The Last Detective cover art

The Last Detective

Detective Peter Diamond Book 1

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The Last Detective

By: Peter Lovesey
Narrated by: Michael Tudor Barnes
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About this listen

A woman's naked body is found floating in the weeds of a lake near Bath by an elderly woman walking her Siamese cats. No one comes forward to identify her, and no murder weapon is found, but sleuthing is Superintendent Peter Diamond's speciality. A genuine gumshoe practising door stopping and deduction: he is the last detective.

Struggling with office politics and a bizarre cast of suspects, Diamond strikes out on his own, even when Forensics think they have the culprit. Eventually, despite disastrous personal consequences, and amongst Bath's rambling buildings and formidable history, the last detective exposes the uncomfortable truth....

©1991 Peter Lovesey (P)2015 Hachette Audio UK Crime Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime Detective

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Critic reviews

"A brilliant performance." ( Times Literary Supplement)
"A terrific job." ( The Times)
"Mr Lovesey maintains a wonderful tone throughout.... A comedy of bad manners, full of oddball characters and wacky events develops into a perfectly realised murder mystery whose skilful misdirection never oversteps the bounds of fair play." ( The Wall St Journal)
"A bravura performance from a veteran showman: slyly paced, marbled with surprise and, in the end, strangely affecting." ( New York Times Book Review)
All stars
Most relevant
So glad I have discovered Peter Lovesey and his Peter Diamond books. I was put off initially as I thought it was the dreadful TV series, but no resemblance at all. Peter Diamond is literally a gem. Proper detective fiction, no gratuitous gore, sex of swearing, just great characterisation and plot. Not mad about the narrator as accents seemed to wander about a bit... but otherwise, excellent.

Great!

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Would you try another book written by Peter Lovesey or narrated by Michael Tudor Barnes?

Yes to both

What could Peter Lovesey have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He could have paid a little more attention to detail. While much of the book maintains a credible story, (without wishing to give any spoilers), the post career choices of the main character are simply not credible and the denouement comes without any reasonable evidence - just a hunch.

Which character – as performed by Michael Tudor Barnes – was your favourite?

The main character

If this book were a film would you go see it?

It would have to be structured rather differently.

Any additional comments?

Eye for details and consistency let this down.

Could have been excellent but let down by details

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enjoyed this book from the start and how it ended that twist was good as I thought no way !
going to work my way the rest in order as recommended

very enjoyable

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This book was nothing like I expected ie it had no connection with the TV series however, the story line and narration was excellent. I'll definitely get the next book in the series

The Last Detective - great book

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It is such a shame as the narrators voice and characterisations were great but the wet mouth noises and smacking of lips spoilt this. It is a testament to the story that I listened to the ending......cannot listen to any more.

Great story spoilt by awful mouth noises

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