A Comedian Dies

A Comedian Dies is the versatile Simon Brett's fifth book featuring his actor-detective Charles Paris. Charles is not altogether a likeable character. He is a competent actor but a terrible husband. He drinks too much and readily indulges in casual sex, though with increasing age the availability of attractive young dancers and actresses is declining. He is usually out of work, partly due to the incompetence of his agent, but he is too lethargic to make any great effort towards improvement.

The books can be read independently, though there are some repeated characters and each book contributes to the ongoing story of the development, or rather deterioration, of his relationship with his estranged wife. Indeed, it is while Charles is on a show more rainy seaside holiday with his temporarily reconciled wife that they visit a theatre for Fun 'n' Suntimes and see a comedian die because of incorrect wiring on his microphone.

The inquest concludes that the death was an accident, but, by talking to old acquaintances and others involved in the production, Charles learns that squalid personal reasons have caused relevant witnesses to keep quiet: the comedian had, as was his habit, checked the wiring of his equipment at the start of the interval, so it must have been tampered with between then and his entrance as first act in the second half. Charles decides to investigate: he does not of course disclose the evidence to the police, for who is he to betray other people's sordid secrets? He soon establishes that the dead comedian had given offence to many people, and some had good reason to hate him: there is no shortage of potential suspects.

Much of the story concerns Charles' relationship to the other comedian involved in Fun 'n' Suntimes, Lennie Barber, a man of long experience, who enjoyed a period of big success some decades earlier. There is a proposal to make a TV series with Barber's sketches, in which Charles would act as straight man. The more Charles works with him, the more he comes to appreciate his talent and professionalism.

Charles' approach to detection is that of an actor, not a scientist. When he begins to suspect anyone of the murder, he concentrates on looking for evidence in favour of his suspicion. Thus he is able to convince himself in turn of the guilt of a whole string of people who can, when challenged, rather easily establish their innocence. When it becomes clear who the guilty party is, it is reasonable enough in retrospect, but I for one failed to predict it on first reading; the motive for the first murder seems very flimsy if we have no sympathy for the murderer.

I find Brett's detective stories more interesting for the backgrounds and characters than for the crimes and mysteries. If what you want is a well-constructed crime uncovered by a logical detective, Charles Paris is not for you. But for me, yes. show less

I love the gentle humour of these books. Charles Paris is not a natural detective: he is the reader; stumbling from suspicion of one character on to the next as his favourite is either bumped off, or proves conclusively that he/she couldn't be the murderer.

In this romp, our hero never solves the crime. He is talking to a witness who confesses! Charles has to be convinced that the person really is the criminal. You will notice, that I have tried to discuss this book in such a way that, were you to read it, I have not spoiled the surprise. The author, Simon Brett has that wonderful ability to write in such a way that we, the audience, get to the solution just ahead of the criminologist. Needless to say, this makes for a most satisfying read.

A Comedian Dies is the 5th book in the Charles Paris series. I’ve read reviews of books in this series where the reviewers have commented that there is no one to like in the story. This is the first one I’ve read where that is almost true.

Charles and Francis are taking a vacation together to see if they can fix their marriage. While attending a variety show in the seaside town where they are staying, the lead comedian is electrocuted. Violent death never seems to be far from Charles! Naturally, he refuses to believe that the death is an accident and begins to investigate it.

In the show is an old comedian who is well past his hayday and looking to get back on top. His partner in his old comedy routine has been dead for a long time show more and through the course of events Charles is asked to reproduce that part which gives him an opportunity to stay involved with all the suspects.

No one involved in the story is likeable except Charles. They all seem to be show business stereotypes that would be unpleasant to be around. As always, Simon Brett nails his characters and they are imminently believable. There is a lot of discussion about what is funny, what comedy is and how comedians work. I found this to be quite enlightening. Simon Brett knows his show business! show less

Charles Paris gets a t.v. gig doing Barber and Pole skit. Amusing with Charles accusing half the book of murdering an upcoming comedian. The ultimate revelation of the murderer comes a bit out of left field.