“Lovesey’s restrained wit and charming cast ensure him a place in the winner’s circle.”—Entertainment Weekly
“A master of black humor and macabre plot twists.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of Britain’s foremost mystery novelists.”—Houston Chronicle
“Lovesey is a master.”—The Washington Post Book World
“One of the delights of contemporary crime fi ction.”—The Wall Street Journal
Gemma loathes her sleazy boss; Jo is her confidante. On a double date with Rick and Jake, they discuss forming a mutual murder society, in jest of course. The next day, Jo, walking on Selsey Beach, discovers the corpse of a drowned woman, a stranger. But one of the men in the lineup at the police station is Gemma’s date Jake, who Jo rather fancies.
Then Gemma and Jo discover the corpse of Fiona, Gemma’s annoying colleague from work. And Gemma’s boss is missing. When an older woman whom Rick was involved with is drowned in her pool, the police begin to close in.
Can this outbreak of deaths by drowning be coincidental? Or has the joke gone too far?
Peter Lovesey has been awarded the Silver, Gold, and Diamond Daggers by the British Crime Writers’ Association. This is his third mystery featuring Inspector Hen Mallin.
Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement Recipient Mystery Writers of America 2018 Grandmaster
Praise for The Headhunters
“A thoroughly delightful detective story, old-fashioned in the way that reminds us why we started reading and loving mysteries in the first place.” —Otto Penzler, New York Sun
“The Headhunters offers proof once again that nobody can write the modern traditional detective novel as perfectly as Lovesey.” —The Denver Post
“Peter Lovesey excels in portraying ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events and The Headhunters is a splendid example . . . This is a very cleverly constructed mystery with well-rounded characters, and it confirms Lovesey’s place in the top echelon of British crime writers.” —Sunday Telegraph
"You can always count on Peter Lovesey, one of England’s most respected mystery writers, to come up with a rollicking good detective yarn . . . If you like a classic British mystery that keeps you guessing and moves quickly to a conclusion you’ll thoroughly enjoy The Headhunters.” —Mystery Scene
“Further proof that [Lovesey] has no peer in presenting a traditional mystery.... Mallin deserves as long a fictional career as Peter Diamond.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Virtually impossible to figure out whodunit.... Catnip for enthusiasts of the classic puzzler.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The suspense will keep readers turning pages long into the night.” —Library Journal
Praise for Peter Lovesey
“I have long loved Peter Lovesey’s books . . . A creative, courageous and gifted writer.” —Louise Penny
“Lovesey is a master of the crime novel.” —Sara Paretsky
“What'll it be today? A knotty puzzle mystery? A fast-paced police procedural? Something more high-toned, with a bit of wit? With the British author Peter Lovesey, there's no need to make those agonizing decisions, because his books have it all.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Mr. Lovesey's narrative is swift, but he takes time out for local color and abundant humor, the latter springing from the book's quirky characters . . . Lovesey is a wizard at mixing character-driven comedy with realistic-to-grim suspense. And in a writing career spanning four decades, he has created a stylish and varied body of work.” —The Wall Street Journal “A treat . . . Lovesey’s restraint, wit, and charming cast ensure him a place in the winner’s circle.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Extremely stylish, lighter than air . . . utterly surprising.” —Newsweek
Peter Lovesey is the author of more than thirty highly praised mystery novels, including the Peter Diamond Investigations and the Sergeant Cribb Investigations. He has been awarded the CWA Gold and Silver Daggers, the Cartier Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement, the Strand Magazine Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards, and many other honors. He lives in West Sussex, England.
View titles by Peter Lovesey
“Lovesey’s restrained wit and charming cast ensure him a place in the winner’s circle.”—Entertainment Weekly
“A master of black humor and macabre plot twists.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of Britain’s foremost mystery novelists.”—Houston Chronicle
“Lovesey is a master.”—The Washington Post Book World
“One of the delights of contemporary crime fi ction.”—The Wall Street Journal
Gemma loathes her sleazy boss; Jo is her confidante. On a double date with Rick and Jake, they discuss forming a mutual murder society, in jest of course. The next day, Jo, walking on Selsey Beach, discovers the corpse of a drowned woman, a stranger. But one of the men in the lineup at the police station is Gemma’s date Jake, who Jo rather fancies.
Then Gemma and Jo discover the corpse of Fiona, Gemma’s annoying colleague from work. And Gemma’s boss is missing. When an older woman whom Rick was involved with is drowned in her pool, the police begin to close in.
Can this outbreak of deaths by drowning be coincidental? Or has the joke gone too far?
Peter Lovesey has been awarded the Silver, Gold, and Diamond Daggers by the British Crime Writers’ Association. This is his third mystery featuring Inspector Hen Mallin.
Reviews
Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement Recipient Mystery Writers of America 2018 Grandmaster
Praise for The Headhunters
“A thoroughly delightful detective story, old-fashioned in the way that reminds us why we started reading and loving mysteries in the first place.” —Otto Penzler, New York Sun
“The Headhunters offers proof once again that nobody can write the modern traditional detective novel as perfectly as Lovesey.” —The Denver Post
“Peter Lovesey excels in portraying ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events and The Headhunters is a splendid example . . . This is a very cleverly constructed mystery with well-rounded characters, and it confirms Lovesey’s place in the top echelon of British crime writers.” —Sunday Telegraph
"You can always count on Peter Lovesey, one of England’s most respected mystery writers, to come up with a rollicking good detective yarn . . . If you like a classic British mystery that keeps you guessing and moves quickly to a conclusion you’ll thoroughly enjoy The Headhunters.” —Mystery Scene
“Further proof that [Lovesey] has no peer in presenting a traditional mystery.... Mallin deserves as long a fictional career as Peter Diamond.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Virtually impossible to figure out whodunit.... Catnip for enthusiasts of the classic puzzler.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The suspense will keep readers turning pages long into the night.” —Library Journal
Praise for Peter Lovesey
“I have long loved Peter Lovesey’s books . . . A creative, courageous and gifted writer.” —Louise Penny
“Lovesey is a master of the crime novel.” —Sara Paretsky
“What'll it be today? A knotty puzzle mystery? A fast-paced police procedural? Something more high-toned, with a bit of wit? With the British author Peter Lovesey, there's no need to make those agonizing decisions, because his books have it all.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Mr. Lovesey's narrative is swift, but he takes time out for local color and abundant humor, the latter springing from the book's quirky characters . . . Lovesey is a wizard at mixing character-driven comedy with realistic-to-grim suspense. And in a writing career spanning four decades, he has created a stylish and varied body of work.” —The Wall Street Journal “A treat . . . Lovesey’s restraint, wit, and charming cast ensure him a place in the winner’s circle.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Extremely stylish, lighter than air . . . utterly surprising.” —Newsweek
Author
Peter Lovesey is the author of more than thirty highly praised mystery novels, including the Peter Diamond Investigations and the Sergeant Cribb Investigations. He has been awarded the CWA Gold and Silver Daggers, the Cartier Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement, the Strand Magazine Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards, and many other honors. He lives in West Sussex, England.
View titles by Peter Lovesey
