Charles Paris Books In Order

Publication Order of Charles Paris Books

A British radio producer, the novelist Simon Brett has been writing and creating his unique brand of detective ficition for some time now, as he’s been able to craft a mystery that’s in-depth yet accessible at the same time, alongside his characters that are easy to relate to on a more personal and intimate level. Born in Worcester park his detective stories are very much of their time and their period, falling into the genre whilst simultaneously standing on their own two feet, they are excellent examples of both the art and the form, as they keep the reader constantly guessing throughout. Over time he has written a number of series as well, with franchises such as ‘Fethering’, ‘Blotto and Twinks’, ‘Mrs Pargeter’ along with a handful of plays as well. All of this has added up to a highly successful and well developed writing career with an impressive backlog of work, but one series that he’s particularly well known for is that of his ongoing ‘Charles Paris’ series of novels. Following the career of the supposedly down-and-out alcoholic actor Charles Paris, it sees him applying himself to a variety of real-life roles, something which helps him as he undertakes the role of amateur sleuth and detective. With charm and eloquence he is able to deduce all the clues in his own inimitable style, as he gets to the bottom of the case and solve the crime, along with being able to get into the minds of different characters including that of the criminals.

Running for over nineteen titles so far and counting this is a series that has been going for quite some time now, as there’s been plenty of adventures and cases for him to solve. With a variety of radio plays being broadcast on the BBC the character has enjoyed a successful run of various adaptions as well, with actors such as Francis Matthews taking the role in the 1980s and Bill Nighy taking it up in 1999. With a variety of series on the radio along with a variety of novels depicting the character, it’s easy to see why this particular protagonist has become so iconic, a status which he’ll enjoy for many years to come.

Cast, In Order of Disappearance

Originally published in 1975, this was to be the first title in the ongoing ‘Charles Paris’ series of novels, as it set-up the series overall, establishing many of the themes and ideas in the process. It also manages to create the characters that inhabit it, along with allowing them to introduce the main protagonist and setting up his story too. Not only that, but it also provides a mystery for them all to solve and get involved in, a factor which also allows the story and the narrative to develop.

Setting up many of the themes and ideas, it manages to create a style and tension that is not without wit or humor, as there are plenty of smart lines from the author himself. The world is also resolutely British too, as it works at building itself within a very distinctively British environment, something which is reflected through many of the characters. With Charles Paris himself he is a leading character with a strong charismatic presence, despite his many vices and failings which he succumbs to over the course of the novel.

Marius Steen the tyrannical tycoon and Bill Sweet have been killed, one in an affair with his young mistress Jacqui to whom he would leave the contents of his will to, the other Bill Sweet a blackmailer with photographs. Stepping onto the scene is one Charles Paris, an actor who likes to drink and likes the ladies, as he assumes a number of different roles, including a Scotland Yard Detective. Finding himself in the bed of the blackmailer’s wife, he soon finds that he may be in over his head, and he may need to solve the case himself before it’s too late. Will he find the real killer? Can he save himself in the process? What will become of the cast, in order of disappearance?

So Much Blood

First published in 1976, this was brought out just one year after the first book, as it carried on directly from where the last left off, providing another adventure in the process. Providing another case file for the amateur sleuth Charles Paris to solve, it manages to take the franchise in new directions, giving it a greater sense of weight in the process. It also works as a stand-alone novel in its own right too, as it manages to be accessible to new readers as well, allowing them to dive right in as a casual read if they want to.

Heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this time Charles Paris is all set to perform there at a show, but things don’t entirely go according to plan as a set of events transpire. All set to take part in a mixed-media version of ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ there’s a whole host of different events to get involved in, but he soon finds himself dealing with a murder. Not only that, but there’s also been a suicide too, along with a bomb scare taking place, as well as a series of other events transpiring there too. Will Charles Paris get to the bottom of what’s going on? Can he find the real killer behind all of this? Why is there so much blood?

The Charles Paris Series

A highly iconic character not just in print, but on the radio as well, Simon Brett has enjoyed a lot of success with down-and-out actor come amateur sleuth over the years. Creating a strong and vivid portrait of the character it’s a role that many have enjoyed throughout the years, largely due to it being so well drawn by Brett himself. The world that he’s set within as well is also extremely well defined, with a clear set of rules building a sense of familiarity with its formula that its many loyal readers have come to enjoy over the years. With more room to expand upon the series it doesn’t look like it’ll be stopping anytime soon either, as it will continue on into the foreseeable future for some time to follow.

2 Responses to “Charles Paris”

1. Nicola Scott: 2 years ago

   Racing through the series now. Love them all! .

   Reply
2. PATRICIA PAINE: 2 years ago

   Have just listened to book 20 loved them all! Will there be, or are there any further delights awaiting me? A Simon Brett devotee!

   Reply