me at first but as it featured Roy Grace and Glen Branson, I decided to give it a try! I’m so glad I did! It’s a brillian... READ MORE
I really enjoyed it
Peter James's Grace detective novels are always good, with their realistic feel and attention to detail of police procedure. This one has the added fun of ... READ MORE
Roy Grace gets to mix with royalty
When a sniper narrowly misses Queen Camilla during a royal visit to Sussex, the whole nation is shocked. It's up to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace to i... READ MORE
A lot of detail, not all of it required?
Having read and enjoyed the first 20 books, I was delighted to see another instalment due and especially so to be allowed an ARC of the 21st book in this a... READ MORE
Breaking the Mould!
I have read, admired and enjoyed the entire Roy Grace series of Brighton based police procedurals. You know what to expect and you rejoice in meeting up ag... READ MORE
Pretty much perfection
Pretty much perfection I could write such a long list of justifications for this. The setting is original and brave, delving right into the heart of the Ro... READ MORE
Loved it.
I loved it. It’s a bit of a diversion from the usual DCI Roy Grace novels in that it features real figures such as the King and Queen but I found it fascin... READ MORE
Brilliant
I have read, admired and enjoyed the entire Roy Grace series of Brighton based police procedurals. You know what to expect and you rejoice in meeting up ag... READ MORE
A jewel of a book
I’ve read every Roy Grace book and watched all the adaptations. I love Peter’s way of writing and have been lucky enough to hear him speak at book events a... READ MORE
a fun read, especially for those who enjoy fiction that features the Royals
Peter James has written many Roy Grace thrillers. I am among, what I suspect, are the very few not to have read them. I made up for this with The Hawk is D... READ MORE
Sir Peter James?!
I have enjoyed all of Peter James' DS Roy Grace series and The Hawk is Dead is the latest exciting episode which carries on the story bringing Grace into t... READ MORE
Roy Grace.
This is an excellent addition to the Roy Grace series. The addition of Queen Camilla and the royal household is fantastic
Verified Purchase
Cosy, Very Modern Police Procedural Thriller
I've never read a novel by Peter James (Where have I been!) although I thoroughly enjoyed a play written by him once so decided to give it a go.
I had no ... READ MORE
A great but of fun from my favourite author!
Another great book from Peter James. This time Roy Grace is called to an incident involving the Royal Train and the Queen. Has there been an assassination ... READ MORE
More Grace please
I’ve read every Roy Grace book and watched all the adaptations. I love Peter’s way of writing and have been lucky enough to hear him speak at book events a... READ MORE
Grace "Royally" solves the case!
The latest Grace novel from Peter James is rather different from his usual "crime" in Brighton narratives, involving this time an attempt of the life of Qu... READ MORE
Brilliant read
WOW what a powerful and exciting political/heist thriller The Hawk Is Dead (Roy Grace #21) by Peter James. This novel is dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen... READ MORE
Roy Grace is back
Roy Grace is back amd hes been thrown in to his most challenging case yet, The attempted assasination of Queen Camilla or was it? Grace isn't sure she was ... READ MORE
A Royal Mystery
This is the first Peter James book I have read, which is very remiss of me as I have previously seen him speaking at Bloody Scotland crime writing festival... READ MORE
Brilliant
WOW what a powerful and exciting political/heist thriller The Hawk Is Dead (Roy Grace #21) by Peter James. This novel is dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen... READ MORE
Who will be first? Sir Roy or Sir Peter?!
I have enjoyed all of Peter James' DS Roy Grace series and The Hawk is Dead is the latest exciting episode which carries on the story bringing Grace into t... READ MORE
Good read
The Hawk is Dead is the twenty first book in the Roy Grace series by Peter James, where the stakes couldn’t be any bigger when his attendance is requested ... READ MORE
Grace at the Palace
My thanks to Peter and Netgalley for allowing me to read The Hawk is Dead prior to publication.
I am a fan of the Roy Grace series and this latest book is... READ MORE
A Roy Grace and Buckingham Palace extravaganza
Peter James’s latest Grace investigation sees Grace and Branson in illustrious company, the King and Queen no less.
When a sniper takes aim at the Royal T... READ MORE
Works so well - Roy Grace investigates trouble in Buckingham Palace
In a newspaper article Queen Camilla named Peter James as one of her favourite authors and he has returned the compliment by making her one of the main cha... READ MORE
Grace at the Palace
My thanks to Peter and Netgalley for allowing me to read The Hawk is Dead prior to publication.
I am a fan of the Roy Grace series and this latest book is... READ MORE
A fascinating and compulsive read
What a fabulously rich and varied book in the Roy Grace series.
Usually set in Brighton, this plot starts with an attack on the Royal Party, visiting S... READ MORE
A thrilling page-turner
It is difficult to give an introduction to this latest Roy Grace thriller without giving too much of the plot away. Suffice it to say that Grace has his gr... READ MORE
The Hawk is Dead
As I started reading this book I got to wondering - how in the heck will they manage to televise this! - obviously it'd be tricky if not impossible. Then I... READ MORE
Addictive read
The Hawk is dead by Peter James is book 21 in the Roy Grace series. This is different from previous novels, but I found a still very enjoyable read.
When ... READ MORE
A real page turner.
I found this book really difficult to put down once I started it. I was hooked from the first page. Very different from Grace’s usual patch, but perfectly ... READ MORE
Intriguing
I have read all the books in this series but I found this one given the premise a little too descriptive of how the Royal service works in detail. The sto... READ MORE
Fabulous
I feared I might not enjoy this as it features real people, the King and Queen. I'm not anti-royalist, but I do like my fiction, fictional. However, I real... READ MORE
Thrilling
Love this series and this latest Grace book is no different. The royal train derails with Queen Camilla on board, there's a sniper and an aide is shot, we'... READ MORE
Murder mystery at the palace
When the royal train is derailed in Sussex all the passengers walk to safety through a tunnel. A royal aide is then shot by a sniper and Roy Grace is broug... READ MORE
Peter James does it again
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in return for an open and honest review.
“If you are reading this, The Hawk is Dea... READ MORE
Enjoyable
The Hawk is Dead is the latest book in the long running DS Grace series by Peter James and whilst it was an enjoyable read I felt that it didn’t quite reac... READ MORE
Edge of the seat stuff
I have read all Peter James Grace books, seen two of the Grace plays, all the TV adaptions and eagerly anticipate each new book to read. This was no except... READ MORE
A Return to Form
A very different aspect of policing for Roy Grace surrounded by his usual team. A murder on his patch with a royal connection that leads us straight into B... READ MORE
Roy Grace no 21
Roy Grace has to get to the bottom of what appears to be an attempt on the Queens life. This involves working with the Met. This story requires a.little ... READ MORE
Murder and fraud at the palace
When the royal train is derailed in Sussex all the passengers walk to safety through a tunnel. A royal aide is then shot by a sniper and Roy Grace is broug... READ MORE
The Hawk is Dead
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book*
It is another busy day of visits for Queen Camilla - she's off to visit hospices in Sus... READ MORE
A right royal mystery...
Like the Tom Clancy novel that featured the Royal Family, so to does the latest Grace. Like the Clancy book this reader found it weird having the King and ... READ MORE
Roy Grace on his Majesty’s Service
The Hawk is Dead’ gets off to a flying start with an attack on the royal train that puts the Queen herself in danger. As the senior investigator, Roy Grace... READ MORE
Another Brilliant Twist on Detective Grace – A Must-Read!
Being a huge Detective Grace fan, I am thrilled to see how Mr James can always find ways to reinvent this character. I loved to see Grace's interactions wi... READ MORE
Difficult to put down once started!
I found this book really difficult to put down once I started it. I was hooked from the first page. Very different from Grace’s usual patch, but perfectly ... READ MORE
A gripping, well paced story
When the royal train is derailed in a tunnel Queen Camilla is cool headed and helps to get everyone out safely. That is until one of those in her entourage... READ MORE
Brilliant
Brighton is Roy Grace's patch. He never thought he'd be involved with Buckingham Palace though...
Queen Camilla, on the Royal Train, is heading to a cha... READ MORE
Another brilliant addition to this fabulous series
I feared I might not enjoy this as it features real people, the King and Queen. I'm not anti-royalist, but I do like my fiction, fictional. However, I real... READ MORE
Another triumph for PetercJames
This is another triumph for Peter James and a new setting for his detective Roy Grace. These books are such a pleasure to read and keep the reader guessing... READ MORE
A real treat for Peter James fans
Roy Grace plus The Royal Family; it's like all my Christmases have come at once! The Hawk is Dead is not just your usual Roy Grace crime thriller, there's ... READ MORE
Gripping
Peter James has delivered one of Roy Grace’s most gripping cases yet—and it’s nothing short of explosive.
The story opens with a shocking derailment of ... READ MORE
Gripping
This is the first time I have read a Roy Grace novel by Peter James (thanks to Netgalley), and I was thoroughly gripped. Some of the background was a bit l... READ MORE
An interesting and enjoyable case for Grace
The 21st book in the Superintendent Grace Series and this is a real turn up for the book (no pun intended). Queen Camilla is on the Royal Train heading fo... READ MORE
Police Procedural Series
Roy Grace #21
Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, is aboard the Royal Train heading to a charity event in Sussex when disaster strikes - the train is derailed. ... READ MORE
Queen Camilla is in danger….
Another great book from Peter James. This time Roy Grace is called to an incident involving the Royal Train and the Queen. Has there been an assassination ... READ MORE
On his majesty’s service
‘The Hawk is Dead’ gets off to a flying start with an attack on the royal train that puts the Queen herself in danger. As the senior investigator, Roy Grac... READ MORE
Well written
3 stars
I’ve always enjoyed Peter James’ Roy Grace series, so I was really looking forward to this new instalment. The premise certainly had promise a dra... READ MORE
Pages fly by
The Hawk is Dead is a gripping read from start to finish and one I could not put down.
The setting is different for Roy, Glen and the rest of the team a... READ MORE
A departure from his normal style but still brilliant
The Hawk is DeadPeter James
5 stars
A departure from his normal style but still brilliant.
I absolutely love Peter James books and am currently... READ MORE