Peter James reveals two new books for 2017

Crime writer Peter James has revealed he will publish two new books next year - a "who-dunnit" Roy Grace novel and a new stand-alone novel, asking what would happen if someone had absolute proof God exists.

The author announced the novels yesterday (8th December) at his annual Christmas lunch for journalists with Pan Macmillan at The Club at the Ivy in London's West End.

Need You Dead, a new novel featuring Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, is scheduled for May 2017. It will be the series' 13th book and its first "who-dunnit", described as "a little bit different in format" to others that have gone before it. The series has sold over 18m copies worldwide, according to Pan Macmillan.

James also revealed he has been working on stand-alone novel Absolute Proof since 1993. "It's on the small topic of what would happen if someone had absolute proof that God exists," he said. Its premise explores what would constitute "absolute proof" and what the consequences for the person who finds it might be. It is based on years of research in conversation with academics in Oxford and Cambridge, as well as with theologians and clerics in the UK and internationally, according to James, and will be a "serious" book which will "stay clear of Dan Brown territory," he said. It is slated for publication in October 2017.

James had his eleventh Sunday Times bestseller this year with Love You Dead and was awarded the Crime Writers' Association's highest honour, the CWA Diamond Dagger, in January. He published non-fiction title Death Comes Knocking (Pan) in July, written with former Sussex police officer Graham Bartlett. He also launched a new YouTube channel, called Peter James TV, which features interviews with over 100 authors, including the likes of Lee Child and Val McDermid.