Jeremy Vine’s Debut Novel: A Promising Start to the Murder on Line One Series
The publication of Jeremy Vine’s first novel, Murder on Line One, has generated significant interest in literary circles. As a well-known radio host and television presenter, Vine’s foray into the world of crime fiction has been eagerly anticipated. According to a review in the Evening Standard, Vine’s small-town whodunnit is "one of the better offerings" in a growing sub-genre of crime novels written by British broadcasters.
The story follows Edward Temmis, a phone-in presenter at a local radio station in Sidmouth, who is made redundant as part of a failed attempt to attract a younger audience. Edward, still grieving the loss of his son, is given new purpose by Stevie, a vicar’s daughter with Tourette’s syndrome, who asks him to investigate the suspicious death of her grandmother, a fan of his show. As reported by the Evening Standard, "Peston’s hero was a political journalist and Coles’s was a priest, so naturally Vine’s is a radio host." With the help of Edward’s old flame Kim, they uncover a scammer who is targeting elderly listeners, gathering information about their interests to fleece them.
Vine’s experience as a radio host is evident in the novel, and his affection for his listeners shines through. As noted in the Evening Standard review, "It would be understandable if Vine held a cynical view of the British public after a career fielding their questions. Yet the overriding sense from his debut is that he has real affection for those who call in." However, this affection is tempered by a lingering fear that careers, like lives, can end brutally and without warning.
The Evening Standard review praises Vine’s use of dry humour in the novel, citing the example of a WhatsApp group formed by vengeful scam victims called "Ladies who lynch". The review notes that "what the story lacks in originality it makes up for in dry humour… and the bonhomie between the three heroes." Vine’s admiration for Agatha Christie is also evident in the novel, which he has described as an old-fashioned whodunnit.
As a debut novel, Murder on Line One shows promise, and Vine’s background in radio and television presenting has clearly influenced his writing style. The Evening Standard review concludes that "Vine can be forgiven for jumping on the bandwagon" of crime fiction, and that his novel is a welcome addition to the genre.
In conclusion, Jeremy Vine’s Murder on Line One is a engaging and entertaining read that is sure to appeal to fans of crime fiction. With its dry humour, relatable characters, and old-fashioned whodunnit plot, Vine’s debut novel is a promising start to the series. As reported by the Evening Standard, Vine’s novel is "one of the better offerings" in a growing sub-genre, and it will be interesting to see how his writing career develops in the future.
The author of this article cites the Evening Standard as the source of information: "This article is based on a review of Jeremy Vine’s novel Murder on Line One, published in the Evening Standard."
