Despite a boss who's a thorn in his side and a fiancée who won't commit to a wedding date, Chief Inspector Percy Peach enjoys life, especially his job as head of the Brunton, Lancashire, CID.  His latest case involves the brutal murder of wealthy local businessman Geoffrey Aspin, who has unexpectedly announced to his family that, at the age of 60, he plans to marry again. His announcement throws his two daughters, their husbands, and his business partner into pandemonium, given the likelihood that their inheritance will be affected. Peach realizes these are strong motives for murder, but long experience ensures he won't rule anything or anyone out until he has made a full investigation. Although the identity of the killer won't be a surprise to seasoned mystery fans, Gregson's gift for wry humor, solid plotting, and wise insights into the foibles of human behavior make this latest installment in the Percy Peach series a real treat.--Melton, Emily Copyright 2008 Booklist

A lonely Lancashire businessman who advertises for romance finds more than he bargained for. Widowed Geoffrey Aspin couldn't be more pleased that his modest three-line entry in DATING POINT put him in touch with Pam Williams, a lively divorcee two years younger. But his grown children, Carol (backed by darkly handsome husband Jemal Bilic, a man not to be trifled with) and Louise (whose gentle husband Steve Hawksworth thinks family should come first), clearly see Pam as a threat. Steve's family concerns don't keep him from offering a laudatory toast at Geoff's sumptuous 60th birthday bash, just as Denis Oakley's financial concerns don't stop him from applauding his longtime business partner's announcement that Pam is to be the next Mrs. Aspin. Still, someone must be more than mildly miffed at Geoff's planned nuptials. Why else would he be throttled to death in the restaurant's parking lot hours after the gala affair? DCI Percy Peach wants to know whodunit and why. He even takes time off from his two favorite pastimes--twitting his pompous boss, Thomas Bulstrode Tucker, and importuning his girl, sergeant Lucy Blake (Remains to Be Seen, 2007), to please set a date for their wedding--to put the fear of God into guilty and innocent alike until someone makes the fatal error that reveals the truth. Gregson's well-wrought if routine procedural has enough bursts of humor to keep the pages turning. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.