Two murders confront Detective Superintendent Peter Diamond in this, the tenth in the mystery series featuring the irascible Bath policeman. Each of the murders apparently took place during re-creations of the battle between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers three-and-one-half centuries ago. The first, which occurred more than a decade before the latest one, was of a female about 20 years old, whose headless skeleton is uncovered by a history lecturer, who is himself later killed.

The two murders seem unrelated, except Diamond’s intuition tells him the spectacles on Lansdown Hill in Bath makes them related. Hindered by a lack of clues, the lack of cooperation by his superior, and other obstacles, Diamond has to claw forward, grasping at straws to reach a plausible conclusion.

Written with an eye to Diamond’s sense of humor and logical thinking, the novel is plotted carefully to bring the reader forward as Diamond uncovers additional facts and clues. The author includes a significant amount of history and a wonderful appreciation of the Bath countryside.

Recommended.

Related posts:

1. The Price of Butcher’s Meat by Reginald Hill – review
2. Counsel of the Wicked by Roberto Kusminsky – review
3. Book Review: All The Colors of Darkness by Peter Robinson
4. Midnight Fugue by Reginald Hill – review
5. DON’T LOOK TWICE by Andrew Gross – review

Tags: Peter Lovesey, Skeleton Hill, Soho Press

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