Not Dead Yet by Peter James (Minotaur)

Brighton's Senior Investigating Officer Roy Grace has a lot on his plate in Peter James' latest thriller. He has a trial coming up where he has to help put away a criminal, an unknown body found in a tunnel under the river, and a headless-armless-legless body found at a barn at a chicken farm. But his life is going to get a whole lot more complicated!

Movie star, Gaia Lafayette, born in Brighton, is coming back to her home town to film a movie about George IV and his mistress. There is a death threat hanging over Gaia and there has been an attempt to murder her in California. The British police must go all out in protecting her.

Amis Smallbone who promised to kill Grace for sending him to prison is being released from his life sentence. Grace is in a loving relationship (they are expecting a baby) with Medical Examiner Cleo Morey. Cleo's car is vandalized and a threatening message left as a warning to the couple.

One might say James gives one a lot to consider and sometimes you may feel like you need a scorecard to keep track of all the players. But I can promise: You won't regret picking up Not Dead Yet!

--Steve Bank