Done reading.
By Peter Lovesey. Published 20 years ago. Start of the Peter Diamond series (not the economist). Some good literary elements, varying points of view, well-written dialogue, interesting characters (including the singularly murderable victim), and nice sense of place in rooting the story in Bath. A few interesting allusions to Jane Austin, a one-time resident of the city. There’s a recurring luddite theme eschewing new forensic technologies in favor of old-fashioned gum shoe work – hence the title – which feels a bit out-dated by now.
The narrative structure and plot development befitting a first-time author was a bit surprising given that Lovesey had been an already experienced mystery writer by the time of writing this book. There’s a strange break in the narrative flow about two thirds through when the plot speeds up significantly after a major dispute. While there was some tension brewing prior to that, the event still struck me as somewhat artificial and provided unnecessary ‘botheration’ (a word used in the book). The resolution of the case also stretched plausibility.
All in all, a quite reasonable procedural, never really dull, but also not exactly rousing. In sections, it was a bit long-winded and I found myself a few times, to use an expression from the book, “stuck there like a lupin waiting for a bee.”
I did like some of the Britishcisms that provided intermittent entertainment.
Weir in the River Avon near Bath’s picturesque Pulteney Bridge.
Its perilous current plays a role in the book.