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This page lists novels that feature the actor and amateur detective Charles Paris.

Cast, In Order of Disappearance

Simon Brett

1975

A Charles Paris novel.

"Who killed Marcus Steen, the theatrical tycoon with a fortune to leave to his young mistress Jacqui? And who killed Bill Sweet, the shady blackmailer with a supply of compromising photographs? Charles Paris, a middle-aged actor addicted to booze and women, decides to investigate by assuming a variety of roles, among them that of the mythical Detective Sergeant McWhirter. But, as Paris is about to discover only too painfully, impersonating a police officer is never a good idea."

So Much Blood

Simon Brett

1976

A Charles Paris novel.

"Appearing in his own one-man show on Thomas Hood at the Edinburgh Festival, middle-aged actor Charles Paris finds himself falling for a gorgeous young girl with navy-blue eyes. He also finds himself being dragged into a complex murder investigation involving the death of a fading pop star, a bomb scare in Holyrood Palace and a suicide leap from the top of the Rock."

Star Trap

Simon Brett

1977

A Charles Paris novel.

"Joining the cast of a musical loosely based on She Stoops to Conquer, actor/detective Charles Paris is soon regretting his decision, irked as he is by the odious theatre and television star who is backing, producing and starring in the show. But when rehearsals are hampered by a strange series of mishaps, including the rehearsal pianist being shot in the hand and an actor falling and breaking his leg, Paris investigates and quickly decides that the star himself is responsible. But why would he want to sabotage his own show? The answer is much more human than it first appears."

An Amateur Corpse

Simon Brett

1978

A Charles Paris novel.

"Dear Old Shakespeare! Charles Paris can hardly wait. He’s already endured the amateur theatre company’s production of Dear Old Chekhov. God only knows what this self-centred group will do to the Bard. But before Charles can escape to the nearest bar, the company’s young and beautiful leading lady turns up dead, Charles’s friend Hugo is charged with the crime, and Charles’s interest is very much revived."

A Comedian Dies

Simon Brett

1979

A Charles Paris novel.

"About to receive an award as Most Promising Newcomer, a rising young stage comedian sensationally drops dead on stage at the start of his act: as he picks up the mike, he is electrocuted. Faulty wiring seems to be the cause and a verdict of death by misadventure is returned at the inquest. But actor/detective Charles Paris was in the audience that night and when another member of the cast reveals that the comedian checked his equipment just before the performance, Charles decides to investigate further. Misadventure – or murder?"

The Dead Side of the Mic

Simon Brett

1980

A Charles Paris novel.

"Murder at the BBC? It’s almost unimaginable. But when Andrea Gower, the beautiful studio manager, is found murdered, actor/detective Charles Paris, having originally come to Broadcasting House to give a talk, finds himself wallowing through layers of BBC scandal to uncover a complicated fraud – with clues concealed in seemingly innocent announcements. What he is about to discover will very nearly lead to the end of Mr Paris."

Situation Tragedy

Simon Brett

1981

A Charles Paris novel.

"West End TV are planning a new sit-com series called The Strutters and Charles Paris has landed the role of a golf club barman. But when, one by one, members of the production crew start falling victim to mysterious 'accidents', Paris finds himself on the trail of a mass murderer."

Murder Unprompted

Simon Brett

1982

A Charles Paris novel.

"As understudy to the lead in a West End play, Charles Paris's thespian and detective skills are called upon once again when the lead is shot dead on stage on the opening night. The suspects range from a jealous wife to a bitter actor who lost his part, from the playwright who heard his beautiful lines twisted to the director who saw his work ruined."

Murder in the Title

Simon Brett

1983

A Charles Paris novel.

"Playing the corpse in a murder mystery at the Regent Theatre is not exactly a triumph for Charles Paris. In fact, his career could not sink any lower. However, suddenly the mystery spills over into real life with the artistic director's apparent suicide. But was it suicide - or murder? Charles Paris determines to find out."

Not Dead, Only Resting

Simon Brett

1984

A Charles Paris novel.

"During a period of 'resting', actor Charles Paris takes on a job as a house painter. Arriving for work at the flat above a fashionable Holland Park restaurant, he discovers the mutilated body of chef Yves Lafeu. It would appear to be an open-and-shut case. Yves' business partner Tristram Gowers caught the night boat to France within hours of a spectacular public quarrel with Yves, and has now disappeared. But is there more to it than that? Charles Paris determines to find out."

Dead Giveaway

Simon Brett

1985

A Charles Paris novel.

"A brief appearance on a TV game show, 'If the Cap Fits', means a day's pay, a few interesting contacts and a chance to visit the West End Television bar - not the least of incentives for a man of Charles Paris's thirst. But murder? Even for game shows where they'll try almost anything once, murder is going too far."

What Bloody Man Is That?

Simon Brett

1987

A Charles Paris novel.

"Charles Paris is on his way up again, career-wise. No longer 'resting', he finds himself doubling almost every role in a provincial production of the play dreaded by superstitious theatre folk: Macbeth. Yet when death strikes in the night, Charles finds himself playing an all-too familiar role: that of private eye."

A Series of Murders

Simon Brett

1989

A Charles Paris novel.

"For once Charles Paris is gainfully employed in the role of Sergeant Clump in what promises to be a long-running TV series based on rather dated 1930s detective novels. Yet once again, Charles finds himself in the role of real-life detective when he discovers a young actress's body crushed beneath a props case, and sets out to prove his hunch that she was murdered."

Corporate Bodies

Simon Brett

1991

A Charles Paris novel.

"Taking on his most unlikely performing assignment yet: 'forklift-driver-for-a-day' in the Delmoleen company corporate video, Charles Paris discovers - to his horror - that a forklift can lead to death. Industrial accident - or murder? Charles decides to find out."

A Reconstructed Corpse

Simon Brett

1993

A Charles Paris novel.

"Charles Paris's acting career plumbs new depths when he takes on the part of a possible murder victim in Public Enemies, a true-crime TV series. Finding himself in a bizarre world somewhere between police procedure and showbiz, Charles can't help getting involved in the investigation - especially when dismembered limbs start turning up."

Sicken and So Die

Simon Brett

1995

A Charles Paris novel.

"Things are going suspiciously well for Charles Paris. He has moved back in with his ex-wife and landed a proper part in a proper production: Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night. But when two members of the theatre company suddenly fall ill, Charles finds himself in trouble again - both on and off stage."

Dead Room Farce

Simon Brett

1998

A Charles Paris novel.

"A three-month run in a new farce, Not On Your Wife, is not to be sniffed at by jobbing actor Charles Paris. But by the time the troupe reaches Bath, a dark mood has set in, and Charles's old friend Mark has a drink problem that amounts to a death wish. But it's not the drink that kills Mark; it's somebody in the cast who has a dirty secret to hide."

A Decent Interval

Simon Brett

2013

A Charles Paris novel.

"After a long period of 'resting', life is looking up for Charles Paris, who has been cast as the Ghost of Hamlet's Father and First Gravedigger in a new production of Hamlet. But rehearsals are fraught. Ophelia is played by Katrina Selsey, who won the role through a television talent show. Hamlet himself is also played by a reality TV contestant, Jared Root - and the two young stars have rather different views of celebrity and the theatre than the more experienced members of the cast. But when the company reach the first staging post of their tour, the Grand Theatre Marlborough, matters get more serious, with one member of the company seriously injured in what appears to be an accident, and another dead. Once again, Charles Paris is forced to don the mantle of amateur detective to get to the bottom of the mystery."

The Cinderella Killer

Simon Brett

2014

A Charles Paris novel.

"Charles Paris has landed a minor role in the Empire Theatre Eastbourne's Christmas production of Cinderella. But rehearsals descend into chaos when a member of the cast is discovered shot dead beneath Eastbourne Pier. Charles must put his renowned sleuthing skills to the test to find out who killed his co-star - and why."

A Deadly Habit

Simon Brett

2018

A Charles Paris novel.

" Having landed a small part in a new West End play, The Habit of Faith, Charles Paris is dismayed to discover that his good fortune has been orchestrated by his bete noire, the now-famous screen actor Justin Grover. But why has Grover become involved in this relatively obscure production - and why has he roped in Charles to star? From the outset the production is fraught with difficulties -- and matters become even more complicated when a body is discovered at the foot of the dressing room stairs. Did they fall - or were they pushed? As one of the last people to have seen the victim alive, Charles Paris is drawn into the ensuing investigation - and discovers that more than one person involved in the play has a scandalous secret to hide."

Four Complete Mysteries

Omnibus Edition: Volume One

Simon Brett

1993

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the four novels: An Amateur Corpse; Star Trap; So Much Blood; and Cast In Order Of Disappearance.

Cast, in Order of Disappearance & So Much Blood

Omnibus Edition: Volume One

Simon Brett

2001

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the two novels Cast, In Order Of Disappearance and So Much Blood.

Star Trap & An Amateur Corpse

Omnibus Edition: Volume Two

Simon Brett

2001

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the two novels Star Trap and An Amateur Corpse.

A Comedian Dies & The Dead Side Of The Mike

Omnibus Edition: Volume Three

Simon Brett

2004

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the two novels A Comedian Dies and The Dead Side Of The Mike.

Situation Tragedy & Murder Unprompted

Omnibus Edition: Volume Four

Simon Brett

2004

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the two novels Situation Tragedy and Murder Unprompted.

Murder in the Title & Not Dead Only Resting

Omnibus Edition: Volume Five

Simon Brett

2004

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the two novels Murder in the Title and Not Dead, Only Resting.

Dead Giveaway & What Bloody Man is That?

Omnibus Edition: Volume Six

Simon Brett

2004

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the two novels Dead Giveaway and What Bloody Man is That?

A Series of Murders & Corporate Bodies

Omnibus Edition: Volume Seven

Simon Brett

2004

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the two novels A Series of Murders and Corporate Bodies.

A Reconstructed Corpse & Sicken and So Die & Dead Room Farce

Omnibus Edition: Volume Eight

Simon Brett

2004

A Charles Paris omnibus.

Combines the three novels A Reconstructed Corpse, Sicken and So Die, and Dead Room Farce.