Jan/ Feb 2016 Group Read Selection - The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey

[SherryRose]

Suzy wrote: "Sherrie wrote: "Finished listening to the audiobook, and the story was actually a bit boring for me. I figured out whodunnit long before the end. The ending scene was pretty touching, so left me fe..."

Yes I will. I like his style. I don't need my heart rate to go up to enjoy a book. Lol

[T.]

Sherrie wrote: "Finished listening to the audiobook, and the story was actually a bit boring for me. I figured out whodunnit long before the end. The ending scene was pretty touching, so left me feeling warm and f..."

I'm still not done with the book, but I'm kind of struggling to finish it. I think Peter Diamond is an interesting character, but the book as a whole hasn't really grabbed me. I think the narrator is excellent, but the case is kind of middling.

[Suzy]

T. wrote: "Sherrie wrote: "Finished listening to the audiobook, and the story was actually a bit boring for me. I figured out whodunnit long before the end. The ending scene was pretty touching, so left me fe..."

There are definitely mixed feelings about the book within the group commenting. There are pros and cons . . . many of us are going to give Diamond another try to see if it's maybe first book syndrome.

[SherryRose]

That's right Suzy. He wrote Rosemary and Thyme so I have hope for this series.

[Taylor]

This is my first Lovesey book. I was a little reserved going in to it; I didn't like Diamond until much later in the book. The murderer was obvious to me, regardless of how many other people Lovesey threw at me I just couldn't see it being anyone else. I was however surprised with (view spoiler)[Mr. Buckle's involvement and felt a little silly that I didn't catch the "two Mercedes" bit of info. After that came out during the trial I realized it had been screaming at me the whole time and I ignored it. (hide spoiler)]

After I finished I started to wonder if maybe the Diamond we were introduced to at the beginning of the book wasn't really him, but a persona he used at work. And his somewhat unrealistic transformation (view spoiler)[ and the way he handled Matthew at the end (hide spoiler)], wasn't really a transformation at all; more like shedding his police image the longer he was away from the case. I can't imagine his wife would have stuck around very long if she really married the Diamond from the beginning of the book!

[T.]

Suzy wrote: "T. wrote: "Sherrie wrote: "Finished listening to the audiobook, and the story was actually a bit boring for me. I figured out whodunnit long before the end. The ending scene was pretty touching, so..."

I feel the same way as a lot of other listeners. Not only did I find the plot a little humdrum, but the characters were a bit flat and cardboard-ish, too. Even Diamond, who is ostensibly the hero, felt like a lacking protagonist. I didn't care for the change in POV, not necessarily because it was boring, but it veered from development of Diamond just as I was beginning to get interested in him. I don't think I ever found my way back to my initial interest in "The Last Detective."

[T.]

Suzy wrote: "Sherrie wrote: "Finished listening to the audiobook, and the story was actually a bit boring for me. I figured out whodunnit long before the end. The ending scene was pretty touching, so left me fe..."

I don't think I will, but it's not because it lacked action. I think I was disinterested in the story and the characters, especially the participants in the murder. They had backstories, but the way they were developed was...missing something. I'm used to Ed McBain's 87th Precinct Novels, and I love those, but this just isn't my cuppa-tea.

[T.]

Sherry wrote: "I'm listening to My Man Jeeves now. Simon Pebble is the narrator and he's good. He's a good narrator."

Agreed. Prebble is a fantastic narrator. I think he's done a few Martin Amis and Ian McEwan books I've listened to, and he's kind of amazing.

[T.]

Sherrie wrote: "Finished listening to the audiobook, and the story was actually a bit boring for me. I figured out whodunnit long before the end. The ending scene was pretty touching, so left me feeling warm and f..."

I'm right there with you. I didn't figure out the killer beforehand and was quite surprised by the twists, but I didn't find any of them overly compelling. I found the characters off-putting and dry. I also didn't find Diamond to be a great protagonist.

[SherryRose]

T. wrote: "Sherry wrote: "I'm listening to My Man Jeeves now. Simon Pebble is the narrator and he's good. He's a good narrator."

Agreed. Prebble is a fantastic narrator. I think he's done a few Martin Amis a..."

Yes, he's better than most.

[Suzy]

I think our timeframe for discussing The Last Detective is officially over. Thanks for the many points you've made about the book, the audio version as well as the print and some other book suggestions! If you have additional thoughts to share, the thread will still be open even though the discussion period ended Feb 15. Thanks again!

[Annie]

Dear Suzy, I read it following your advice and I loved it. I'll certainly read the next Diamond' s book. I really love the character and his way of investigating.
I see him as a mix of Maigret by Simenon, and Frost. Thank you for the recommendation!

[Suzy]

Annie wrote: "Dear Suzy, I read it following your advice and I loved it. I'll certainly read the next Diamond' s book. I really love the character and his way of investigating.
I see him as a mix of Maigret by S..."

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Me too, even if there were a couple of reservations, on the whole I liked it and will continue to the next book!

[Denise]

I just scored four Inspector Diamond books from my swap site today. I just love when this happens and wanted to share my good fortune - things in my life are a bit grim for a while, so its such a joy to be given books I want to read.

[Suzy]

Denise wrote: "I just scored four Inspector Diamond books from my swap site today. I just love when this happens and wanted to share my good fortune - things in my life are a bit grim for a while, so its such a j..."

I'm happy for you Denise! Books are a soothing balm when we're faced with difficulties . . . thank goodness for them. I have book #2 in my iPod, but it's down on the list a ways.

[Garden]

Denise, I'm happy for you also. I read "The Last Detective" very recently and was underwhelmed. It seemed to move very slowly for me. I did enjoy the film version that I 've seen on Netflix.

[Suzy]

Garden wrote: "Denise, I'm happy for you also. I read "The Last Detective" very recently and was underwhelmed. It seemed to move very slowly for me. I did enjoy the film version that I 've seen on Netflix."

Hi Garden - I thought at first that the Netflix series and the Peter Diamond mysteries were connected because of the name. But the tv show is not the same. If you look at this thread on The Last Detective, there were mixed feelings about the book, but overall most enjoyed it to a degree.