- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: Sphere; First Edition edition (7 April 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 184744444X
- ISBN-13: 978-1847444448
- Product Dimensions: 14.4 x 22.3 x 3.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 195,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Stagestruck
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Product Description
Review
A wickedly clever writer. --Ruth Rendell
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
Book Description
The new Peter Diamond mystery from the master of crime fiction
Inside This Book
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Clarion Calhoun, a pop star past her sell-by date, becomes facially disfigured while making her acting debut in Bath Theatre Royal's production of Isherwood's 'I am a Camera'. Peter Diamond is asked to investigate the case and when further unfortunate events occur (I don't want to give too much away here!) the investigation intensifies. All the while, Diamond is suffering from a deep-rooted phobia of entering the theatre. Why is this, and will it be explained at the book's conclusion? Has Peter Lovesey ever not tied-up a loose end? Regular readers of his will know the answer to that one!
There are murders (obviously!), but once again, when the perpetrator is unmasked, we realise that Lovesey has put the clues for us in plain sight so we can work out their identity - if we're clever enough. Except of course, we rarely, if ever are - because he's so cunning and ingenious in his plotting. What seems an inconsequential event, thought or utterance during the course of the narrative later proves to be of much greater importance; but it's only in hindsight that we realise this.
There's a good cast of characters in this one, and Lovesey laces his plot nicely with theatre lore, and it's also very amusing at times. However, the curmudgeonly, but not-really-all-that-bad, Peter Diamond, doesn't seem to have aged in real time since the publication of 'The Last Detective' in 1991 - the first, brilliant entry in the series. Had he done so, he'd have retired from the force quite a few years ago. But does it really matter?: the character is so well-drawn, the series so good, that we'll forgive him this little inconsistency. After all, Ed McBain's detectives only aged around three years in the 87th precinct stories - and they were published over a period of around 50 years!
'Stagestruck' should prove to be of interest to all those who read traditional whodunits, as any new Lovesey novel is a real event. It's not as edgy as some of the other Diamond books (especially the early ones) and the plot is maybe a bit thinner, so it's not up there with his very best. However, I still greatly enjoyed it, and as another reviewer has commented, even an average book by Lovesey is still a bl**dy good read!
The author is one of my favourite writers in any genre. Why? Because he's so effortlessly entertaining and has produced some of the most brilliant plots and stunning twists of anyone writing detective or mystery fiction. And like that other septuagenarian, Ruth Rendell, he's still capable of writing fabulous stuff and surprising us even now. I salute the man and greatly look forward to what he's going to produce in the years to come.
There are murders (obviously!), but once again, when the perpetrator is unmasked, we realise that Lovesey has put the clues for us in plain sight so we can work out their identity - if we're clever enough. Except of course, we rarely, if ever are - because he's so cunning and ingenious in his plotting. What seems an inconsequential event, thought or utterance during the course of the narrative later proves to be of much greater importance; but it's only in hindsight that we realise this.
There's a good cast of characters in this one, and Lovesey laces his plot nicely with theatre lore, and it's also very amusing at times. However, the curmudgeonly, but not-really-all-that-bad, Peter Diamond, doesn't seem to have aged in real time since the publication of 'The Last Detective' in 1991 - the first, brilliant entry in the series. Had he done so, he'd have retired from the force quite a few years ago. But does it really matter?: the character is so well-drawn, the series so good, that we'll forgive him this little inconsistency. After all, Ed McBain's detectives only aged around three years in the 87th precinct stories - and they were published over a period of around 50 years!
'Stagestruck' should prove to be of interest to all those who read traditional whodunits, as any new Lovesey novel is a real event. It's not as edgy as some of the other Diamond books (especially the early ones) and the plot is maybe a bit thinner, so it's not up there with his very best. However, I still greatly enjoyed it, and as another reviewer has commented, even an average book by Lovesey is still a bl**dy good read!
The author is one of my favourite writers in any genre. Why? Because he's so effortlessly entertaining and has produced some of the most brilliant plots and stunning twists of anyone writing detective or mystery fiction. And like that other septuagenarian, Ruth Rendell, he's still capable of writing fabulous stuff and surprising us even now. I salute the man and greatly look forward to what he's going to produce in the years to come.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've read most of the author's Peter Diamond detective novels and have noticed a shift in style that is continued in this book: there is more humour and less gritty realism: more Simon Brett than Ian Rankin. Stagestruck is set in Baths Theatre Royal and a production of Christopher Isherwood's I am a Camera. The lead role of Sally Bowles is controversially been given to a fading pop star. An incident stops her being able to perform followed by the death of one of the staff with dire consequences for the theatre and the rest of the staff. Are the two events connected? Is one an accident and the other suicide or is foul-play at work? Set in the closed world of the theatre there are several suspects and teasing out the truth is the meat of this book. I found the final denouement a bit rushed and unconvincing, but detective fiction isn't meant to be realistic.
There's a peripheral story about the basis of a phobia that Diamond has suffered since childhood which I didn't feel added anything to the book. I was a bit put-off by some of the characters verging on caricature but, generally I enjoyed the book as a light-hearted read. The book isn't as good as some of the author's previous books, e.g., Diamond Dust (Peter Diamond Mystery); The Vault (Peter Diamond Mystery) orThe House Sitter, all of which are more gripping.
There's a peripheral story about the basis of a phobia that Diamond has suffered since childhood which I didn't feel added anything to the book. I was a bit put-off by some of the characters verging on caricature but, generally I enjoyed the book as a light-hearted read. The book isn't as good as some of the author's previous books, e.g., Diamond Dust (Peter Diamond Mystery); The Vault (Peter Diamond Mystery) orThe House Sitter, all of which are more gripping.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Stagestruck is a further instalment of Peter Lovesey's "Peter Diamond" detective novels. It is centred on Bath's Theatre Royal, where a series of events occur following a nasty case of disfigurement of a leading lady. It follows both Peter Diamond's careful investigation into the attack on Clarion Calhoun, former popstar, and two further murders. Running alongside is a sub-plot as Diamond tackles a phobia of the theatre and his unknown terror of entering the building.
As usual, Lovesely delivers a tour de force of detective writing, gripping and flawless. His style is that of the masters of the crime novel, setting up an intricate plot and solid set of suspects. In this book Diamond has mellowed, still curmudgeonly and impossible to work for, showing us insights into his own character and an unexpected affinity with some of the younger members of the CID. The pace is steady, drawing the reader into a world of greasepaint, backstage corridors and theatre superstition.
If you are new to this series this book can easily be read on its own merits, however I would still recommend that you begin with "The Vault" simply because it is such a good book.
I had a private classification of authors, some I pick up their books on a whim at sales, others I buy once in paperback and a very few special authors I eagerly wait for their latest in hardback, to keep, cherish and re-read. This series by Peter Lovesely most definitely comes in the last category and Stagestruck is destined to be another of his I will keep, re-read and enjoy for many years to come. As usual in all my reviews for his books is my plee that Peter Lovesey manages to get his books translated onto television. It would make a superb quality crime series to rival Morse. His writing is extremely visual, the settings around historic Bath breathtaking and the leading character one which would have audiences hooked.
As usual, Lovesely delivers a tour de force of detective writing, gripping and flawless. His style is that of the masters of the crime novel, setting up an intricate plot and solid set of suspects. In this book Diamond has mellowed, still curmudgeonly and impossible to work for, showing us insights into his own character and an unexpected affinity with some of the younger members of the CID. The pace is steady, drawing the reader into a world of greasepaint, backstage corridors and theatre superstition.
If you are new to this series this book can easily be read on its own merits, however I would still recommend that you begin with "The Vault" simply because it is such a good book.
I had a private classification of authors, some I pick up their books on a whim at sales, others I buy once in paperback and a very few special authors I eagerly wait for their latest in hardback, to keep, cherish and re-read. This series by Peter Lovesely most definitely comes in the last category and Stagestruck is destined to be another of his I will keep, re-read and enjoy for many years to come. As usual in all my reviews for his books is my plee that Peter Lovesey manages to get his books translated onto television. It would make a superb quality crime series to rival Morse. His writing is extremely visual, the settings around historic Bath breathtaking and the leading character one which would have audiences hooked.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
As good as ever
I have been reading all of Peter Lovesey's books for many years - starting with Sgt Cribb. The Peter Diamond series is a real treasure, and a new book something to look forward to. Read more
Published 1 month ago by EMac
back to his best form
a really good gripping yarn. the characters are well drawn especially the new recruit and the plot bowls along nicely. Peter's fear of the theatre is central to the story.
Published 3 months ago by bart4books
Dated, slow, dull
I have long been a fan of Peter Lovesey's, but that doesn't mean I put aside taste and judgment when I pick up a book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. K. Ltd
When does he get time to feed his cat?
A new Peter Lovesey and a spell of very cold weather - my favourite genre, detective - and not too gory to turn my stomach and set in the city where I used to live (and still... Read more
Published 3 months ago by C. Wilson
'I am a Camera'
A pop star has landed the part of Sally Bowles in Isherwood's play `I am a Camera'. The theatre staff and cast are not happy with her in the role as she isn't a very good actor. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Damaskcat
Another excellent Diamond adventure
Another excellent book by Peter Lovesey. My only criticism was that I didnt see the need to introduce the flash backs to Diamond's childhood and phobia of theatres. Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. W. Taylor
Not up to the standard expected from this writer.
First let me say I'm a huge fan of Peter Lovesey. I have read all his books over the last forty years and enjoyed them all. His last Peter Diamond outing Skeleton Hill was superb. Read more
Published 13 months ago by fivestarfrankie
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