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 brought in to solve the case. Was the Queen the target? During the investigation Grace has to work with the difficult and opinionated Det. Sup. Mosse from the Met. Fortunately Glenn is around to share some humorous banter. We are treated to a fascinating insight into royal life. although at times it reads more like a palace guidebook than a murder mystery. The intriguing plot features fraud at the palace, the dark web and secret codes. Who would have guessed that Cleo has a talent as a code-breaker?
Not my favourite book of the series but still a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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 new one to read. The Hawk Is Dead is, to my mind, the most enjoyable Grace of all, or at least, for quite some time. As with all thrillers, it's difficult to go into too much detail in a review without revealing spoilers, and the plot outline should give prospective readers enough information to start with.

The book gives fascinating detail on the whole Royal setup, locations and staff, how the organisation works, and involves the King and Queen in an entirely suitable way. I felt conversations involving them were realistic, and clearly the Queen wholeheartedly loved the book, from comments Peter James made on a TV interview this week. Grace is one of her favourite fictional characters, and it sounds like she provided inspiration to Peter James for this latest book in the series.

The story itself builds in an intriguing way, which keeps you guessing, with the odd twist coming when you don't necessarily expect it. It never veers into sensationalistic realms of overt fantasy, being an entirely believable storyline.

For any fans of thrillers, who fancy a well paced, fascinating look at a world that most of us never get to see, The Hawk Is Dead should definitely be on your list.

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 with the King and Queen and the more hands-on approach he had on this book. Although the ending didn't surprise me as I had guessed who the "mastermind" was, I am still in awe of the complexity and compelling approach throughout all the book. I also love when Mr James gives us some bones to bite about art (or dogs) so I cannot recommend this book enough! You will also learn about the wheels behind the royalty which I found very interesting, what can I say except keep up this extremely good work, and I as always cannot wait for another Grace book! Thank you so much NetGalley for allowing me an advanced review of this jewel of a book!

I have read/listened to all the grace books and have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them to some varying degree degree but I struggled with this book, not because it’s not written well, we have our favourite characters taking part what I did not enjoy was the sycophantic/hero worship of Charles and Camilla, for me just far too over the top

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 much and made it feel as if the story was padded out, so it lost some of its usual spark.
The banter between Roy and Glen is always an added treat, and thankfully, there is still more of the same.
As for Det.Supt. Gregory Moss from the Met he is a very unlikeable man, though I'd enjoy seeing him go head to head with Roy again, hopefully in the future.
The final two lines of this book definitely set up book 22, which I hope returns to the gripping, fast-paced style we've come to know and love in this series.
This one just lacked that special something we've had in earlier books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillian for the Arc.

#TheHawkIsDead #NetGalley. When I got this book, It went straight to the top of my TBR pile, bypassing others that have been there many months! Roy Grace has always been a favourite character of mine and this one was a real cracker! Plenty of action, lots of twists and turns and the banter between Roy and Glenn brought just the right level of humour to the story. A real up to date storyline that kept me reading long into the night. An excellent 5 stars!

Having read all of the Roy Grace series, obviously I will prefer some books to others. This was not one of my favourites and I felt it was not in Peter James normal style of writing. The story is based on what seems to be an attempted assassination on the Queen. I really enjoyed Roy’s developing professional relationship with the King and Queen, and of course, the banter between him and his sidekick Glenn. I also enjoyed his changing relationship with the Met detective who grew to appreciate Grace‘s work. What was missing was Grace’s backstory which always appears in the books, there was very little about his children or home life with the exception being his wife Cleo suddenly being a master codebreaker. also, I didn’t like that the initial victim had left a diary in which all the answers to every crime were written in code that no one could decipher, except of course Cleo and someone else Roy remembered from the past. In other words, there was very little he had to do because the answers were already written down for him. I will continue to read Grace books, but this one wasn’t for me.

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 at Buckingham Palace.

The royal train is derailed with Queen Camilla a passenger, followed shortly after by an assassination. Roy Grace takes the lead on the case and appears to be the only believing Queen Camilla wasn’t the intended victim. Queen Camilla survives the assassination shaken but unharmed the royal aide was less fortunate. News of the shooting sends shockwaves all the way to the Palace.

Grace investigates while been closely watched and finds inconsistencies and motives no one else is willing to see. As Grace delves deeper, he’s met with resistance from all directions, sceptical colleagues, a tight-lipped Palace, and political forces that would rather keep the truth buried. A second murder follows leaving Grace to follow his instincts in a race to solve the case before someone else is murdered.

I enjoy the character Roy Grace and once again is unafraid to go against the popular opinion and follow his instincts. The novel started fairly slowly and was perhaps a tad too long but is an enjoyable, easy read that I found difficult to put down.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

‘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 gets invited to Buckingham Palace and goes out on a limb in thinking that the Queen wasn’t the intended target. Like Michael Connelly, Peter James researches his novels thoroughly so that he can write convincing about royal protocols and settings. At times, the author went into too much detail, especially in his descriptions of the artwork on display in the palace and this slowed down proceedings unnecessarily. Still, I remain a fan of this series and the banter between Roy and Glenn adds light relief to a reasonably good plot that makes a little too much of its royal connections.

This is one of those can’t put down books.. An excellent story line and as for the characters, other than Roy Grace and co., read it and see. Peter James is undoubtedly up there with the best and never disappoints.

The Hawk is Dead by Peter James is book 21 in the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series. It is published on 25 October. Thank you to Pan Macmillan, Netgalley and the author for the advance copy to read and review. The shooter has his rifle fixed on the railway tunnel. The Queen’s train will be coming through there in a few hours, and he will be ready. This was a great story. It is a while since I read a Roy Grace book. I liked the characters, particularly the minor characters, like Stan Briggs who drove the Royal Train. Of course, it made for interesting reading, having King Charles and Queen Camilla as characters. As a non-Brit, the historical info on Buckingham Palace was fascinating. The setting certainly added to the story and the intrigue. There was humour too, as Grace must deal with all those trying to get their foot in on this case, which is huge, and will no doubt make the careers of those involved. The sense of menace surrounding those involved in the crime was ever present.

It is another busy day of visits for Queen Camilla - she's off to visit hospices in Sussex before a night at the theatre. However, when her plans get derailed and seemingly someone attempts to assassinate her, it is up to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and his team to find the perpetrator. It will be the biggest case of Roy's career, and with the world watching on, can he crack the code?

This is another fantastic book in the Roy Grace series - it's a different kind of book than normal as it's more of a thriller than the usual murder mystery you'd expect and features many more real-life characters than normal! 5*

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 attempt or is someone else the target? I read this in two days but I am a huge fan of the author. Loved the interactions between Roy and Glenn, the rest of the team were not as involved as usual. I missed Norman - though he does appear at the briefings. One slight irritation- several times the King and Queen were referred to as ‘ ..of England’ , I felt that was incorrect. It should be ‘ …of the United Kingdom’ . I noticed there wasn’t an acknowledgement to the Royal couple, I hope they approved of the book. I would be very concerned about Buckingham Palace given the story line! Great book again! And a nice little teaser for Roy Grace number 22!

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 a real page turner.
It is an easy read, with a bit of gallows humour and loads of interesting characters ( not to mention the tortoises). It will take all of Grace’s experience to work out who to trust.
There is a list of Book Club questions at the end of the book.
When the Royal train is derailed in a tunnel, Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, is on board.
The train driver desperately rounds up all the passengers and leads them to the entrance of the tunnel. With arrangements made to evacuate the Queen as a priority, a small group of her protection detail and her private secretary, Sir Peregrine Greaves, make their way to higher ground, only for Sir Peregrine to be shot by a sniper.
Grace is the SIO on the scene and he realises that this high profile investigation will either make or break careers.
The Met Commissioner wants Det. Supt. Gregory Mosse of the Met Counter Terrorism Command to take over the investigation. Grace is not for giving in so easily but can he find a way to protect his investigation from the limelight seeking Mosse?
There are many secrets, twists and turns before the truth will be revealed.

Roy Grace is facing his highest profile case to date. The Royal Train has been derailed in Sussex and a sniper has shot at the queen,killing on of the Palaces senior aides.

As he investigates,he uncovers a conspiracy running deep into the Palace hierarchy.

The book started slowly but was soon going like a steam train (pun intended!) hurtling towards its conclusion.

I always have fun with a Roy Grace book and this is no exception!


I would like to thank Macmillan Publishing and
Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

When a train is derailed with Queen Camilla onboard you know its going to be a real wow of a story.
Great characters, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Fabulously written drama which i read over a few lengthy sittings.
Peter James is the best crime writer.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

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 charity event in Sussex when the train derails, and an aide is shot dead.

It looks like a planned attack, with the Queen as the target. Everyone thinks so.

But Roy isn't convinced...

...and then there's a second murder.

Roy really, REALLY, can't afford to get this wrong...

Another brilliant adventure in this excellent series