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Do Not Exceed the Stated Dose
Be cautious; reading too many of Peter Lovesey's stories at once could have unexpected results. "Passion Killers" will make your toes curl for the hapless Mrs Palmer, and "The Odstock Curse" may well induce goosebumps as a Gypsy curse is repeated in the present. Among the fifteen tales are two featuring Peter Lovesey's forthright police detective, Peter Diamond, and two with the amateur sleuth, Bertie, Prince of Wales, in rumbustious form. The collection also include "The Pushover," winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Golden Mysteries short story prize, and "Quiet Please—We're Rolling," both nominated for Britain's Crime Writer's Association Short Story Dagger. Do Not Exceed the Stated Dose includes a complete checklist of Peter Lovesey's crime writing.
- GenresMysteryShort Stories
216 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1998
101 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Peter Lovesey
295 books643 followersPeter 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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 16, 2017
This is a very enjoyable collection of shorts. A couple of them do feature the Bath detective Diamond and have that extra punch of humour. I followed the author's advise and made the book last over extended time period, digesting a couple stories at a time.
Available through my Kindle Unlimited subscription
Available through my Kindle Unlimited subscription
May 8, 2025
This review contains no spoilers.
I chose to read this book as a tribute to Peter Lovesey, my favorite mystery author, who passed away a couple of weeks before I started reading it. I discovered Mr. Lovesey close to 17 years ago when I read his hilarious entry in a short story compilation entitled The Perfect Murder (his submission featured a poisonous jellyfish in a hot tub). From there, I researched his bibliography and learned about Bloodhounds, a modern take on the classic locked-room mystery concept starring the burly detective Peter Diamond. Bloodhounds is the fourth book in the Diamond series, so I decided to read my way up to it from the beginning. This was an outstanding decision! The Peter Diamond books are now my all-time favorite mystery series, and they've been a source of great happiness for me over the years. I've read all of them, including his final adventure, which was published late last year.
In the course of reading these books, I discovered Mr. Lovesey's email address and, in 2009, I sent a note of appreciation after finishing Bloodhounds (which was excellent, as I'd surmised it would be when I did my initial research). To my surprise and delight, he responded! Thus began a lengthy, years-long email correspondence with a truly kind and generous man. My wife surprised me on my birthday years later by taking me to a book reading of his in Denver. Peter was flying out to introduce The Tooth Tattoo, and I had no idea he was going to be that close to us. When my wife shared the plan with me, I wrote to Peter and informed him of my amazing birthday present and that I was looking forward to seeing him in person. Not only did I get to meet him, but he also brought me a birthday card! I keep that card in the inside dust jacket of my copy of The Tooth Tattoo that he signed at the reading. I was so pleased that he brought me that card. Just an amazing and thoughtful person. I made a point from then on to always send him a note of appreciation and encouragement after I finished each subsequent adventure in the Diamond series. We also talked about my interest in writing, and he even read and commented on a couple of my short stories. Like I said, so unbelievably generous and gracious. My last message from him came just a couple weeks before his passing. In it, he informed me that his "health was ebbing away." I know he must have been experiencing incredible pain at that time, but he still found time to bid me farewell. I am so moved by that and always will be. Rest in peace, Peter. I can only imagine how many other lives you must have touched when you went to such lengths to make a random reader in America feel so special.
As for the book itself, it was terrific. The clarity of his prose that is so evident in the Diamond books is on full display here, as well as his trademark wit, which really sets his writing apart. It's not slapstick by any means, just sharp and intelligent humor borne of a wonderful eye for detail and for character development. These stories span a number of settings and eras, including a couple of Bertie adventures (set in the 1800s with the Prince of Wales as the principal sleuth) and two Peter Diamond stories, which I was happy to read. Apart from the tales featuring his well-known characters, the variety of the other stories is just breathtaking. Hard to choose a favorite, but if forced to do so, I might pick The Odstock Curse. Or perhaps Because It Was There. Or maybe Quiet Please - We're Rolling. I did like the Bertie ones quite a bit. And it's always a treat to read a Peter Diamond adventure (the second one, Wayzgoose, was especially satisfying, as it was probably the longest story in the set). Many of the stories (like The Pushover and Disposing of Mrs. Cronk) managed to have tremendous twists, including a particularly gasp-inducing one in The Mighty Hunter. Never a Cross Word was a hilariously dark piece. And Passion Killers delighted me by beginning and ending with the same sentence. What happens in between makes the tenor of that sentence vastly different each time it's used. Extremely clever, Peter!
I'm aware of several other short-story sets that I haven't read yet of Peter's. I will definitely track those down in the months and years ahead. It's a great pleasure to me to know that, although we will no longer see any new works by the great Peter Lovesey, I still have quite a few more of his creations to savor out there. And if you haven't read any of his works, you have some great reading ahead of you, too!
I chose to read this book as a tribute to Peter Lovesey, my favorite mystery author, who passed away a couple of weeks before I started reading it. I discovered Mr. Lovesey close to 17 years ago when I read his hilarious entry in a short story compilation entitled The Perfect Murder (his submission featured a poisonous jellyfish in a hot tub). From there, I researched his bibliography and learned about Bloodhounds, a modern take on the classic locked-room mystery concept starring the burly detective Peter Diamond. Bloodhounds is the fourth book in the Diamond series, so I decided to read my way up to it from the beginning. This was an outstanding decision! The Peter Diamond books are now my all-time favorite mystery series, and they've been a source of great happiness for me over the years. I've read all of them, including his final adventure, which was published late last year.
In the course of reading these books, I discovered Mr. Lovesey's email address and, in 2009, I sent a note of appreciation after finishing Bloodhounds (which was excellent, as I'd surmised it would be when I did my initial research). To my surprise and delight, he responded! Thus began a lengthy, years-long email correspondence with a truly kind and generous man. My wife surprised me on my birthday years later by taking me to a book reading of his in Denver. Peter was flying out to introduce The Tooth Tattoo, and I had no idea he was going to be that close to us. When my wife shared the plan with me, I wrote to Peter and informed him of my amazing birthday present and that I was looking forward to seeing him in person. Not only did I get to meet him, but he also brought me a birthday card! I keep that card in the inside dust jacket of my copy of The Tooth Tattoo that he signed at the reading. I was so pleased that he brought me that card. Just an amazing and thoughtful person. I made a point from then on to always send him a note of appreciation and encouragement after I finished each subsequent adventure in the Diamond series. We also talked about my interest in writing, and he even read and commented on a couple of my short stories. Like I said, so unbelievably generous and gracious. My last message from him came just a couple weeks before his passing. In it, he informed me that his "health was ebbing away." I know he must have been experiencing incredible pain at that time, but he still found time to bid me farewell. I am so moved by that and always will be. Rest in peace, Peter. I can only imagine how many other lives you must have touched when you went to such lengths to make a random reader in America feel so special.
As for the book itself, it was terrific. The clarity of his prose that is so evident in the Diamond books is on full display here, as well as his trademark wit, which really sets his writing apart. It's not slapstick by any means, just sharp and intelligent humor borne of a wonderful eye for detail and for character development. These stories span a number of settings and eras, including a couple of Bertie adventures (set in the 1800s with the Prince of Wales as the principal sleuth) and two Peter Diamond stories, which I was happy to read. Apart from the tales featuring his well-known characters, the variety of the other stories is just breathtaking. Hard to choose a favorite, but if forced to do so, I might pick The Odstock Curse. Or perhaps Because It Was There. Or maybe Quiet Please - We're Rolling. I did like the Bertie ones quite a bit. And it's always a treat to read a Peter Diamond adventure (the second one, Wayzgoose, was especially satisfying, as it was probably the longest story in the set). Many of the stories (like The Pushover and Disposing of Mrs. Cronk) managed to have tremendous twists, including a particularly gasp-inducing one in The Mighty Hunter. Never a Cross Word was a hilariously dark piece. And Passion Killers delighted me by beginning and ending with the same sentence. What happens in between makes the tenor of that sentence vastly different each time it's used. Extremely clever, Peter!
I'm aware of several other short-story sets that I haven't read yet of Peter's. I will definitely track those down in the months and years ahead. It's a great pleasure to me to know that, although we will no longer see any new works by the great Peter Lovesey, I still have quite a few more of his creations to savor out there. And if you haven't read any of his works, you have some great reading ahead of you, too!
December 13, 2014
In a foreword to this collection of short stories, Peter Lovesey wrote that he doesn’t care much about the comfort of the reader. And, that if the reader feels comfortable while reading the stories he would assume that he has failed as a writer. Isn’t that a pretty insensitive thing to say for a writer? I guess it is.
But, then I wonder, why all writers aren’t as insensitive as him. I would love if every writer would just throw away all the worries regarding the reader’s comfort and write stories that would push the reader to the edge of their seat, increase their heartbeat, and make them uncomfortable. I wouldn’t even mind if I had a heart attack while reading it. At least I would die happy, knowing that I died because I was reading a thrilling book which made me perspire, increased my heartbeat and led me to my demise.
Do Not Exceed The Stated Dose, is a collection of fourteen short stories and one novella. Short stories are a different ballgame. Not only there is a restriction on the number of words but also an added responsibility of providing a twist. So, naturally not every writer is not capable or rather manages to write good crime short stories. Apparently Peter Lovesey does.
The stories in this book were delicately short, cunningly clever and dangerously twisted. And, not only there were crime stories, but there were also a couple of stories with distinct supernatural element in them. And, among all the stories only 3 could be said to be not up to the mark. Not that they were not good, but they were not as exciting as the others.
A highly enjoyable book recommended to everyone who wants to take a break from reading novels and would be in a mood for going for short stories.
But, then I wonder, why all writers aren’t as insensitive as him. I would love if every writer would just throw away all the worries regarding the reader’s comfort and write stories that would push the reader to the edge of their seat, increase their heartbeat, and make them uncomfortable. I wouldn’t even mind if I had a heart attack while reading it. At least I would die happy, knowing that I died because I was reading a thrilling book which made me perspire, increased my heartbeat and led me to my demise.
Do Not Exceed The Stated Dose, is a collection of fourteen short stories and one novella. Short stories are a different ballgame. Not only there is a restriction on the number of words but also an added responsibility of providing a twist. So, naturally not every writer is not capable or rather manages to write good crime short stories. Apparently Peter Lovesey does.
The stories in this book were delicately short, cunningly clever and dangerously twisted. And, not only there were crime stories, but there were also a couple of stories with distinct supernatural element in them. And, among all the stories only 3 could be said to be not up to the mark. Not that they were not good, but they were not as exciting as the others.
A highly enjoyable book recommended to everyone who wants to take a break from reading novels and would be in a mood for going for short stories.
June 30, 2023
Writing crime stories is very difficult. Writing good quality crime stories consistently is something done only by a genius. Writing crime stories like those written by Peter Lovesey over a period of three decades...
Only Peter Lovesey could have done something like that.
And this book is an evidence.
Fifteen stories. Some very short. Some a tad longish. Some more witty than brainy. Some more twisted than a serpent.
But they are all sharp, effective, remorseless, with only a few leaving you with a smile and the rest with only unease as you keep looking at your partner, neighbours, friends, lover.
You may have one story a night, or may adopt the 'bottom up' approach. It really doesn't matter. But if you really like crime stories, then this collection does matter.
R
Highly recommended, goes without saying.
Only Peter Lovesey could have done something like that.
And this book is an evidence.
Fifteen stories. Some very short. Some a tad longish. Some more witty than brainy. Some more twisted than a serpent.
But they are all sharp, effective, remorseless, with only a few leaving you with a smile and the rest with only unease as you keep looking at your partner, neighbours, friends, lover.
You may have one story a night, or may adopt the 'bottom up' approach. It really doesn't matter. But if you really like crime stories, then this collection does matter.
R
Highly recommended, goes without saying.
August 4, 2025
Usually, a book of short stories will have a few stinkers in the collection.
Happily, I enjoyed them all.
My apologies, Mr Lovesey, I did indeed exceed the stated dose.
Happily, I enjoyed them all.
My apologies, Mr Lovesey, I did indeed exceed the stated dose.
February 7, 2016
There's an art to writing short stories and you've either got it or you haven't. Peter has, and this anthology proves it. I usually spot plot twists in advance but these stories fooled me time and again.
February 19, 2021
Way better than the usual Kindle unlimited book
This book of short stories is best enjoyed one or two stories at a sitting. All the stories are quirky. Some are cozy and some are suspense stories. Enjoy
This book of short stories is best enjoyed one or two stories at a sitting. All the stories are quirky. Some are cozy and some are suspense stories. Enjoy
May 4, 2017
A selection of short stories involving crime which all finish with a twist to the tale.
January 21, 2019
Unable to obey the instructions, I finished this in one greedy gulp. Twist upon twist, and impossible to resist continuing!
October 23, 2020
Another enjoyable collection of short stories with a twist. The one with the old couple is especially gasp-inducing.
January 3, 2021
First time I ever read short stories written by Peter Lovesey. They were extremely well written. I am a fan of his Peter Diamond series and I found these short stories enjoyable to read.
August 27, 2023
Very clever short stories about crime. Actually quite go9d on re-reading.
June 7, 2024
Simple but well-written shorts that fall into the broad 'mystery' genre. Some detection, some suspense, some thrills. 3.5 stars rounded up.
September 24, 2012
In my experience crime short stories can be unsatisfactory but as I enjoy Peter Lovesey’s writing I decided to try his short stories. These are really good. They are well plotted, chilling and I can still remember them a couple of days after I’ve read them.
The author recommends only reading one or two at a time to avoid nightmares – hence the title. I spent all one afternoon reading them and found they did have a cumulative effect and I had to read something lighter to counteract it.
There are stories featuring Bertie the Royal detective and one featuring Peter Diamond, the Bath detective but others with ‘one off’ characters. I enjoyed them all, My particular favourites are ‘A Parrot is Forever’ – featuring Sir Roger who knew who he liked; ‘The Proof of the Pudding’ – with its neat twist and ‘Murder in Store’ – another Christmas themed story.
If you like crime novels and are looking for a good collection of crime stories then give this one a try – you won’t be disappointed – I certainly wasn’t.
The author recommends only reading one or two at a time to avoid nightmares – hence the title. I spent all one afternoon reading them and found they did have a cumulative effect and I had to read something lighter to counteract it.
There are stories featuring Bertie the Royal detective and one featuring Peter Diamond, the Bath detective but others with ‘one off’ characters. I enjoyed them all, My particular favourites are ‘A Parrot is Forever’ – featuring Sir Roger who knew who he liked; ‘The Proof of the Pudding’ – with its neat twist and ‘Murder in Store’ – another Christmas themed story.
If you like crime novels and are looking for a good collection of crime stories then give this one a try – you won’t be disappointed – I certainly wasn’t.
March 23, 2008
This is a fairly typical book of short stories--some good, some not. I'd say the better ones are in the middle to end of the book so if you don't care for the first few, keep going. It does get better.
March 18, 2010
Lovesey's novels are pretty good: at least, the plots are first rate. These short stories, though, were not amusing. The collection itself is a potpourri. This doesn't help.
November 7, 2010
A brilliant mixture of short stories. Looking forward to re-reading
July 16, 2016
Enjoyable short stories with a few Peter Diamond and my favorite, Bertie, Prince of Wales mixed in.
February 17, 2021
A collection of excellent stories, some supernatural and some semi-autobiographical.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews