The Secret Hangman

“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.