A Limerick Romp Through Time
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Thanks to the late Peter Tory’s encouragement, who used almost 100 of my limericks in his Diary columns in the Star and The Sunday Express in the ’80s and early ’90s, I seem to be addicted to writing limericks. Or trying to. As often as not for friends. I do think a book of them might make good stocking fillers. Unlike Edward Lear’s, the last line of my limericks is NOT a repeat of the first line and the last line also usually contains a (hopefully) funny pay off. What’s more – my limericks do usually scan! “As someone who specialises in mysteries of all kinds and at all levels, it remains something of a mystery even to me how my old friend Arnie Wilson manages to write such daft but undeniably amusing limericks. In fact they’re Dead Funny! (Regular readers of my Roy Grace thrillers will get that pun-ishing joke.)” Peter James, author of the Roy Grace thrillers
Peter James
PETER JAMES is a UK No.1 bestselling author, best known for his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series.
Much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing, he has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger. In 2024, it was announced that he is the creator of Her Majesty Queen Camilla's favourite fictional detective.
To date, Peter has written an impressive total of 21 Sunday Times No. 1s, sold over 24 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. ITV's primetime adaptation of the Grace novels, starring John Simm, continues to delight audiences with significant ratings growth, and series seven is currently in production. On stage seven of Peter's Grace novels have been adapted as plays, earning his work the reputation of being the most successful stage franchise since Agatha Christie.
In 2026, Peter was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours List, in recognition of his services to literature and to charity. Peter is a supporter of many of charities reflecting his concerns and interests, including as Co-Patron of the Sussex Police Charitable Trust; as a Patron of the RSPCA and the Samaritans; and as an ambassador for The Reading Agency and for the National Year of Reading 2026, among many others.
More by Peter James
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