One-time police detective Peter Diamond loses his job as a security guard when he fails to spot a small Japanese child hiding in the furniture department of Harrods.
Weeks later, she is still unclaimed. Diamond is unable to forget the frightened eyes of the silent little girl and takes on the challenge of uncovering her identity.
Now Diamond is back in the sleuthing business, following a trail that leads from London to New York to Tokyo and to a shocking climax that may shatter his heart or cost him his life.
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It's taken me forever to get hold of this second book in the series - it's been out of print and I only found out about this omnibus edition (with The Last Detective that I've already read) by accident. Definitely a series to read more of if a bit far fetched at times.
— Kirsty (4 out of 5 stars)
“An engrossing puzzler.”
— Sunday Times (London)“Wholly beguiling…A pleasure.”
— Los Angeles Times“It’s a powerful moment in a book that, without gimmickry or cross-genre splicing, delivers superb, unashamedly traditional crime writing…[A] fine tale.”
— Publishers Weekly“[Prebble] creates an ensemble cast all on his own and directs them with perfect pacing. This is a very entertaining 10 hours of listening.”
— AudioFile“An inventive plot and stylish prose…contribute to making this another winner from a veteran crime author.”
— Booklist" Actually I should have given it 4 stars, but after "The Last Detective" which was amazing this book disappointed me a bit. I expected a great book, I got 'only' a good book. "
— Hanna, 2/3/2014" Really well written, although the story got a bit far-fetched at the end--almost as if the author were making fun of himself. Still a marvelously involved and told story. "
— Kae, 12/4/2013" Classy, self-assured, and delicately-rendered UK series. "
— Andrew, 11/7/2013" Yes, this book has a completely ridiculous plot, but I still loved it! Sumo wrestlers, autistic children, the mob, pharmaceutical companies, all mixed together. Preposterous, but I read it in a day and can't wait to read the next in the series. "
— Beth, 10/15/2013" Enjoyable main character, this Diamond. Might pick up another if I truly have copious spare time. "
— Gloria, 10/6/2013" At times, the plot is far-fetched, but a very entertaining read. "
— K.B., 8/11/2013" I like Peter Diamond. Exciting finish. But what would Diamond have done if he had never met the sumo master? "
— Jan, 8/23/2012" Lovesey's second Diamond mystery was even better than the first. A much larger canvas than the first one which occurred in Bath. Diamond Solitaire jumped from England to Japan to New York City with sumo wrestlers, an autistic child, the Mafia and pharmaceutical companies. Lots of fun. "
— David, 5/6/2012" Peter Diamond is working security at Harrods following his dismissal from the police. Unfortunately, he finds himself dismissed again when they find a small Japanese girl in the furniture department. "
— Karmen, 3/20/2012" Delightful, if decidedly absurd premise. (The Yokohama scenes in particular....). But perfectly enjoyable police procedural. "
— Valerie, 1/28/2012" listening to. -- 2nd in the series and I would be interested in reading more. I loved the main guy. "
— Coki, 12/29/2011" It's taken me forever to get hold of this second book in the series - it's been out of print and I only found out about this omnibus edition (with The Last Detective that I've already read) by accident. Definitely a series to read more of if a bit far fetched at times. "
— Kirsty, 12/5/2011" Requires a certain amount of goodwill and some stretching of the imagination. The plot is not entirely credible and the resolution is a bit thin. Nonetheless: an enjoyable read - if you like the main character and his quirks. "
— Andrea, 11/5/2011" One of the my all time favorite mysteries. The final scene has stayed with me for years. "
— Janet, 10/18/2011" Really well written, although the story got a bit far-fetched at the end--almost as if the author were making fun of himself. Still a marvelously involved and told story. "
— Kae, 2/18/2011" Actually I should have given it 4 stars, but after "The Last Detective" which was amazing this book disappointed me a bit. I expected a great book, I got 'only' a good book. "
— Procella, 3/22/2010" Classy, self-assured, and delicately-rendered UK series. "
— Andrew, 11/15/2009" listening to. -- 2nd in the series and I would be interested in reading more. I loved the main guy. "
— Coki, 1/12/2009Peter Lovesey, the author of more than thirty highly praised mystery novels, has won the British Crime Writers’ Association Silver and Gold Dagger awards as well as the Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement and the Strand Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. In the United States, he has received Edgar and Dilys nominations, an Anthony Award and a Macavity Award, and the Ellery Queen Readers Award, among others. In 2018, he was named a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master.