Down Among the Dead Men (Peter Diamond Book 15)

Peter Lovesey, the author of "Down Among the Dead Men", has written 15 "Detective Peter Diamond" mysteries. He's also written several others, including a couple who feature Detective Henrietta Mallen. "Hen" Mallin also plays a pretty large part in this novel, so it may be a "two-fer" for Lovesey fans.In "Down", Peter Diamond is asked/commanded to accompany his superior, Georgina Dallymore, from their Bath "nick" to a town on the Sussex coast to investigate a murder committed seven years previously. The police powers want to bring in "outside" investigators to zero in on a mistake "Hen" Mallin has possibly done in the initial investigation of a murder. Mallin is "on leave" while she waits to either be cleared or charged with the coverup of her niece's participation in the crime.The plot of the book is rather complicated and involves murder, personal disappearances, drugs, and the students and teachers at a local girls' school. The book is considered a "police procedural" but it is also a book of relationships and contacts. The business relationship at the book's center - that of Diamond and Dallymore - is, I think, the weakest. Georgina Dallymore is written by Lovesey as a neurotic boss, who may, or may not, have carnal designs on Peter Diamond. A major hole in the plot concerns Diamond and Mallin's past. I wasn't particularly satisfied with the discrepancy and Lovesey never really addresses it."Down Among the Dead Men" is a good read, particularly for the reader who likes complicated plots.

Peter Diamond is not (at first) after a murderer in this book. He's not even on a case, as such. He's sent to another district with his superior to investigate wrongdoing on the part of another officer.His superior is Chief Constable Georgina Dallymore, an overbearing woman highly conscious of her rank. She enjoys bossing Peter Diamond around and, while disapproving of his maverick ways, is happy to make use of his talents as a detective. Diamond doesn't want to make this trip, especially under the thumb of his irritating superior. The push-pull between them is non-stop comedy.The plot is a clever unfolding of subplots that come together ultimately in surprising ways. The cast of characters is large. They are all convincingly themselves -- cliquish schoolgirls, eccentric artists, foot-dragging cops, unlikely villains and a hapless crook. Peter Lovesey mixes sinister goings-on and ironic plot twists with a deft hand.The action has an oddly slapstick quality at times, and there's just the right amount of it. Diamond has to face weapons of attack as diverse as a frying pan and a chainsaw.The mystery is an excellent one, and I was sorry to come to the resolution, because the journey was so entertaining. This is one of the best Peter Diamond mysteries -- a real treat for fans of the series. The story is so well told that you could also enjoy it as a first exposure to Peter Diamond.

Lovesey can be replied upon to write entertaining mysteries that mix dark crimes and a wry sense of humor. "Down Among the Dead" is one of Lovesey's best. Set-in-his-ways Peter Diamond is forced to go on a road trip with his boss Georgina, who, in past episodes in the series, he has routinely hoodwinked so that he could investigate crimes in his own way. It's not as easy one-on-one, however, and the unconventional detective and his imperious boss are equally uncomfortable in trying to make this relationship work. Their job is to perform an outside review of a police officer who may have ignored information relevant to a case because a relative was involved, leading to a wrongful conviction. Georgina feels that it's an open and shut case, but Peter sees it as being connected to a string of disappearances that the officer in question had started investigating. To investigate his hunch, Peter finds himself continually convincing Georgina that the next thing that he wants to do is her idea (or that the thing he did without consulting her would have been her own idea). Lovesey deftly weaves in characters who include schoolgirls and an eclectic group of artists as the strings of the plot slowly come together. The final solution to the mystery is a clever one, and as always in this series the major characters grow through their experiences. This is a really fun read, but it probably would pay off to have read some if its immediate predecessors to get the fullest enjoyment out of the interactions between Peter and Georgina (the mystery itself certainly stands on its own).

Peter Diamond's worse nightmare, he has to conduct an internal audit of another police station with his very irritating superior Georgina Dallymore. Out of town yet, and she has always disliked him as much as he dislikes her. No one wants to be there, so Diamond takes opportunity to eat full English breakfasts with his dry toast and tea sipping boss. This is a road trip from hell.Meanwhile at an exclusive girl's school in area (Sussex), a teacher disappears. A hunky guy with sports car who lives in a nearby grand house, takes her place but still a few girls wonder what happened to their art teacher. One reports it to police, and then goes missing!Plenty of plot twists. Mr. Hunk uses his mansion to entertain artists, and invites the schoolgirls to the drinking and eating events. Has he done teacher in, and the girl searching for her. Does the internal investigation of the police dept have anything to do with the school? Meanwhile poor Peter Diamond is dragging his nitpicky boss from place to place trying to figure out the whole situation. Of course it often involves muddy fields and her fine new shoes getting ruined.Another well done Peter Diamond mystery.

It probably isn't a good idea to start with the 15th book in the series, but, a group of friends picked it to read and discuss. The story itself was well done and well written, but I didn't really care for the two main characters. Of course, it's entirely likely that they aren't meant to be well liked. Still, I enjoyed reading it, and wouldn't say no to reading another book in the series.

It was kept me guessing right to the end , the magic usroom was a interesting twist right to the end

ラブゼイのピーター・ダイアモンド警視シリーズの長編は、日本では９作目まででストップしたままですが、原著は１６冊まで出ているようです。毎年１冊ずつのペースみたいですね。この作品はその１５冊目ですが、実に良く出来た作品だと思います。別シリーズの主人公であるマリン警部の不正を調査に英国南部に向かったダイアモンド（と上司のジョージアナ）が、当地で多発している失踪事件の謎を解き、マリン警部の窮地を救うという話です。ダイアモンド警視登場のシーンとは無関係に見える冒頭からのいくつかの章が、見事に一つのストーリーの中に回収されていきます。今回は美術を学ぶ女子高生たちの会話や描写も秀逸でニヤリとさせられます。ラブゼイ、老いてなお健在を実感しました。

THAT was a good read!! The one before this, The Stonecutter's Wife, wasn't very good. By this one was redemption. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Peter Lovesey’s series of novels featuring the irascible Superintendent Peter Diamond is marvellous, and I have always wondered why it hasn’t received greater public acknowledgement. With the glorious setting of Bath and Diamond’s often comical idiosyncrasies, the books also seem tailor made for television adaptation.As it happens, the action in this latest volume moves away from Bath to the almost equally photogenic city of Chichester where Peter Diamond accompanies his Assistant Chief Constable, Georgina Dalrymple, to conduct a disciplinary review of an officer whose has been suspended following allegations of misconduct relating to a murder investigation seven years previously . Readers of earlier books in the series will be aware that ACC Dalrymple and Peter Diamond have markedly different approaches to police work: he is an old fashioned ‘thief taker’, while she is more concerned with meeting targets, public relations and political accountability.Lovesey is a master at constructing plausible yet engaging plots, and he delivers again here. Diamond and Dalrymple meet predictable resistance from the suspended officer’s colleagues, but also find themselves being drawn into a current investigation into the disappearance of several underworld figures. They also become involved, to Diamond’s delight but Dalrymple’s extreme displeasure, in the investigation into the disappearance of a local schoolgirl.Lovesey succeeds in blending a police procedural novel with a ‘vintage’ crime novel, harvesting the best aspects of both genre without compromising his plot or characters. This was very entertaining, as are all of Lovesey’s books.

What I like best about Peter Lovesey's books is that they are very well written with lovely little character detail such as Diamond's relationship with his boss. By the time the 'whodunnit' is revealed I amjust sad the story is over although I rush to get to the end as I can't wait to know.The other reason for liking these books is that they are set in Bath where I once lived. But this one isn't - or only momentarily. But it is still OK as there are plenty of other elements of this book to compensate. I am glad the cat is okay!PS I think Peter Lovesey reads my reviews! His most recent book did have Diamond working out (reluctantly) at the YMCA and there has been a recent mention of Jolly’s. Also the cat gets mentioned and gets fed!Please can we have a more featured mention of the Cats and Dogs Home at Claverton Down and/or Jolly’s would make a wonderful crime scene. It’s full of history, eccentric staff and history and the impending threat of closure ...