Widely regarded as the UK’s most successful crime writer since Agatha Christie, the popularity of Peter James, and his bestselling “Grace” mysteries, has soared in recent years. With James having twice served as Chair of the UK Crime Writers Association, it is perhaps easy to understand why. ITV were quick to exploit James’ burgeoning reputation with their acclaimed TV adaptation, with Shaun McKenna having previously adapted five of James’ novels for the stage. “Wish You Were Dead” is his sixth, and what fun it is too…

More of a ‘whydunnit’ than a ‘whodunnit’, this latest theatrical offering featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace follows a successful and slightly predictable formula….but does so to great effect. The very recognisable George Rainsford, most familiar to us from BBC’s “Casualty”, turns in an engaging and believable performance as James’ detective with a mysterious past as he and his pathologist wife, Cleo, and young son Noah, are unwittingly drawn into a perilous trap in a remote French chambre d’hôte, Château L’Eveque.

The muted colours, inscrutable faces and stylistic design of the show’s publicity materials hint at a darker and more sinister tale, especially for those unfamiliar with either the books or TV series, but in reality, the show was much more lighthearted, and much less taut, than I was expecting. Rainsford is supported admirably by Katie McGlynn (she of “Strictly”, “Hollyoaks” and “Coronation Street” fame) as his wife, who looks suitably shocked and scared in all the right places, and by the impressive Rebecca McKinnis as Madame L’Eveque. However, it is Clive Mantle who steals the show in Act Two, hamming it up delightfully as criminal patriarch Curtis, who plans to wreak his revenge on the unsuspecting Grace and his family.

Designer Michael Holt has produced a well-appointed, versatile and visually impressive set, which successfully conveys three different settings within Château L’Eveque without the need for a single set-change. The show willingly embraces several predictable tropes of the mystery genre – the isolated house, the persistent rain outside, the stuffed animal heads, the suit of armour – to ensure generic expectations are all fulfilled, while the excellent use of lighting and sound combine to guarantee plenty of unexpected surprises to keep us on our toes.

“Wish You Were Dead” is far from a taut, psychological thriller, but it is enormous fun, without descending into farce, and at the same time it provides just enough intrigue and suspense to keep the play interesting and engaging for its audience. What it may lack in innovation and originality, it more than makes up for in its energy, gung-ho enthusiasm and the strong performances of its cast. Director Jonathan O’Boyle has delivered a show which unashamedly employs a tried and tested formula: it all feels comfortably familiar…..and yet this is sometimes exactly what we want, and need, from a mystery; to feel safe in the knowledge that, somehow, our protagonist will prevail, good will – as expected – triumph over evil, order will be restored, and the world will once again be safer for us all. In the uncertain times in which we live, perhaps we need stories like this more than ever. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle knew this. Agatha Christie knew this. Peter James certainly knows this.

★★★★☆  Tony Clarke 15 June 2023