The Reaper

by Peter Lovesey

Book Overview

"If you've never read any of [Lovesey's] 20-plus books, this wickedly clever, beautifully written story of a murderous clergyman who earns our sympathy while dramatically whittling down his flock... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569473080
• ISBN13: 9781569473085
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Soho Crime
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Such a pleasant murderer

I've read a dozen or so Peter Lovesey crime novels and never know quite what to expect from one book to another. In one book he may tell the story backwards, as in "Waxwork." In another, people "wobble" to death. In this book, "The Reaper," a nice young rector in a cozy English village is cadging funds from the church and has to kill people to cover it up. First off is the bishop, found at the bottom of a quarry, an apparent suicide. It gets worse. The villagers are cozy, for certain, but a disparate lot, mostly of women who are much taken by the handsome rector. The atmosphere is one of church services, bake sales, council meetings, etc. with a little murder mixed in to hold the reader's attention. What is fun is that we, the readers, know who is doing all the killing. What we don't know is whether or not the rector will get away with it. He's very clever in covering his tracks, but is there some flaw, some crack in his perfection that will do him in? One almost hopes not. The book is funny, pleasant and kept me reading well into the night. I would recommend Peter Lovesey books to any reader of crime fiction.

Lovesey comic crime novel

Peter Lovesey writes great British crime novels, always with some sense of humor. His best is "The False Inspector Dew", but "The Reaper" is a close second. A popular vicar who loves his job becomes a killer in order to keep it. That's not a "spoiler" - you learn that in the first few pages. Lovesey's novel tells in straight-faced fashion how the vicar deals with potential threats to his social position. A related plot involves a woman dissatisfied with her marriage and very attracted to the vicar. This is a well written, amusing and captivating story. Lovesey is almost always good, and he is in superb form here.

A great read for one and all

I can only say that THE REAPER is a great fun thriller full of parallels and comedy.And I must mention "OJ" but read the book and you will see what I mean. Great characters and fun cheering for the wrong team. Peter's books are all brilliant and easy reads, you fall in love with his characters also, won't be able to guess what happens next. Many Turns and twists, plots and subplots as well as a giggle on every page. What more can you ask for when reading? I started this book at 8am and finished it at 8pm the same day, only stopping when my eyes needed a rest. In my opinion is a great book. ENJOY and thanks to Peter once again, I highly recommend BLOODHOUNDS

Heaven sent

I received The Reaper yesterday and finished it this morning. It is a real page turner. Can't wait for the movie. The book is not only a perfect British "cozy." It is also very well researched. it is s superb story, a mystery readers dream

Sometimes the bad guy wins!!

Otis Joy is the popular and handsome young rector of St. Bartholomew's Church in Foxford, Wiltshire, England. His bishop has just accused him of embezzling church funds and ordered him to resign. The rector has no other choice other than the murder of the bishop and the cleverly designed disposal of the body to render a suicide verdict when it is discovered. If his parishioners would only keep to his plans, Joy would not have to resort to murder again. Unfortunately, they don't and he does. With a devilish plot, Lovesey encourages the reader to sympathize with the Rector Joy who only seeks an ordered life. Hilarious, wicked, and twisted, The Reaper is not to be missed! Peter Lovesey is the author of twenty-one celebrated mystery novels and the recipient of the 2000 CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger in recognition of lifetime achievement.