Widowed van driver Bob Naylor is prodded into joining the Chichester Writers' Circle by his teenage daughter. Bob writes limericks and jingles, and fears he will be out of his class among the literati. But the members of the circle come from all walks of life and practice many forms of writing, from fantasy to household hints. There seems to be nothing about any of them to incite a serial killer. However, there is an arsonist in their midst, burning his victims to death, and Bob becomes a suspect. To clear himself, he must cooperate with formidable Detective Chief Inspector Henrietta Mallin.
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"This was a really interesting mystery piece about a serial killer who has put a writer's circle in his/her sights for arson murders. I must admit I didn't have it until the very end. A clever and entertaining work with occasional touches of humor. for the most part a good mystery."
— Charly (4 out of 5 stars)
" I don't know why it took me so long to find this author but I am a die hard fan and will be adding more of his books to my shelves. "
— Pamela, 1/18/2014" A British mystery set in a small village with amusing, quirky characters. Peter Lovesey keeps you guessing right to the end. "
— Kit, 1/16/2014" I checked thisout since the next in the Peter Diamond series was checked out, and I prefer to read a series in order. This was not quite as up to the mark as The Last Detective, but still a great mystery. "
— Lisa, 11/11/2013" I found this to be somewhat slow and I did not care for most of the characters. The twist at the end was good, but that's about all. I doubt I will be reading any more Peter Lovesey books. "
— Carol, 8/7/2013" A twisty, entertaining mystery; the ending was a surprise. A good, solid piece of detective fiction. "
— Debra, 4/29/2013" Peter Diamond is a complicated cop in a lovely British backdrop--these are very enjoyable murder mysteries that are well written. Not to heavy and not too light "
— Catherine, 10/20/2012" A detective story with a twist. Thoroughly believable and a can't-put-it-down book. Need to catch up on some sleep now. "
— Lesley, 9/14/2012" Thoroughly the twists and turns of this mystery. "
— Amy, 7/7/2012" I couldn't get into this book at all. I couldn't even skim it. "
— Les, 7/31/2011" Another NPR summer recommendation - like Agatha Chrisite. "
— Cindy, 4/18/2011Peter 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.