On a night out with a couple of guys, Jo and Gemma complain about their bosses and Gemma claims she would happily murder her boss. Then they go on to develop a plan - all in fun of course. The next day Jo is out walking on the beach and comes across the body of a woman. When she reports it, Hen Mallin, who believes in the attack system of interrogation, practically accuses Jo of murder and, like a dog with a bone, she won't give it up. Then the pair discover the body of one of Gemma's workmates, drowned in the millpond. Naturally Jo is reluctant to report a second body. When the boss goes missing it seems it might be a joke gone wrong.

A good mystery: good plot, well-developed characters, and an exciting finish, but Hen Mallin will never be able to compete with Peter Diamond. She just doesn't have the personality to entice a reader. A minor point because Lovesey has only written three novels in the Hen Mallin series.

I listened to an audiobook read by a very poor narrator. I always enjoy Peter Lovesey's books and decided to stick with it but I'm sure a print copy, had one been available, would have got a higher rating from me. ( )

2.5 stars. Unsympathetic characters. Only got interesting near the end. ( )

This is my least favorite of the Lovesey novels I have read so far, which is not that I don't think it is a fine book. I suppose I prefer the character of Diamond better and the literary backdrops in many of his Diamond books. The character development in this mystery is very fine, great psychological depth. Jake is a great character, as are Jo and Gemma. For some reason this book made me quite edgy. ( )

This is my least favorite of the Lovesey novels I have read so far, which is not that I don't think it is a fine book. I suppose I prefer the character of Diamond better and the literary backdrops in many of his Diamond books. The character development in this mystery is very fine, great psychological depth. Jake is a great character, as are Jo and Gemma. For some reason this book made me quite edgy. ( )

This is my least favorite of the Lovesey novels I have read so far, which is not that I don't think it is a fine book. I suppose I prefer the character of Diamond better and the literary backdrops in many of his Diamond books. The character development in this mystery is very fine, great psychological depth. Jake is a great character, as are Jo and Gemma. For some reason this book made me quite edgy. ( )