Wrong Place Wrong Time

by David P. Perlmutter

Number-one Amazon.com best- eller in True Crime (Kindle), 2014

Having lost everything, I leave memories of a London police cell behind me and head for Spain, with its promise of adventure and fun. Little do I know I'm about to be thrust into the most terrifying time of my life.

Wrong Place Wrong Time is a gripping true-life story of an unimaginable nightmare and how my ticket to a new life turned out to be a one way ticket to hell.

Wrong Place Wrong Time



Number-one best seller in true crime in America Number-one best seller in factual in Spain Number-three best seller in true crime in France

Genres: Crime, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, True Story, Thriller, True Crime

Audible Audio

First published June 4, 2012

About the author

David's first book, WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME, #1 BESTSELLER across the AMAZON globe, with over ONE THOUSAND 5* reviews, has been the foundation stone for his writing career, and continues to be talked about all around the world.

This story is based on true events in 1991 when David, after leaving London, because of an unfortunate police incident, visited Marbella and ended up wrongly arrested for arson and manslaughter.

2022 is set to be an extremely exciting year for David, as WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME is being made in to a movie, backed by a powerful production team in the shape of Golden Mile Productions and No Reservations Entertainment, and including Bafta award-winning executive producer Mark Foligno, from films such as The Kings Speech and Moon. Also with a HOLLYWOOD director attached.

David's other true stories are FIVE WEEKS, a trip he made to Pennsylvania, on a training course for a new job. Having had a gun to his back in London, he leaves the country, only to end up left for dead in a Pennsylvanian wood. The producers of WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME are also very keen to turn this book into a movie.

Another true story follows David’s escapades as a 21-year-old, seeking fame and fortune in America. Entitled 24 HOURS IN NEW YORK, the clue is in the name as to the duration of his stay.

His most recent true story is entitled 13 and outlines four significant events that happened to David at the age of 13, including a near death illness, saving a friend's life, celebrating his bar mitzvah and coming awfully close to becoming the victim of someone he later discovers to be a paedophile.

Also David has written a CRIME FICTION trilogy with many readers and authors around the WORLD wanting a TV series made, which is a goal of David's. The books are titled and should be read on this order, Write To Kill, Write To Survive and Write To Live. Check out David's blog (OVER 708K page views) and read all the reviews for his CRIME FICTION trilogy!

David has also written EIGHT book, MY WAY, all about book and social media for the indie author.

Also, why not become one of David's 63,000 plus followers on twitter, @davepperlmutter

Reviews

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was unsettling, the knowledge that a split second decision can completely change the course of someone's life........"
This was certainly a statement that represented David P. Perlmutter's true life account in "Wrong Place Wrong Time". So many wrongly made split second decisions that impacted on the rest of his life, especially when in the wrong place at the wrong time!!
This book is brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish, I would highly recommend you try and read this in one sitting as it's very addictive.
All the way through this compelling read you feel you are with David every step of the way - from his everyday job in an estate agency to the unfortunate events that followed - feeling all his emotions from fear and guilt to shame and relief. There was so much build up of anticipation throughout, the fear and terror was palpable. As a parent of three teenage sons I'm now going to be dreading them taking their first holiday abroad with their mates!
Lots of varied characters make up this story some nice some not so nice, I particularly liked 'Son of Elvis' - what a great character he was. The harrowing account of the filthy, dark and dank police cells were very descriptive and I can't imagine the true horror David went through during those days with only orange peel to keep him company!
"Wrong Place Wrong Time" is a very exciting book with some cliffhanger moments leaving you wondering what will happen next and at times screaming at him 'don't do it!'
I would highly recommend you put this book on your to read list but perhaps best not read if you're on holiday in Spain.......

[Cynthia Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the start, this true story hooked me and didn’t let go. Though it began fairly upbeat and a little cocky, it didn’t take long for a sense of foreboding to permeate every scene. The author’s candor about his foolish choices and reckless behavior set a tone and pace that compelled me to keep reading, even though I sometimes cringed at where things were headed, peeping through my fingers, inwardly groaning at the naïve decisions he made while in the heady throes of hedonistic impulses.

It takes a very strong person to admit their mistakes and to share them so openly with others. But this book is more than a confession and an explanation of the author’s actions. It’s also a flawlessly written thrill ride of a book, descriptive, evocative and unerringly honest. It’s one thing to use bad judgment—especially in such a public forum—but it’s quite another to call oneself out and share painful mistakes for all to see.

Whatever anyone thinks of the author’s admittedly dubious behavior, it would be hard to judge his actions while taking into account his perilous journey and his openness to share a truly crazy set of circumstances. What makes his confessions even more interesting to me is the fact that his ordeal led him to discover his writing talent, which is a gift and should be shared.

[Brian Menard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than "Midnight Express"!

What a great story! It's been my experience that truth is often more bizarre than fiction. This book demonstrates that point perfectly! "Wrong Place Wrong Time" was a very pleasant surprise. I actually expected the plot to be reasonably interesting. But I hadn't expected the author's style of writing and extremely vivid descriptions to bring me right into the story as if I were there myself. It was very late at night when I began reading this book and I had only intended to read the first couple of chapters. However, once I began, it was impossible to put down. I would not be surprised to see this book be turned into a movie some day. If it does, I'll be one of the first in line to watch it! While the plot is vaguely reminiscent of "Midnight Express" I found the story to be much more enjoyable. David Perlmutter is a very effective author with a unique style of writing that I will look forward to reading in the future. I have no reservation about giving this book a strong 5 star rating!

[Edie Mosback · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all make choices and at the time the choice is being made, we are not concerned with the effect that the choice has on our lives until it actually does. Wrong Place, Wrong Time is an absolutely captivating story from beginning to end. I can’t even imagine being in the situations David had found himself in, all because of his choices. The choice to drink, do drugs and drive recklessly resulted in David getting arrested and then losing his job, his apartment, his car and his dignity. His choice to get away takes David to Spain, and his continued choices, in addition to being at the wrong place at the wrong time, results in a prison cell with inhumane conditions. He now realizes just how alone he is so many miles from home, with no one to turn to and help him. His family is in the UK and have no idea the injustice David is facing. With starvation rearing its ugly head and coming closer, David trusts a journalist to help him get out of jail on bail ,trusting him to write the truth regarding his arrest and the role he played in saving lives during a hotel fire of which he is accused of setting and facing manslaughter charges. With the prospect of being locked up in a Spanish prison for the rest of his life, he makes the decision, with the help of an airline ticket from his dad, to make his long journey home. This is so well written that you feel you are on the journey to freedom right along side David, facing all his fears and feeling all his anguish and desire to get home to his family. It is gut retching all the way to the end. This is a book you will think about days after finishing it. Congratulations to the author for surviving this nightmare and I applaud his courage in telling this story. This book is very different from others and well worth reading and you will value the experience you get out of it. I highly recommend this book and I would welcome the opportunity to read more from this author.

[Wendy Cartmell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I noticed from Mr Purlmutter’s author description that he now lives in Portugal. I’m not surprised, as I doubt he’ll ever go back to Spain! Those who lived there during the time Mr Purlmutter writes about in his true story, knows that both the Police and Guardia Civil took no nonsense. They would throw you in the back of a van and off to prison quicker than you could turn around and that is what clearly happened in this case.

To back up a bit, the author did what many young people do, even today, when you’re in a hole and have nothing to lose, go to a foreign country to ‘work the season’. Luckily not everyone’s adventures turn out the way Mr Purlmutter’s did. Think of him what you will, an idiot, foolish, brave, kind and caring there is no getting away from the fact that this is a fascinating true story. He writes with aplomb, using a great descriptive style that at times is heart wrenching in its frankness. So go on, walk the streets of Marbella with Mr Purlmutter, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

[Mark Carnelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A entertaining read but meat & gravy without the veggies.

A novel based on the mis-adventures of the younger author, David Perlmutter.
One could say that a few poor choices resulted in what happened. Here he is, a 27yo young man with a good job, company car and prospects looking good. A night of celebrating a catch-up with a mate and the closing of a house sale for a coming 5k commission ends in him having an alcohol and drug fuelled dangerous drive with burn-outs. If this was an 18 or 19 yo I might’ve agreed with the authors boss’s description of him as a “f**king idiot”. To do this at 27 is sheer lunacy. The act of an immature and arrogant man.
The story needed more meat, more substance, more volume. Whilst entertaining in its own way, to me it also lacked that bit of emotion that would have lifted it out of the ordinary. Words alone can not elicit the emotion required to get a true sense of this tale, it is HOW they are written that would allow the reader to become attuned to what the author needed to portray.
As I said, an entertaining read that gave me only a snapshot of these events.
I was left wanting, thus, a 3 1/2 star rating.

[Jess Sturman-Coombs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say but, WOW! My first love, when it comes to reading, is factual and biographical work and it pretty much always has been.

As a mother with a son this book really shook me to the core and by the end I was crying. The thought that as a parent you can’t always be there to ensure your child makes the right choices and you can’t always save them when they make the wrong ones is a very hard thing to comprehend. I found the account of the author’s turbulent life to be really well written and, despite how sharing some of the things might influence some reader’s, I found Mr Perlmutter to be completely frank and open and at no time does he try to play down any culpability for his actions. When he’s been less than clever he holds his hands up and says ‘I’m an idiot!’ but he also wants people to know that for some things in his life he was wrongly accused, and I can truly understand why.

This is a painfully honest insight into his life during a period spanning just a few months, a period when his world, and that of his family, was completely rocked. I sensed everything that was happening to him and I paced the incredibly long and arduous journey with him too, constantly fearing what might be round the next corner or waiting for him at the end.

This is a story I am likely never to forget. I was riveted, stunned, heartbroken, genuinely worried and in many places I even found myself smiling and laughing. I would like to thank David Perlmutter for sharing his story and I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

[David Perlmutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just received this comment on twitter from a reader in the States who bought my book and rather chuffed with the comment!

Thanks David, the best I've read in '12 so far, such gripping & pacy but like the sincere & intriguing way of your writing.

Just received these two 5* reviews from iTunes:


http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/wrong...

Customer Reviews
A Thrilling, Gripping True Story

by iAnima

I don't normally read true stories but this one grabbed my attention and kept me hooked the entire way through. We all make mistakes in our lives, but for Dave his mistakes will never be forgotten. His mistakes also led to acts of Heroism which most of us could never dream of achieving. This is an incredible, honest account of one man's journey which changed his life forever. The book is written in a fast-paced and gripping style that is so real that you will feel your heart beating just like Dave's was. Incredible story, thanks for sharing your book with us Dave.
AMAZING

by Planelink

This book is a must read, catches you from start to finish.
Such a scary situation to be in and it makes you feel like you're involved. I wanted it to go on and on and find out more about David and his life.i would certainly read a second book from him.
BUY THIS BOOK you will love it

[Amanda Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story based on true events! It is quite an adventure for the reader as David's journey into a nightmare moves along quickly from one sticky situation to the next. It shows a lot can happen in a month!

David's writing is so easy to read, you are left to enjoy the roller coaster ride which starts with a big mistake!

As I read, I could picture everything that was happening so well, I felt I was a fly on the wall watching it, feeling every emotion that David did, from depression and despair to elation and panic, and for this reason, I began to think of it being made into a film. Who would play David? Oh, that's easy - a brilliant actor such as Tom Hardy would be perfect! I can see it all. This is not an idea driven by my own excitement, but of common sense. The sooner someone in the film industry makes David an offer he cannot refuse, the sooner we can all be enjoying it at the cinema and the success of this book can be spread further.

Well done David for retracing your steps to the tiniest detail, for being so honest about the negatives as well as the positives that occurred, and for writing it in a wonderfully gripping way ! I am definitely recommended it to my adult friends :-)

[Zach B · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Perlmutter's harrowing memoir about being wrongly accused of a serious crime in a foreign country is a must read. In Wrong Place, Wrong Time the author is vulnerable, real, and candid about the fool-hearty decisions that he made leading up to this life-changing incident. As many of us were prone to do in our 20's, Perlmutter found himself dealing with the consequences of youthful indiscretions. However, in Dave's case, it landed him in a darkened prison cell in a country where he didn't speak the language or have much hope of escaping the charges against him.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is well-written, moves fluidly, and feels more like a friend relating their adventures over a pint rather than a self-gratifying memoir. Perlmutter's tale evokes interesting question for the reader and gives them a slice of life that is personal and honest. Don't miss out on this one, add it to your reading list.

[Paula Houseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing read, one that becomes unputdownable as the pace picks up.
On a few occasions throughout, David Perlmutter refers to himself as a f***ing idiot, and while it's hard to argue with that, you can't help but feel for him because of the raw humanness that shines through the narrative—not least, the humility and sense of accountability that come from owning one's shame.
And kudos to Perlmutter for not romanticising his harrowing experiences as 'character building', in the way many stories of a similar nature do.
Highly recommend.

[Alastair Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrong Place Wrong Time
Wrong Place Wrong Time
By David P Perlmutter
Reviewed by Alastair Rosie

Let me begin by stating that I'm not big on True Crime stories, I do have a few books by former cops but it's not a genre that grabs me and I don't know why, it's just the way I am.
Nevertheless this book got my attention because of the way it's written, the language is fairly simple and the descriptions aren't dripping with adjectives but the story pulls you in pretty quickly. It's a true story about a young unemployed Brit who finds himself on the wrong side of the law in Spain. Most of us associate the Costa del Sol with beaches, bars and bikini-clad girls. The worst thing that can happen is a case of sunburn or a trip to the hospital after stepping on broken glass. Perlmutter however winds up accused of arson and manslaughter when a hotel burns down. Thrown into prison he is then brought before a judge without any attempt to question him and is faced with a dire choice when fate intervenes and he is granted bail, to stay and fight his case or run. Alone and isolated in a foreign country the walls start closing in and I'll leave it for you to read the book yourself.
As books go it's actually very well written and he does confess he's not a writer per se but there's a refreshingly simple tone to the book that makes it a very easy read. It's also what I call a cautionary tale of what can happen if you're not careful. Many visitors from Britain, North America and Australia in particular make rather naive assumptions about foreign countries when they get into trouble. They assume that the same Westminster/American justice system exists there as well. One only has to look at the case of Amanda Knox to realise that serious miscarriages of justice do occur. Being aware that 'they' aren't like us isn't racist, it's just plain common sense. The abovementioned case even from a casual reading makes it plain the Italian police screwed up royally and don't want to admit they screwed up.
Another lesson to be learned is the attitudes of the media whenever someone is arrested and charged. The Murdoch papers and their right wing co-conspirators are serial offenders when it comes to trial and sentencing by media. It sells papers and we've all read the sexed up headlines, slaughterhouse to describe a murder scene is just one example. It's lazy, inept journalism and we buy into it when we buy the paper and actually read the article. What Perlmutter has highlighted is that the people who are singled out by these lynch mobs are real people who may actually be innocent. Even if they are found guilty, it's not the job of the media to punish them, that role is filled by the justice system.
In Perlmutter's case he was silly and naive but to be pilloried like this smacks of corruption and graft. I take my hat off to a man who actually managed to get through it and survive with some sense of sanity still intact. To be honest it would make a good movie because it might just bring the debate into the public arena and hopefully we'd see some real changes taking place.
A well deserved five stars.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give more stars if I could. I don't usually read true stories, so glad I picked this one. The author says he's not a writer, umm, have you read your book! Dave has a nice job selling real state with a nice car and apartment. He goes out one night and chooses the wrong thing, racing his car around in a parking lot after partying to much. The police caught him and his whole life turned upside down. He lost his job, car and apartment. He had to move back home with his parents. Dave went into a state of depression, he figured the only way was to leave home and go somewhere and take a little vacation. He choose Spain. At first everything was going fine, he stayed one night in a five star hotel and fond a job his first night there. He thought his life was taking a turn for the better. He got to know the people in the area and got along with most. Sleeping during the day and working and partying at night. Dave's finds out that the police in other countries are way worse than what he went through at home. He chooses the same path time after time. If your 18 and older, learn from Dave's mistakes please!

[Flick Merauld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly nailbiting!
The author says he isn't a writer. I beg to differ. The old adage says write about what you know about, and that's what he's done - and done it extremely well. There were some grammatical errors that altered the sense of one or two sentences, but you get that with traditionally published work as well, and it in no way interfered with the story. Towards the end of the book, I was so tense, waiting to find what happened to David, that I could barely keep reading. A very heartfelt, gripping book. I only wish he had been granted some kind of vindication, other than the catharsis of writing his tale. Interestingly, I and my partner of the time were traveling through Spain in the 70s and were walking along a country road when we were stopped by the Spanish police, handled very roughly and told to book into a nearby campsite or be arrested - so I know that David's experiences are far from exaggerated. Yes, he was a bit of a plonker, but who hasn't been at that age? Well done him, a courageous book.

[Eric J. Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Wrong Place, Wrong Time’, a true crime book by David P. Perlmutter, relates a first-person account of a litany of bad decisions made by the author immediately before and during a brief stay in Spain in the early nineties. It is a gritty tale, one which reflects attitudes prevalent in southern Spain at the time especially with regard to foreign visitors. The author came up against the local police, mostly ex-foreign legion and mercenary types recruited by the then mayor, Jesus Gil, who acted more as a private army than a professional police force.

Valid criticism of that particular moment in the history of Marbella aside, the tale is clearly focused on how the consequences of actions taken without forethought and a lack of language skills in a foreign country can combine to radically change the fortunes of a visitor in an instant. This story is as valid today, as a moralistic tale, as it was when the events occurred twenty-five years prior. An interesting read.

[Antoinette Ouellette · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read the story with no preset emotions or judgements I too have been young and "STUPID" in the same rather naive way! Would I not want to whack him from behind and say THINK ...yes! But much like television it doesn't work. What a great way to say "you could do this too!" It takes more courage to be honest like this than to lie to look better!Putting your life out there to be judged by others..is something else.it should be read by many youths as they leave to go on holidays( Anywhere)But would they listen?I would not have done many of his choices but then I was not there,only an armchair athlete !In the same circumstances What would I have done? I honestly don't know!Hindsight is 20/20

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to believe someone so naive thinks they deserve to live life with such a carefree attitude. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. The one time he thought outside the box it ended up in disaster for him....hmmmmm wonder why!....
An entertaining read none the less though, and keeps your attention until the end.

[Donna Siggers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible must read

David, your resilience and strength of character shines through in abundance. Thank you for having the courage to share your story with such brutal honesty. An incredible read that will make an amazing film. Congratulations!

[A.L. Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this modern prodigal memoir to be as much about the writer's family as an autobiography of this time in his own life. As the author and main character, David Perlmutter poignantly recalls the wrong decisions which lead to the devastating consequences that ultimately shamed his loved ones along with himself. With brutal honesty, David details the events that caused him to leave his home in England to spend a summer in Spain, and the domino effect of reckless choices which culminated into a life or death decision. I very much enjoyed the commentary of the places and people where David went, the cast of characters from wealthy to homeless. Taking a ride on David's downward spiral and several days spent in a filthy jail cell, however, was completely gut wrenching. When he finally reached the end of himself, seized his chance at freedom, and humbled himself to pray to God for miraculous help, I saw the seeds of David's eventual, redemptive change. I also envisioned the prayers of David's mother and the unconditional love of all his family to be the foundation and support that additionally guided him through this horrific ordeal. With many ups and downs, this true-life account is a distinctive description of one young man's journey to learn from his mistakes, to fight for his life, and to, at all cost, return home. I recommend this book and cannot wait to see the film!

[Harmony Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I've seen for myself so often in life, truth can be stranger than fiction. Were this a fictional book, I likely would have given up on the MC quite soon, him being so naive and impulsive; however, this is a true-life account of what the author experienced and the decisions he made.

I found it an easy and entertaining read with good descriptions and frank honesty throughout. Some spelling hiccups let it down somewhat but not enough to seriously disrupt the flow of the read. The ending is well rounded and ties up loose ends. It held my attention all the way, and right up until the end, you didn't know how it would all turn out. I can see why someone has snapped up the film rights to this book. I shall keep an eye out for more from this author.

[Juliette Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am impressed that David P. Perlmutter's dynamic life dictated that he should become an author. WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME is the powerful true story of youthful discord, stuffing up, yet despite a heroic act, you end up in a foreign jail. Imagine that? I took a little time to get into the story, (possibly due to distractions while traveling across Australia) but once into it, WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME made a gripping read. David, thank you for having to courage to expose your weaknesses and share this incredulous journey. Being vulnerable and sharing this adventure can only offer to empower and inspire others. WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME is to become a film. Not surprised. Read the book. Standby for the movie. Five stars from me.

- Juliette Power, author of Juliette's Angel: Death Desire Destiny

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Walk from Hell

Such a harrowing experience, it took David P Perlmutter twenty years to be able to put pen to paper and tell his true story, or nightmare may be a better word. We all make foolish mistakes, but David’s mistake turned his life upside down.

After a night out drinking in London, David got behind the wheel. If that wasn’t stupid enough, he made a nuisance of himself by driving like an idiot and neighbors justifiably called the police. He was thrown in jail overnight, and the next day he was fired. David had a great career as a realtor making great money. He not only lived in a luxury apartment but drove a BMW to boot.
Soon after being fired he appeared in court and his license was suspended for a year and he was
ordered to pay a considerable fine. This resulted in having to move back with mom and dad giving up his life of luxury.

When all this really hit David, it hit him hard. He became depressed, reclusive, and a couch potato. He knew he couldn’t continue on this path so he decided to escape to some fun in the sun, Marbella, Spain.

David is the first to admit he blew it. He spent money he didn’t have and partied way too much. Eventually this took its toll. He did get a job of sorts, but that ended up badly with a busted up face. Of course a beautiful woman was involved, one usually is. So David was jobless again.

Having just a few bucks left and a bruised face David tries to find an out of the way bar to have a drink. Here he meets a couple, Peter and Rosa, who befriends him and he gets drunk with them. The guy is a loser, but the woman, Rosa, is a knock out. She flirts with David and again he gets himself in trouble. When he leaves the bar it’s with Rosa. She takes him to her place and they have an incredible night of steamy hot sex. Of course David gets to eat and is back to feeling human again. They say their good-byes.

Again David loses his living quarters, an inexpensive hostel he was renting still owing back rent. Back to being penniless and jobless David spends his days and nights at the beach. He meets a crazy guy and they smoke weed together. He knows he’s got to pull himself together. But how when all you own are the clothes you are wearing and look like hell?

Starving, stoned, filthy, and tired David finds himself in a nice hotel waiting room and falls asleep on the couch. When he is found, he is physically thrown out in the street. Guess who he runs into? The gorgeous Rosa. She takes him under her wings and after shower, sex, and clean clothes, they go to a party where David can eat free. Guess who they run into at the party? Peter. David doesn’t want yet another bar scene, so he excuses himself politely and takes a walk. This is David’s walk from hell.

So far you’ve seen David be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But this walk from hell takes his life to a whole new level. I’ve been spoon feeding you leading up to the core of the story. This is where the nightmare really begins. Now just try to remember, David really is a nice guy. He was young and foolish, yes, but didn’t deserve what happened to him while taking this walk.

I’m going to leave out a lot of details because you really have to read David P Perlmutter’s account yourself to get the gist of what happened. You have to read David’s words to feel what he experienced.

On his walk he sees a building on fire. Let’s remember David is once again drunk, he’s out of shape from doing nothing and he’s suffering from malnutrition. He can’t believe the intensity of the fire. As he stares at the fire trucks arriving he hears a woman screaming for help.

This is why you must read David’s account. He writes what happened with such intensity. All I will say is he saved two lives on this day. Did he get recognized? Oh yeah, but not in a good way. David made another foolish mistake and stole two credit cards while looking for other victims in the building.

His dad had told him Spain’s police were the worst. David experiences this in the worst possible way. He is arrested and treated like a true foreigner and a piece of garbage.

A journalist with his own personal agenda takes David under his wing. Understandably, David is too vulnerable at this time to realize he’s getting screwed. Does he get out of the pig sty of a jail? Does he go to court and have a trial? Is he found guilty or innocent? Does he spend the rest of his life in Spain in prison?

Wrong Place Wrong Time is a must read. It’s hard to believe it’s a true story. How is David today? Where does he live? One can only imagine the nightmares he must still endure. He shares with his readers what he goes through on a daily basis even twenty three years later. It took David three years to complete his book.

David P Perlmutter claims he is not an author. This is his first piece of writing. He was encouraged to get it out of his system by those who love him. This should give you a clue as to the intensity of the story.

I disagree with David’s perception of himself as a writer. Wrong Place Wrong Time is written beautifully. It is a heartfelt and amazing story of courage and stamina. I’m not sure how many people would be able to live through this and then write about it.

Thank you for sharing your story David. I wish you the best.

[Fleur Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was gripping from the first page and the ending I found quite surprising. It was a real page-turner, waiting to see what happened next. I highly recommend this book.

[Emma Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve not read a book this quickly in a while! I was hooked and couldn’t put it down, constantly needing to know what was going to happen next.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self-destruction Is Non-negotiable

The story opened in England with Dave, a real estate agent, making a sale and a good commission and he stopped at the pub on his way home. His old buddy Michael was there, they hoisted a few, went to a restaurant to eat, ran into a couple of young attractive girls, drank some more, then started driving home, smoking a couple of joints. Dave, now out of his head, decided to use a car park as a Formula One racing track, which he was enjoying when stopped and arrested by the police. His car was confiscated, he spent the night in jail and as a result lost his career job, his commission, his nice apartment and his BMW. His folks suggested he move back in with them. He spent the next few months, a recluse, feeling sorry for himself. He decided he needed to get away and taking the few funds he had left, he flew to Spain to “clear his head.” This was not the first of his escapades nor the last and his addictions caused his family great pain, especially his mother.

He could speak no Spanish, decided to treat himself to a four star hotel the first night and after drinking the alcohol there, he went out feeling pretty good and entered a Karaoke Bar. He ran into a couple of Brits there, Kelvin and Anthony, who sang, entertained and set up the karaoke gear. They hired David to help with setting everything up. There he met a girl Emma, whom he took back to his room and they finished the night drinking and having sex. In the morning he realized he had spent most of his cash and spent the morning trying to find a cheaper lodging, which he did at a hostel with a small room, single bed, shower and wardrobe.

Per their previous plans, he met the Brits at a bar on the beach, including Kelvin’s beautiful girlfriend Anja. Hungry he ordered a sandwich and was astonished at its cost. He realized he was lucky to have a job to supplement his costs. He did his job fine, ending up drinking with the Brits til he was whacked and spent most of his money on drinks for himself and others. His daily routine was play on the beach, drink, help the Brits in the evening and drink, plus look for an easy lay if available. But then one night Anja was a little too friendly to Dave, Kelvin saw it, beat him up and fired him. His life continued like that until he was out of money, couldn’t find work and couldn’t pay his rent so the landlord tossed him out retaining his belongings until he paid the rent. He ended up sleeping on the beach with a drugged out hippie for a few days with whom he shared his drugs. During this time he met a beautiful girl Rosa whom he drank with and had sex, who later enters his life again, to his misfortune, it turned out. As time passed, he was starving, dirty, and hanging out wherever he could and eating whatever he could find. Eventually he got himself into serious trouble and then truly suffered, facing dire consequences.

This story of an addict is not new, but the author, who is the addict in this tale, tells it day by day as he fought his addictions and then succumbed, sometimes with a little excuse and sometimes with no excuse. When he hits bottom, he does like so many and feeds his hunger in whatever way it takes. The novel is not long and in its own way is a page turner. Once I started it, I kept reading to its end. The author does not ask that the reader feel sorry for him. He is just telling it like it was. Will he one day succumb again, which is the bane of all those addicted? Who knows? I recommend this novel as it is interesting and well written.

[Fay Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read felt on the edge of my seat Howard’s the end quite nerve racking had to skip a few pages as could take the stress!

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer vacation gone wrong.
Overall, this is a well written story of adversity and survival. We, in the states have heard the horror stories of life for those who were unfortunate to be arrested in foreign countries for drug smuggling or either unsavory deeds. If you ever watched “Midnight Cowboy,” you know what I’m talking about. Apparently, Mr. Pultmutter lived the true nightmare of being (in this case) unjustly charged with arson and manslaughter, yet correctly charged with theft, in Spain.
The story, in a sense could rival a James Bond movie as Bond runs the full gamut of success, failure, and escape in a relatively short time span. Something like two months. Hey, that’s pretty impressive.
I am not one to question an authors work, but in this case, if David was charged with manslaughter and arson, why would the Spanish government not pursue a fleeing fugitive? I did a few searches for fires in Marabella during the early nineties with no results. Odd. Perhaps the Spanish authorities were a bit embarrassed that a foreigner escaped with such ease.
That aside, the writing style will keep your attention as you attempt to figure out how in the world he is going to get out of his predicament. How would we react to being imprisoned in a foreign country with no money and no way to contact the outside world? Too say the least, that’s a scary premise all on its own. When David sees an opportunity to elude his captors, he chooses the only option available: escape. Should he have stayed and faced the music (as his father suggests) or should he bolt for freedom knowing he could be captured at anytime which will only result in additional charges being levied against him and a possible life sentence? Glad I didn’t have to make that choice.
Unlike many of the other reviews discussing his depths of drunkenness, let us remember, he is in his late twenties and enjoying the fruits of his labors. I know people well into their thirties and forties who were still living that lifestyle. This is an age where we considered ourselves being indestructible and the hangovers are easily discarded the next day. I don’t condemn him for his lifestyle choices at that age. He was after all, having fun.
Overall, a quick entertaining and engaging read.
A solid 4

[Electa Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Wrong Place Wrong time, because of all the great reviews it had received and I was looking for something different than what I normally read. I do read non-fiction, but never true crime.

I was a little nervous. How much do you believe when a person is trying to declare their innocence? Will it be unbiased? Will it be worth reading or just pages of self-serving justifications. Mr. Perlmutter is accused of arson and man slaughter while he is on vacation in Spain.

I am happy to say that my fears were unfounded. David Perlmutter gives us his account with an honesty that is almost painful to read. We are shrunk down to a tiny size, so that we can ride around on his shoulder and get to see first hand how so many different events and choices led him down a path to that night that changed his life.

This story sinks its claws into you and doesn't let go until the very last word. The night I started to read it I woke up about 2am and couldn't go back to sleep until I had seen him to the end of his tale. It was worth being tired in the morning. Never before had I experienced such a visceral response to a "character" in a book. I yelled at him to stop being such an idiot. I wanted to reach out and give him advice. I wanted to slap the stubbornness and foolish male pride right out of his head and I wanted to put my arms around him, to comfort him and let him know it was going to be alright.

David Perlmutter made a lot of stupid mistakes. He was a bit of an arse, he was a hero, he was sentimental, he was stubborn, he was sweet, he was desperate, he was human. He shows us his bad side and his good side, leaving us free to decide how much he is responsible for what happened to him.

His tale is a roller coaster ride and you don't want to get off until the end. The twists and turns will leave you breathless. Buy this book, but start it early in the morning because you won't want to be up all night reading it and you won't want to stop reading until it's done.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you pick up this book you will become so engrossed in the telling of the author's terrifying experiences, you will be thankful for your normal life. It’s hard to fathom that one bad decision can throw your life so terribly off course. But that’s exactly what happened to David.

Out for an evening with a fellow real estate agent indulging in too many drinks, the men end up on a joy ride that ends up with the police being called and David being charged with drunk driving and hauled off to a filthy jail cell. This turns out to be the pivotal point in his life, as a result of the arrest David loses his job and apartment and ends up living back at home with his parents.

After several weeks spent brooding and hopeless attempts at finding employment, David decides to take some time to himself and is on a plane bound to Spain. When he begins his vacation life is grand with time in the sun and cocktails in the evening. You would think that David will head home rested and refreshed with a renewed determination to take back his life. Well, that would be grand but that’s not what happened, not by a long shot.

One event leads to another and David finds himself on the wrong side of the law landing in a Spanish prison with the charge of manslaughter and arson. Determined to get back to London, David hatches a plan that will find him on the run.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is an incredible true story that will have you shaking your head in disbelief. David P Perlmutter hides nothing in recounting his journey into hell and the recovery of his life. He owns his mistakes and lays them bare not for judgement but more a warning to the masses that one event could possibly take away life as you know it.

I highly recommend this book. You will come away from the read shaken and stirred.


Disclaimer: I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this cautionary tale is more than a little misleading. If you're crossing the street and a motorist ignores a red light, running you down, you are definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time; if you see a motorcar barreling down the street and step off the curb just in time to get hit, that's poor judgement, or as we used to call it back in the day, stupid. All though "Wrong Place, Wrong Time," we are treated to examples of self-destructive stupidity. Having a drink with your mate is not bad, but going for a drive afterward is bad, and doing tire-screeching wheelies in the car park of the local council estate until the coppers show up is felony stupid. Taking a break from your flushed-down-the-toilet life in another country is not bad, but drinking excessively and spending more than you have is bad, and taking up with petty criminals for petty change is stupid. Saving people from a hotel fire is not a bad thing, but running back into the flames while drunk on liquor and adrenalin is bad, and stepping over charred corpses to loot a room is...well, you get the idea. Permutter is the hero and victim of his own story, and we should probably take his confessions and explanations with a few grains of salt. The telling of the story is pedestrian and unrefined (several times in the narrative, Perlmutter openly declares his non-literary nature) but there is a raw and ragged edge to the story that makes it as irresistible as a runaway locomotive, and seeing all the various ways in which, time after time, he messes up what could have been a life well spent is as fascinating as feeding time in a zoo's reptile house...you want to turn away, but you can't. All the events recounted in the book happened years ago. One hopes that the writing has been therapeutic, that he has truly turned his life about, just as one hopes that his confessions (and the sacrifices entailed) will help turn someone else from a similar destructive path.