Wobble to Death — Peter Lovesey

A Mystery Writers of America “100 Best Mysteries of All Time”

Crime fiction master Peter Lovesey's debut mystery introduces Victorian detective Sergeant Cribb as he investigates a speed-walking race turned deadly.

“An outstanding period piece with plummy characters and a killer neatly hidden.” -- Los Angeles Times, Dorothy B. Hughes

London, 1879. Crowds have gathered at Islington's chilly Agricultural Hall to place their bets on who will become the next world champion in a six-day, 500-mile speed walking race, the “wobble.” When one of the highly favored contenders dies under suspicious circumstances, Sergeant Cribb also has a race on his hands -- to pursue a ruthless murderer.
 
Wobble to Death was Peter Lovesey's debut novel. In the 45 years since it was published, its author has gone on to write more than 30 world-renowned mysteries, win numerous crime fiction prizes. There is no better place to dive into Lovesey's legendary oeuvre than with this sparkling debut.