Peter Lovesey, one of the great authors of Golden Age detective fiction over the past sixty years, has passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was 88 years old.
Peter was best known for his “Sergeant Cribb” Victorian-era mysteries and his “Peter Diamond” crime fiction series. The “Sergeant Cribb” series launched his career in 1970 and concluded in 1978. The “Peter Diamond” series spanned more than three decades and included 22 instalments, with the most recent, Against the Grain, published just last year.
Born in London, England, Lovesey graduated from Reading University with an honours degree. While there, he met his wife, Jax—an event he considered his greatest achievement. After completing three years of National Service with the Royal Air Force, he married and began teaching.
A Long, Decorated Career
Peter was one of the few authors to be named a Grand Master by the Edgar Awards (2018) and to receive the CWA’s Cartier Diamond Dagger. Other writers to achieve both honours include Sue Grafton, John le Carré, Walter Mosley, and Sara Paretsky.
His books won numerous awards throughout his career. The False Inspector Dew earned a CWA Gold Dagger and was named one of The Times‘ Top 100 Crime Novels of the 20th Century. Bloodhounds received a Barry, a Macavity, and a Silver Dagger. The House Sitter won a Macavity, The Summons and Waxwork received Silver Daggers, and The Last Detective earned an Anthony Award. He was also nominated for many others.
Peter will be deeply missed within the literary community. Cath Burke, deputy managing director of his publisher Little, Brown Book Group, told The Bookseller, “Peter was a brilliant writer, a legend in crime writing, and a deeply lovely man whom we will miss very much. We are so proud to have been Peter’s publisher and to know that his phenomenal body of work will continue to find readers throughout the world.”
Vanessa Holt, his literary agent of many years, shared her thoughts: “He was loyal to his friends and business associates, appreciative of all efforts made for him, and meticulous in his writing and business affairs.”
Peter is survived by his wife, Jax; daughter, Kathy; son, Phil (also a novelist); his grandchildren; and many dear friends.