"[A] master of the classic puzzle."-The New York Times Book Review

"Lovesey's delicate balance of humor and suspense [is] one of the delights of contemporary crime fiction."-The Wall Street Journal

"A master storyteller."-Kirkus Reviews

Widowed Inspector Peter Diamond is being pursued by a secret admirer as he pursues a serial killer. Delia Williamson, a mother of two young girls who works as a waitress, is first reported missing by her own mother. 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.

Peter Lovesey has been honored with the British Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement, as well as with American prizes, such as the Edgar Award. He is an acknowledged master of the mystery form. This is his tenth Peter Diamond mystery set in Bath, England.