A nice read. I was not familiar with the amateur theater of the late 70's in Britain, but it's nice to see how similar it was to the youth theater ten years later in America. This was the first Simon Brett I've read and I'm bound to look up another. ( )

If you're in to the modern mayhem style of crime story in which the method of murder becomes more and more gory with pages of graphic description; don't bother with these books. If, however, you like a cerebral challenge, then these are for you.

Charles Paris, our sleuth, is much less expert than Sherlock Holmes, or Hercules Poirot: not for him a study of the different types of rare cigarette that becomes germane. Paris blunders to a conclusion via many a cul de sac and false path. He is, primarily, a jobbing actor - never to reach the heights of the profession, and yet, an actor. One needs to put aside the concern that to be associated with Mr P. is as dangerous an occupation as to be a friend of Miss Marple and then, one simply has to settle back into a comfy chair and enjoy the ride.

I have made an effort to follow the series from the start and it is interesting to see how Simon Brett has developed what was a fair first book into a gripping collection. I cannot wait to start the next title. ( )

A not particularly engaging, though inoffensive mystery. It seems rather mired in the 70's, even if the main character and detective tries to be both Nick and Nora Charles. Not bad and the mystery makes sense for the most part but a bit heavy-handed and not a page turner. One to Cross.

An Amateur Corpse has a different feel from the first three Charles Paris mysteries because Charles isn’t actually in a production. He’s been asked to be the Critic in a Critic’s Circle for an amateur theater. Charles has gotten suckered into it because his old college friend Hugo’s wife is in the play. He’s supposed to provide professional critique on the amateur performances. Of course, no one really wants to be critiqued, they want to be praised and don’t appreciate it when that isn’t exactly what Charles does.

When one of this troop of amateurs turns up dead, Charles doesn’t like the answer the police are coming up with and begins snooping around on his own. His answers don’t seem to be the same as the ones the police have and after a few twists and turns, outs the killer.

The mystery takes center stage this book. In the first three, it felt as if the The Theater was as important as the mystery but not in this one. The bulk of this story is about Charles’ investigation. As a mystery lover, I like that. The theater is a great setting but doesn’t need to dominate the story to the exclusion of the mystery. I also love that there are lots of references to past stories. I like continuity.

Simon Brett has a great feel for his characters. You believe the motivations and emotions and that those motivations and emotions would lead to the actions of the characters. While this might not be considered “great literature” by artsy types, it gives a lot of insight into human nature. And it entertains me! What more can I ask from a book? ( )