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Gil Mayo Mystery #5
Late of this Parish
The Reverend Cecil Willard was not one of those born to be loved. A scholarly and austere man, former headmaster of the local boys’ school, his stern moral principles and die-hard opinions never endeared him either to those close to him or to his neighbours in the village of Castle Wyvering where he lived and worked. Nevertheless, the discovery of his murdered body at the foot of the altar steps in the church shocked the whole community.
Situated at the outskirts of the Lavenstock Division, tiny Castle Wyvering and its inhabitants are unfamiliar to DCI Gil Mayo and his support team. However, Mayo soon learns that there are plenty of people in Castle Wyvering who had cause to resent the old man, including his on long-suffering daughter—but who would want to kill him, and why? Does his death have anything to do with the power struggle for the headmaster’s position at the school, or with the shooting of three badgers in a neighbour’s garden? And who is the mysterious Sara mentioned in Willard’s diary? The answers, and the final solution to the murder only become apparent after Mayo’s far-reaching inquiries, and not before the killer has struck once more.
Situated at the outskirts of the Lavenstock Division, tiny Castle Wyvering and its inhabitants are unfamiliar to DCI Gil Mayo and his support team. However, Mayo soon learns that there are plenty of people in Castle Wyvering who had cause to resent the old man, including his on long-suffering daughter—but who would want to kill him, and why? Does his death have anything to do with the power struggle for the headmaster’s position at the school, or with the shooting of three badgers in a neighbour’s garden? And who is the mysterious Sara mentioned in Willard’s diary? The answers, and the final solution to the murder only become apparent after Mayo’s far-reaching inquiries, and not before the killer has struck once more.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 1992
49 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie Eccles
53 books45 followersAka 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 8, 2017
This is a well written and intriguing police procedural mystery featuring DCI Gil Mayo. He is an interesting character - a widower with a grown up daughter and a relationship with a colleague though they do not live together. Not all of the first four books in the series are available as e-books yet but hopefully they will be before too long.
A retired Anglican priest is found murdered in church. Who could have wanted him dead and why did they kill him in church just before Evensong when his body will definitely be discovered? Who is the Sara mentioned in his diary? His daughter, Laura, who lived with the dead man doesn't think he knew anyone called Sara.
The mysterious Sara is just one of the conundrums which Mayo and his time need to unravel before they can track down the murderer. I have read other books by Marjorie Eccles and enjoy her writing style and this book is no exception. If you want a well written police procedural without graphic violence then do try this series. The books can be read in any order.
A retired Anglican priest is found murdered in church. Who could have wanted him dead and why did they kill him in church just before Evensong when his body will definitely be discovered? Who is the Sara mentioned in his diary? His daughter, Laura, who lived with the dead man doesn't think he knew anyone called Sara.
The mysterious Sara is just one of the conundrums which Mayo and his time need to unravel before they can track down the murderer. I have read other books by Marjorie Eccles and enjoy her writing style and this book is no exception. If you want a well written police procedural without graphic violence then do try this series. The books can be read in any order.
May 19, 2017
Revd Cecil Willard was not the easiest of people to like, let alone love. Even his daughter who blindly and faithfully looked after him knew that he was not easy. But finding his murdered body takes the equation a step further. Who hated him so much that they wanted to kill him.
As DCI Gill Mayo begins the investigation he finds many many people who were interested in getting rid of the Reverend mainly because of information he possessed. Every interview produces more evidence, more suspects till it seemed that almost all surrounding the Reverend wanted to see him gone.
This book like the one reviewed above was set in a quieter time, and also in a village, and kept me interested throughout.
As DCI Gill Mayo begins the investigation he finds many many people who were interested in getting rid of the Reverend mainly because of information he possessed. Every interview produces more evidence, more suspects till it seemed that almost all surrounding the Reverend wanted to see him gone.
This book like the one reviewed above was set in a quieter time, and also in a village, and kept me interested throughout.
June 8, 2024
An isolated English village, an unique cast of characters
This Girl Mayo mystery takes us to an isolated English village which hasn't made it into modern times. The victim is the former rector who has suffered a stroke leaving him wheelchair-bound and quite brusque and embittered. Why was he killed? Who did it? And in just a time frame of 20 minutes! Mayo and Kite work hard at questioning people and by putting pieces together, they reach the truth but not before someone else is seriously injured. Good character delineation and a good working relationship between Mayo and Kite.
This Girl Mayo mystery takes us to an isolated English village which hasn't made it into modern times. The victim is the former rector who has suffered a stroke leaving him wheelchair-bound and quite brusque and embittered. Why was he killed? Who did it? And in just a time frame of 20 minutes! Mayo and Kite work hard at questioning people and by putting pieces together, they reach the truth but not before someone else is seriously injured. Good character delineation and a good working relationship between Mayo and Kite.
December 28, 2017
After reading one of the Inspector Mayo from the middle of the series, and liking it, decided to go back and read a selection of them in order. Started with this one, the 4th in the series, and was quite disappointed. The plot labors along, and the characters (in particular the rigid austere priest, who is murdered ) are somewhat one-dimensional. Given how much I liked the other one by Eccles that I already read, I'll keep going........no doubt her writing improves over time.
March 20, 2017
A multitude of clergy persons in this one. The irascible one [code for unpleasant and self-righteous] is the vic, the others are very business-like. Other, non-clergy characters, seem bordering on lunacy or self absorption so complete it might as well be. Once again the villain: the devil made him do it.
August 6, 2018
Another case for Mayo when The Reverend Cecil Willard is found dead in church. Not loved by all but who could want him dead.
Lots of clues about in this enjoyable well-written police procedural mystery. Easy to read and as a standalone story.
Lots of clues about in this enjoyable well-written police procedural mystery. Easy to read and as a standalone story.
May 16, 2020
Good mystery!
This was a well plotted police procedural with believable characters. I was sold on the story early on in my reading of the book. I highly recommend this book to other police procedural readers.
This was a well plotted police procedural with believable characters. I was sold on the story early on in my reading of the book. I highly recommend this book to other police procedural readers.
July 18, 2017
An enjoyable mystery set in an English village. The characters are a bit cliched, but the story is pleasant enough.
November 21, 2014
Found these novels after watching the Mayo murder mystery series on TV ... they're quite cosy, but without the cute humour of the show. Easy to read, nothing overly special, some really lovely character studies.
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December 26, 2012A good mystery in the British Style
March 30, 2014
Enjoyable British village cozy. Very reminiscent of Caroline Graham's Barnaby series.
December 22, 2014
Set in a small British town, an entertaining murder mystery
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August 23, 2018I did not read this book, but the book I did read by Marjorie Eccles, is not listed on this website. Against the Light is a mystery about a murder and a kidnapped baby that end up connected to each other. It was slow at times. No adventure, but interesting.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews