Peter Lovesey, MWA Grand Master and titan of the English detective
novel, returns readers to Bath with the eighteenth mystery in his
critically acclaimed Peter Diamond series.
As a New Year begins in Bath, Ben Brace proposes to his long-term
girlfriend, Caroline, the daughter of notorious crime baron Joe Irving,
who is coming to the end of a prison sentence. The problem is that Ben's
father, George, is the Deputy Chief Constable. A more uncomfortable set
of in-laws would be hard to imagine. But mothers and sons are a
formidable force: a wedding in the Abbey and reception in the Roman
Baths are arranged before the career-obsessed DCC can step in.
Peter Diamond, Bath's head of CID, is appalled to be put in charge of
security on the day. Ordered to be discreet, he packs a gun and a guest
list in his best suit and must somehow cope with potential killers, gang
rivals, warring parents, bossy photographers and straying bridesmaids.
The laid-back Joe Irving seems oblivious to the danger he is in from
rival gang leaders, while Brace can't wait for the day to end. Will the
photo session be a literal shoot? Will Joe Irving's speech as father of
the bride be his last words? Can Diamond pull off a miracle, avert a
tragedy and send the happy couple on their honeymoon?
