Having just finished my 22^nd book of the year (of the month) it seems a nice time to start my regular posts.

Since last year I have been reading a detective fiction series by the British author Peter Lovesey, the series in named after the main character DCI Peter Diamond. It is set in Bath and the surrounding areas and luckily they are places I have been to quite often so an added bonus is that I can picture the scenes and find myself realising I have sat in the exact same spot as our fictional detective. First time in detective fiction that has happened to me, most of my fiction is translated.

The book I just finished is called Showstopper and is the 21^st and as of now final entry in the series. I do hope there is more to come as on the whole it is very enjoyable series. Some of the more recent books were not up to par but generally they are usually 4/5 to me.

This one follows the filming of a television series and so-called jinx where several persons involved have come to sticky ends. A very interesting case and plenty of red herrings and misdirection – I do wonder how someone could think of some of the plots and goings on, its beyond me!

The characters and locations are the true stars of the books, they bring the book to life and as I said above Bath is described that you are there (may even have been there too) and the characters are a mixed bunch with the old school boss who is no nonsense, the assistant who is is right hand man and various other foils who add to the depth.

No book in the series is the same, they are all unique and different and I would say can be read as stand-alone but some events are referred to as the series progresses, most notably diamond’s marital status.

I am happy to have read this book, but also sad I have finished the series at the time of writing this. Here’s hoping there is more Peter Diamond to come, thankfully there is plenty of works by Peter Lovesey to get into.