Peter James' Dead Simple is undoubtedly a play that intends to shock and terrify and, in some respects, it does tick both of those boxes.

It is the second time the renowned crime novelist has seen one of his best-sellers adapted for the stage, after the success of The Perfect Murder last year.

Les Dennis, now of treading the Coronation Street cobbles, was excellent in balancing the sinister aspects of that play with an undercurrent of humour.

This is what Dead Simple lacks - there is no real time to get to know or care about any of the characters, let alone poor Michael (Jamie Lomas) who finds himself victim of a harrowing stag night prank.

His friends lead him to Ashdown Forest where he is lowered into a grave, all in the name of banter of course.

But his fate takes a turn for the worse when his pals are involved in a fatal car accident on the journey home, leaving Michael buried alive with only 'best friend' Mark (Rik Makarem) knowing of his whereabouts.

It is a dark play and there are some genuinely shocking moments - it does a fine job of building up the audience's anticipation for terror.

It just lacks any real heart, which The Perfect Murder had in abundance, although Tina Hobley acts as a shining light in the role of Michael's fiancée Ashley.

Ashley is the only real character with any layers and Hobley excels in the role.

Gray O'Brien also is worth highlighting in his role of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, who appears in all James' novels.

It is dark, it keeps you on the edge of your seat but there is something missing - perhaps I expected too much from this edgy thriller.

Catch Dead Simple at Richmond Theatre before it closes on Saturday. Visit atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre for details.