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Peter Diamond #18
Killing with Confetti
Peter Lovesey, MWA Grand Master and titan of the English detective novel, returns readers to Bath with the eighteenth mystery in his critically acclaimed Peter Diamond series.As a New Year begins in Bath, Ben Brace proposes to his long-term girlfriend, Caroline, the daughter of notorious crime baron Joe Irving, who is coming to the end of a prison sentence. The problem is that Ben’s father, George, is the Deputy Chief Constable. A more uncomfortable set of in-laws would be hard to imagine. But mothers and sons are a formidable a wedding in the Abbey and reception in the Roman Baths are arranged before the career-obsessed DCC can step in.Peter Diamond, Bath’s head of CID, is appalled to be put in charge of security on the day. Ordered to be discreet, he packs a gun and a guest list in his best suit and must somehow cope with potential killers, gang rivals, warring parents, bossy photographers and straying bridesmaids. The laid-back Joe Irving seems oblivious to the danger he is in from rival gang leaders, while Brace can’t wait for the day to end. Will the photo session be a literal shoot? Will Joe Irving’s speech as father of the bride be his last words? Can Diamond pull off a miracle, avert a tragedy and send the happy couple on their honeymoon?
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2019
148 people are currently reading
2031 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 - 30 of 199 reviews
August 3, 2022
This is a mystery, and this is the 18th book in the Peter Diamond series. I have not read or review any other books in this series. Caroline is the daughter of Joe a notorious crime baron, and she is marring Ben the son of the Deputy Chief Constable. Joe gets out of prison right before the wedding and decides he wants to pay from the wedding and be a part of it. Of course their is people that wants to kill Joe, so their are extra police officers at the wedding. Of course the wedding come not go off without any problems. You will have to read the book to find out what happens. I really enjoyed reading this book, and it was a fast moving book. I also really liked the ending of the book.
August 3, 2019
I do enjoy the Peter Diamond series but must admit there were some sections of this latest offering that did not hold my interest. The background presented initially is the foundation that is all important for what follows, a rather nasty planned prison break that was foiled by bravery of a female governor of the prison at great cost to her.
A wedding is planned, and the introduction to this young couple seems a bit out of place initially. Things get a big fluffy for me with lots of nonsensical chatter from relatives of the couple and the fact that Diamond must tolerate this as he is dragged into performing as protection lead for a released crime boss, father of the bride.
Diamond is not a gun man, but is forced into going for training so he can carry on this assignment. Although he must perform required duties as demanded by his boss he manages to cut through the fog and get to the truth.
Thus...I enjoyed the solution.
A wedding is planned, and the introduction to this young couple seems a bit out of place initially. Things get a big fluffy for me with lots of nonsensical chatter from relatives of the couple and the fact that Diamond must tolerate this as he is dragged into performing as protection lead for a released crime boss, father of the bride.
Diamond is not a gun man, but is forced into going for training so he can carry on this assignment. Although he must perform required duties as demanded by his boss he manages to cut through the fog and get to the truth.
Thus...I enjoyed the solution.
August 6, 2019
First Sentence: The two short words Warren doesn't wish to hear: "It's on."
Ben Brace, son of Deputy Chief Constable George Brace, and Caroline Irving, daughter of professional criminal Joe Irving, are getting married as soon as her father is released from prison. Besides their son marrying a criminal's daughter, Brace is worried the rivals may see this as a perfect opportunity to remove Irving. In order to ensure everyone's safety, Senior Detective Peter Diamond is assigned to see that all goes well. A missing policeman and a body found in the hypocaust of the Roman baths are not what Brace had in mind.
Lovesey creates the unexpected. There is certainly nothing ordinary or predictable about the way the story begins or continues forward. Yes, there is a not-named-as-such prologue set in 2015, but it is a great entry into the story and captures one's interest immediately. Just hang on, and its purpose does become clear.
Shifting quickly to present day, Lovesey's description of Carolyn's first-ever visit to her father in prison is so well done. Her emotions are clearly conveyed. At the same time, Lovesey knows how to start a story slowly, allowing one to become familiar with, and invested in, the characters. Before one realizes it, the tension begins to mount as the intent becomes clear.
If one has not previously read a Peter Diamond book, he may quickly become a favorite character. He is curmudgeonly, tight with money, and private about his life. He is also observant and intelligent. His wry humor is expressed perfectly—"They finally reached Camden Crescent, built on a slope so steep that parts of the planned structure collapsed at an early stage in the construction and were abandoned, … where another 175 properties collapsed in a landslip in 1881. Reader, if you ever think of moving to the northern slopes, hire a surveyor." As well conversations with his cat, Raffles, there is lovely irony—"'We want their day to pass off peacefully, don't we?' ' Like Romeo and Juliet," Leaman said, 'Lovers from two warring families.' 'Let's hope not,' Ingeborg said. 'Romeo and Juliet ended up dead.'
The plot has very good twists, plenty of suspense and a well-done tie-back to the beginning.
"Killing with Confetti" is an excellent traditional police procedural. It is such a pleasure to read. Lovesey doesn't take one down blind alleys. He plays fair and brings all the strings together with a great reveal and final twist.
KILLING WITH CONFETTI (PolProc-Peter Diamond-Bath, England-Contemp)- Ex
Lovesey, Peter – 18th in series
SOHO Crime – July 2019
Ben Brace, son of Deputy Chief Constable George Brace, and Caroline Irving, daughter of professional criminal Joe Irving, are getting married as soon as her father is released from prison. Besides their son marrying a criminal's daughter, Brace is worried the rivals may see this as a perfect opportunity to remove Irving. In order to ensure everyone's safety, Senior Detective Peter Diamond is assigned to see that all goes well. A missing policeman and a body found in the hypocaust of the Roman baths are not what Brace had in mind.
Lovesey creates the unexpected. There is certainly nothing ordinary or predictable about the way the story begins or continues forward. Yes, there is a not-named-as-such prologue set in 2015, but it is a great entry into the story and captures one's interest immediately. Just hang on, and its purpose does become clear.
Shifting quickly to present day, Lovesey's description of Carolyn's first-ever visit to her father in prison is so well done. Her emotions are clearly conveyed. At the same time, Lovesey knows how to start a story slowly, allowing one to become familiar with, and invested in, the characters. Before one realizes it, the tension begins to mount as the intent becomes clear.
If one has not previously read a Peter Diamond book, he may quickly become a favorite character. He is curmudgeonly, tight with money, and private about his life. He is also observant and intelligent. His wry humor is expressed perfectly—"They finally reached Camden Crescent, built on a slope so steep that parts of the planned structure collapsed at an early stage in the construction and were abandoned, … where another 175 properties collapsed in a landslip in 1881. Reader, if you ever think of moving to the northern slopes, hire a surveyor." As well conversations with his cat, Raffles, there is lovely irony—"'We want their day to pass off peacefully, don't we?' ' Like Romeo and Juliet," Leaman said, 'Lovers from two warring families.' 'Let's hope not,' Ingeborg said. 'Romeo and Juliet ended up dead.'
The plot has very good twists, plenty of suspense and a well-done tie-back to the beginning.
"Killing with Confetti" is an excellent traditional police procedural. It is such a pleasure to read. Lovesey doesn't take one down blind alleys. He plays fair and brings all the strings together with a great reveal and final twist.
KILLING WITH CONFETTI (PolProc-Peter Diamond-Bath, England-Contemp)- Ex
Lovesey, Peter – 18th in series
SOHO Crime – July 2019
July 22, 2019
There are two things about Lovesey that I’ll mention upfront: Peter Lovesey is one of the few authors who are on my ‘auto-buy’ list (I do not recall if I included his name when I did a list the other day); and he is one of the few authors I’ve been reading for a good long while now. I’ve read, I believe, all but three of his fiction books – two are books 2 & 3 in a three book series in which I rather disliked the first book, and the other is a book he released eons ago under a different name. Something around 37 books in total. 18 of which involve Peter Diamond – the series this specific book is in.
I always worry when an author I enjoy is getting up there in age. Several authors I’ve read for a longish while kind of fell apart near the end. Then two things made me worry even more with this book: the release date got pushed, and when I finally got the book the beginning sections seemed, what’s a good phrase, hmms, less than coherent. Bah, that’s not exactly right. Well, Lovesey loves starting his works off with a different POV at the lead than his series character. Long running habit of his. The beginning here kept bouncing around to different people’s heads and none seemed to mesh up with the book description. So, naturally, I worried.
Then I got to the Peter Diamond section. Then I was, mostly, like a kitten being petted (there’s a cute kitten in this story, so). I shouldn’t have worried, eh?
The opening section talks about (heh, shows not talks) a prison riot, an escape attempt, and a kidnapping. Roughly three years before the start of the ‘main’ section. Three of the people from that section play various roles in the second Peter Diamond section. Unlike normal Lovesey habit, though, no one’s death needed to be investigated by Diamond in the first section (not that no one died, at least two did).
One of those from the first section is a fella named Joe Irving. He’s a big ol’ evil crime boss. Who happens to have a daughter, who happens to have ‘hooked up’ with a particular man, and now they plan to marry. That man is the son of a top police officer, Deputy Chief Constable, named George Brass.
Getting mixed up with Irving isn’t exactly going to do his career any good, but Brass wants things to ‘go well’ at the wedding. And having a crime boss gunned down at the wedding wouldn’t exactly go well, eh? So he has Peter Diamond act as an undercover protective shadow to Joe Irving.
It’s not a spoiler to note that someone does turn up with a gun meaning some evil business. It probably isn’t even a spoiler to say who this individual happens to be, but I’ll leave it to: one of the three people I previously mentioned from the first part of the story is the gunman here.
Not the normal Diamond mystery, but then he’s an oddball to begin with (what with the early part of the series seeing him in and out of the police force, being at some point something like a mall cop, I think, I might be misremembering that). Quite enjoyable mystery.
Rating: 4.42
July 22 2019
I always worry when an author I enjoy is getting up there in age. Several authors I’ve read for a longish while kind of fell apart near the end. Then two things made me worry even more with this book: the release date got pushed, and when I finally got the book the beginning sections seemed, what’s a good phrase, hmms, less than coherent. Bah, that’s not exactly right. Well, Lovesey loves starting his works off with a different POV at the lead than his series character. Long running habit of his. The beginning here kept bouncing around to different people’s heads and none seemed to mesh up with the book description. So, naturally, I worried.
Then I got to the Peter Diamond section. Then I was, mostly, like a kitten being petted (there’s a cute kitten in this story, so). I shouldn’t have worried, eh?
The opening section talks about (heh, shows not talks) a prison riot, an escape attempt, and a kidnapping. Roughly three years before the start of the ‘main’ section. Three of the people from that section play various roles in the second Peter Diamond section. Unlike normal Lovesey habit, though, no one’s death needed to be investigated by Diamond in the first section (not that no one died, at least two did).
One of those from the first section is a fella named Joe Irving. He’s a big ol’ evil crime boss. Who happens to have a daughter, who happens to have ‘hooked up’ with a particular man, and now they plan to marry. That man is the son of a top police officer, Deputy Chief Constable, named George Brass.
Getting mixed up with Irving isn’t exactly going to do his career any good, but Brass wants things to ‘go well’ at the wedding. And having a crime boss gunned down at the wedding wouldn’t exactly go well, eh? So he has Peter Diamond act as an undercover protective shadow to Joe Irving.
It’s not a spoiler to note that someone does turn up with a gun meaning some evil business. It probably isn’t even a spoiler to say who this individual happens to be, but I’ll leave it to: one of the three people I previously mentioned from the first part of the story is the gunman here.
Not the normal Diamond mystery, but then he’s an oddball to begin with (what with the early part of the series seeing him in and out of the police force, being at some point something like a mall cop, I think, I might be misremembering that). Quite enjoyable mystery.
Rating: 4.42
July 22 2019
March 27, 2025
This one is something else. Has it ever happened in real life that a longtime convict's daughter falls for a cop's kid? Well, similar to Romeo and Juliet, you can be forgiven for thinking everyone ends up dead. But no, Diamond has something special in store, another cliff-hanger that is not resolved until the last pages.
Glorious Bath, in all its history, takes center stage here. I wasn't picturing it quite so hilly, nor so ancient, but those are the features stressed in this wonderful novel. We are closing in on the end of this series, but Lovesey really does not flag. He just keeps getting better and better.
Glorious Bath, in all its history, takes center stage here. I wasn't picturing it quite so hilly, nor so ancient, but those are the features stressed in this wonderful novel. We are closing in on the end of this series, but Lovesey really does not flag. He just keeps getting better and better.
August 1, 2019
Four years ago, immobilized while recovering from knee surgery, I came across a book by Peter Lovesey, an author with whom I was not familiar. When I closed the cover, I thought, Where has this man been all of my life? A Google search revealed a mother lode of a backlist, so I went on a digital hunt at libraries and used bookstores. Zip, nada. It turns out that he wasn’t published in the U.S. until around 2016. I did learn that he was a multi-award-winning mystery writer in Great Britain, but was an unknown this side of the pond.
As is my habit, I dove into this treasure trove, starting with THE LAST DETECTIVE and have worked my way to the present. Lovesey's series is rich with history of the scenic area of Bath, England, and laced with wit, danger, pathos, love and loss. His protagonist, Peter Diamond, is a fully rounded human being with his own unique crime-solving methods. Here is book #18 as he has climbed the steep ladder from disillusioned beat cop to Detective Superintendent.
Diamond solves crimes the old-fashioned way: Follow the clues, question the suspects and victims, if still alive, and slap on the cuffs. Computers and cell phones are a nuisance. He’s a bit of a plod, to borrow the British term, but he also gets his man or woman (as the case may be) with as little nonsense as possible. So when the regional top brass, Deputy Chief Constable George Brace, summons him to headquarters to give him a plainclothes assignment complete with concealed sidearm, Diamond is equally flattered and alarmed. For starters, he barely owns a decent suit that still fits him, and it isn’t news that British cops, especially detectives, are no gunslingers.
But Brace's orders are for Diamond to work undercover at his son’s upcoming wedding: Mingle discretely with the guests while keeping an eye on them and the rooms for any potential assassins. Assassins? It turns out that Brace’s son is marrying his longtime sweetheart, the daughter of wealthy and notorious crime baron Joe Irving (much to the surprise of all concerned, including the groom), who soon will be released from lockup.
The blushing bride has always wished for an elaborate white wedding in none other than the Cathedral of Bath, followed by a reception in the famous and cavernous Roman Baths. What baby wants, Daddy gives. Call it repentance to make up for years of neglect and concealed shame, while Irving has left behind a trail of criminal activities interrupted by sentences in virtually every prison in England. Not to be ignored is the number of potential enemies both inside and outside the prison walls. The posh event will take place the day after Irving’s hush-hush release. Brace assures Diamond that every attempt is being made to keep the event out of the press, known only to a select few family members. What could possibly go wrong?
Diamond is fully aware of the pitfalls hidden in this famous landmark, which is open daily to the public but closed to evening events. The awe-inspiring Roman Baths have played a prominent role in many of his earlier cases, so he knows every nook and cranny of the ancient Cathedral and Baths that date back to the Roman Empire. The potential for hiding places is infinite for an attempted assassination of the infamous crime lord. Diamond’s orders to mingle as a guest begin to erode as the event draws near. When word leaks out that someone may be hunting down Irving, all concepts of discretion fly out the window. The guest list expands to include uniformed officers, as few are the men and women under Diamond’s command who blend inconspicuously in plainclothes at a full-dress event.
KILLING WITH CONFETTI begins more lightheartedly than Lovesey’s previous mysteries, as entertaining as its title. So kick back and enjoy a delightful summer escape from the drumbeat of real-world events that pays off with a surprising, page-turning denouement.
Reviewed by Roz Shea
As is my habit, I dove into this treasure trove, starting with THE LAST DETECTIVE and have worked my way to the present. Lovesey's series is rich with history of the scenic area of Bath, England, and laced with wit, danger, pathos, love and loss. His protagonist, Peter Diamond, is a fully rounded human being with his own unique crime-solving methods. Here is book #18 as he has climbed the steep ladder from disillusioned beat cop to Detective Superintendent.
Diamond solves crimes the old-fashioned way: Follow the clues, question the suspects and victims, if still alive, and slap on the cuffs. Computers and cell phones are a nuisance. He’s a bit of a plod, to borrow the British term, but he also gets his man or woman (as the case may be) with as little nonsense as possible. So when the regional top brass, Deputy Chief Constable George Brace, summons him to headquarters to give him a plainclothes assignment complete with concealed sidearm, Diamond is equally flattered and alarmed. For starters, he barely owns a decent suit that still fits him, and it isn’t news that British cops, especially detectives, are no gunslingers.
But Brace's orders are for Diamond to work undercover at his son’s upcoming wedding: Mingle discretely with the guests while keeping an eye on them and the rooms for any potential assassins. Assassins? It turns out that Brace’s son is marrying his longtime sweetheart, the daughter of wealthy and notorious crime baron Joe Irving (much to the surprise of all concerned, including the groom), who soon will be released from lockup.
The blushing bride has always wished for an elaborate white wedding in none other than the Cathedral of Bath, followed by a reception in the famous and cavernous Roman Baths. What baby wants, Daddy gives. Call it repentance to make up for years of neglect and concealed shame, while Irving has left behind a trail of criminal activities interrupted by sentences in virtually every prison in England. Not to be ignored is the number of potential enemies both inside and outside the prison walls. The posh event will take place the day after Irving’s hush-hush release. Brace assures Diamond that every attempt is being made to keep the event out of the press, known only to a select few family members. What could possibly go wrong?
Diamond is fully aware of the pitfalls hidden in this famous landmark, which is open daily to the public but closed to evening events. The awe-inspiring Roman Baths have played a prominent role in many of his earlier cases, so he knows every nook and cranny of the ancient Cathedral and Baths that date back to the Roman Empire. The potential for hiding places is infinite for an attempted assassination of the infamous crime lord. Diamond’s orders to mingle as a guest begin to erode as the event draws near. When word leaks out that someone may be hunting down Irving, all concepts of discretion fly out the window. The guest list expands to include uniformed officers, as few are the men and women under Diamond’s command who blend inconspicuously in plainclothes at a full-dress event.
KILLING WITH CONFETTI begins more lightheartedly than Lovesey’s previous mysteries, as entertaining as its title. So kick back and enjoy a delightful summer escape from the drumbeat of real-world events that pays off with a surprising, page-turning denouement.
Reviewed by Roz Shea
August 14, 2019
A lot of people liked this book. However, I was one of the few that didn't care for it. Really there was nothing special about. I felt there just wasn't a lot to the mystery. I didn't even really find anything exciting about any of the characters. I would have given this 1 star but everything did work out in the end.
August 15, 2019
Filled with surprising plot twists, illuminated with tense, well-written scenes between interesting but easy-to-relate-to people and set against a Bath I know well, "Killing With Confetti" was excellent entertainment.
I only discovered Peter Lovesey's series about Bath-based police detective Peter Diamond last year. For once, I didn't go back to the beginning but dived it at book seventeen in the series, "Beau Death" because I couldn't resist the premise of a long-dead body, dressed as Beau Nash, being found as a building is demolished.
I had such a good time with that, that I bought book eighteen, "Killing With Confetti", as soon as it came out.
It was also an entertaining read, although quite different from the previous book. It opens with a set of scenes about a prison riot and a related abduction. Peter Diamond was nowhere to be seen, but I didn't miss him because I rapidly became absorbed in what was happening in the prison. The scenes were tense, laced with a little humour and kept me turning the pages by going places I didn't expect.
When we do get to Peter Diamond there is no obvious link to the start of the book. Peter has been dragooned by the Deputy Chief Constable to provide personal protection to the father of the woman the DCC's son is getting married to, a local and much-feared crime boss who has just been released from prison.
In the story that follows, we get an close-up look at how posh weddings in Bath are staged (Ceremony at the Abbey and reception at private suite in the Roman Baths), follow an assassin planning and executing a hit, meet a truly scary hard man and watch Peter Diamond deal effortlessly with politicking senior officers but struggle when faced with tiny-but-wild bridesmaids and their not-so-tiny-but-really-wanting-to-be-wild mothers.
I enjoyed the mix of tension and humour in the storytelling. It kept things human without taking away a sense of threat. The details of Bath were spot on. I now know exactly how to plan to execute someone at a wedding in the Abbey and get away with it. I doubt that's knowledge I'll use but it was amusing to see such dramatic events worked out in my town.
The ending tugged hard on my suspension of disbelief but never actually snapped it. I'll be back for more Peter Diamond next year. I may even drop back in time and read some of the earlier books.
Peter Wickham does an excellent job as the narrator. You can hear a sample of his work by clicking on the SoundCloud link below.
https://soundcloud.com/hachetteaudiou...
I only discovered Peter Lovesey's series about Bath-based police detective Peter Diamond last year. For once, I didn't go back to the beginning but dived it at book seventeen in the series, "Beau Death" because I couldn't resist the premise of a long-dead body, dressed as Beau Nash, being found as a building is demolished.
I had such a good time with that, that I bought book eighteen, "Killing With Confetti", as soon as it came out.
It was also an entertaining read, although quite different from the previous book. It opens with a set of scenes about a prison riot and a related abduction. Peter Diamond was nowhere to be seen, but I didn't miss him because I rapidly became absorbed in what was happening in the prison. The scenes were tense, laced with a little humour and kept me turning the pages by going places I didn't expect.
When we do get to Peter Diamond there is no obvious link to the start of the book. Peter has been dragooned by the Deputy Chief Constable to provide personal protection to the father of the woman the DCC's son is getting married to, a local and much-feared crime boss who has just been released from prison.
In the story that follows, we get an close-up look at how posh weddings in Bath are staged (Ceremony at the Abbey and reception at private suite in the Roman Baths), follow an assassin planning and executing a hit, meet a truly scary hard man and watch Peter Diamond deal effortlessly with politicking senior officers but struggle when faced with tiny-but-wild bridesmaids and their not-so-tiny-but-really-wanting-to-be-wild mothers.
I enjoyed the mix of tension and humour in the storytelling. It kept things human without taking away a sense of threat. The details of Bath were spot on. I now know exactly how to plan to execute someone at a wedding in the Abbey and get away with it. I doubt that's knowledge I'll use but it was amusing to see such dramatic events worked out in my town.
The ending tugged hard on my suspension of disbelief but never actually snapped it. I'll be back for more Peter Diamond next year. I may even drop back in time and read some of the earlier books.
Peter Wickham does an excellent job as the narrator. You can hear a sample of his work by clicking on the SoundCloud link below.
https://soundcloud.com/hachetteaudiou...
August 22, 2019
Another very enjoyable entry in the tremendous Peter Diamond series. Lovesey does a terrific job of building characters that are unique and interesting. Our hero, Peter Diamond, doesn't even appear until about page 76, but the stage-setting that occurs prior to that is very engaging and interesting. From that point on, the suspense he's able to generate is incredible. I was worried about pretty much everyone through the heart of the book, and I was deliciously confused (as usual) about the resolution. Reading a Peter Diamond adventure is like a welcome visit with old friends, and in this entry, Lovesey even treated long-time fans to some winking references to previous stories, which I appreciated. If you've not read this series yet, I highly recommend it. For those who have, this is another high-quality member of that outstanding group.
January 23, 2020
Red Wedding
Michael Corleone's daughter is marrying the son of the Chief of Police.
Detective Peter Diamond is security to make sure one of the other families don't turn it into a 'Red Wedding'.
Which one of the families would try? Tattaglia is a pimp so i thought Barzini all along. Well i was wrong.
This was an ok read. This is the 18th Peter Diamond book, my first. I would have enjoyed it more if i started from the beginning. Even so i found the plot to be dull at times and there was a lot of filler. A good ending but not enough story to be four stars. I did enjoy Peter and i will go back and read book #1
Michael Corleone's daughter is marrying the son of the Chief of Police.
Detective Peter Diamond is security to make sure one of the other families don't turn it into a 'Red Wedding'.
Which one of the families would try? Tattaglia is a pimp so i thought Barzini all along. Well i was wrong.
This was an ok read. This is the 18th Peter Diamond book, my first. I would have enjoyed it more if i started from the beginning. Even so i found the plot to be dull at times and there was a lot of filler. A good ending but not enough story to be four stars. I did enjoy Peter and i will go back and read book #1
July 27, 2019
I enjoy a mystery that IDs the killer through a climactic reenactment. That’s the best part of this latest Peter Diamond mystery. Up until then it’s a little on the slow-moving side, and without as much police procedural detail as normal.
The reason for the relative lack of police procedural detail is that the murder doesn’t take place until about halfway through the book. Before then, it’s almost all about the arrangements for the wedding security on the one hand and a sniper setting up for a hit on the other. Nothing wrong with that stuff except that it took up a bit too much of the story for my taste.
I’ve read all the Peter Diamond series, of which this is the 18th. I wouldn’t say this is among the best, but as a puzzler it’s satisfying. I guessed whodunnit, but I was never sure of my guess until near the end.
The reason for the relative lack of police procedural detail is that the murder doesn’t take place until about halfway through the book. Before then, it’s almost all about the arrangements for the wedding security on the one hand and a sniper setting up for a hit on the other. Nothing wrong with that stuff except that it took up a bit too much of the story for my taste.
I’ve read all the Peter Diamond series, of which this is the 18th. I wouldn’t say this is among the best, but as a puzzler it’s satisfying. I guessed whodunnit, but I was never sure of my guess until near the end.
July 26, 2019
He's a tricky bastard, and I don't mean the murderer, and I don't mean Peter Diamond, either. I'm talking about Peter Lovesey, the author, who is always several steps ahead of the reader. You may think you're onto his tricks, you may think you're smarter than this reviewer (and you may be, for all I know), but then a few words from Peter Diamond, the head of the Bath CID, and you'll find that Lovesey has had a surprise up his sleeve all along. This book starts with a well-planned prison riot, and with a young couple in love. He is the son of the Deputy Chief Constable; she is the daughter of a very successful gang leader. Their marriage brings out a man who wants to get revenge, and he has several guns and the ability to use them. Afraid of disruptions at the wedding, the DCC and his flirtatious wife ask Peter to come as a working guest. If you're not a fan of Lovesey, do yourself a favor and start right here.
December 1, 2019
Not my favorite of the Peter Diamond series, but as is with most series I follow, it's like meeting an old friend: you know everything about them by now and the characters as well. I adore Peter, the anti-hero chief detective, and his eclectic team; and especially the sense of place in historic Bath, England. It took 76 pages before Diamond enters the story, which the author has done in a few previous books, so there's different points of view. But it took forever for the mystery to roll out; the ending was very Hercule Poirot in its execution.
I hope Peter Lovesey keeps churning these out. He's been a terrific find for me!
I hope Peter Lovesey keeps churning these out. He's been a terrific find for me!
November 6, 2019
I was torn between two stars (it was o.k.) and three stars (I liked it). The writing was very smooth and fun to read, but I never felt much for the characters. When I started this book, I was very excited because I thought I was going to enjoy it much more than I ended up doing, and that would have been great since Lovesey has written a gazillion books. However, after the disappointment that this one incurred in me, I doubt I will invest any more time with Peter Diamond.
September 17, 2019
3.5
First half of the book was just great and really hooked me. However, I felt that Lovesey got too far in the weeds during the wedding chapters and I could've done with a lot less detail. Get on with it man!
All in all, this series is still one of my favorites and Peter Diamond is a peach. I would recommend the title with the small caveat that I think it needed some editing.
First half of the book was just great and really hooked me. However, I felt that Lovesey got too far in the weeds during the wedding chapters and I could've done with a lot less detail. Get on with it man!
All in all, this series is still one of my favorites and Peter Diamond is a peach. I would recommend the title with the small caveat that I think it needed some editing.
November 18, 2021
Though I have liked all the books in this series, I enjoyed this one more than most: unusual circumstances, interesting characters, the threat of a murder rather than the aftermath of one, and even a kitten. I guess I should have seen the outcome, but I get so caught up in the story that I always sail right past the clues, cleverly hidden in plain sight.
August 11, 2019
I can’t believe it took me this long to read Lovesey. This book has everything I want in a crime novel: interesting setting, unexpected and clever puzzle, slightly curmudgeonly cop, dry humor, and yes, it’s British. I have to go back to the beginning of this series.
October 31, 2019
I can give it a 3.5, but not a 4 because there was not, IMO, enough substance to it. How many times can you describe Peter’s suits? I liked the kitten and I thought the ending was very good.
July 21, 2019
It has felt like forever since I have had the time to sit down and write a review. This time it is for a book kindly sent to me by Soho Press in May. I only got the chance to read this book a week ago. Once I picked it up I kept wondering why I had not picked it up sooner! This was my first ever physical ARC and it is safe to say I was a little bit overwhelmed. The rough plot line of the book is as follows, a notorious prisoner’s daughter is set to wed the Deputy Chief Constable’s son. The prisoner Joe Irving, has just finished his sentence. Peter Diamond, CID head, is left with the job of security at the high risk wedding. The hit man Jack Peace keeps getting messed with while trying to aim. Will he get to make his shot? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rated it four stars (out of five).
The opening of the book is unusual and it certainly took me a few pages to get into, when I finally linked it all together and could get a clear picture of what was going on. It is a great read if you’re looking for a mystery novel and do not want to become too caught up on romance. Something which I loved about this book was that every story line and character were developed as much as possible. This is something which shows the heart and detail the author poured into this book. So much so, my favorite characters happen to be, Magda Lyle and her West Highland terrier, Blanche. Side characters, with more heart and plot than a lot of main characters are given in other books! This book is from a series, The Peter Diamond series. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I am certainly going to look into the series.
“Killing with Confetti” is a suspenseful mystery with an entertaining plot twist. If you’re looking for a good mystery novel I think this is the one for you. It really keeps you enthralled throughout the book and is a very easy read. Thank you again to Soho Press for sending this wonderful book my way.
The opening of the book is unusual and it certainly took me a few pages to get into, when I finally linked it all together and could get a clear picture of what was going on. It is a great read if you’re looking for a mystery novel and do not want to become too caught up on romance. Something which I loved about this book was that every story line and character were developed as much as possible. This is something which shows the heart and detail the author poured into this book. So much so, my favorite characters happen to be, Magda Lyle and her West Highland terrier, Blanche. Side characters, with more heart and plot than a lot of main characters are given in other books! This book is from a series, The Peter Diamond series. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I am certainly going to look into the series.
“Killing with Confetti” is a suspenseful mystery with an entertaining plot twist. If you’re looking for a good mystery novel I think this is the one for you. It really keeps you enthralled throughout the book and is a very easy read. Thank you again to Soho Press for sending this wonderful book my way.
October 30, 2019
This is the 18th in the series featuring Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond of Bath, and while it’s not bad, it’s a long way from his best. Diamond is always leery of his boss, the rather pompous Georgina Dallymore, Assistant Chief Constable for Crime, so when she summons him for a confidential meeting with her own superior, Deputy Chief Constable George Brace, expects the worst. But then he learns that the girl with whom Brace’s son, Ben, has been involved, and whom he now wants to marry, is the daughter of Joe Irving, one of the leading crime bosses in the west of England. Brace, of course, is beside himself, foreseeing the end of his own meteoric career, but he has apparently been presented with a fait accompli and he’ll have to grit his teeth and bear it. “Uncle Joe” will be getting out of prison (again) in a few weeks and Brace wants Diamond to oversee security for the wedding (at the Abbey) and the following reception (at the Roman Baths). Joe has lots of rivals and other enemies, and it wouldn’t do to have the bride’s father assassinated on her wedding day.
There is, in fact, a murder plot in the works, and we see part of the story through the eyes of the would-be hitman, as Diamond tries his best to keep everyone alive and reasonably safe. But acting as bodyguard to a major crook isn’t easy. There are several startling developments that take the story off in quite a different direction, but the author manages to keep control. the biggest problem is with the personalities and reactions of the various people with whom Diamond must deal, and which don’t always ring true. Frankly, the premise of the marriage itself is only borderline credible, but if you can buy that bit, you’re probably enjoy the book.
There is, in fact, a murder plot in the works, and we see part of the story through the eyes of the would-be hitman, as Diamond tries his best to keep everyone alive and reasonably safe. But acting as bodyguard to a major crook isn’t easy. There are several startling developments that take the story off in quite a different direction, but the author manages to keep control. the biggest problem is with the personalities and reactions of the various people with whom Diamond must deal, and which don’t always ring true. Frankly, the premise of the marriage itself is only borderline credible, but if you can buy that bit, you’re probably enjoy the book.
September 27, 2019
I have been a Peter Lovesey and Peter Diamond fan for years. Peter Diamond is the surly, disagreeable detective in Bath, England. He runs the homicide squad. Over the years he has mellowed maybe a little too much. I enjoyed him more in the early books when he was more impetuous, more of a bull in the china shop. Now he is still disagreeable, but more bark than bite. In this book he is forced by his superiors to attend the wedding of a high ranking police official’s son. The son is marrying the daughter of a notorious crime boss who was recently released from prison. The fear is that the crime boss, who is known for taking caution in every step he takes, will be too exposed during the wedding and reception. Peter is to attend the wedding and provide some protection for the mobster. And, sure enough, an assassin is planning to kill at the wedding. The book follows Peter as he tries to stay on top of the wedding plans and be prepared for the worst. And it follows the assassin as he plans his kill. But when the assassin is found dead at the Roman Bath where the reception is being held it throws everyone for a loop. The dead man served prison time with the crime boss and he appears to have died from a self inflicted shot, but Diamond isn’t buying it. A professional hit man doesn’t get a conscience and commit suicide. My complaint besides the fact that Diamond has become too soft is that some of the plot twist was a little too obvious, but I won’t include any spoilers here. A decent book, but if you really want the real flavor of Peter Diamond, read the early books.
August 27, 2019
The Bath setting of the Peter Diamond series is perfect for its stylish and witty stories, which often reflect on history in some way. Here there is some sly metafictional commentary in the different kinds of detective stories—Diamond can seem like a Golden Age detective teleported into a more modern story, and Lovely often employs that to thoughtful and slightly comic effect.
This novel starts with a prison riot, and it takes a long time before we see what that has to do with the main plot, in which Diamond is asked to provide security for the Romeo-and-Juliet wedding of the daughter of a gangland boss and the son of the Deputy Chief Constable. Since he hasn’t carried or fired a gun in decades, this doesn’t seem like a logical choice. Much of this story, with its family interactions, kitten, and wedding, is quite light, but there’s an underlying seriousness to the motivations for the planned assassination at the wedding.
My favourite part was when a character, at the start of the penultimate chapter which involves a re-enactment of the crime, complains that it’s like “being in the last chapter of an old-fashioned detective story.” It is, in the best way, and Lovesey celebrates the pleasures of that kind of story against the more up-to-date, violent and dark plot that keeps trying to break out in his novel, but is somehow contained by the trilby-wearing Diamond despite his out-datedness.
This novel starts with a prison riot, and it takes a long time before we see what that has to do with the main plot, in which Diamond is asked to provide security for the Romeo-and-Juliet wedding of the daughter of a gangland boss and the son of the Deputy Chief Constable. Since he hasn’t carried or fired a gun in decades, this doesn’t seem like a logical choice. Much of this story, with its family interactions, kitten, and wedding, is quite light, but there’s an underlying seriousness to the motivations for the planned assassination at the wedding.
My favourite part was when a character, at the start of the penultimate chapter which involves a re-enactment of the crime, complains that it’s like “being in the last chapter of an old-fashioned detective story.” It is, in the best way, and Lovesey celebrates the pleasures of that kind of story against the more up-to-date, violent and dark plot that keeps trying to break out in his novel, but is somehow contained by the trilby-wearing Diamond despite his out-datedness.
October 24, 2019
Always happy to settle in with Peter Diamond. Don't let the jacket copy fool you - it makes it sound uneasily "cosy," what with a fancy wedding and cutesy bridesmaids and such. But it isn't - it's solid Lovesey. Diamond is reliably grumpy, smart, and irritable. Not sure what has become of Paloma, his sometime lover, but there's a staunch, courageous, animal-loving prison official who seems like she should appeal to Diamond... we'll see. There's a lengthy (maybe just a bit too lengthy) buildup to the wedding, where a big-league crime boss is being protected from an anticipated hit. We see the intricacies of security concerns and precautions, and a "Day of the Jackal"-sort of following of the hitman's preparations. Just as we relax a little, Lovesey drops a neatly done twist when a corpse is found in the venue. All well and good, but my main beef with this one is: Lovesey cheats. I had my eye on a particular suspect very early on, but couldn't quite figure out the rationale. Towards the end, Lovesey is given a piece of evidence to examine, and "Two hours later, he knew who had fired that gun." But Lovesey withholds that evidence from us, so we are left behind Diamond, who gets to explain it all in the customary "Reveal" at the end. No fair! I was right about the who, but if Lovesey hides evidence from us, we are at a disadvantage. So - subtract a star. Is Lovesey getting bored or lazy after 18 Peter Diamonds? Hope not.
August 2, 2019
It is over a year since I read the last Peter Diamond novel and although I have read some of the authors other stuff since, it isnt the same. As soon as I saw that another Peter Diamond novel was out , I was off in search of a copy.
With some series' authors , you get the feeling that as the list of books grow, the characters are getting tired and there is a general deterioration. That is definitely not the case here.
In my opinion this one is the best yet. From the action of the opening and apparently unconnected chapters to the final suprising denouement, the master of misdirection does it again. I really thought that I had got this one worked out but I should have known better.
I am lucky enough to live within easy visiting distance of Bath and knowing the area undoubtedly increases one's enjoyment. Even for readers who dont have personal knowledge of the location, the writers descriptions provide a perfect substitute ( with or without Google Street View and Images).
After a few mediocre reads it is so good to get back to Peter Lovesey.
With some series' authors , you get the feeling that as the list of books grow, the characters are getting tired and there is a general deterioration. That is definitely not the case here.
In my opinion this one is the best yet. From the action of the opening and apparently unconnected chapters to the final suprising denouement, the master of misdirection does it again. I really thought that I had got this one worked out but I should have known better.
I am lucky enough to live within easy visiting distance of Bath and knowing the area undoubtedly increases one's enjoyment. Even for readers who dont have personal knowledge of the location, the writers descriptions provide a perfect substitute ( with or without Google Street View and Images).
After a few mediocre reads it is so good to get back to Peter Lovesey.
August 21, 2019
I was sent this book free of charge from the publisher in return for an honest review. All in all, I enjoyed this mystery with its heavy emphasis on its setting in the Roman Baths. However, I can't emphasize enough that drawings and/or photos of the scenery such as the Abbey, the Roman Baths would have been helpful for those like me that have never seen or visited that part of the world. I was surprised when it was finally revealed "who dunnit" and although I've never read any of the other Peter Diamond series, I'm sure they are also entertaining.
September 1, 2021
Interesting insights into some of how the penal system works in England and an easy, engrossing read, but I will agree with one of the other GR reviewers in that a diagram of the Roman Baths might have helped to really understand where some of the actors were in hiding. And when will I learn--spoiler alert--that the biggest suspects should always be those with the most to lose? But entertaining as usual, and now I am caught up with Diamond books for awhile.
August 8, 2019
How did this series last through 18 books? I can’t imagine. Maybe this is a weak exception but it’s really a poor excuse for a mystery. Nobody in this novel is drawn with any skill or sympathy, not even Peter Diamond, the main detective. It’s just a pathetic mashup of stereotypes crammed into a thin plot. That Lovesey is described as Britain’s best is the real mystery. Don’t bother.
August 4, 2019
Love this series .
October 5, 2019
A very slow read and extremely predictable. There were so many characters that it got easily confusing and to add to the mix, it was easy to still figure out the ending.
August 25, 2020
This book is the compilation of three separate stories that come together at the end of the book when the killing is figured out and the culprit apprehended. Up until the end you don't have enough info to figure it out on your own unless you create some narrative that you haven't read yet.
The book starts out with a prison riot, the moves on to a wedding and then the discovery and capture of the murderer. The wedding is a Romeo/Juliet story; the daughter of a well-known crime gang boss and the son of the Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) of Bath/Somerset Police Region. The wedding is going to be held in the local Cathedral and the reception will be at the famous Roman Baths.
The father of the bride is scheduled to be released from jail, just a few weeks before the wedding. Everyone from the grooms side (mostly coppers) is worried that someone will want to kill the brides father, because of his criminal past and current shady dealings. Both the Church and Baths are a perfect setting for an assassination with many places for a sniper to hid.
Because of his well known reputation, the DCC has asked Diamond to act as a private bodyguard to the father during the wedding and reception. For Diamond this means acting like a member of the wedding party while really being the protection for the father of the bride.
Not a full complaint, but after writing so many books about the characters, Lovesey has begun to get to deep into the narrative and at times loosing the police procedure. Not that big but there.
The book starts out with a prison riot, the moves on to a wedding and then the discovery and capture of the murderer. The wedding is a Romeo/Juliet story; the daughter of a well-known crime gang boss and the son of the Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) of Bath/Somerset Police Region. The wedding is going to be held in the local Cathedral and the reception will be at the famous Roman Baths.
The father of the bride is scheduled to be released from jail, just a few weeks before the wedding. Everyone from the grooms side (mostly coppers) is worried that someone will want to kill the brides father, because of his criminal past and current shady dealings. Both the Church and Baths are a perfect setting for an assassination with many places for a sniper to hid.
Because of his well known reputation, the DCC has asked Diamond to act as a private bodyguard to the father during the wedding and reception. For Diamond this means acting like a member of the wedding party while really being the protection for the father of the bride.
Not a full complaint, but after writing so many books about the characters, Lovesey has begun to get to deep into the narrative and at times loosing the police procedure. Not that big but there.
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