I often have problems reading books when I have already watched the television series or movie, and vice versa.
I read Twilight, Outlander, The Vampire Diaries, The Slow Horses series, and Michael Connelly’s novels before they were made into films and television series. I knew the original story and characterisation, and I had their whole worlds already pictured in my imagination. When they were transferred to other media, it was jarring. The Bosch television series had characters that did not appear in the books, and several books were mashed up into each episode. Nothing looked right.
For that reason, I don’t read many Ann Cleeves (Vera, Shetland), or Peter James (Grace) books. If I have already watched the show, I know the ending. Or I become confused when the story is different.
I did enjoy this book by Ann Cleeves. It was a new – to me – detective, Matthew Venn. This is the first book in the series and at time of writing there are two more. I will definitely be buying them, but I will not be watching the television series until enough time has passed.
I also read this Grace novel by Peter James, because it has not featured in any of the series I have watched.
I would read more Grace novels if it were not for the weird grammar in his books. There is often a problem with very simple grammar (what’s with the who in the second line below?), and overlong sentences resulting in too many commas (see second paragraph). I have probably spent too long teaching English and proofreading texts though. I understand typographical errors and things slipping by you, but surely an author this popular would have several editors? I did really enjoy the book though.
Having said that, Perfect People by Peter James is one of the most unforgettable books I have ever read. Despite being published in 2012, it remains not only topical but ahead of its time. Exploring the ethics, morality and consequences of genetic engineering, it caused me sleepless nights while I was reading it. I hated and loved it in equal measure, and I recommend it to everyone I know.
