Peter James set himself the goal of showing the work of a modern policeman, and therefore the attitude towards the police, and even more so the attempt on the guardian of order, should be knocked out of the usual course of life. James's novels are written in a tough style, in most cases reminiscent of the noir style (brutal murders and hopeless police work), at a fast pace more like thrillers and have a peculiar style, easily recognizable after several pages of reading.