The Wages of Sin

April 1, 2004
While investigating the murder of a young prostitute in Brunton, Inspector Percy Peach (To Kill a Wife) finds that he must tread carefully. His interrogations of other prostitutes reveal some surprising suspects, including a divorced policeman and a Catholic priest. A pleasant British police procedural.

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2004
Gregson's Chief Inspector Percy Peach books have the rare ability to depict gruesome murders while still giving the reader a good chuckle. His latest is no exception. Peach has been away from the CID for a year, during which solve rates have decreased and the department has faltered under the mismanagement of Peach's boss and nemesis, Superintendent Tommy "Bloody" Tucker. Peach is assigned to the high-profile case of prostitute Sarah Dunne, who's been brutally strangled. Tucker, one of those awful bosses who loves taking all the credit when his subordinates perform well, warns Peach that he'd better solve the case in double-quick time. Peach, whose great delight in life is to insult the pompous Tucker without Tucker quite catching on, continues his campaign to undercut his loathsome boss. But Peach is also a gifted detective who's dedicated to his job, and he's determined to find Sarah Dunne's killer, even with Tucker's bungling attempts to control the case. A compelling, funny, highly entertaining police procedural that makes a fine addition to any mystery collection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)