The Sedgemoor Strangler and other Stories of Crime by
Peter Lovesey
The publication of a new book by Peter Lovesey is invariably a cause for celebration.
His versatility is such that one is never quite sure what the next setting will be and
who the next protagonist will be. But there is never any doubt that, whatever type of
story he turns his hand to, the result will be highly professional and, more
importantly, highly enjoyable. His latest collection of short stories brings together 16
recent tales. It showcases his talent to perfection and represents a coup for Allison &
Busby, who have reprinted several of his early books about the Victorian cop
Sergeant Cribb but who do not publish his current series about Peter Diamond – who
appears in 'The Kiss of Death' in this volume.
The title story is an entertaining novella and other notable entries include 'The
Amorous Corpse', a terrific 'miracle problem' story, which
boasts a dazzling plot, and 'The Problem of Stateroom 10', featuring the great crime
writer Jacques Futrelle (the title echoes that of Futrelle's most famous short story).
There is Holmesian pastiche - 'The Four Wise Men' - and wit aplenty. The opening
lines are often splendid - such as 'I am alone in a house with a madman, and I don't
know what to do.' It is tricky to choose a favourite, but I still have a soft spot for
'Interior, With Corpse', which Lovesey submitted a couple of years back for an
anthology I edited. Whatever one's taste in crime fiction, however, this book has
something to offer. Recommended.
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