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Lieutenant Luis Mendoza #8
Mark of Murder
Another Luis Mendoza mystery. Ten murders in ten days, and the attempted murder of Sergeant Hackett--left fighting for his life in a coma--cut short Mendoza's vacation in Bermuda. Hackett was working on the "private kill" of a well-to-do chiropractor who had as many enemies as he had patients.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
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47 people want to read
About the author
Dell Shannon
154 books23 followersPseudonym of Elizabeth Linington.
Barbara "Elizabeth" Linington (March 11, 1921 – April 5, 1988) was an American novelist. She was awarded runner-up scrolls for best first mystery novel from the Mystery Writers of America for her 1960 novel, Case Pending, which introduced her most popular series character, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Luis Mendoza. Her 1961 book, Nightmare, and her 1962 novel, Knave of Hearts, another entry in the Mendoza series, were both nominated for Edgars in the Best Novel category. Regarded as the "Queen of the Procedurals," she was one of the first women to write police procedurals — a male-dominated genre of police-story writing.
Besides crime, Linington also took interest in archaeology, the occult, gemstones, antique weapons and languages. Linington was also a conservative political activist who was an active member of the John Birch Society
Barbara "Elizabeth" Linington (March 11, 1921 – April 5, 1988) was an American novelist. She was awarded runner-up scrolls for best first mystery novel from the Mystery Writers of America for her 1960 novel, Case Pending, which introduced her most popular series character, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Luis Mendoza. Her 1961 book, Nightmare, and her 1962 novel, Knave of Hearts, another entry in the Mendoza series, were both nominated for Edgars in the Best Novel category. Regarded as the "Queen of the Procedurals," she was one of the first women to write police procedurals — a male-dominated genre of police-story writing.
Besides crime, Linington also took interest in archaeology, the occult, gemstones, antique weapons and languages. Linington was also a conservative political activist who was an active member of the John Birch Society
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 12, 2019
“She spoke like a woman of some education; but he thought that, whatever emotions she’d once had, they’d been driven out of her, or wasted away, somehow, for some time.”
Mark of Murder is three books down the road from Death of a Busybody. We discover that Alison has had the twins hinted at at the end of the aforementioned, in Dell Shannon’s eighth entry in the terrific Lt. Luis Mendoza series, which spanned the ‘60s, ’70’s and ‘80s. This entry from the Queen of the police procedurals is from 1967, when the prolific Elizabeth Linington was writing several series at once, under various pseudonyms. I recalled this one as a highlight in the series, and it didn’t disappoint!
As it opens, the Mendoza’s have embarked on a cruise to the Bahamas. Luis is taking a vacation for the first time in many years, but not without protest. While Alison is enjoying the sparkling sea air, and a rest from the twins, Luis feels uncomfortable sans suit and tie, and can’t keep his mind away from the squad room in Los Angeles. Having to duck the boring Kirchner’s aboard ship, doesn’t make the prospect of being out of touch for three weeks any more appealing to Luis. The detective has trouble even finding a paper, but once he does, things begin happening quickly. A little hotel murder he left Hackett, Palliser and Higgins to attend to has turned into something major, with a slasher is on the loose in the City of Angels. And then comes the call…
Hackett is near death in the hospital, and they have no idea how it happened. Hackett can’t tell them, because he’s in a coma and might not wake up. The Medoza’s get a flight out in a hurry, and this one deftly moves from vacation cozy to police procedural as Mendoza tries to figure out whether a doctor’s murder, or something connected to the slasher case got Hackett into more trouble than even a cop of his size and experience could handle. Because Linington was never afraid to kill off a major character, we really don’t know how it will turn out for Hackett. His wife, Angel, whom Luis has never been fond of, and likewise, shows herself to be of more import than Luis believed, earning his respect. In turn, Angel sees Luis working around the clock to find out who did this to Hackett and also changes her mind about him.
While Linington never shied away from showing that some cops were better or more qualified at their jobs than others, there was always a respect for the tough job in her work. Cops were refreshingly shown in a positive light, a force for good unappreciated by the public it served to protect. If it was true then, and it was, in our day it's true in spades. There’s a big dose of that here as Hackett’s situation has everyone working feverishly to find out what happened. It’s the same feeling conveyed by Ed McBain, in his 87th Precinct series. But Linington (Dell Shannon) focused even more so on the domestic side of cops, correctly portraying them as human beings with families and lives outside the badge.
Meanwhile in this one, there’s a disfigured slasher with a twisted grudge against everyone, and a doctor’s murder Luis must deal with while he continues trying to figure out what Hackett saw or did that led him to be attacked. This was 1967 and what they discover about the doctor does date one element of the plot, but makes it no less interesting. This one has Luis, who has been on the force for twenty-two years, telling Alison that he’ll retire if Hackett dies. But Luis hasn’t retired yet, and he realizes too late that the media reports might lead the slasher to escalate his attacks. Also, there is a seemingly insignificant clue:
“Now this I don’t believe. The clue straight out of Edgar Wallace.”
It proves to be an important clue, however, the one which leads Mendoza to Hackett’s attacker. How it does, or why, will have to remain a mystery. Before it happens, however, there is a very exciting shootout and chase involving the slasher. As Luis realized, but almost too late, he has escalated his anger to a broader target. Seven people go down in this one, some of them cops, but the ending is worth it. Definitely a top-notch entry in this long-running series. The blending of cozy mystery, domestic life and police procedural was never done better than by Linington, which is why this popular series lasted for so many years.
On a technical note, this edition from Carroll & Graf, with the snazzy cover showing a dead girl and the hotel sign outside the window, has very small print. It is not 265 pages as listed, but 208, thus the small print. If you’re an older person looking to pick up a copy but don’t like the smaller fonts, be forewarned, this might not be the edition to get. The other snazzy cover Carroll & Graf edition I have, Root of All Evil, has a more normal font size. Mark of Murder is a well written snapshot in time, as well as a good mystery and police procedural. Highly recommended!
Mark of Murder is three books down the road from Death of a Busybody. We discover that Alison has had the twins hinted at at the end of the aforementioned, in Dell Shannon’s eighth entry in the terrific Lt. Luis Mendoza series, which spanned the ‘60s, ’70’s and ‘80s. This entry from the Queen of the police procedurals is from 1967, when the prolific Elizabeth Linington was writing several series at once, under various pseudonyms. I recalled this one as a highlight in the series, and it didn’t disappoint!
As it opens, the Mendoza’s have embarked on a cruise to the Bahamas. Luis is taking a vacation for the first time in many years, but not without protest. While Alison is enjoying the sparkling sea air, and a rest from the twins, Luis feels uncomfortable sans suit and tie, and can’t keep his mind away from the squad room in Los Angeles. Having to duck the boring Kirchner’s aboard ship, doesn’t make the prospect of being out of touch for three weeks any more appealing to Luis. The detective has trouble even finding a paper, but once he does, things begin happening quickly. A little hotel murder he left Hackett, Palliser and Higgins to attend to has turned into something major, with a slasher is on the loose in the City of Angels. And then comes the call…
Hackett is near death in the hospital, and they have no idea how it happened. Hackett can’t tell them, because he’s in a coma and might not wake up. The Medoza’s get a flight out in a hurry, and this one deftly moves from vacation cozy to police procedural as Mendoza tries to figure out whether a doctor’s murder, or something connected to the slasher case got Hackett into more trouble than even a cop of his size and experience could handle. Because Linington was never afraid to kill off a major character, we really don’t know how it will turn out for Hackett. His wife, Angel, whom Luis has never been fond of, and likewise, shows herself to be of more import than Luis believed, earning his respect. In turn, Angel sees Luis working around the clock to find out who did this to Hackett and also changes her mind about him.
While Linington never shied away from showing that some cops were better or more qualified at their jobs than others, there was always a respect for the tough job in her work. Cops were refreshingly shown in a positive light, a force for good unappreciated by the public it served to protect. If it was true then, and it was, in our day it's true in spades. There’s a big dose of that here as Hackett’s situation has everyone working feverishly to find out what happened. It’s the same feeling conveyed by Ed McBain, in his 87th Precinct series. But Linington (Dell Shannon) focused even more so on the domestic side of cops, correctly portraying them as human beings with families and lives outside the badge.
Meanwhile in this one, there’s a disfigured slasher with a twisted grudge against everyone, and a doctor’s murder Luis must deal with while he continues trying to figure out what Hackett saw or did that led him to be attacked. This was 1967 and what they discover about the doctor does date one element of the plot, but makes it no less interesting. This one has Luis, who has been on the force for twenty-two years, telling Alison that he’ll retire if Hackett dies. But Luis hasn’t retired yet, and he realizes too late that the media reports might lead the slasher to escalate his attacks. Also, there is a seemingly insignificant clue:
“Now this I don’t believe. The clue straight out of Edgar Wallace.”
It proves to be an important clue, however, the one which leads Mendoza to Hackett’s attacker. How it does, or why, will have to remain a mystery. Before it happens, however, there is a very exciting shootout and chase involving the slasher. As Luis realized, but almost too late, he has escalated his anger to a broader target. Seven people go down in this one, some of them cops, but the ending is worth it. Definitely a top-notch entry in this long-running series. The blending of cozy mystery, domestic life and police procedural was never done better than by Linington, which is why this popular series lasted for so many years.
On a technical note, this edition from Carroll & Graf, with the snazzy cover showing a dead girl and the hotel sign outside the window, has very small print. It is not 265 pages as listed, but 208, thus the small print. If you’re an older person looking to pick up a copy but don’t like the smaller fonts, be forewarned, this might not be the edition to get. The other snazzy cover Carroll & Graf edition I have, Root of All Evil, has a more normal font size. Mark of Murder is a well written snapshot in time, as well as a good mystery and police procedural. Highly recommended!
May 1, 2009
DEll Shannon wrote over 20 books in the Luis Mendoza series. The early ones were okay but focused on one crime only; the last few were pretty much formula.
But Mark of Murder was written when the series was at its height. It is an excellent police procedural. Medoza and his officers are well portrayed; the matter of having several crimes to handle at one time is made clear. I find that a plus---rarely in real life does an officer have only one case going.
Dell Shannon also has a good gift for dialogue and some interesting twists.
Mark of MUrder is one of the three best of hers I ever read--the other two are The Death Bringers and With a Vengeance.
Therefore, should you happen upon a Luis Mendoza mystery in your library or used bookstore, you might want to give one a try. Overall, I would rate most of the series a solid 3 stars---the three titles noted get 4.
But Mark of Murder was written when the series was at its height. It is an excellent police procedural. Medoza and his officers are well portrayed; the matter of having several crimes to handle at one time is made clear. I find that a plus---rarely in real life does an officer have only one case going.
Dell Shannon also has a good gift for dialogue and some interesting twists.
Mark of MUrder is one of the three best of hers I ever read--the other two are The Death Bringers and With a Vengeance.
Therefore, should you happen upon a Luis Mendoza mystery in your library or used bookstore, you might want to give one a try. Overall, I would rate most of the series a solid 3 stars---the three titles noted get 4.
November 10, 2019
Luis Mendoza is wishing he was anywhere than on his first vacation in many years. He misses his suits and ties, he hates having to avoid annoying people and he hates the fact he left Art Hackett and the others with a case he can't help with. He can't even fing an L. A. paper to read about it. If Alison wasn't enjoying herself so much he'd be tempted to leave.
And then he receives the telegram that tells him that Hackett has been found left for dead while investigating the death of a chiropractor. The Mendozas leave immediately, Luis immersing himself in the case as well as one they have dubbed The Slasher who has made of habit of stabbing and slashing one victim a night.
Are the cases related? Is what happened to Art, who is still in a coma, connected to either one or both? It's all so frustrating and for the first time in 22 years Mendoza contemplates retirement.
An on the edge police procedural with just the right amount of family and home life.
And then he receives the telegram that tells him that Hackett has been found left for dead while investigating the death of a chiropractor. The Mendozas leave immediately, Luis immersing himself in the case as well as one they have dubbed The Slasher who has made of habit of stabbing and slashing one victim a night.
Are the cases related? Is what happened to Art, who is still in a coma, connected to either one or both? It's all so frustrating and for the first time in 22 years Mendoza contemplates retirement.
An on the edge police procedural with just the right amount of family and home life.
April 17, 2023
With this book, Dell Shannon hits her stride. Pretty much everything is now in place, and she's getting used to writing of multiple cases. We can now see and hear from most of the officers in Homicide, and the only one not in place yet (barring those who come in later) is little Schenke, a fixture of the night watch. (Shannon, oddly, never really got into it with Schenke; about all we ever know about him is that he prefers to work night watch.)
It starts at a leisurely pace. Alison has finally gotten Mendoza to take a vacation, and they're headed for Bermuda. Mendoza is antsy; he's concerned about the horrible knifing murder that took place the day before they left. And being a confessed egotist, he's certain that they can't get along without him. Matters aren't helped by a woman who is convinced that Mendoza is a famous movie star traveling incognito. He gets a little relief after he spots Benny the pro sharp, now working the liners. He gets into a game with Benny, all palsy-walsy together, rescues the honest deck and confiscates the doctored one. But he can't really get interested; as seen before in DOUBLE BLUFF, Mendoza isn't very concerned about pro sharps. It's not like they're fleecing elderly widows of their life savings, and anyone who gets into a game with a stranger is simply asking for it.
Back in L.A, Mendoza's concerns are justified; the knife murderer has added three more notches to his belt, and the city is getting into an uproar. I find it funny that we don't see Art Hackett worrying about being the boss; after all, this is really his first time. Mendoza has never taken any real vacations before, and he never gets sick. In addition to the knife killer, they're investigating the deliberate wrecking of a train. And then another murder gets tossed on the plate. A chiropractic doctor, shot in his office overnight.
Hackett and Palliser investigate, and things quickly start to smell funny. The whole setup is screaming money, and yet there are only a handful of patients on file. Then Hackett, worrying about the Slasher (imaginative name, hah?) makes a very bad mistake. They leave the crime scene for lunch, and do not put anyone on guard in the meantime. They don't even, God save the mark, lock the door! Returning to the scene, Hackett finds the nurse/receptionist, Madge Corliss, has returned, and seems to have put something in the trunk of her car. Naturally, he can't demand that she open it. On being asked why this sucessful practice has no patients knocking at the door or calling on the phone, Corliss instantly replies that it's Wednesday, and Doctor always was off on Wednesdays. Things are smelling funnier. I have a confession: I have read this book multiple times over the years, yet it was only at this last reading that it dawned on me that if Doctor took Wednesdays off, then why did Corliss show up at the office in the first place? Why did she call Doctor's wife to express her concern that he wasn't in the office? (This is what led to the body being found.)
Having arrived in Bermuda, Mendoza immediately looks for a Los Angeles newspaper. None to be had, but a new arrival from San Francisco offers the paper that he had brought with him. ("Silly to carry the feud this far from home.") Mendoza discovers a tiny article telling about multiple knife murders in Los Angeles, and becomes even more agitated. He just KNOWS something's going to happen.
The Slasher is described as a mass killer. I thought perhaps the term "serial killer" had not been coined yet; then I thought again and did some checking. Mass killers tend to be those cowards who go out with assault rifles and mow down innocents in groups, whereas serial killers tend to select their victims and go after them one at a time. The Slasher seems to fall somewhere in between; he doesn't select his victims, rather he goes for whomever is in his immediate vicinity when the killing frenzy strikes.
Hackett, overwhelmed with all the different lines of questioning opening up, opts to do a little overtime. Later, in the Homicide office, HIggins, on night watch, answers the phone, and hears an anxious, carefully controlled question....
In Bermuda....
"Hackett attacked on critical list hell of mess here can you fly soonest."
With that, the pace leaps into high gear and remains there for pretty much the rest of the book. Bermuda to Washington to New York to Los Angeles to the hospital. Hackett had been sent over a cliff in his car, in a very clumsily arranged "accident" that didn't fool anyone for one minute. Mendoza rushes to the office, gets filled in on what's been going on, and sets things in motion, putting in hours of work before delayed exhaustion sets in and he heads home for a few hours of sleep.
The clumsy "accident" leads them to think that the killer isn't overly smart. It doesn't seem to occur to anyone at this point that perhaps the killer just didn't think he had to take special pains to fool the stupid cops.
Mendoza quickly picks up on the idea that Hackett was slowly reaching for--that Doctor Nestor's "successful" practice was cover for an abortion mill. Madge Corliss had moved quickly and boldly to gather up most of the evidence, and then sat right under Hackett's nose and filled the appointment book with fake names (which our boys had to tediously go through to prove that they were fake!)
In the meantime, the Slasher, who has been killing out of blind hate, has discovered that he has become important. Newspapers are writing about him, people everywhere are talking about him. Previously, he wouldn't have especially cared if the police caught him and killed him--his life hasn't been of much use to himself or anyone else--but now he wants more attention, he wants more killing, before they can catch up to him....
In deep coma at the hospital, Hackett lies quietly. No one knows if or when he will regain conciousness, or if he will have full function if he does. Mendoza tries to keep Angel from finding out just how bad it might be, as she is expecting a child.
A small button clutched in a dead hand, matching fingerprints from two entirely different crime scenes, a scrawled signature, the theft of a whole cache of guns, and a batch of silver dollars, all come together and lead to not one, but two stunning climaxes.
Just for fun, I'm going to keep track on an ongoing joke that begins here--Mendoza, having had to requisition a patrol car to sound it's siren for him, swears that he will have a siren installed in his own car "before he's a week older". A little further on, he plans to have it done "tomorrow". You don't really see Mendoza as being a procrastinator....
It starts at a leisurely pace. Alison has finally gotten Mendoza to take a vacation, and they're headed for Bermuda. Mendoza is antsy; he's concerned about the horrible knifing murder that took place the day before they left. And being a confessed egotist, he's certain that they can't get along without him. Matters aren't helped by a woman who is convinced that Mendoza is a famous movie star traveling incognito. He gets a little relief after he spots Benny the pro sharp, now working the liners. He gets into a game with Benny, all palsy-walsy together, rescues the honest deck and confiscates the doctored one. But he can't really get interested; as seen before in DOUBLE BLUFF, Mendoza isn't very concerned about pro sharps. It's not like they're fleecing elderly widows of their life savings, and anyone who gets into a game with a stranger is simply asking for it.
Back in L.A, Mendoza's concerns are justified; the knife murderer has added three more notches to his belt, and the city is getting into an uproar. I find it funny that we don't see Art Hackett worrying about being the boss; after all, this is really his first time. Mendoza has never taken any real vacations before, and he never gets sick. In addition to the knife killer, they're investigating the deliberate wrecking of a train. And then another murder gets tossed on the plate. A chiropractic doctor, shot in his office overnight.
Hackett and Palliser investigate, and things quickly start to smell funny. The whole setup is screaming money, and yet there are only a handful of patients on file. Then Hackett, worrying about the Slasher (imaginative name, hah?) makes a very bad mistake. They leave the crime scene for lunch, and do not put anyone on guard in the meantime. They don't even, God save the mark, lock the door! Returning to the scene, Hackett finds the nurse/receptionist, Madge Corliss, has returned, and seems to have put something in the trunk of her car. Naturally, he can't demand that she open it. On being asked why this sucessful practice has no patients knocking at the door or calling on the phone, Corliss instantly replies that it's Wednesday, and Doctor always was off on Wednesdays. Things are smelling funnier. I have a confession: I have read this book multiple times over the years, yet it was only at this last reading that it dawned on me that if Doctor took Wednesdays off, then why did Corliss show up at the office in the first place? Why did she call Doctor's wife to express her concern that he wasn't in the office? (This is what led to the body being found.)
Having arrived in Bermuda, Mendoza immediately looks for a Los Angeles newspaper. None to be had, but a new arrival from San Francisco offers the paper that he had brought with him. ("Silly to carry the feud this far from home.") Mendoza discovers a tiny article telling about multiple knife murders in Los Angeles, and becomes even more agitated. He just KNOWS something's going to happen.
The Slasher is described as a mass killer. I thought perhaps the term "serial killer" had not been coined yet; then I thought again and did some checking. Mass killers tend to be those cowards who go out with assault rifles and mow down innocents in groups, whereas serial killers tend to select their victims and go after them one at a time. The Slasher seems to fall somewhere in between; he doesn't select his victims, rather he goes for whomever is in his immediate vicinity when the killing frenzy strikes.
Hackett, overwhelmed with all the different lines of questioning opening up, opts to do a little overtime. Later, in the Homicide office, HIggins, on night watch, answers the phone, and hears an anxious, carefully controlled question....
In Bermuda....
"Hackett attacked on critical list hell of mess here can you fly soonest."
With that, the pace leaps into high gear and remains there for pretty much the rest of the book. Bermuda to Washington to New York to Los Angeles to the hospital. Hackett had been sent over a cliff in his car, in a very clumsily arranged "accident" that didn't fool anyone for one minute. Mendoza rushes to the office, gets filled in on what's been going on, and sets things in motion, putting in hours of work before delayed exhaustion sets in and he heads home for a few hours of sleep.
The clumsy "accident" leads them to think that the killer isn't overly smart. It doesn't seem to occur to anyone at this point that perhaps the killer just didn't think he had to take special pains to fool the stupid cops.
Mendoza quickly picks up on the idea that Hackett was slowly reaching for--that Doctor Nestor's "successful" practice was cover for an abortion mill. Madge Corliss had moved quickly and boldly to gather up most of the evidence, and then sat right under Hackett's nose and filled the appointment book with fake names (which our boys had to tediously go through to prove that they were fake!)
In the meantime, the Slasher, who has been killing out of blind hate, has discovered that he has become important. Newspapers are writing about him, people everywhere are talking about him. Previously, he wouldn't have especially cared if the police caught him and killed him--his life hasn't been of much use to himself or anyone else--but now he wants more attention, he wants more killing, before they can catch up to him....
In deep coma at the hospital, Hackett lies quietly. No one knows if or when he will regain conciousness, or if he will have full function if he does. Mendoza tries to keep Angel from finding out just how bad it might be, as she is expecting a child.
A small button clutched in a dead hand, matching fingerprints from two entirely different crime scenes, a scrawled signature, the theft of a whole cache of guns, and a batch of silver dollars, all come together and lead to not one, but two stunning climaxes.
Just for fun, I'm going to keep track on an ongoing joke that begins here--Mendoza, having had to requisition a patrol car to sound it's siren for him, swears that he will have a siren installed in his own car "before he's a week older". A little further on, he plans to have it done "tomorrow". You don't really see Mendoza as being a procrastinator....
April 13, 2024
This reader is finally back on track with the order of reading the Mendoza series. Now LAPD Homicide detective Luis Mendoza is finally taking a much deserved vacation in Bermuda.
After 22 years on the force, he has three weeks off to enjoy life with his wife, Alison. Two weeks into being away from a full house where his feisty 11-month-old twins, four energetic cats, and new nurserymaid Mairi MacTaggart are waiting for their return, Luis is bored.
Luis craves excitement. Someone should have warned Luis to be careful what he wishes for as disaster strikes back home.
His top detective, Sgt Arthur Hackett, has been attacked and lies near death in the hospital. Alison, ever the perfect cop's wife, packs their bags and they immediately rush home.
With help from his other detectives, the Homicide team sorts out the web of intrigue involving two difficult cases. Just as Luis discovers who attempted to murder his best friend (and why) Arthur awakens.
The first thing Arthur Hackett reports to Mendoza is the name of his attacker. Arthur is hardly surprised to learn that the person he named is already under arrest.
While this book is not as fun as the last one, it certainly involves plenty of nail biting drama. Good addition to the continuing Mendoza mystery series.
After 22 years on the force, he has three weeks off to enjoy life with his wife, Alison. Two weeks into being away from a full house where his feisty 11-month-old twins, four energetic cats, and new nurserymaid Mairi MacTaggart are waiting for their return, Luis is bored.
Luis craves excitement. Someone should have warned Luis to be careful what he wishes for as disaster strikes back home.
His top detective, Sgt Arthur Hackett, has been attacked and lies near death in the hospital. Alison, ever the perfect cop's wife, packs their bags and they immediately rush home.
With help from his other detectives, the Homicide team sorts out the web of intrigue involving two difficult cases. Just as Luis discovers who attempted to murder his best friend (and why) Arthur awakens.
The first thing Arthur Hackett reports to Mendoza is the name of his attacker. Arthur is hardly surprised to learn that the person he named is already under arrest.
While this book is not as fun as the last one, it certainly involves plenty of nail biting drama. Good addition to the continuing Mendoza mystery series.
December 10, 2018
I enjoyed this installment in the Lt. Luis Mendoza series. it reads fast, and is true to form with its predecessors. Once again there are a lot of police (all male) to keep track of (nineteen, at least), though some are becoming familiar since the cast is consistent. The force is still lacking any African American presence.
Oddly, I cannot cite anything which makes the book special. I found the writing pretty utilitarian, and I pretty easily guessed the outcome of each of the two criminal situations (a serial killer on the rampage and the murder of a chiropractor). But Mendoza is an appealing character, and fun to follow. He still has the black Ferrari, the moustache and the custom tailored Italian suits.
Nothing memorable here, but fun nevertheless.
Oddly, I cannot cite anything which makes the book special. I found the writing pretty utilitarian, and I pretty easily guessed the outcome of each of the two criminal situations (a serial killer on the rampage and the murder of a chiropractor). But Mendoza is an appealing character, and fun to follow. He still has the black Ferrari, the moustache and the custom tailored Italian suits.
Nothing memorable here, but fun nevertheless.
November 23, 2023
Really enjoy these, though Goodreads has the order wrong this one should be moved up a spot since the injury of Hackett happens in this one. Mendoza finally takes a vacation but gets called back when his friend and partner Hackett almost gets killed and is in a coma from some weird accident set up. Mendoza comes back to two cases that have the squads attention and he feels by solving them he will find Hackett's attacker. One is a serial killer who uses a knife on anybody he can get to dubbed the Slasher and the other was a Chiropractor being shot in his own office.
Highly recommended though recommend you look at Wikipedia for the correct order. However all of these are basically self contained it is just the details of Mendoza's life that are continuous.
Highly recommended though recommend you look at Wikipedia for the correct order. However all of these are basically self contained it is just the details of Mendoza's life that are continuous.
February 7, 2019
One of the Lt. Mendoza mysteries. I particularly liked getting glimpses into the home life of Luis, Alison, their twins and their live-in housekeeper Mairi MacTaggart. I've always liked books and TV cop procedurals; but I prefer those that give the characters depth and interaction. This series does that and over the entire series you learn what makes Lt. Mendoza tick.
April 30, 2018
Read several of these enjoyable Luis Mendoza police novels back in the 80s. Enjoyed them all!
December 18, 2025
Goodreads, please note this book should be read before 'The Death Bringers', and after 'Root of all Evil'. Those two books are in the wrong order in the list.
An enjoyable read.
Not woke, no gratuous sex, and you care about the characters.
An enjoyable read.
Not woke, no gratuous sex, and you care about the characters.
November 29, 2014
#7 in the Luis Mendoza series. Lt. Mendoza, head of homicide for the LAPD, is a man of contradictions. Fretting about the absence from his office during a Bermuda vacation, he threatens to retire if Sgt. Hackett, grievously injured on a current case, dies. Several tell-tale clues point out Hackett's attacker rather early in the game. Readable, 50 year-old potboiler.
Luis Mendoza series - MARK OF MURDER opens with Luis Mendoza not enjoying a real vacation in Bermuda. His heart & mind are in LA and his body is miles away with no news. When a cablegram reaches his with a command from the Chief to come home Mendoza and Alison attempt to break land speed records to return. Art Hackett is in a deep coma from a staged auto accident, while a savage "Slasher" roams the dark streets killing at random.
Luis Mendoza series - MARK OF MURDER opens with Luis Mendoza not enjoying a real vacation in Bermuda. His heart & mind are in LA and his body is miles away with no news. When a cablegram reaches his with a command from the Chief to come home Mendoza and Alison attempt to break land speed records to return. Art Hackett is in a deep coma from a staged auto accident, while a savage "Slasher" roams the dark streets killing at random.
November 16, 2022
I recommend reading at least the first five books in this series in order. excellent police procedural and watching as the earnest detectives find their "hostages to fortune" fascinated me. I first read this series in the 70s and 80s...Re-read in November 2022. Excellent!
June 30, 2008
An enjoyable read with good characterization.
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