Peter James (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
|
|
|---|---|
James in 2011
|
|
| Born | 22 August 1948 Brighton, East Sussex, England |
| Genre | Crime |
| Notable works | Roy Grace series |
| Notable awards |
|
| Spouse |
Georgina Wilkin
(m. 1979–1998)Lara James
(m. 2015) |
| Parents | Cornelia Katz (mother) Jack James (father) |
Peter J. James, born on August 22, 1948, is a famous British writer. He is best known for his exciting crime stories. He was born in Brighton, England. His mother, Cornelia James, was a special glovemaker for Queen Elizabeth II.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Peter James's Early Life and Education
Peter James went to Charterhouse School and then studied at Ravensbourne Film School. While he was at film school, he even worked for a short time as a house cleaner for the famous director Orson Welles.
After film school, Peter James moved to North America. He spent several years there working on movies and TV shows. In 1970, he started in Canada. He first worked as a helper and then became a writer for a children's TV show called Polka Dot Door.
Peter James's Interests and Hobbies
Peter James has many interesting hobbies. He loves learning about criminology, which is the study of crime. He is also interested in religion, science, and the paranormal (things that are beyond normal understanding). He enjoys food and wine and has written many articles about restaurants.
He is also a big fan of cars, often called a "petrol head." He has owned many fast cars, including Aston Martins, Mercedes, a Bentley, and classic Jaguar E-Types. He even has a special license to race cars! He has competed in races like the Britcar series. In 2013, his 1965 BMW 1800 Ti car finished 10th in a race called the St Mary's Trophy. Today, he races a 1962 C1 Corvette and a 1964 Mini Cooper S.
Peter James is also very generous. He has given two police cars to the Sussex Police force in England, and one to the police in Jersey. These cars even have his name on them!
He is married to Lara James. They got married in 2015. Before that, he was married to Georgina Wilkin for 19 years, from 1979 to 1998.
Peter James's Books and Stories
Peter James has written 36 novels. His most famous books are the Roy Grace series, which are crime thrillers set in Brighton. These books have sold over 21 million copies around the world! They have been number one bestsellers in the UK, Germany, France, Russia, and Canada. He is also a New York Times best-selling author.
His books have been translated into 38 different languages. In the UK and the US, his books are published by Macmillan Publishers.
In 1993, Peter James did something very new. His novel Host was published on two floppy discs, as well as in regular book form. This was one of the world's first "electronic novels," and a copy is kept in the Science Museum.
He has also written other types of books, including supernatural thrillers, spy stories, and science-based thrillers. He even wrote a children's novel!
Peter James's Stage Plays
Many of Peter James's novels have been turned into popular stage plays. His novella The Perfect Murder was a huge hit as a play. It was number one on iBooks for 15 weeks! Other plays based on his books include Dead Simple, Not Dead Enough, and The House on Cold Hill. These plays have been very successful and have toured all over the country. His seventh play, Picture You Dead, started its national tour in February 2025.
Peter James's TV Shows
The Roy Grace novels have also been made into a TV show called Grace. It stars John Simm as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. The show started in 2021 and is currently filming its fifth season. You can watch it in the US, Canada, and many other places on Britbox.
Peter James has been involved in the world of crime writing in other ways too. He was the chairman of the Crime Writers' Association twice. He also helped plan the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in 2016.
He has a YouTube channel where he hosts "The Author's Studio." This is a free online learning place for anyone who wants to become a writer.
In 2017, Peter James wrote the introduction for the UK version of The Crime Book. This non-fiction book is part of the Big Ideas Simply Explained series.
Even Her Majesty Queen Camilla has praised his Roy Grace novels! She said she enjoys how the stories have exciting twists and turns, keeping her on her toes.
Peter James's Work in Film
Peter James has worked on 26 films as a writer or producer. His 1993 novel Host was made into a TV movie called Virtual Obsession in 1998.
He has also been involved in other movies, including Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things, The Neptune Factor, Blue Blood, Malachi's Cove, The Blockhouse (starring Peter Sellers), Spanish Fly (starring Terry-Thomas and Leslie Phillips), A Different Loyalty (starring Sharon Stone), The Bridge of San Luis Rey (starring Robert De Niro), and The Statement (starring Michael Caine).
In 2005, a film called The Merchant of Venice was released. Peter James was an executive producer for this movie. It was shown at a special royal premiere with Prince Charles attending. The film was also nominated for a BAFTA Award, which is a very important film award. In 2006, it won an award in Italy for its amazing production design.
Peter James's Other Contributions
Peter James is a patron (a supporter) of many charities and organizations. He supports the Sussex Police Charitable Trust and the Brighton & Hove Samaritans, which helps people in need. He also supports animal welfare groups like the Brighton Greyhound Owners Association Retired Greyhound Trust.
He is a patron for mediation services, Relate in Sussex, and a care home called Terrys Cross House. He supports Little Green Pig, which helps young people with writing. He is also a national co-patron of Neighbourhood Watch and co-patron of Sussex Crimestoppers. He is an honorary patron for the South Mid Sussex Community First Responders and a vice-president of The Old Police Cells Museum in Brighton.
He is an ambassador for the University of Brighton. He is also a champion for Martlets Hospice, which he supports through his yearly Peter James Golf Classic event. He helps Action Medical Research and works with The Reading Agency, a charity that helps people become confident readers.
Peter James's Awards and Achievements
Peter James has received many awards throughout his career for his writing and other contributions.
- 1967: Charterhouse school poetry prize
- 1969: Esquire Magazine International College Film Festival, for The Island
- 1974: Sitges International Horror Film Festival, Best Foreign Film for Dead of Night
- 1999: Honorary Fellowship, FHS Emeritus award by the Hypnotherapy Society
- 2000: Public Awareness of Science Award, runner up, for Alchemist
- 2004: BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice
- 2004: Rose D'Or nomination at the Montreux Television Festival, for Bedsitcom
- 2005: Krimi-Blitz, Best Crime Writer of the Year in Germany
- 2006: Le Prix Polar International, for Comme Une Tombe (French translation of Dead Simple)
- 2007: Le Prix Cœur Noir at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines festival, for Comme Une Tombe
- 2007: Richard & Judy Galaxy British Book Awards – Crime Thriller of the Year, shortlisted, for Looking Good Dead
- 2007: Prix SNCF du Polar, shortlisted, for La Mort Leur Va Si Bien
- 2007: Le Grand Prix de littérature policère, shortlisted, for La Mort Leur Va Si Bien
- 2008: Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, shortlisted, for Not Dead Enough
- 2008: ITV Crime Thriller Author of the Year, shortlisted, for Not Dead Enough
- 2009: Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, shortlisted, for Dead Man's Footsteps
- 2009: CWA Dagger in the Library, shortlisted
- 2009: Honorary Doctorate of Letters at the University of Brighton
- 2010: Sounds of Crime Award, best abridged and unabridged novel, for Dead Tomorrow
- 2010: Galaxy British Book Awards – Sainsbury Popular Fiction Book of the Year shortlisted, for Dead Like You
- 2010: Quick Reads Readers' Favourite Award, for The Perfect Murder
- 2011: Sounds of Crime Award, best abridged and unabridged novel, for Dead Like You
- 2011: ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Winner, People's Bestseller Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year
- 2011: Barry Award, winner, for Dead Man's Grip
- 2012: Wellcome Trust Book Prize, shortlisted, for Perfect People
- 2012: Sussex Police, Outstanding Public Service Award
- 2012: Specsavers National Book Awards, Crime Thriller of the Year, shortlisted, for Perfect People
- 2013: Argus Outstanding Contribution to Sussex Award
- 2013: Specsavers National Book Awards, Crime Thriller of the Year 2013 – shortlisted – for Dead Man's Time
- 2014: Sainsbury's eBook of the Year Award – Winner – for Want You Dead
- 2015: WHSmith, The Best Crime Author of all Time – Winner
- 2015: Honorary Mastership of the Open University
- 2015: Dagger in the Library UK Crime Writers' Association award for an author's body of work in British libraries (UK) shortlisted
- 2015: Dead Good Readers Dr Lecter Award for Scariest Villain – Winner – for You Are Dead
- 2016: CWA Diamond Dagger Award Recipient (a very prestigious award for crime writers)
- 2016: Dead Good Readers Tess Gerritsen Award for Best Series – Winner – for the Roy Grace series
- 2017: CAMEO Award – Book To Stage Category – shortlist – for Not Dead Enough
- 2017: Poland – Lubimyczytac.pl Book Of The Year award, Horror Category – Winner – for The House On Cold Hill
- 2017: Germany – Rheinbach Glass Dagger Award for Crime Fiction – Winner
- 2017: Sussex Life Hero at the Celebration of Sussex Life – Winner
- 2018: Specsavers Honorary Platinum Award for book sales over 5 million
- 2018: Specsavers National Book Awards – Audiobook Of The Year – Shortlist – for Absolute Proof
- 2021: Specsavers Crimefest - Audible Sounds of Crime Award nominee - for Find them Dead
- 2021: Brighton & Hove Business Awards - Outstanding Brightonian of the Year Award
See also
In Spanish: Peter James para niños
