DIAMOND AND THE EYE Peter Diamond, Book 20

This audiobook is, on one hand, a classic British police procedural from the prolific Peter Lovesey and, on the other hand, a private-eye story reminiscent of American hard-boiled detective novels. Accomplished narrator James Langton manages the juxtaposition of two voices, one the steadfast, stolid, rather curmudgeonly voice of C.I.D. Superintendent Peter Diamond; the other, the Americanized, tough-guy voice of Sam Spade wannabe Johnny Getz. Other characters are also portrayed distinctly and credibly, including the posh antique store owner, the scrappy female journalist, the licentious Lady Bede, and many others who make this mystery colorful, humorous at times, and pleasantly baffling. D.L.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2021]