Step into the cobblestone streets of Bath, England, where Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond tackles murders with a sharp mind and a stubborn streak! Peter Lovesey’s Peter Diamond series is a delightful blend of classic detective fiction and modern grit, starring a technophobic, overweight sleuth who’s as brilliant as he is grumpy. With intricate plots and a vivid setting, this series has charmed mystery fans for decades.
Unlike flashy TV detectives, Diamond relies on old-school policing—think door-stopping and deduction over DNA scans. His adventures in Bath, a city steeped in history, offer a refreshing take on the genre, balancing humor, suspense, and human complexity. Ready to unravel mysteries with this curmudgeonly copper? Let’s dive in!
How Peter Diamond Began
In 1991, Peter Lovesey, already a celebrated author of historical mysteries like the Sergeant Cribb series, introduced Peter Diamond in The Last Detective. Inspired by his love for Bath, where he lived for nearly two decades, Lovesey crafted a contemporary sleuth who broke the mold. Diamond was no tech-savvy hero; he was a blunt, traditional detective clashing with the modernizing police force. The novel’s success, including an Anthony Award, launched a series that would span over 20 books.
Lovesey’s knack for intricate plotting and his deep connection to Bath’s history shaped the series. He drew on the city’s Georgian architecture and cultural quirks to create a vivid backdrop, making Bath as much a character as Diamond himself. This blend of place and personality set the stage for a standout detective saga.
The Heart of Peter Diamond
The series kicks off with The Last Detective (1991), where Diamond investigates a woman’s body found in a lake, tangled with missing Jane Austen letters and drug smuggling. In Diamond Solitaire (1992), he tackles an autistic child’s abduction, venturing from Bath to Japan’s sumo wrestling world. Bloodhounds (1996), a Macavity Award winner, sees Diamond unravel a locked-room mystery involving a book club. The final book, Against the Grain (2024), wraps the series with a fair-play whodunit set during a village harvest festival.
Themes of justice, human fallibility, and ethical dilemmas run deep. Diamond’s gruff exterior hides a warm heart, and his clashes with colleagues—like the meticulous John Leaman or the sharp Ingeborg Smith—add humor and depth. Bath’s historic charm, from the River Avon to the Theatre Royal, grounds the stories, while Lovesey’s Golden Age-style plotting keeps readers guessing. The series’ conversational style and dry wit make each case a page-turner.
Whether it’s a murder tied to a Jane Austen exhibit or a cursed TV show in Showstopper (2022), the mysteries are clever and character-driven. Diamond’s reluctance to embrace technology mirrors his stubborn pursuit of truth, making him a relatable, flawed hero for fans of traditional detective tales.
Why Peter Diamond Resonates
The Peter Diamond series has left a mark on crime fiction, earning accolades like the CWA Gold Dagger and a loyal fanbase. Its blend of classic whodunits with contemporary issues—office politics, societal change—appeals to readers who crave substance with their suspense. Lovesey’s ability to weave Bath’s history into each case has also boosted the city’s allure, sparking interest in its real-life landmarks.
Diamond’s enduring appeal lies in his humanity. He’s not a superhero; he’s a stubborn, overweight detective who makes mistakes but always gets his man (or woman). As Lovesey concluded the series in 2024, fans celebrated its legacy as a masterclass in mystery writing, with Diamond standing tall among genre greats like Inspector Morse.
- First Book: The Last Detective (1991)
- Total Books: 22
- Awards: Anthony Award (1992), Macavity Awards (1997, 2004), CWA Gold Dagger
- Setting: Bath, England
Grab The Last Detective and step into Peter Diamond’s world of wit, grit, and gripping mysteries!