Sicken And So Die [Paperback]

Simon Brett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

Things are looking up for struggling actor Charles Paris. He's landed a plum role in a production of "Twelfth Night", forged a reconciliation with his wife and even cut back on his favorite comfort--liberal shots of Scotch whiskey. But when the play's director falls mysteriously ill, a replacement with a vision takes the reins and turns the production into a farce. Charles's life takes a turn for the worse as he returns to the bottle and loses touch with his wife--but it's the murder of a fellow thespian that makes him get hold of himself and take on the role of detective.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A funny and stylish return for Charles Paris, the thespian sleuth created by Simon Brett, Sicken and So Die is a delightful take on the world of avant-garde theatre and a classic whodunit sure to please Brett's devoted readers. Staging a successful play is a high-stakes venture for all involved, and jealousies can run wild in the business. When strange illnesses start pointing toward poison, it's up to Paris to stay ahead of the intrigue or wind up hospitalized, or worse, in the morgue. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

For actor Charles Paris, life is wonderful for a change: Frances, his wife, has let him back into her apartment (and bed), and he has landed the splendid role of Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night. Of course, none of this can last. At a publicity party, the director succumbs to abdominal cramps severe enough to hospitalize him. Enter Alexandru Radulescu, an avant-garde director who says Shakespeare "writes only about sex." As the provocative, spectacle-loving Radulescu slices and dices the comedy to shreds, Charles, who clings to a traditional interpretation, becomes increasingly resented by his colleagues, all of whom appear to be turning into Radulescu groupies. When, following a group dinner, another member of the company falls sufficiently ill to leave the show, Charles suspects foul play. While he sizes up who might do what to whom (and how many additional lines they would finagle if they did it), someone else prowls behind the scenes to stage yet another incident, this one fatal. For followers of this series, this is classic Charles Paris, with the interminably struggling actor again giving us Brett's (Singled Out, 1995, etc.) wry and entertaining view of the theater. The story is tightly wrapped around Twelfth Night, and readers who are familiar with the play will surely derive more pleasure from it than those who aren't.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Worldwide Library (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373262620
• ISBN-13: 978-0373262625
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,541,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brett has done better, but this will do., April 29, 2002

By 

"anonymous1234567" (San Francisco, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sicken and So Die (Hardcover)

Simon Brett writes great mysteries becuase the parts that don't deal with the mystery could easily make a good book on their own. I think these are the best sorts of mysteries, just like, say, Singin' in the Rain is a great movie becuase it's great even without all the singing and dancing. Sicken and So Die does an excellent job as a novel about the theatre, but the mystery is just as important, and it's not that well done this time.
In Sicken and So Die, Charles Paris, the weary middle aged actor, is working in Twelfth Night and is having a nice time doing it. Then, the director is poisoned and a new avant-garde one takes the helm, much to Charles' annoyance. As he valiantly continues to play his part the way he thinks it should be done, he investigates a series of accidents that have happened in the play. Could they not be accidents?
The Twelfth Night stuff works really well. Here, Brett finds his stride and he creates a hilarious portrayal of the theatre. The mystery, however, is different. Brett seems to be going thorugh the motions a bit, as if in a hurry to get back to the good stuff. Too much time is also spent on Charles and his wife. These parts add a sour edge to the book.
Still, Sicken and So Die makes for a very entertaining read. I would also recommend Murder Unprompted and Star Trap, two earlier, better Charles Paris mysteries. One only hopes that Simon Brett writes a Charles Paris mystery that leaves the mystery out.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Up To Normal Standards, July 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sicken and So Die (Hardcover)

I love Charles Paris and other Simon Brett books, so I did enjoy the book. However I would recommend that those new to the charactors would check out some of the older ones - to have more background and general flavor.

I did LOVE IT when Charles tries to salvage his dignity as a performer by playing the part the way he wanted. Very mid life crisis (I guess slightly past). I hope we watch Charles grow extremely old aged.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not much happens., November 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sicken and So Die (Hardcover)

I'm surprised by the glowing reviews from the professional reviewers. I found this a very minor whodunnit indeed. No crime occurs till half-way through and even then Charles Paris doesn't quite solve it himself. Much of the book is taken up with an analysis of "Twelfth Night." Paris's failed marriage and stalled career are dwelt on at length but go nowhere. The writing is professional and witty, and the characters are well-drawn, but there's practically no mystery here at all.