City's crimes top library chart

Peter James spends one day a fortnight with Sussex CID

Brighton-based crime novels by a local author have topped the city's lending chart for 2009.

The annual borrowing figures for libraries in Brighton and Hove showed that Peter James's murder thriller Not Dead Enough was the most popular loan.

His novel Dead Man's Footsteps came fifth, after books by Rose Tremain, Val McDermid and Sebastian Faulks.

Brighton and Hove city councillor David Smith said: "It is fascinating to see what the most popular items are."

He added: "I'm sure the fact that Peter James' books are set in Brighton adds to their appeal with local readers."

City 'contribution'

Mr James's novels about Det Insp Roy Grace are based in Brighton and have made him popular in his home city.

This year he has become a patron of the Sussex Crimestoppers charity and been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Brighton for his "contribution to the arts and to the status, infrastructure and culture of Brighton and Hove".

He spends an average of one day a fortnight with CID in Brighton, and a former detective helps him depict accurate investigations.

Last year Mr James and his publishers donated a patrol car displaying adverts for his latest book to Sussex Police.

Not Dead Enough was first published in 2007 and Dead Man's Footsteps was released the following year.