Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman - but with added bite! "Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige" THE NEW YORK TIMES "Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted" THE SUNDAY TIMES "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment" THE GUARDIAN "A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans" P.D. JAMES "Murder most enjoyable" COLIN DEXTER _______________________ A middle-aged actor - and sometimes sleuth - with farcical trousers An audio producer discovered dead in a locked studio . . . A key in the outside lock . . . It all points to a DEAD ROOM FARCE! When Charles Paris isn't dropping his trousers while rehearsing his role in Not On Your Wife!, a farce premiering in Bath, he's recording an audio book in a tiny studio known as the 'dead room'. The studio's owner, Mark Lear, has found success as an audio producer after being dumped by the BBC many years ago. But the day after the theatre company record a radio commercial for the farce at the studio, Mark is found dead, locked in the now aptly named room. Was Mark's sudden announcement that he was going to write a tell-all book about the corporation a direct threat to someone in the cast or crew? Charles must negotiate dark secrets and skeletons jangling in old cupboards to unpick the truth! Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London - and beyond! READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS: "A sure hit" Library Journal "Perfect for Paris' fans and for anyone who likes a comic but challenging mystery" Booklist "Brett, who remains better known on his own side of the pond, is a master of breezy, boozy buffoonery" Publishers Weekly "For a page-turning, laugh-out-loud but truly clever read Brett's Charles Paris cannot be beaten" Judith Cranswick, 5* Goodreads review "Charles Paris always delivers a great combo of humour and mystery. Very enjoyable!" Fay, 5* Amazon review "Brilliant as usual. Charles Paris never fails to entertain and amuse" Jacqueline, 5* Amazon review "A very good read" Zena, 5* Amazon review THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER: 1. Cast in Order of Disappearance 2. So Much Blood 3. Star Trap 4. An Amateur Corpse 5. A Comedian Dies 6. The Dead Side of the Mike 7. Situation Tragedy 8. Murder Unprompted 9. Murder in the Title 10. Not Dead, Only Resting 11. Dead Giveaway 12. What Bloody Man is That 13. A Series of Murders 14. Corporate Bodies 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit

Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman - but with added bite! "Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige" THE NEW YORK TIMES "Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted" THE SUNDAY TIMES "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment" THE GUARDIAN "A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans" P.D. JAMES "Murder most enjoyable" COLIN DEXTER _______________________ One washed-up actor, with a taste for wine, women - and solving crimes One starlet with a seedy secret One man murdered - one man missing Introducing our CAST, IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE It's the 1970s, and jobbing actor Charles Paris (47, and fine with it) is indulging his taste for drink and showbiz gossip at a club in London's West End when he unexpectedly bumps into an old acquaintance. Jacqui is blonde, beautiful, talented - and upset. She confides in Charles that she can't get in touch with her boyfriend, wealthy theatrical tycoon Marcus Steen. Has he tired of her . . . or is there more to the story? Soon, to his mixed bewilderment and pleasure, Charles finds himself mixed up in a curious case of blackmail, missing millionaires, showbiz sex parties - and murder most horrid. There's only one thing for it: he must investigate on Jacqui's behalf, whilst wearing a variety of well-thought-out disguises. But can Charles solve the case, catch the killer . . . and still find time to earn his paycheque playing an evil coachman in The Zombie Walk, a film he suspects will be the worst ever made? Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London - and beyond! READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS: "Charles is good company - disheveled, amusing, quick" Kirkus Reviews "Undeniable charm and humor. Paris is an engaging fellow" Mystery*File "An entertaining and clever read" MysteriesAhoy.com "A cozy, frightfully entertaining novel" Margitte, 5*GoodReads review "A classic British amateur sleuth in the best traditions of classic British amateur sleuths . . . Pure fun, smart, complicated, cozy, intriguing, a little risque at times and witty" Randee, 5*GoodReads review "Fantastically funny and brilliantly written" Silverymoonlady, 5*GoodReads review "A fun plot, great characters, complex relationships. [The Charles Paris novels] are quickly becoming my go to reads!" Sam, 5*GoodReads review THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER: 1. Cast in Order of Disappearance 2. So Much Blood 3. Star Trap 4. An Amateur Corpse 5. A Comedian Dies 6. The Dead Side of the Mike 7. Situation Tragedy 8. Murder Unprompted 9. Murder in the Title 10. Not Dead, Only Resting 11. Dead Giveaway 12. What Bloody Man is That 13. A Series of Murders 14. Corporate Bodies 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit

In his attempt to solve the mystery behind the apparent suicide of a BBC studio assistant, Charles Paris discovers that the victim was a mistress of a top-level producer and uncovers a complicated murder plot with numerous suspects

Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman - but with added bite! "Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige" THE NEW YORK TIMES "Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted" THE SUNDAY TIMES "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment" THE GUARDIAN "A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans" P.D. JAMES "Murder most enjoyable" COLIN DEXTER _______________________ A middle-aged actor - and sometimes sleuth - hired for a corporate video A company, acting suspicious A dreadful accident . . . or is it murder? Giving a whole new meaning to the term CORPORATE BODIES! Charles Paris, the almost perpetually out of work actor, finally has a new job, breaking the dry spell of his unemployment. It's not prime-time television or a major film, but it seems easy enough: he is to play a forklift driver in the Delmoleen company's corporate video. The shoot starts off well - until, that is, the forklift is used to commit a murder! The victim is Dayna Richman, a young secretary, who's found crushed to death by the monstrous machine. Was it just an unfortunate industrial accident? Charles Paris and the Delmoleen company don't seem to think so. In fact, Charles finds himself thrust into the spotlight as the prime suspect . . . Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London - and beyond! READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS: "Brett's light, clever dialogue makes this Charles's best showing in years" Kirkus Reviews "[One] of the best light-comedy crime series currently in rotation" Booklist "This an entertaining golden oldie from one of my favourites. It has Simon Brett's usual mixture of good plotting, humour and believable characters" Bud, Goodreads 5* review "[A] British cozy at its best" Nathalie, Goodreads 5* review "Excellent!" Silvio, 5* Goodreads review THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER: 1. Cast in Order of Disappearance 2. So Much Blood 3. Star Trap 4. An Amateur Corpse 5. A Comedian Dies 6. The Dead Side of the Mike 7. Situation Tragedy 8. Murder Unprompted 9. Murder in the Title 10. Not Dead, Only Resting 11. Dead Giveaway 12. What Bloody Man is That 13. A Series of Murders 14. Corporate Bodies 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit

Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman - but with added bite! "Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige" THE NEW YORK TIMES "Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted" THE SUNDAY TIMES "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment" THE GUARDIAN "A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans" P.D. JAMES "Murder most enjoyable" COLIN DEXTER _______________________ A middle-aged actor - and sometimes sleuth - tackles true-crime TV But is he playing a missing person . . . or a murder victim? The lines between showbiz and real life are blurred And the spotlight is on A RECONSTRUCTED CORPSE! Charles Paris is playing his most unusual role yet: portraying missing man Martin Earnshaw in Public Enemies, a crime reconstruction programme on ITV. It seems to be a one-off engagement, which suits Charles - the raging egos of the producers, presenters and police are just as intense as the search for the missing property developer . . . But Charles soon finds himself playing the role of murder victim, when severed body parts begin to appear! His now recurring role allows him an insight into the world of true crime, and he's convinced there is something amiss with the TV production, who are revelling in their soaring ratings, as well as Martin's publicity hungry wife. Once again, Charles decides to don his detective hat and uncover the truth . . . Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London - and beyond! READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS: "Clever, witty, amusing, and pleasantly diverting" Booklist "Brett is a master of the English cozy, comfortable, witty and sympathetic to his hero's plight" Publishers Weekly "All the Charles Paris mysteries are wonderful" Shirley, 5* Amazon review "I really enjoy the Charles Paris series - there is a good balance of humour and detection . . . but this is definitely the best of the books I have read so far" Paulinderwick, 5* Amazon review "An absolute delight!" Roger, 5* Amazon review "Wonderful" Teresa, 5* Amazon review "The twist and turns, the cliff hanger at the end of every chapter has the markings of an excellent novel. My hat is off to you, Mr Brett" Dwayne, 5* Goodreads review THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER: 1. Cast in Order of Disappearance 2. So Much Blood 3. Star Trap 4. An Amateur Corpse 5. A Comedian Dies 6. The Dead Side of the Mike 7. Situation Tragedy 8. Murder Unprompted 9. Murder in the Title 10. Not Dead, Only Resting 11. Dead Giveaway 12. What Bloody Man is That 13. A Series of Murders 14. Corporate Bodies 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit

Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman - but with added bite! "Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige" THE NEW YORK TIMES "Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted" THE SUNDAY TIMES "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment" THE GUARDIAN "A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans" P.D. JAMES "Murder most enjoyable" COLIN DEXTER _______________________ A jobbing actor - and sometimes sleuth - plays a policeman in a new TV show One death is surely a tragic accident . . . But two deaths? It looks like A SERIES OF MURDERS . . . For once Charles Paris has a stable job, playing the role of brainless Sergeant Clump in the new TV series Stanislas Braid, a detective show based on the crime novels of the inimitable W.T. Wintergreen. On the first day of filming, after a power struggle between the show's leading actor and the director, Charles seeks a drink in the West End Television bar to escape the chaos. But his plans take a dramatically dark turn when he discovers the body of Sippy Stokes, one of the lead actresses on the show, lying dead in the prop room. Whilst the rest of the crew believe the death of the unpromising actress was an unfortunate accident, Charles isn't convinced. And his suspicions only grow as other 'accidents' plague the production, prompting him to launch his own investigation. Can Charles solve the case and catch the killer before the director calls 'cut'? Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London - and beyond! READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS: "Four words that never fail to lift the heart: A Charles Paris Mystery" The Telegraph "There's tension aplenty" Kirkus Reviews "[A Series of Murders] is the best yet" the.ken.petersen, 5* LibraryThing review "The books have inside knowledge (and stinging satire) about the world of British theater, they are deft at presenting crime and detection, the writing is concise, the pacing is sure, and the wit makes them wryly amusing" Glenn, 5* GoodReads review "This plot is very clever, and the solution is quite ingenious" John, 5* Amazon review "A fun and entertaining adventure" Victor, 5* Amazon review THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER: 1. Cast in Order of Disappearance 2. So Much Blood 3. Star Trap 4. An Amateur Corpse 5. A Comedian Dies 6. The Dead Side of the Mike 7. Situation Tragedy 8. Murder Unprompted 9. Murder in the Title 10. Not Dead, Only Resting 11. Dead Giveaway 12. What Bloody Man is That 13. A Series of Murders 14. Corporate Bodies 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit

Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman - but with added bite! "Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige" THE NEW YORK TIMES "Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted" THE SUNDAY TIMES "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment" THE GUARDIAN "A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans" P.D. JAMES "Murder most enjoyable" COLIN DEXTER _______________________ A middle-aged actor - and sometimes sleuth - in a classic Christmas pantomime! One star under fire . . . Two not-to-be-messed-with women . . . And THE CINDERELLA KILLER! 'Tis the season to be jolly for Charles Paris, who has a minor part in the Empire Theatre Eastbourne's Christmas production of Cinderella. But Charles' festive cheer is soon under threat when he discovers that the star turn, US actor Kenny Polizzi, knows nothing about the art of the traditional British pantomime - he's just happy to have fled to England. What is Kenny running from? The unexpected appearance of not only his obsessed stalker, Gloria van der Groot, but also his estranged wife leaves Kenny rattled - and when Charles finds Kenny dead under Eastbourne Pier, he's drawn into the star's complicated personal life. Determined to find the killer and prove his own innocence, is Charles in danger of a metaphorical custard pie in his face - or something much worse? Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London - and beyond! READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS: "A marvelous mix of theater, stagecraft, jostling egos, and killer wit" Booklist Starred Review "Masterful . . . The backstage scenes crackle with authenticity and wit" Publishers Weekly "The intrigue happens on and off the stage" Library Journal "Highly recommended to anybody who has not experienced the charm of this series" Tim, 5* Amazon review "A great read which had me laughing out loud in places - this book and others in the series are a perfect holiday read" Paul, 5* Amazon review "Another great Charles Paris tale. The theatre life is so real in these stories. I absolutely love them" Nell, 5* Amazon review "Loved it! Light, entertaining , good characters , fun" Jane 5* Goodreads review "Simon Brett is an entertaining mystery writer, not relying solely on the whodunnit aspect but bringing a whiff of modern Britain in dialect and attitudes, some of which are downright hilarious" Sarah, 5* Goodreads review THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER: 1. Cast in Order of Disappearance 2. So Much Blood 3. Star Trap 4. An Amateur Corpse 5. A Comedian Dies 6. The Dead Side of the Mike 7. Situation Tragedy 8. Murder Unprompted 9. Murder in the Title 10. Not Dead, Only Resting 11. Dead Giveaway 12. What Bloody Man is That 13. A Series of Murders 14. Corporate Bodies 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit

Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman - but with added bite! "Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige" THE NEW YORK TIMES "Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted" THE SUNDAY TIMES "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment" THE GUARDIAN "A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans" P.D. JAMES "Murder most enjoyable" COLIN DEXTER _______________________ One middle-aged actor with an accidental reputation as a sleuth A disastrous run through of the murderous Scottish play One ultimatum, one dead body The words on everyone's lips . . . WHAT BLOODY MAN IS THAT? Middle-aged actor Charles Paris is elated to get back to his roots in classical theatre in a provincial production of the play dreaded by superstitious folk: Macbeth. However, his enthusiasm is quickly dampened as he finds himself doubling almost every role within the play and working with a tumultuous cast, including a nervous director, an over-dramatic leading lady and the dreadful Warnock Belvedere, whose reputation as a difficult actor precedes him. In the aftermath of a disastrous run-through, arguments amongst the cast and one too many drinks, Charles stumbles across the body of Warnock in the cellar of the locked theatre. The curse of the Scottish Play has struck again, but this time, it's not just superstition - it's murder! Suddenly thrust into the spotlight of a sinister plot, Charles Paris finds himself centre stage in the familiar role of private eye. Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London - and beyond! READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS: "A delightful theatrical mystery" Library Journal "The mystery is superb, clues and red-herrings all in the right places. The denouement is well crafted and satisfying" Brian, 5* GoodReads review "Charles Paris continues to be a delight" Andy, 5* GoodReads review "Great read - his best book!" Gordon B., 5* Amazon review "Great entertainment" the.ken.petersen, 5* LibraryThing review "Brett is always capable of weaving an intricate yet plausible plot, which he lightly peppers with humour . . . Most entertaining on a number of levels!" Eyejaybee, 5* LibraryThing review THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER: 1. Cast in Order of Disappearance 2. So Much Blood 3. Star Trap 4. An Amateur Corpse 5. A Comedian Dies 6. The Dead Side of the Mike 7. Situation Tragedy 8. Murder Unprompted 9. Murder in the Title 10. Not Dead, Only Resting 11. Dead Giveaway 12. What Bloody Man is That 13. A Series of Murders 14. Corporate Bodies 15. A Reconstructed Corpse 16. Sicken and So Die 17. Dead Room Farce 18. A Decent Interval 19. The Cinderella Killer 20. A Deadly Habit

Focusing on crime fiction and films that artfully combine comedy and misdeed, this book explores the reasons writers and filmmakers inject humor into their work and identifies the various comic techniques they use. The author covers both American and European books from the 1930s to the present, by such authors as Rex Stout, Raymond Chandler, Robert B. Parker, Elmore Leonard, Donald E. Westlake, Sue Grafton, Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich, along with films from The Thin Man to the BBC's Sherlock series.

This book is an appreciation of selected authors who make extensive use of humor in English detective/crime fiction. Works using humor as an amelioration of the serious have their heyday in the Golden Age of crime writing but they belong also to a long tradition. There is an identifiable lineage of humorous writing in crime fiction that ranges from mild wit to outright farce, burlesque, even slapstick. A mix of entertainment with instruction is a tradition in English letters. English crime fiction writers of the era circa 1913 to 1940 were raised in the mainstream literary tradition but turned their skills to detective fiction. And they are the humorists of the genre. This book is not an exhaustive study but an introduction into the best produced by the most capable and enjoyable authors. What the humorists seek is to surprise the reader by overturning their expectations using a repertoire of stylistic conceits and motifs (recurring incidents, devices, references). Humor has a liberating effect but is concerned too with "comic contrast" through ugliness and caricature. In crime fiction one effect is intellectual pleasure at solving (or attempting to solve) a puzzle. Another is entertainment but with serious undertones.