A Death Of Distinction

Gil Mayo Mystery #8

by Marjorie Eccles

As Gil Mayo and his assistant Abigail Moon look into the murder of a prominent citizen, they must deal not only with upheaval within the police department, but also with those who would keep the killer's identity a secret

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, British Literature

187 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 1995

About the author

Aka Judith Bordill, Jennifer Hyde

Marjorie Eccles has written several romantic and crime novels, which have been published both in the UK and in the US. Many of her book shave been translated and serialised around the world. She has one grown up son and now lives in Hertfordshire

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Lilburne is a pillar of the community. He is head of a young offenders' institution and has just been awarded an OBE. When he is killed by a car bomb in front of his own house everyone is shocked and horrified. Of course the first suspects are current and former inmates of the institution though it becomes clear that he was actually liked and respected.

When another death is discovered Superintendent Gil Mayo starts to think that there is much more going on than simple dislike. This is a well plotted and well written police procedural crime novel. The author brings her characters to life - especially the police personnel - and the reader wants them to succeed. The tense and exciting conclusion is especially well done.

The book is part of a series but the books in the series can be read in any order. Currently (2017) not all the books in the series are available as ebooks. If you prefer your crime novels without graphic violence and bad language then this series is worth trying.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot overwrought and not believable. The team of Mayo et al partially make up for it, but I only made it through this one by heavy skimming.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite mystery author and an excellent read!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Governor of Conyhall is murdered via a bomb under his car. But why and by whom. Superintendent Mayo and his team investigate
An entertaining modern mystery

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bomb explodes under a car, killing the head of a juvenile offenders' facility and injuring his daughter. Jack Lilburne was a popular man in a difficult job, and he had no obvious contacts that would lead terrorists to target him. As Gil Mayo's team investigates his death, they do learn some hidden secrets of Lilburne's family. A second murder leads their attention away from the prison, to an entirely different kind of motive.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, with a sub plot running in it. I had read this before when it was first published and I liked it then, the second time round - it all came back to me so the story is strong for me to recall it after all these years - I still found it a little sad. Fabulous author as usual with a wonderful grasp of telling a story that draws you in.

[Tacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the BBC adaptation based on these mysteries and wish more than eight episodes would have been made. I must admit I was a bit disappointed with this original story. Perhaps it was shoddily uploaded as a Kindle book? I think I will get her other Mayo mysteries, as books, from my library.

[Roshni · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read although the murderer was rather predictable