On Lansdown Hill, near Bath, England, a battle between Roundheads and Cavaliers that took place over 350 years ago is annually reenacted. Two of the reenactors discover a skeleton that is female, headless, and only about twenty years old. One of them, a professor who played a Cavalier, is later found murdered. In the course of his investigation, Peter Diamond butts heads with the group of vigilantes who call themselves the Lansdown Society, discovering in the process that his boss Georgina is a member. She resolves to sideline Diamond, but matters don't pan out in accordance with her plans.
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"Really enjoyed this detective story as it was centred around Bath, an area of the country I know well as I spent my teenage years living nearby. The story kept me guessing who the killer was till the end and it was a surprise."
— Nina (4 out of 5 stars)
“Peter Lovesey is the real deal. A top master of the police procedural British subgenre, he’s an ace at spinning out teasingly slow plot revelations…crisp prose and humane characterizations.”
— Seattle Times“His voice works well at blending the story’s intense moments, such as the shooting of a colleague, into the quieter aspects of English life.”
— AudioFile“Thanks to Lovesey’s nonpareil deftness, however, Diamond ultimately prevails over murder past and present. History, humor, inspired clues, maniacal twists, and a paean to the beauty of the Bath countryside. Lovesey, who’s won every prize going, deserves another for Diamond’s tenth.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“[Lovesey] has no peer in presenting a traditional mystery with all the clues hiding in plain sight.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review), praise for the series" This book was just so bland. The ending was so obvious. The best part has to be all the Ukrainian references "
— Narnia, 2/17/2014" Enjoyed it but seemed to wrap up to quickly. "
— Anne, 1/28/2014" I enjoyed it. It was a good quick read that engaged me. "
— Paulina, 1/27/2014" A great mystery, well written and plotted. Involves civil war enacters (the English one.) "
— Nancy, 1/11/2014" Peter Lovesey has written many books over the years and I have liked most of them. Peter Diamond is an odd character but has become more believable over the series. This is a fascinating book and I really could not figure out where it was going. "
— Rog, 1/7/2014" Simon Preble (the narrator)was a bit difficult to understand at times, but I liked the characters and found them believable, the plot was intriguing, the story well-paced. A fair "read"! "
— Melanie, 12/30/2013" mmmmm simplicity. "
— Barrett, 12/29/2013" The details about re-enactors' escapades were more interesting than the characters and the plot. "
— E, 12/27/2013" As a investigator protagonist i am disappointed by Peter diamond.This novel is below average,starting was promising as a but as story unfolded author made it lowpoint. "
— Ambar, 12/24/2013" Another Peter Diamond book with a background of middle ages battle re-enactments and good plotting. "
— Linden, 12/2/2013" I like the way he throws lots of themes into the mix. Main one here being Civil War re-enactment, but also horse racing, golf, Ukraine. "
— Sarah, 11/27/2013" Good enough to want to read more of the series. Light and entertaining. Certainly not the deepest plots nor the most gripping characters but overall an enjoyable read. "
— Chris, 8/29/2013" Series protagonist Peter Diamond finds himself embroiled in two murder cases: a decapitated skeleton from 20 years ago & a history prof who is killed after a Civil War (British, not U.S.)reenactment. "
— Mary, 8/23/2013" Peter Diamond amusing. Finally using cell phone, quirky about driving, trying to cross over to 21st century. Supporting staff enjoyable. Victims interesting, suspects fun. "
— Papalodge, 6/24/2013" A very good read as Peter Lovesey's books always are. Superintendent Peter Diamond is on top form. These bools are of particular interest to me as I know the area they are set in (Bath) very well. "
— Lesley, 6/5/2013" Not my favorite ofr the Peter Diamond mysteries. "
— Ruth, 12/22/2012" This was enjoyable, but as the series goes, not one of my favorites. I think the thing that bugged me most was the fact that the woman he is dating had a major traumatic event in her life and in this book she is unrealistically normal. "
— Beth, 11/28/2012" Peter Lovesey brings back Peter Diamond, hooray. If you're a fan you know what it means, and if not, become one. "
— Patrick, 11/10/2012" loved this mystery..peter lovesey keeps you guessing "
— Jeanne, 8/18/2012" It was a fun book. I love English detective stories. This had a lot of history, and also I discovered information about horses. This is the first Lovesey books I have read, and it won't be the last. "
— Connie, 4/3/2012" One of life's pleasures is a good mystery and if it is a police procedural, set in England, with a backdrop of History it is all the sweeter. "
— Gail, 12/8/2011" A very well written whodunnit. I will surely look up more books by Lovesey. "
— Vinay, 11/9/2011" Still plodding through these readable, workmanlike mysteries. This one involved Civil War re-enactments and historical preservation societies. British civil war, that is. "
— Krista, 10/22/2011" This book was just so bland. The ending was so obvious. The best part has to be all the Ukrainian references "
— Narnia, 5/19/2011" loved this mystery..peter lovesey keeps you guessing "
— Jeanne, 3/28/2011" A very well written whodunnit. I will surely look up more books by Lovesey. "
— Vinay, 3/7/2011" One of life's pleasures is a good mystery and if it is a police procedural, set in England, with a backdrop of History it is all the sweeter. "
— Gail, 9/29/2010" Series protagonist Peter Diamond finds himself embroiled in two murder cases: a decapitated skeleton from 20 years ago & a history prof who is killed after a Civil War (British, not U.S.)reenactment. "
— Mary, 7/27/2010" The details about re-enactors' escapades were more interesting than the characters and the plot. "
— E, 6/13/2010" Peter Lovesey brings back Peter Diamond, hooray. If you're a fan you know what it means, and if not, become one. "
— Patrick, 1/19/2010" Peter Diamond finally starting to use cell phone, quirky about driving, trying to cross over to 21st centruy. Supporting staff living through his work style with amusemnt. Victims interesting, suspects enoyable. "
— Joe, 1/18/2010" Peter Diamond amusing. Finally using cell phone, quirky about driving, trying to cross over to 21st century. Supporting staff enjoyable. Victims interesting, suspects fun. "
— Papalodge, 1/18/2010" Enjoyed it but seemed to wrap up to quickly. "
— Anne, 1/9/2010" Look out! He's using his cell phone. <br/>Always a fun break to catch up with Peter Diamond as he solves a challenging case. "
— Monica, 9/23/2009Peter 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.