Stagestruck

Peter Diamond #11

by Peter Lovesey

Pop diva Clarion Calhoun has packed the house with a celebrity appearance in Bath's Theatre Royal production of I Am a Camera.  But within moments of her much-anticipated onstage appearance, she's pulled out of character as she screams and claws at her face. 

When tainted stage makeup is found to have caused the disfiguring burn, fingers point to her makeup artist.  Detective Peter Diamond investigates when the makeup artist is found dead, pushed from a catwalk far above the stage.  As Diamond digs deeper, he uncovers rivalries among the cast and crew and is forced to confront his own mysterious and deep-seated theatre phobia to find the killer.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Procedural, British Literature

325 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

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

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, a fading pop star is taking her first stab at acting when she is assaulted at the theater. The ensuing case involves murder, suicide, a stage ghost and backstage intrigue. There are multiple suspects and I couldn't guess the ending. The detective put in charge of the case also has to contend with tracking down the source of his own theater phobia.

I've always liked books in which the plot incorporates a theater setting and I needed to take a break from grittier books. Lovesey's police procedurals lean towards the cozier side of mysteries. I find them reliably entertaining, if somewhat formulaic.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read by............... Steve Hodson
Total Runtime......... 12 Hours 48 Mins

Description: Pop diva, Clarion Calhoun, has packed the house with a celebrity appearance in Bath's Theatre Royal production of I Am a Camera. But within moments of her much-anticipated onstage appearance, she's pulled out of character as she screams and claws at her face. When tainted stage makeup is found to have caused the disfiguring burn, fingers point to her makeup artist. Detective Peter Diamond investigates when the makeup artist is found dead, pushed from a catwalk far above the stage. As Diamond digs deeper, he uncovers rivalries among the cast and crew and is forced to confront his own mysterious and deep-seated phobia to find the killer.



This is the one with thespian superstition attatched to tortoiseshell butterflies and ghostly grey ladies. Oh yes, there is also the question of the dodgy makeup.





3* The Last Detective (Peter Diamond, #1)
2* Diamond Solitaire (Peter Diamond #2)
3* The Summons (Peter Diamond #3)
3* Bloodhounds (Peter Diamond, #4)
3.5* Upon A Dark Night (Peter Diamond #5)
3.5* The Vault (Peter Diamond, #6)
3* Diamond Dust (Peter Diamond, #7)
3.5* The House Sitter (Peter Diamond, #8)
2.5* The Secret Hangman (Peter Diamond, #9)
3* Skeleton Hill (Peter Diamond, #10)
3* Stagestruck (Peter Diamond, #11)
CR Cop To Corpse

[Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook - 10:31 hours - Narrator: Simon Prebble
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Peter Lovesey is a fine writer of "British Crime" novels and to date I have read/listened to eleven "Peter Diamond" novels and I have enjoyed most of them. Fortunately, I have a few remaining in my audiobook collection for future enjoyment.
In its early stages *ahem* "Stagestruck" dragged somewhat as a multitude of characters and their possible motives, etc., were established, but after a while I found myself wondering who did 'done' it and ultimately the story and its narration were enjoyable experiences.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my favorite...Drama in Extremis
Start to finish, this is the most outlandish Diamond I have read. Parts of it were quite funny, but they were composed like Vaudeville.
Nutshell: Bath theater center stage; rock star who was to play starring role in new production has makeup tampered with giving her acid burns - and then a whole lot of people enter the action with dramatically staged murders and attempted murders including the police

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was tough for me. I struggled with the introduction of an unlovely character that annoyed everyone…including me. It’s strange how fictional characters get about as much of our psychic energy as real folk, but in any case, that wasn’t all that was wrong here.

It was a stagey thing…it didn’t seem quite real, and I’m not exactly sure why. But it was a slog in parts, though it finished up nicely. It’s okay, the master is allowed one or two clunkers in forty years of great storytelling. I still love him.

[Anne Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Peter Lovesey's WHOLE Peter Diamond series (16 books in all) in June and July of 2017, sequentially and without an iota of boredom. Forgive me for posting this as a comment/review into each book's space: I didn't think to do it as I was reading morning to night with no intervening literature.

The main detective, Peter Diamond, a few other police types, and a couple of non-police characters are incorporated into a series of crimes set in and around Bath, England. Historical and literary inclusions enrich the texts without being excessive. The inclusion of the music of a string quartet in one book was stupefying to this music lover.

The depth of description of the main characters is Just Right: they are rich, real, fully settled in the time and place where they appear. Minor characters reappear and are developed as their roles in each book's situation grows. There are a couple of emotionally shocking developments (no need for suspension of disbelief) one of which made me quite sad on a summer's day.

I was so absorbed by these books (MUST read chronologically) that I was unable to take in any other book in Lovesey's prolific bibliography. Probably my fault. They weren't Peter Diamond books, hence not worthy....

[Jan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Peter Diamond stories. This was the first time I tried to listen to one. Not sure who the reader was but felt that he was pretty effective.

There are actually two mysteries here. The primary one involves the local theater. They brought in an over the hill pop star. Somehow she gets a burning sensation on her face after she goes onstage. Personally, I thought of Margaret Hamilton and Buddy Ebsen in The Wizard of Oz when they had trouble with their makeups. I think Margaret Hamilton caught on fire and Ebsen had to bow out of the production because of allergies to the makeup. Then her dresser dies leaving the question of whether it was suicide or murder. Personally I thought it was murder. There were a couple of people I thought were pretty good suspects. That's all they were because I didn't get this one.

The second mystery going on is why Diamond is afraid to go into a theater. After talking to his sister he is pretty sure that it happened when he was 8. But what was it? Shows how simple some explanations can be. It gives more of a human face to Diamond.

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thoroughly enjoyable story from this series and I notice with some regret that there are only 5 more to go.

After reading 11 of these novels, I am fully au fait with Peter Diamond's work environment, his character, his collegues, his superiors and his home life. Starting a new book is almost like settling down with an old friend. That the action takes place about an hours drive from home, in Bath, is an added bonus as is the extra knowledge and information that I am learning about the city.

I thought this was a particulaly complex plot and our opinion of who was to blame seemed to change every chapter as more information was revealed. Red Herrings and misdirections abounded and, No, I didnt work out either the 'who' or the 'why' but I enjoyed trying.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amidst the many police procedurals that grace the bookshelves in bookstores the world over, Peter Lovesey, brings into our lives thrilling stories with subtle lessons.

In this novel, a fading rock star climbs the boards to make her debut as an actress in a play, but on opening night, before she's even on stage for more than a few minutes, she grimaces, claws at her face and falls to the ground, screaming. It's not part of the act, her face was being eroded by acid in her make up. As evidence continues to point to tainted make up, her make up artist is found dead in an apparent suicide.

Inspector Peter Diamond and his team has to try to resolve the mystery with the added challenge of his having had to accept a new team member from beat.

But where everyone seems willing to accept the immediate and obvious evidence, Inspector Diamond nurses concerns that it's just too simple. He continues to seek to understand and that's the lesson that's woven through this book, that while it's easier to take the obvious route, it may not be the right route, and that if one were to persevere, you will find yourself on the right route and the right answers.

[Nell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This put me in mind of some Roderick Alleyn mysteries by Ngaio Marsh, some of which were set in theaters. Interesting, if not completely believable, side plot with an unusual resolution; Diamond gets more fleshed out with every book. The main plot kept me guessing until the end. A worthy entry in a series from which one expects excellence.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. Just...wow. This was terrible!! I could go on for hours talking about how horrible this book was, but I'll just use a list format to make it easier on your eyes.

1.) In what year was this novel supposed to take place? This book was published in 2011, but it felt as if it took place in the 1950s. All the characters talked like they were in a Sherlock Holmes novel. Did the author forget how people interacted during the time he was writing this trainwreck?

2.) Along the same lines, Diamond's backstory mentioned that he was eight years old in the 1960s. Let's say he was eight years old in 1960. That would mean he was born in 1952 and would make him 59 years old in 2011. He barely knew how to use a computer. People in their 50s, while not necessarily tech savvy, would still know how to use a computer, especially if they were a police officer who needed it for their job!

3.) There were too many characters. I could barely remember who each character was and what role they had within the story. Not only that, but every character was argumentative and sarcastic. I couldn't stand any of them! Fred was a special kind of annoying. I wanted to staple his lips shut with a staple gun every time he spoke.

4.) Diamond was supposed to be a professional police officer, but he missed some pretty obvious hints to help solve the mystery that I myself could have seen a mile away. Some of the decisions he made were totally ridiculous as well. There's a killer on the loose in the theater? Don't bring guns along to corner them. Just bring a baton. I'm sure that's enough to stop a person violent enough to have two murders under their belt!

5.) The side plot about Diamond's fear of theaters was absolutely ridiculous. The original thought about why he had this fear, while still pretty pointless, made way more sense than the true reason for his fear. The real reason made me laugh out loud when it was revealed. The reveal of the murderer also received an eyeroll from me. It had no shock value to it whatsoever.

6.) What is the author's obsession with characters being gay?? I can understand a novel in the early 1900s using jokes like this because it wasn't fully accepted back then (though I still find it grossly insensitive). But this novel is supposedly set in 2011. True, it's been a decade since the year of 2011, but different lifestyles were definitely more understood even in that year. The level of homophobic jokes in this novel (especially towards the one gay character in the story) was appalling. I'm heterosexual, and this still greatly bothered me. The same thing goes for Diamond's weight. I can understand a character being described as heavyset and running out of breath after climbing a set of stairs, but the constant reminder that Diamond was just a big ol' fatty wasn't needed.

I didn't realize this novel was part of a series when I started reading it. I'll tell you right now, though, I don't plan on ever reading another novel, series-centered or not, by this author. It had potential but fell completely on its face. Watch paint dry on a wall instead.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really in the top rank of Peter Lovesey's Bath based Inspector Peter Diamond although the ending is excellent--the author gives you just enough to figure out who was behind the series of murders at the Bath Theater Royal but you will have to be alert and attuned to the nuances of this series to see the ending before the big reveal. I wasn't and so was pleasantly surprised.

The difficulty is getting there. While there have to be some implausible events in a mystery and particularly in a series, Lovesey bangs too many one of a kind occurrences together. Best for fans, would not be a good start if someone is approaching this series for the first time.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, really enjoyed this one and up until the reveal I didnt get who the murderer was, very well done.

I did enjoy the new member of CID and the dynamic - which brought a lot of humour to the story. This is a superb series of books and quickly becoming a firm favourite, along with the author Peter Lovesey.

[Lee Holz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first class British police procedural. Highly enjoyable and recommended to fans of the genre.

[Will Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series but didn't think this was one of the better ones - it dragged in the middle.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is particularly good!

[Louise Culmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Diamond is called in to investigate a mystery at the Theatre Royal in Bath, where the star of their new production of I Am A Camera has suffered a severe injury. And before long of course there is a murder as well. There is also a rather odd subplot involving Peter Diamond’s mysterious horror of theatres - he wants to find out the cause of it(I could have done without this part - not a big fan of detectives’ personal lives intruding on their investigations). A fairly interesting mystery though I didn’t have much trouble working out who the murderer was.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarion Calhoun is a rock star whose concerts filled stadiums. She has performed live and loved every minute of it. But...rock stars age and fans can be fickle, so it is sometimes necessary to get a name back in lights in an unexpected way. Clarion Calhoun is a rock star whose curriculum vitae includes "stage training", although the where and the when of this training is lost in the fog of selected publicity.

The vehicle Clarion chooses as a showcase for her talent is I Am A Camera, the play upon which Caberet is based. There isn't any singing in the play but Clarion is convinced that she has the acting ability to produce a better than good Sally Bowles. The venue she chooses is the venerable and well thought of Bath Theatre Royal, a stage that has seen actors the calibre of Ralph Richardson, Joan Plowright, and Alec Guinness. Clarion believes absolutely that she is their equal. That the run of the play is sold out convinces the actress, the director, and the trustees of the theatre of Clarion's popularity and ability to generate money.

Everything is pointing to the great success of the run, financially and theatrically, until dress rehearsal when a significant problem appears. People had taken Clarion's word and that of her manager, Tilda Box, that Clarion is a natural to play Sally Bowles. She has the poise, the charisma, the stage presence to pull off the character. And, yet, the minute she says her first line it is immediately obvious that what she doesn't have is acting ability. Clarion couldn't make it in an elementary school play. The reputations of the theatre people who have been selling her to the public are going to suffer considerably.

There is nothing that can be done to keep Clarion from being center stage opening night and those who know the disaster that is Clarion the actress have to hope that not everyone walks out. The play has barely started when, instead of reciting her first line, the star of the show begins screaming and tearing at her face. Somehow, in some way, a caustic substance has been applied to Clarion's face and deep burns show immediately.

The case doesn't, at first, appear to be something the police need to be involved with but CID Superintendent Peter Diamond is called to the office of the Assistant Chief Constable, Georgina Dallymorek and told he needs to clear things up at the Bath Theatre Royal. Dallymore is a member of BLOG, the Bath Light Opera Group, and she has just won a part, albeit in the chorus, in Sweeney Todd. The Theatre Royal is their venue and problems need to be resolved quickly so rehearsals can begin when I Am A Camera ends its run. And, as a sort of "by the way", Georgina tells Diamond that Horatio Dawkins, the newly promoted sergeant who has been foisted on Diamond and his team, is the "movement" director of the play. In other words, Georgina will not listen to any complaints about Dawkins. Diamond immediately responds by naming the new member of the team Fred, a name Dawkins knows he better learn to answer to.

Diamond gets a lesson in all things Bath Royal Theatre from Titus O'Driscoll, the dramaturge (the person responsible for the research and development of plays [ I had not come across that word before]). Titus is a wealth of information about the physical layout of the theatre including the location of the dressing rooms and the way in which that impacts on the movements of the actors. He knows every person involved in the production of I Am A Camera from director to stage hands. It is clear that Clarion's make-up was tampered with and the most likely person to have access to that is Denise Pearsall, the dresser. Most theatre people are proficient in applying their own stage make-up but Clarion is a newcomer and Denise is assigned the job of getting her ready to go under the lights. There is also Gisella Watling, the understudy who is so good in the role that someone from the National Theatre is coming to assess her talent. It doesn't seem that Denise has anything to gain by harming Clarion but Gisella does.

Titus also gives Diamond a history of the myths and superstitions of the theatre. Titus has an extreme reaction to the sight of a dead tortoiseshell butterfly. The butterfly is an omen that something terrible is going to happen. Then there is the resident ghost, the gray lady, who is often seen in one of the boxes that overlooks the stage.

This is the twelfth book in the Peter Diamond series, everyone solid in details and very enjoyable to read. Diamond isn't as crass as Reginald Hill's Andy Dalziel nor does he have a sidekick like Peter Pascoe. But Diamond's team are good cops and loyal to their boss and Diamond takes care to keep them safe as they work their jobs. The only thing that keeps this from being a five star entry is that it isn't hard to figure out the villain but it is a very good book. Those who haven't met Peter Diamond are in for a treat.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A competent without being exceptional police procedural novel, with Diamond as his usual erasable self. He lumbers along toward a number of red herrings. A falling pop star is trying to become known as an actress in the Theatre Royal, Bath when the deaths start occurring. The book follows as Diamond works through the maze aided by his usual team and a new man foisted on him by the Assistant Chief Constable.

A good read but will soon be forgotten. 3 stars.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Sentence: ‘People keep asking me if I’m nervous.’

The Bath Theatre Royal is staging a production of “I Am a Camera” with pop artist Clarion Calhoun in the starring role. Before she can deliver her first line, she starts screaming from caustic burns on her face and neck. Was it accidental or intended? A death soon follows which appears to be a suicide…or was it? Detective Peter Diamond and his team, including the annoying Constable Dawkins who has been assigned to him. Peter knows how to conduct an investigation, but can he figure out why he suffers feelings of panic every time he enters the theater auditorium?

This is a book for theater lovers with the inclusion of luminaries who had acted at and stories about the theater being both fascinating and adding substance to the plot. There were even the requisite superstitions and a ghost to bring it together.

Diamond is a wonderful character; aging, out of shape, losing his hair and a bit morose at times. Yet some of the best scenes, having to do with his trying to uncover the reason for his phobia, were powerful and emotional. The surrounding characters were a bit flat as there was little development of them to make them come alive.

The plot is the most effective element of the story with its questions as to whether the original incident was self-inflicted and later whether there is actually a murder to investigate. Lovesey does an excellent job of keeping you off balance and uncertain as to what is happening but not in a duplicitous way; his characters are just as uncertain.

For those reading this as their first experience with Peter Diamond, it is a solid traditional police procedural with a solid plot, plenty of red herrings, plot twists. Those who’ve previously read the Peter Diamond series might be a bit let down. There was less humor here than in previous books nor is it as suspenseful as some.

“Stagestruck” is not the best of Lovesey’s Peter Diamond series, but it is still a darn good read.

STAGESTRUCK (Pol Proc-Det. Peter Diamond-Bath, England-Cont) –G+
Lovesey, Peter – 11th in series
Soho Press, ©2011, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9781569479476

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The backdrop to this thriller is the 200-year-old Theatre Royal, Bath, where a production of 'I Am A Camera' is about to be performed.

A fading pop star, Clarion Calhoun, is recruited for the principal role as Sally Bowles but she performs none too well in the dress rehearsal and behind the scenes there had been much bickering about her choice for the role.

Then on first night she enters stage left and suddenly has a screaming fit as she clutches her face. The curtain is hastily dropped and she is taken to hospital where it is discovered that she has facial burns ... but how they got there nobody seems to know. However, the show must go on so understudy Gisella is quickly dressed for the part and continues the performance.

Everybody seems to have reason for wanting Clarion out of the production so when Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond and his team are called in they are at a loss as to who is the chief suspect - these include such as the stage manager, the director, the dresser, the make-up artist and the security man. Diamond even has to recruit additional bodies to his team, one of whom, Horatio Dawkins, gets under Diamond's skin - and he doesn't like the name Horatio so he rechristens the newcomer Fred.

As the investigation continues more problems arise as, in the ghost-haunted theatre, a couple of the suspects are found dead, one at least seemingly having committed suicide. Do these deaths relate to the scarring of Calhoun and is the culprit from that original incident one of the now dead people?

Diamond and his team dig deep but seem to be getting nowhere when the boss suddenly comes up with an idea, which in the end proves to provide the solution. And what an amazing solution it is as the culprit is unmasked in a dramatic scene within the old theatre.

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again the title of one of Peter Lovesey’s Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond is a double entendre. The title refers to the two main mysteries of this installment in the Bathe detective series. The first one refers to the maiming of the lead to a play at a local theatre. The lead is a famous rock star at the end of her singing career who is trying to make a transition to the stage. On first night it is found that someone has put caustic lye in her make-up, burning her face and forcing her to give way to her understudy.

The second mystery is connected to Peter himself. For years, Peter has been unable to enter a theatre without getting a knot in the pit of his stomach and an apprehension that something bad is going to happen to him. For years he has been unable to go to the theatre except when under compulsion. His apprehension of going into this theatre is hampering his investigation.

A few days after the diva is burned, the ‘dresser’ who did the diva’s make-up is found having committed suicide at the theatre. She left a suicide note, but something rings false to Diamond. While his staff works to track down clues as to who put the lye in the diva’s make-up, Peter spends time dealing with his personal demon. We know that at some point both mysteries will be cleared-up and once again Lovesey does a fine job in not giving away who it is until the end.

Zeb Kantrowitz

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Peter Diamond "Diamond"! I love Peter Diamond, and it's been awhile since I've had the pleasure of reading him. This latest addition in the series is a good place for a newbie to get acquainted with him. This book will stand alone on its own merits and you don't have to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one. But I will warn you that once you've sampled Diamond you'll be heading straight for the backlist books. Diamond is a copper's copper-a little gruff round the edges, tough as old boots and a curmudgeon. He does have a very appealing lighter side to him that surfaces regularly. In this book we see a side of Diamond that we haven't seen before-a vulnerable side which is brought to light by his many forced trips to the theatre. All the bad stuff happens within the walls of the famed Bath Theatre Royal. And be prepared, there are so many red-herrings about that a careless reader will fall victim and trip over some if not all of them. When the real killer is unmasked, it came as a real surprise to me. I love Mr. Lovesey's writing. His prose is actually quite wonderful and his characterizations are so realistic. I'm so happy to reacquaint with the priceless Peter Diamond.

[Redbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Lovesey’s Stagestruck is about crimes, and possibly murders, that happen in a theater. In this series with detective Peter Diamond, he now has to sort out the truth while dealing with actors, crew, and an annoying new member of his team.

Simon Prebble narrates the audiobook in his calm, steady way. The story moves along nicely, and the novel stands alone adequately, as I have missed several and still enjoyed it. I didn’t quite follow his personal relationship history, but it wasn’t integral to the story.

There is minimal profanity and no graphic sex. I look forward to more books in the series.

[Thomas Bruso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theaters are magical places, sometimes spooky.

Which is the case with Peter Diamond's latest case, STAGESTRUCK. I really enjoyed the ambiance and characterizations of most of its people.

A famous actress takes the stage for the first time in a lead role and the opening night reviews are lukewarm, at best. But when the actress is brutally disfigured by acid--who would go to such extremes?--the stage lights are temporarily dimmed.

Peter and his entourage of investigators are on the path of a madman with a bad case for revenge.

I really liked the story and how easily Lovesey pulls you into his mysterious world. Wonderful, realistic storytelling and snappy dialogue make this another winner in an ongoing enjoyable crime series. Highly recommended for fans of mysteries, british or otherwise.

[Gypsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Peter Diamond of the Bath CID is called in to investigate an accident in the theatre that may have been more than accidental. A suicide follows, then a murder, and Diamond must work fast to prevent another death. Peter Diamond became one of my favorite characters early in the series, and this one solidifies his realistic character. Lovesey writes well and always creates an engrossing mystery. I highly recommend this series.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the Peter Diamond series years ago and I really enjoyed it so I figured I’d do it again (but this time I’m listening to most of them on Audible)

So far, they’ve all been very good, but this one is a dud.

The plot was OK, although a bit overly convoluted.

But the big reveal about why Diamond was afraid of the theater made me laugh out loud 😂- seriously, a COW?!

And the murderer was Dawkins? The overly verbose cop?! Come on!

It was ridiculous!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Convoluted, too many red herrings. And in the end, the bad guy’s rationale for his behavior seemed thin. The story within a story, about Peter’s phobia related to theaters, has a hollow, hard-to-be believed explanation. Still, I like Lovesey and will read more of his books.

[Joanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thbbbpt. (raspberry)

[Amy]

Didn't read enough to rate it but I found the whole plot annoying. Not a good sign 30 pages into a mystery. Pass.