Dead Man’s Grip

British author James’s seventh crime novel featuring Det. Supt. Roy Grace (after 2010’s Dead Like You) opens with a fatal road accident in the center of Brighton involving a truck, a car, a van, and an unfortunate American cyclist, Tony Revere, who’s the grandson of Mafia boss Sal Giordano. While the initial focus is on the van driver, lowlife Ewan Preece, who raced away from the accident, it becomes apparent that there’s a more ominous force at work. Revere’s family hires a chillingly rational killer called Tooth to eliminate every person present at the accident—even though no one actually directly caused Revere’s death. Grace works the case with sidekick Det. Sgt. Glenn Branson and the rest of his team of well-sketched members, each bringing his or her individual talent to the investigation. The grim creativity of the victims’ deaths and the ease of movement of the action are two of the many compelling reasons to stick with this series. (Dec.)