Against the Grain

Peter Diamond #22

by Peter Lovesey

Detective Peter Diamond goes undercover at a seasonal festival in this delightful and bittersweet conclusion to the multi-award-winning series.

Detective Peter Diamond, chief of the Avon and Somerset Murder Squad, is taking a short holiday in the country. His former colleague Julie Hargreaves has invited Diamond and his partner, Paloma, to visit the idyllic village of Baskerville (no relation to the Sherlock Holmes story, so he’s told). It turns out Julie’s invitation was not without ulterior motives. The woman who owns the village’s largest dairy farm has been convicted of manslaughter following a terrible accident in her grain silo. Julie’s ex-investigator instinct tells her there has been a miscarriage of justice and a murderer is on the loose—but Julie’s been keeping secrets of her own, and can’t take her inquiry any further.

Diamond takes the bait; the case is a fascinating one, and he’s quite enjoying his incognito information-gathering, getting to know the villagers as they prepare for their annual Harvest Festival. The deeper into the cow dung Diamond mucks, the more convinced he becomes there was foul play. But maintaining his innocent tourist facade becomes harder as he closes in on his suspects. To protect his alias, he might have to learn how to operate a tractor or drive a herd of wayward cows. He might even be forced to attend a hoedown—not that he’d dance, not even to catch a killer. Or would he? The curmudgeonly detective has plenty to learn about himself as he tries on some new hats: undercover private investigator; village detective; country gentleman.

Over 30 years and 21 other novels, Peter Lovesey has bewitched his enormous fandom with the wry, stubborn, and fiendishly clever Peter Diamond. Now he brings his Anthony, Macavity, and CWA Dagger–winning series to a close with this delightful and bittersweet final installment.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, British Literature, Detective, Cozy

384 pages, Hardcover

Published December 3, 2024

About the author

Peter Harmer Lovesey, also known by his pen name Peter Lear, was a British writer of historical and contemporary detective novels and short stories. His best-known series characters are Sergeant Cribb, a Victorian-era police detective based in London, and Peter Diamond, a modern-day police detective in Bath. He was also one of the world's leading track and field statisticians.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A village mystery. It had some appeal.”

There is always a sense of sadness a reader can experience when they realize they are in the last book of a series they enjoy. I remember how I felt as I read the last book of one of my all-time favorite series by Elly Griffiths that featured Ruth Galloway, a forensic anthropologist. The Last Remains review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Even coming to the end of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series had a surreal feeling to it. The Comfort of Ghosts review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

So, how did I feel now reading my last Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond story? Especially since I truly enjoyed the author’s last book, “Showstopper.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And, how can we not feel even more connected when the Detective’s long-time cat, Raffles plays a small role, or a sweet seeing-eye dog named Bella is introduced?

Which leads us into this next case, when Diamond takes a short holiday in the country with his partner, to visit former colleague, Julie Hargeaves. What is her motive for enticing Diamond to the country for this supposedly pleasant get-away? And, if there was a crime, what can Diamond’s presence do to uncover the possible truth? This isn’t even his jurisdiction, so what did Julie have in mind for him? Is this an investigation he really wants to take on?

“Already he was having second thoughts about becoming an Agatha Christie detective. How do the likes of Poirot have any credibility? He mused. No one challenges their right to be at the scene of the crime and interview every witness. It’s about reputation. They are tolerated because of all the cases they’ve solved. Anyone who complains goes to the top of the suspect list.”

And, it turns out there were quite a few suspects.

“He had no patience with TV detectives like Jessica Fletcher, Miss Marple, and Hercule Poirot. The characters might be entertaining, but so is a fairy tale.”

Regardless of his feelings for these famous characters, he still heads off on this “undercover” investigation as if he were Columbo. A famous TV character played by the late great actor Peter Falk.

Diamond begins questioning everyone he can, to get to the bottom of this mystery. And, along the way he uncovers more than he ever expected. But having a dose of country, (him being a Bath man) does it also open doors for Diamond to realize that maybe he might be ready for retirement?

This easy-to-read, cozy mystery has many twists to this final story for our favorite Detective Superintendent, that should make fans fairly pleased with this ending to the series.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Peter Diamond is invited to the countryside by a former colleague. She wants him to do some off the record investigation of a murder, for which she believes a neighbor was falsely convicted. I liked the plot and the characters and I also enjoyed Diamond’s fish out of water experiences. There were a lot of red herrings. I did not guess the murderer, and I was not convinced by their motive. Nevertheless, I liked this book.

I have read some of the other books in this series, but you don’t have to do that before reading this book. I have always liked Diamond, who is intelligent, capable and not burdened by drunkenness, addiction, depression or any of the other afflictions that authors like to impose on their detectives. The blurb says that this is the final book of the series, but nothing in the book makes it impossible for there to be another book.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Against the Grain," Peter Lovesey gracefully concludes his beloved Peter Diamond series with a tale that masterfully blends rural charm with dark undercurrents. After 30 years and 21 previous novels, Lovesey proves he still has fresh insights to offer about his curmudgeonly yet endearing protagonist, crafting a mystery that serves as both a compelling standalone story and a fitting farewell to one of crime fiction's most distinctive detectives.

The Art of Rural Detection

Set in the fictional Somerset village of Baskerville, the story follows Detective Peter Diamond as he reluctantly agrees to investigate a potential miscarriage of justice at the request of his former colleague Julie Hargreaves. What begins as a simple favor evolves into an intricate exploration of art forgery, hidden passions, and the dark secrets that can simmer beneath the surface of even the most picturesque village.

A Fish Out of Water

One of the novel's greatest pleasures is watching the urban-dwelling Diamond navigate rural life. From his mishaps with tractors to his awkward participation in traditional country dances, these scenes provide delightful comic relief while revealing new factures of his character. Lovesey excels at finding humor in Diamond's discomfort without ever making him appear incompetent at his core mission - solving crimes.

Layers of Mystery

The central case involves a woman named Claudia Priest, convicted of manslaughter after a man died in her farm's grain silo. As Diamond investigates under the guise of a visitor to the village, he uncovers connections to valuable artwork, decades-old secrets, and the complex relationships between villagers and wealthy weekenders from Bath. The plot unfolds like a masterfully constructed puzzle box, with each revelation leading to new questions.

Strengths and Minor Shortcomings

The novel's greatest strengths lie in:

- Vivid characterization of village life and its inhabitants
- Clever integration of art history and forgery into the mystery
- Skillful balance of humor and darkness
- Poignant exploration of Diamond's character growth

A few minor weaknesses include:

- Some plot developments rely heavily on coincidence
- Certain supporting characters could be more fully developed
- The pacing occasionally slows in the middle sections

Memorable Characters

The supporting cast is richly drawn, from the enigmatic Maggie Harrap to the Douglas family managing the farm. Julie Hargreaves makes a welcome return, though her role feels somewhat limited. Diamond's partner Paloma provides an excellent foil for his curmudgeonly tendencies, their relationship adding warmth and depth to the story.

Technical Mastery

Lovesey's prose remains sharp and effective, with particularly strong dialogue that captures the nuances of both rural Somerset speech and Diamond's urban directness. The author's research into farming practices, art history, and village traditions shines through without becoming pedantic.

A Fitting Conclusion

What makes "Against the Grain" especially satisfying is how it allows Diamond to evolve while remaining true to his essential nature. His experiences in Baskerville challenge his preconceptions and force him to adapt his investigative methods, yet his fundamental integrity and determination remain unchanged.

Legacy and Impact

The Peter Diamond series has been a cornerstone of British detective fiction for three decades, winning numerous awards including the CWA Diamond Dagger. This final installment maintains the high standards set by classics in the series like "The Last Detective" and "Diamond Solitaire" while adding new dimensions to the character.

The Verdict

"Against the Grain" succeeds both as a standalone mystery and as a conclusion to a beloved series. While not quite perfect, its strengths far outweigh its minor flaws. Lovesey demonstrates that even after 22 books, he can still surprise readers while delivering the satisfying elements they've come to expect from a Peter Diamond mystery.

[Lou Chodosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather implausible story. Gave it a three as a tribute to the series , but this one not particularly good

[Eyejaybee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was another disappointing book, and proved a rather unworthy end to what had been an enjoyable, and sometimes excellent, series of novels. The grumpy, down-to-earth Luddite, Superintendent Peter Diamond, has been one of my favourite literary detectives, and has featured in some outstanding earlier books. Bloodhounds, for example, is among my favourite novels of any genre.

In this book, he and his partner Paloma are invited to visit his former colleague, Julie Hargreaves, who had begun her police career working for him until his frequently overbearing manner had driven her to seek a transfer. Now retired, she is living alone in the country, and asks Diamond and Paloma to stay for a few days. Odd things have been happening in the village, and its most infamous former resident is about to be release from prison, where she had served a nine year sentence for manslaughter. Needless to say, Diamond soon finds himself caught up in events.

I found this book rather clumsy, an, unusually for Lovesey, struggled to summon any interest in the plot. I wonder whether it might have been better for this series to have ended on a high a couple of instalments earlier.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovers of British Police Procedurals, meet Peter Diamond. If you don’t already know him, now’s the perfect time to get acquainted, as Against the Grain is the 22nd book in the series and its conclusion.

The first book in the Peter Diamond series, The Last Detective, came out in 1991. I discovered the series about 10 years ago, because many of the audio versions were narrated by my favorite audio book narrator, the incomparable Simon Prebble. When I started the series in the middle, Diamond was in a stable relationship with his girlfriend Paloma. (Shockingly, the author had killed off Diamond’s wife in an early series entry.) I continued forward as new books came out but also went back and read earlier books in the series. I’m still missing a few, but they are all on my “to be read” list.

Diamond is gruff and old school, but he learns and grows over the years. He makes mistakes and works with intelligent, competent coworkers who help him to become a better boss and coworker. The series is set in Bath, so if you are a fan of English history there are a lot of fun references. Diamond can laugh at himself, and I admire the author for actually deliberately wrapping up a long running series.

In Against the Grain, Lovesey takes on the village murder mystery. He compares himself to a lot of the great detectives, from Miss Marple to Columbo. He climbs a tall ladder to the top of a silo and helps a cow give birth. There’s a country dance at a harvest festival. The book pokes fun at the idea of city detective Diamond in the country, but it also pays homage to the village cozy mystery. I was a little sorry we did not get to say good-bye to Diamond’s Bath colleagues.

I’m sad to say good-bye to Peter Diamond but happy for my years enjoying his exploits. Against the Grain is a fitting farewell to a long-running series. I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great way to end my reading year with the conclusion of the Peter Diamond series, one I have genuinely enjoyed over the years. It is creative, action filled, intelligent and satisfying in a characteristically humane way.


Library Loan Thank you, Chicago Public Library!

[Paul Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review contains no spoilers.

Hard to believe, but I read my first Peter Diamond novel almost 16 years ago. I discovered him in a collection of short stories entitled "The Perfect Murder," in which each author offered a creative solution to the title problem (in his case, hilariously, a jellyfish in the hot tub). I was so impressed by his contribution that I sought out his other works, which is how I ran across Detective Peter Diamond. At that time, I was incredibly fortunate because there were several Diamond adventures that I hadn't read. It didn't take me long to roar through all of them. What a fun ride! Each book was a wonder, and I had a great time watching the evolution of Peter Diamond and his crack team. The novels were invariably clever (I believe I figured out what was actually going on before it was revealed to me only once, and it did not dampen my enthusiasm for the story at all), they had diverse and believable characters, and (best of all) they were extremely witty. Mr. Lovesey's sense of humor is outstanding. I love how he includes spot-on references and laugh-out-loud descriptions. He makes it look effortless, but I know it takes a firm command of his craft to be able to make it seem that way.

All too soon, I was informed that this volume would be Diamond's final case. I was thrilled to be able to read another in this fabulous series, but I was also quite saddened to hear that this incredible journey was coming to an end. I am very pleased that Mr. Lovesey is able to end this tremendous series on his own terms, but I am really going to miss the gruff but brilliant Diamond and all his underlings and family. Some of my favorites - Ingeborg Smith, Keith Halliwell, and Paul Gilbert - show up in this concluding novel, and I'm glad to see them one more time.

The final mystery itself is another wonderfully complex puzzle, with all the pieces artfully laid out in such a way that solving the mystery is possible for the alert reader but not likely. It also includes a death scene in the opening chapter that is one of the most intense I've ever read: very up-close and claustrophobic, it set the tone for the rest of the book. Overall, Mr. Lovesey's powerful writing really pulled me in and made me part of the action. The entire book is a sharp read which entertained and even educated me throughout. There was clearly quite a bit of research put into this one, and I learned quite a bit about some topics that were relevant to the overall mystery. I had to look up some of the descriptive references I don't immediately understand, which always revealed to me that the analogy was perfect and usually outrageously funny.

I will truly miss this series and the characters within, especially Diamond himself. He's a fundamentally good person with an outstanding brain who doesn't suffer fools lightly but is a staunch ally to those who are close to him. He's one of the greatest fictional detectives ever written, and I'm proud to have read his entire canon.

[John Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently it was 2 years ago that I read the previous book in this series. It seems like longer. I only have a distant recollection of the background stories of the series, Paloma rang vague bells but the biggest difference I found here may be down to my mental picture of Peter Diamond.

I remember him as younger and more active. Now on the verge of retirement I picture him more as Ruth Rendell's Wexford from the TV portrayal by George Baker.
May be it is just me growing older.

My memory problem, no doubt because of the  length of time since I read the last wasn't helped because the usual environment is changed for this story. I had kept up with previous exploits using  "Street View" to plug gaps in my knowledge of Bath and surroundings. Here, I had none of that as Peter and Paloma are spending a weeks holiday visiting his old Deputy D.I. Julie Hargreaves in the fictional Somerset village of Baskerville.

I don't know if there has been a change of writing style since the last but somehow I didn't feel a 'part' of this story as I had always done before and at one point even felt it went a bit flat.

It was an interesting and original storyline, however, with some clever misdirections.

Did I see the motive and name the killer first? Of course not but I may have to read part again to discover the final clue that put the holidaying Detective Superintendent  aka Columbo, onto the guilty party.

Here's looking forward to Diamond being back at work for the next.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had wanted to read about the American West, I would have chosen a book by Louis L'Amour 0r Larry McMurtry, so I would at least have some authenticity! As it was, this "hayseed" attempt to bring Texas to Somerset fell worse than flat; it was juvenile and pretentious at the same time!
There was so much wrong and painful to read that it's hard to know where to start! However, the most egregious misstep was the continual attempts to flatter the 15-year-old Hamish, son of the farm managers. First of all, the dialog between Diamond and Hamish was simply the most ludicrous attempt at adolescent-speak I've ever encountered! Does author Lovesay honestly believe any teenager would respond to that kind of saccharine treatment without eye-rolling and rude laughter? Hamish might have been a bore, but Diamond comes across as an idiot!
As for the mystery plot itself, it was decent. The means of death was quite ingenious. I also enjoyed the information about Sickert, the famous artist. I did not guess the correct culprit, yet I thought it was an acceptable outcome, so I give credit for that. But all the silly "TV detective" posturing almost destroyed the rest of the book.
I didn't come to the Perter Diamond mysteries until late in the series, although I was very impressed with the first one I read: DIAMOND AND THE EYE. However, this final (we are told) entry of the series is woefully under par and makes this reader glad that there will not be any more.

[Gypsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, the conclusion to the series, sees Diamond doing off-duty, private investigating of a possible miscarriage of justice while on holiday in the country. While it was generally fun, well-written, and intelligent, I found neither the mystery nor the solution to be fully convincing or satisfying. With Diamond away from Bath and out of touch with his team, the story wasn't as compelling or engaging as is usual. The Diamond books are one of my favorite police mystery series, so I'm sad that this is the final entry, but many of the previous were excellent enough to deserve rereading.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retirement still looms for Peter Diamond, however, he is determined to fend it off although he is beginning to realise that he is past his best and not so in tune with his team. His old deputy and friend, Julie Hargreaves is now retired and living in a rural Somerset village having lost her eyesight. In the village, a young woman has inherited her family farm and has been convicted of manslaughter when a man is found dead in a grain silo. Julie feels there has been some miscarriage and invites Peter for a week's holiday with Paloma. While there she helps to pique his interest in the case, he starts as a Private Eye.

Sadly Julie has a restricted part due to her eyesight issues but gets on well with Paloma when Peter is his usual grumpy self. Claudia Priest is less indearing as are some of the local residents. A good enough read but the ending is rather abrupt making this not one of the better books in the series. 3 stars.

[David Hallstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad to say this is the final Peter Diamond. The series has been a wonderful ride over the past 32 years.

Curmudgeonly or gruff but lovable, Diamond is a great creation of a great mystery writer.

Every book is filled with twists and turns and red herrings before the reveal.

Lovesey's books are filled with a sense of humor, one that never gets in the way of the story. Character-driven humor like a Frank Capra or Bill Forsyth movie which perfectly lightens the plot.

Lovesey has explored every mystery genre in the Diamond series - locked room, whodunnits, noir. But, as Lovesey comments early, Diamond has never solved a village mystery in his career. But he does here, complete with references to Miss Marple and Tom Barnaby.

I cannot go into details for fear of giving spoilers.

Diamond is going out with a perfect tribute.

The full 22-book series is worth your time.

[Larry Fontenot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently, this is the last of the Peter Diamond series. I've not read all of them, but quite a few. I liked this last book because it shows us Peter as his usual grumpy self, but perhaps willing to consider retirement. Paloma sure is pushing it! She and Peter are visiting an old team mate of Peter, Julie Hargreaves, who Peter discovers has gone blind during her retirement from the force. Julie asks Peter to look into the case of a neighbor found guilty of a crime and currently in jail. The plot is interesting and revolves around several murders. The only issue I've ever had with the Peter Diamond series is that Peter often solves the crime correctly, but without leaving the reader any clues as to why he ever suspected the criminal in the first place. Annoying, but entertaining.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it is his last in this series.
I enjoyed this mystery and the characters. Detective Peter Diamond and
his partner travel to the country to visit a former colleague and Julie asks
Him to help find out who put the owner of a large dairy farm in jail after she is convicted of manslaughter. Peter works under cover while he gets to know
the villagers and also acts as village detective, and country gentleman. There
Are twists, murder,humor,.and action to keep you turning the pages .it is
Well written and moves at a good pace while Peter is impatient,cunning,
Insightful,and belligerent which adds to the tale. All ends well.Recommended.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one . Huge fan of this series and sad that this is the last one.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last ever Peter Diamond book!!! But it’s a good one!

[Evelyn Sander · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last in the series, which started in 1991. I haven’t been reading them that long, but almost. I will miss my sesquiannual hangout with Peter Diamond!

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but not the best of the series.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent ending to the career of Peter Diamond. I will miss reading about his antics very much.
Things to consider- some foul language

[Sarah Baenen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery was full of colorful characters, realistic twists, and a vibrant setting. There were a few plausible suspects, and though the mystery kept me on my toes, I never felt lost or confused by the plot. Having read a few books in this series, I could appreciate how this book wrapped up the storylines in a thoughtful and memorable way: clever without being too gimmicky.

ARC from NetGalley

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Diamond is feeling even grumpier than usual. His boss, Assistant Chief Constable Georgina Dallymore has been dropping ponderous hints about him approaching the age of retirement, allusions that Diamond is determined to ignore because he feels that his life is defined by his job as a senior police officer. To make matters worse, Diamond’s partner, Paloma, has persuaded him to spend his week’s leave visiting Julie Hargreaves, his second-in-command when he first moved to Bath. Julie has now retired from the police service and has moved to live in Somerset. Diamond protests that he does not like the countryside and cannot leave his elderly cat, Raffles, but a lot of his reluctance is due to his recognition of the unpalatable fact that he had not always treated Julie with the support and respect that she deserved. Paloma thinks that Julie has a reason for wanting them to stay with her and suspects that she wishes to ask Diamond’s advice, so she overrides his objections. Soon Paloma, Diamond and Raffles are bound for rural Somerset.

When Diamond meets Julie again, he is shocked to discover that, in the intervening years, she has become blind. She has accepted her disability with courage and composure and lives an independent life, with the aid of her guide dog, Bella. However, Paloma is right that Julie does want Diamond’s advice about a cold case that happened locally. A few years ago, a man was discovered dead in one of the enormous grain silos on the largest farm in the area. He had been fooled by the apparently firm crust on the grain and when it broke, he had sunk in and suffocated. The victim was Roger Miller, and he had been attending a wild party held by the owner of the house and farm, Claudia Priest. She had set up a competition that involved finding the garter she had hidden somewhere on the farm, with the promise of a personal reward for the winner. Claudia claimed that she had not hidden the garter in the silo and said she had put it in the bull pen, but the court did not believe this and convicted her of manslaughter.

Claudia has served half of her sentence and is due to be released, but Julie believes that Claudia had told the truth about where she had left the garter and is still fretting that Claudia was unfairly treated by the investigating officers and the trial judge. Julie also fears that if Claudia returns to the village, she will be made unwelcome by the hostile villagers, because they hated the noise and disruption of her parties and compared her unfavourably with her late father. Mervyn Priest had been regarded as a benefactor because of his altruism and involvement with village activities.

Diamond wants to set Julia’s mind at rest, and, despite his initial scepticism, he becomes intrigued by what had really occurred during that last fateful party. As Paloma points out, this is his first chance to investigate a traditional village mystery, especially irresistible when the village in question is called Baskerville. Roger Miller had lived in Bath and run his art vendor business there, and two other men who attended the party also reside there, so Diamond takes a daytrip back to Bath, hoping that he doesn’t encounter any of his police colleagues. He has already introduced himself to the village as Peter Dee and he continues with the deception as he contacts two surviving players of the game. He finds it difficult to keep the stories straight that he has to tell to persuade people to talk to him and finds it very different to the direct police method of showing his warrant card and demanding to be told facts. He also misses the support of his highly trained team. Nevertheless, he enjoys the freedom from paperwork, regulations and Georgina’s critical gaze.

Back in Baskerville, Diamond steps out of his comfort zone and, by putting himself on the line in several ways that surprise even Diamond himself, he begins to win the respect and liking of many villagers. He continues to investigate, probing deeply into things that happened long before Miller’s death. On the day of a village celebration, Claudia and all the surviving players in the drama assemble in Baskerville, and Diamond discovers just how dangerous it can be to investigate as a lone operative, without his team to watch his back.

Against the Grain is the twenty-second novel featuring Peter Diamond and, sadly, it is also the last. Like its predecessors it is a superb novel, with excellent characterisation and a fascinating multi-layered plot. Diamond is a grumpy but engaging protagonist who continually surprises by his willingness to get involved, and Paloma is delightful as his loving but clear-sighted partner. Although the title might be interpreted as a reference to the victim’s hideous death in a grain silo, it is also an old carpenter’s saying about the problems of sanding a piece of wood against its grain, which is exactly what Diamond is doing as he teaches himself to investigate in a different, solitary way.

Against the Grain is a compelling and positive farewell to one of the most iconic fictional detectives of the last thirty years. It is a page-turner, which I wholeheartedly recommend
.-------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)

[Moirad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull and unconvincing.

[Ray Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars

The release of the novel AGAINST THE GRAIN brings with it many milestones. For one, it is the final novel in the beloved Detective Peter Diamond series, following 21 previous titles. It also marks the last novel in the career of the great Peter Lovesey, an author who has won many awards in his career including the two highest in mystery fiction, Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and the Cartier Diamond Dagger of the Crime Writers’ Association.

I approached these milestones with trepidation and just decided to approach the novel as any other Peter Diamond mystery. I was not disappointed. Peter and his partner on the job and in life, Paloma, are looking for some R&R and have opted for the town of Baskerville where they will visit with a former colleague of Diamond’s, Julia Hargreaves. There are two interesting developments when visiting Julia, first off she is regrettably now legally blind. Secondly, she is living on the property of a wealthy and wild debutante named Claudia Priest who is spending time in prison for her part in the death of a former lover on her property during a controversial sex and wine-induced party.

The man who died on the property was one Roger Miller who perished amidst the mountain of grain in one of Claudia’s farm silos. The body was not found for months and his reason for being in that precarious situation was the hunt for a woman’s garter belt that was tied to the sex game being played at the party. Claudia denied ever placing her garter in the dangerous silo, yet was still found culpable and sent to a woman’s prison for a few years. Even with rumors of his upcoming retirement, Diamond cannot resist a juicy mystery and takes it upon himself to look into the Roger Miller silo death to see if the right person was incarcerated for it.

Roger Miller was a well-known art dealer and Claudia’s late father was a big collector, which may explain his connection to the family. Diamond adopts the name ‘Peter Dee’ when meeting people from Julia’s new hometown and refuses to admit he is a vacationing police detective. His first plan of attack is to speak with the other attendees of the infamous party where Miller perished to try and see if anyone truly holds Claudia responsible or if there might be another potential suspect behind the tragic ‘accident.’

His list includes a wealth management expert named Fabio, a hotel owner named Harvey Hertzog --- whose wife Elaine was also present at the party, and a local man and another ex of Claudia’s named Bert Dombey. After this, Diamond or Dee plans to speak with the various farm staff who might have had a chip on their shoulder against the former wild child Claudia and she had treated her late parents.

We see everything through the mind of Peter Diamond and it was interesting to see the disdain he had for famous British fictional detectives such as Christie’s Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. As the newly adopted Peter Dee character, he is able to drop his usual curmudgeonly demeanor and instead takes on the guise of a fictional detective he highly respects --- the infamous American TV Detective Columbo. He goes about his meetings with each potential suspect in the clever like a fox bumbling manner that Columbo was so beloved and famous for.

Following his series of meetings, which includes helping give birth to a cow calf while speaking with one of the farm workers, he clearly is focused on one gentleman in particular. This person, who claims to have been in contact with Claudia while she was imprisoned, is proven to be a liar when Diamond finds that she had been set free a week prior during the time period when this person claims to have last seen her in prison. Claudia returns from a week at a spa following her two-year incarceration and there is a big dinner and dance party planned at her barn with all of the townspeople and usual suspects in attendance.

Diamond finally gets to speak with Claudia, who is every bit as cunning as he expected and also completely sex-starved. He is also surprised to find the corpse of his number one suspect underneath a hidden compartment in Claudia’s home. The finale of AGAINST THE GRAIN shows how much danger Diamond has put himself by not being honest about who he really is and the phony persona he had created for himself may be the last mistake he ever made. This novel was a pure delight, albeit a bittersweet one knowing it was the last time I would be reading a new Peter Lovesey novel. Run, don’t walk to your local bookstore to pick up this future classic!

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

AGAINST THE GRAIN marks the conclusion of the beloved Peter Diamond series and is the great Peter Lovesey’s final book. I initially approached these milestones with trepidation but then decided to treat this novel as any other Peter Diamond investigation. I was not disappointed.

Diamond and his partner (on the job and in life), Paloma Kean, are looking for some R&R and have opted for the village of Baskerville where they will visit with his former colleague, Julie Hargreaves. Regrettably, Julie is now legally blind. She is living on the property of a wealthy and wild debutante, Claudia Priest, who is spending time in prison for her role in the death of a former lover during a controversial sex and wine-induced party.

Roger Miller perished amidst the mountain of grain in one of Claudia’s farm silos. The body was not found for months, and his reason for being in that precarious situation was the hunt for a woman’s garter belt that was tied to the sex game being played at the party. Claudia denied ever placing her garter in the dangerous silo, yet she was still found culpable and was sent to a women’s prison. Even with rumors of his upcoming retirement, Diamond cannot resist a juicy mystery and takes it upon himself to look into Miller’s death to see if the right person was brought to justice.

Miller was a well-known art dealer, and Claudia’s father was a big collector, which may explain his connection to the family. Diamond adopts the name “Peter Dee” when meeting people from Julie’s new hometown and refuses to admit that he is a vacationing police detective. His first plan of attack is to speak with the other attendees of the infamous party to see if anyone truly holds Claudia responsible or if there might be another suspect. Then he will talk to members of the farm staff who might have had a chip on their shoulder against Claudia for how she treated her parents.

As the newly adopted Peter Dee character, Diamond is able to drop his usual curmudgeonly demeanor and instead takes on the guise of a fictional detective he highly respects: Lieutenant Columbo. He goes about his meetings with each potential suspect in the clever-like-a-fox bumbling manner that made Columbo so beloved.

Diamond clearly is focused on one gentleman in particular. This person, who claims to have been in contact with Claudia during her time in prison, is proven to be a liar. Claudia returns from a week at a spa following her two-year incarceration. There is a big dinner and dance party planned at her barn with all of the townspeople and usual suspects in attendance. Diamond finally gets to speak with Claudia, who is every bit as cunning as he expected and completely sex-starved.

The book’s finale shows how much danger Diamond has put himself in by not being honest about who he really is. In fact, his phony persona may be the last mistake he ever makes. AGAINST THE GRAIN is a pure delight, albeit a bittersweet one knowing that Peter Lovesey’s stellar career has come to an end. Run, don’t walk, to your local bookstore to pick up this future classic.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

[Anne Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe 7 or 8 years ago, I spent a long spring and summer reading the Peter Diamond series of Peter Lovesey's books. I read at least 13 when I ran out of books in the series available from my library system. Oh. well, there was still plenty of time. In those books, I had met Peter Diamond, his wife, his team of officers and detectives. Bath, England, became more than just a curious name for an ancient city. London was suddenly NOT the literary center of Great Britain, Agatha Christie among many others NOT the only truly worthy mystery writer. I appreciated the quirky focus in each of those books on some aspect of civic life, whether string quartets, poetry, architecture. Always a little hook to keep the reader alert.

Purely by chance, I read a review of >Against The Grain< (as you will see on the cover in huge letters, though not angled as in the illustration above). It arrived from another library in 2 days and I was immediately hooked: this one was different. Diamond's wife had died early in the series ( a tragic wrinkle in that book), he was travelling OUT of Bath at the invitation of a former member of his team in Bath, and accompanied by his lady love, Paloma. They were on their way to a vacation week in a rural village.

I didn't notice until I was over half way through Against The Grain (which the trip was) the small letters in aqua under the title "The Conclusion to the Peter Diamond Series". Shock! Can I bear it??
I almost went back to start over. But by this time I was too hooked on the story to do that. It DID change the way I read the rest of the book.

If you have read any/many of my reviews, you know that I do NOT tell the story, give away the plot. That is for the reader to discover. I will say that the many differences between the books set in Bath and this one are telling: total change of scenery, Diamond's lack of familiarity with the rural, farming life. The relationship between Diamond and Julia, his hostess and former underling; the social life of the main focus of the mystery, and HER difference to her late father, owner of the large farm on which much of the story is set. What was the underlying purpose of the week away from 'reality'....?

I'll tell you one thing: the quirky sub-focus of this book is .. art, good and bad, and how it fits into the dynamic of the story.

One of the real delights of this book (I wanted to say 'episode') is the social aspect of Peter Diamond's relationships with the people and places of the story, how he fits in and doesn't, how he enjoys and doesn't the rural community life he has been thrust into. And then, right at the end, the surprise.... (for you to discover. DON'T READ AHEAD!!!)

I may well hang onto the book for another week...

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Peter Lovesey’s "Against the Grain" is a masterfully crafted crime novel that captivates readers with its intricate plot and memorable characters. Set in the charming yet mysterious village of Baskerville, this book brings a fresh twist to the traditional detective genre.

The story follows Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond, who has retired from the force but is drawn back into the world of investigation by his former colleague, Julie Hargreaves. Julie, now blind but still sharp-minded, suspects foul play in a case that was deemed an accident. Claudia Priest, the owner of the village’s largest dairy farm, has been convicted of manslaughter after a tragic incident in her grain silo, but Julie believes there’s more to the story.

Diamond, going undercover to maintain the facade of his retirement, navigates the close-knit village community with both humor and ingenuity. His interactions with the locals are rich with subtle tension and wit, as he unravels the secrets that lie beneath the village’s tranquil surface.

Lovesey excels in his portrayal of Diamond, a character who is deeply human with his flaws and virtues. Diamond's internal struggles and his determination to uncover the truth make him a compelling and relatable protagonist. Julie Hargreaves, with her acute perceptiveness despite her blindness, adds an intriguing dynamic to the investigation.

The narrative is engaging and atmospheric, with Lovesey’s descriptive prose painting a vivid picture of rural life. The author’s attention to detail and his ability to create a palpable sense of place enhance the reader's immersion in the story. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes and eager to discover the next revelation.

"Against the Grain" is not just a whodunit; it’s a thoughtful exploration of justice, community, and the complexities of human nature. Lovesey’s blend of humor, suspense, and keen insight into character dynamics makes this novel a standout in the crime fiction genre.

Highly recommended for fans of detective fiction and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted mystery with depth and nuance.

"Against the Grain" is a testament to Peter Lovesey’s skill as a storyteller and his ability to breathe new life into the detective genre.

[Maine Colonial · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a free advance digital review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Longtime Bath police homicide detective Peter Diamond has been on the job for over three decades now, and his boss—and nemesis—Georgina Dallymore is becoming less and less subtle in encouraging his retirement. Diamond’s longtime girlfriend Paloma persuades him to accept an invitation from one of his old colleagues, Julie Hargreaves, to visit her in her Somerset village.

Julie has ulterior motives. She’s retired, and the loss of her eyesight means she’s limited in what she can do. She’s convinced that neighbor Claudia Priest was wrongfully convicted of murder years ago. Claudia has served half her sentence and may be paroled soon. Julie wants to prove that the victim, Roger Miller, was murdered by somebody else, and in light of her disability, she needs Diamond to do the heavy lifting.

For those who have been reading this series for the last decades, it’s well known that Diamond is a grump at the best of times. Now he’s in the country, which he usually avoids like the plague, and is feeling guilty about how he was not a good mentor to Julie back in the day.

To his surprise, Diamond is quickly accepted by the villagers in his assumed role as Peter Dee, definitely not a police detective. He becomes involved in village life in just a few days, all leading to a big village harvest party, with Claudia returning home, and the case coming to a head.

I enjoyed this final entry in the Peter Diamond series. I’m sorry to say that part of my enjoyment was the absence of Diamond’s Bath colleagues. I’ve long found the Georgina Dallymore character hard to take. She’s like a caricature of a nightmare female boss, and her depiction has always made me leery of Lovesey’s attitudes toward women. Also, I’ve never thought he did a great job fully developing the other member’s of Peter Diamond’s detective squad. In this book, Dallymore and the squad members are absent. It’s just Diamond, Paloma, Julie, and a collection of village characters, and that’s all to the good. An entertaining sendoff for a long-running series.

[Ileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Against the Grain is a grand grand finale for Peter Diamond and an incredible finish to Peter Lovesey’s series about the irascible detective.
Diamond has his first case out of Bath and it’s not exactly a real case as he pretends he’s not a police detective but only a friend of someone in the small Somerset village of Baskerville.

The person he and his partner are visiting in the country is his old police chum Julie who has gone blind from macular degeneration but has adapted well and walks with a cane and a guide dog Bella who gets along easily with Peter’s cat Raffles.

Julie asks Peter to look into the case of Claudia, the daughter of a wealthy deceased farmer, who was convicted of manslaughter after an old boyfriend, Roger Miller, of hers was found dead in a silo four months after a wild party she held with a pink garter around his arm.

Julie believes Claudia was innocent and wrongly convicted and wants Peter to look into the case. He does and goes around the village talking to the farm manager Jim, his wife, Agnes, the pub waitress, Dolores, the gift shop owner, Maggie Harrap, and Jim and Agnes’ son Hamish.

He also spends a day back in Bath talking to other party goers who were also searching for the pink garter as part of Claudia’s party game, Fabio Fortunato, Harvey Hertzog and Bert Donato as well as Harvey’s girlfriend Elaine.

Peter returns to Baskerville and somehow gets involved in the barn with cows and delivers a calf and becomes a local hero.

Then he and Paloma help get ready for the annual Harvest Festival and attend as does Claudia who has been released from jail earlier and all her party friends and all the locals. There’s lots of food and dancing and fun.

Meanwhile Peter is looking for Bert who he thinks is up to no good. Claudia helps him and they eventually find Bert’s bloody body buried beneath the stairs in a hidden bolt hole. Claudia is arrested and charged with murder.

Peter is sure she is innocent. He just needs to figure out who the murderer is. What an amazing and interesting end to a novel! Read it and find out!

[Hanna Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Diamond, a police detective in Bath, is contemplating – without much enthusiasm – a retirement. He agrees to go for a short vacation to test the waters of living in the small village community of Baskerville, where, as his partner Paloma suggests, he can relax and enjoy the slower pace. So Diamond, with Paloma and their cat reluctantly in tow, visits his former colleague, Julie.

It turns out that Julie, besides wanting to see Diamond, has another motive. There was a murder committed, and she doesn't believe that the justice has been served: a local woman was sentenced, but the actual murder might be still running loose. Diamond goes undercover, pretending to be just another visitor, and investigates.

I enjoyed this audiobook very much. The narrator's delivery corresponds to Diamond's slightly grouchy nature, and the characters are described warmly, with a certain tongue-in-cheek quality, either when it comes to a moody teenager or a flamboyant charmer. It's interesting to see Diamond conducting the investigation without the support of his team and relying only on traditional methods of talking to people, very much in the tradition of Miss Marple or Lieutenant Columbo, both characters mentioned in the novel. Somehow, our detective seems to enjoy getting the villagers' trust even though his suits and dressy shoes are obviously unfitting for helping deliver a calf or pushing a stuck car. Ultimately, he dons a cowboy hat and joins the Harvest Festival!

Will he uncover the truth about the murders? The bodies in this quiet English village multiply, as in an episode of "Midsomer Murders." Peter Diamond is undoubtedly busier than he expected before his retirement.