The Secret Hangman (Peter Diamond Investigation)

"A special treat."-Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

"Peter Lovesey has cloaked the classic puzzle' mystery in a fully realized world of coppers and local landmarks."-Houston Chronicle

"Lovesey . . . should be on every British mystery lover's short list, and this is a fine place to start."-Rocky Mountain News

"Lovesey deftly blends suspense and humor in this excellent ninth whodunit to feature Peter Diamond."-Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Lovesey continues to excel, with cleverly plotted mysteries filled with detailed behind-the-scenes police work. Patrons who like Reginald Hill, Ian Rankin, and Stephen Booth will snap this one up."-Library Journal (starred)

Widowed Inspector Peter Diamond is being pursued by a secret admirer even as he pursues a serial killer. Delia Williamson, mother of two young girls, is reported missing. She is found in a public park, hanged from the crossbar of a children's swing set. There seems to be no reason for her to have committed suicide, and the postmortem reveals that she was murdered. Her present partner, her ex-husband, and a traveling salesman who dined at her table in the restaurant where she worked are all suspects. Then her former husband is found in a cave, also hanged. A remorse suicide? Diamond doesn't think so. When a well-to-do couple is found dead, both hanged, a suicide pact is suggested. Diamond is dubious; too many couples are dying by the same method. Before he can figure out what is going on, one more person will die.