An Accidental Death

A DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 1

By: Peter Grainger

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

The story opens with the apparently accidental drowning of a sixth form student in the Norfolk countryside. As a matter of routine, or so it seems, the case passes across the desk of Detective Sergeant Smith, recently returned to work after an internal investigation into another case that has led to tensions between officers at Kings Lake police headquarters. As an ex-DCI, Smith could have retired by now, and it is clear that some of his superiors wish that he would do so. The latest trainee detective to work with him is the son of a member of his former team, and together they begin to unravel the truth about what happened to Wayne Fletcher. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that others are involved - some seem determined to prevent it, some seem to be taking too much interest. In the end, Smith operates alone, having stepped too far outside standard procedures to ask for support. He knows that his own life might be at risk but he has not calculated on the life of his young assistant also being put in danger.

©2013 Peter Grainger (P)2016 Tantor

Found a New Series. YES!

Reader is great. Story has enough clues that you can almost figure it out as you go but enough twists to keep you listening to the end. Just what I wanted.

Great first book in a series.

It's been a while since I found a new series where I couldn't quit listening.

A New Favourite

This was my first Peter Grainger book but will not be the last. A Great story, interesting, well drawn characters and enough twists and turns to keep me reading/listening well into the night. Laugh out loud funny in places also.
Loved it. On to the next one!

Finally! A new Wonderful series!

Would you consider the audio edition of An Accidental Death to be better than the print version?

I only listened to the audio version. But you can't get any better than the writing and the narrator, Gildart Jackson. He does so extremely well at all characters in the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Our hero, D.C. Smith.

What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?

Excellent. Believable. Perfect.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The school talk. Communicating with the foreigners.

Any additional comments?

I am thrilled to my bones with this new series and author and narrator. Totally enjoyable. Good characterization, clever writing, deep thinking, common sense, and a bit of smart humor. Not a comedy, just good subtle humor. Looking forward to more by same author, & same narrator.

I hope the rest of the series is as good.

Have read a lot of ho hum novels lately and wanted to return most, but what an exciting find. Everything I look for in a novel, and a mystery to boot. Wit, interesting characters, a good story without being vulgar or convoluted. I loved that there wasn't unnecessary drama. Almost 5 stars, 4 and a half at least. Cannot wait until my next 2 credits.

Wow

A truly wonderful book. The narration was fabulous. I am off to buy book 2!

A good story that unfolds slowly

This book has good characters and an excellent narrator. The story has an appealing symmetry, but the pace is slow. If you’re looking for thrilling action, you won’t find much here. Although DC Smith gets a tad preachy at times, he’s likable and interesting. I enjoyed following along as Smith and his team put the pieces of the puzzle together in logical steps. I will listen to more in this series.

One thing that bothered me: At the beginning of the book, the date of the story is given as Saturday 24th August, 2011. But that date in 2011 was a Wednesday, not a Saturday. Odd.

New Favorite

Loved the story, characters, and Narrator. Looking forward to the next in this series.

Excellent read!

I loved the book and loved the reader!
I will look for all Peter Grainger's books.

Loved the witty and smart DC Smith

I made a mistake in reading "Songbird Kings Lake Investigation Series Book 1" first. Definitely read all the DC Smith books before you read Songbird because it will make more sense to you. DC Smith is such a character. I loved his dry wit. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the DC Smith series and getting to know these wonderful characters better. The narrator is awesome!