Backhand Smash: A Percy Peach British police procedural by J.M. Gregson

Clyde is very tall, very fit and very black.  When the tennis club decides to open its doors to all ethnic groups, the lady who fills the ranks of players is determined that Clyde will join them.  Clyde doesn't want to but it's hard to say no to someone so determined...

Severn House and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published March 1st, so you can grab a copy then.

This was a very good read.  Prejudice still exists, bad people abound, and Clyde and his boss try to take it in stride.  When the tennis club has a ball, everyone goes to the dance who's someone.  Unfortunately, not everyone makes it home.

The man who has been garroted is not a nice man.  As they investigate, they find almost everyone had a reason to hate him.  Many would liked to have killed him.  So who did?

I enjoyed the budding romance between Clyde and the young policewoman who is just learning her job.  They make a good couple. Percy finds out he's going to be a father.  While their personal lives are going well, the investigation is not. The ending surprised me.  I didn't suspect the right people.  There were just too many suspects with lots of motives.

This is the 19th book in this series and the first one I read.  I'll be watching for the next one.  I especially like Mr. Gregson's Clyde.