Not Dead, Only Resting

De: Simon Brett

Narrado por: Simon Brett

Charles Paris is, as ever, waiting for a phone call from his agent, and is driven to painting and decorating to make ends meet.

A rare evening out at a high-profile restaurant among stars of stage and screen promises a break in the depressing routine. But when the restaurant’s handsome, temperamental chef is brutally murdered, Charles finds himself drawn into the ensuing investigation.

At first it seems an open and shut case: the chef’s partner is in France within hours of having a spectacular quarrel with him over a pretty youth. Yet as Charles’ inquiries take him into the feuds and jealousies of his own profession, both murder and motive are anything but obvious.

©1984 Simon Brett (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

"Yes, I'll be free."

Always a fan of Simon Brett's stories and, especially, those of Charles Paris, the actor avoided by fame and success, I really loved this one. Book ten in the series, Charles is still 'resting' when he discovers the chef partner of a celebrity restaurateur bloodied and dead in his bedroom, his other half missing, believed to have gone to France. Persuaded by a friend to do what the police seemed not to want to do - investigate - Charles meets up with old acting pals, like Stan who has created a company for the out of work thespian and who talks with a (probably) mock Cockney rhyming slang where he uses "Charlie" (Charile Chan) for van, "saints and" (sinners) for dinners, "Michael" (Caine) for brain, "permanent" ( wave) for grave, and many others. Conjuring up the atmosphere of a bygone London, with strong characters and humour, this is great fun. The mystery isn't bad, either.

Narration is by the author, often a mistake but not in this case.
Looking forward to my next Charles Paris.

Vivre Simon Brett!

This is a terrific book but my comments are really on the whole epic body of work (I've just finally been pushed to the point of having to say something). Brett's people --finely drawn, funny, sharp, poignant, real--.are simply brilliant, effortless creations--every one of of them (from the 'howon earthcan he possiblybesuch asympatheticcharacter Charles Paris", to the goddess Mrs. Pargetter, the Feathering girls, and every bit player in his sphere. However celebrated or widely -read he may be, Brett is under-rated. One of the greats!