Diamond Solitaire

Almost interesting. Tedious in the chase, the logic/lack of in the continuous pursuit. Not fulfilling.

I came upon Lovesey quite by accident & have been pleasantly surprised & entertained. I have now read all 8 of the series featuring the curmudgeonly Inspector Peter Diamond & they make for a quick, enjoyable romp. These are not taunt thrillers but tongue-in-cheek good old fashioned murder mysteries, set in Bath, England. Diamond & his team solve their puzzles one piece at a time in the way good Policemen do. I heartily recommend these engaging stories.

This was my first introduction to Peter Diamond. I was very puzzled by the plot of this novel. While it was entertaining and well written, I couldn't imagine how it would all hang together. I kept reading and was richly rewarded by Lovesey's brilliant and satisfying conclusion. He managed to tie in all the disparate elements together and provide resolution. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.

I didn't think that I'd find a more likeable detective than Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' Bill Slider, but Peter Diamond is right up there. He's quirky, funny and just tough enough. And Lovesey's other characterizations are just as good. In this book we have a Janpanese Sumo wrestler that engages Diamond to help find a small autistic Japanese girl. She has been abducted from her group home in unexplainable circumstances. With any other author, this plot might appear farcical, but in Lovesey's hands it is inventive, warm and endearing. Of course the character of Peter Diamond makes it that way, but his other characters are wonderfully drawn as well. Diamond is my new favourite!

This story kept me entertained from beginning to end. The main character, Peter Diamond, seems to combine all the worthwhile elements of an admirable detective - the deductive abilities of Sherlock Holmes, the street savvy of Sam Spade and the deceptively perceptive insight of Columbo - while treating the reading to the humor and everyday foibles of a lovable uncle. I read this book several years ago, but it still sticks in my mind.