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Mark East #2
A time to die
The second Mark East novel and much better than the first. This time Mark East has a case of motiveless murder in a small-town setting.
Mark East refused to be interested in the disappearance of Mary Cassidy. He was on vacation wasn't he? Besides, when fairly attractive ladies disappeared, a smart detective didn't look for crime. A discreet week-end affair seemed much more likely.
What they found in the well changed his mind. Even Mark East was shocked. There was nothing to explain the frenzied brutality of her death. Then he found out about the snapshot Mary had asked the local photographer to destroy. He found out where and what she had been. He found out in time.
Mark East refused to be interested in the disappearance of Mary Cassidy. He was on vacation wasn't he? Besides, when fairly attractive ladies disappeared, a smart detective didn't look for crime. A discreet week-end affair seemed much more likely.
What they found in the well changed his mind. Even Mark East was shocked. There was nothing to explain the frenzied brutality of her death. Then he found out about the snapshot Mary had asked the local photographer to destroy. He found out where and what she had been. He found out in time.
Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1945
3 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Hilda Lawrence
18 books3 followersHilda Kronmiller Lawrence was a mystery writer. She worked in the clipping department of Macmillan Publishers, and as a reader to the blind. She published her fiction under her married name, Hilda Lawrence.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 20, 2024
My least favorite of the three Mark East novels. Picks up in the same town as the first, with some of the same characters, only now set in the searing summer instead of winter. Too many characters and the pace is glacial. East investigates with little urgency and his odd, tight-lipped refusal to share knowledge puts people in mortal danger. It does end, however, in an exciting chaotic whirlwind. Other than the three series books Hilda Lawrence wrote one other mystery novel, The Pavilion (1948) (also known as The Deadly Pavilion), and two novellas The House and Composition for Four Hands (aka Death has Four Hands) published together as Duet of Death (1949) and separately as The Bleeding House (1950) and Composition for Four Hands (1972).
July 4, 2020
The strength of this book lie in the author’s capacity to recreate the thought processes of the main character - and some of the minor ones. She fills the reader in at times by creating a scene through the eyes of a minor character, then taking us back to the main line of narrative. It’s an effective technique. I, unlike some other reviewers, also thought the relationship between Mark East and the local sheriff and officials was respectful and well established. There is also many twists and turns, all within the boundaries of standard procedure to eliminate possibilities.
The weaknesses, I think, are the failure to sufficiently develop the cast of minor players and a tendency to convolution. On the former, I found it impossible to keep the cast of minor players differentiated. There were too many of them and they had the feel of ‘first guest’ , ‘ second guest’ on an extras’ roster. A better sense of place might have helped reduce the complexity of the plot.
As this volume is early in the series it remains to be seen it some of these limitations were overcome as the author hit her stride.
My thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.
The weaknesses, I think, are the failure to sufficiently develop the cast of minor players and a tendency to convolution. On the former, I found it impossible to keep the cast of minor players differentiated. There were too many of them and they had the feel of ‘first guest’ , ‘ second guest’ on an extras’ roster. A better sense of place might have helped reduce the complexity of the plot.
As this volume is early in the series it remains to be seen it some of these limitations were overcome as the author hit her stride.
My thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.
December 8, 2017
I am very conflicted about this book. On the one hand there are quite a few things I did not like at all - the character of the detective for one. Mark East is overbearing and supercilious. He is a PI but the way he lords over the sheriff, who is shown to be real pathetic in discharging his duties and further takes orders by East so meekly that it beggars belief.
Secondly, the writer throws you in the midst of a certain characters who she assumes you know but not having read the first book I was totally at sea and how many times will we be told that it was unbearably hot and humid. It came to a point that I was ready to shake East and ask him as to why he had decided to come to such a place if he knew it was that bad in summers.
Lastly, I have always found it disconcerting to see children address parents by their names and to read a nine year old girl addressing her father thus was really offensive to me.
On the other hand, despite all this, where the book scores - and scores big - is in the tension that the author creates. The oppressive atmosphere and the feeling of something BAD about to happen is done so well that I got the chills (it got to the point where I stopped reading it in the night and curled inside my quilt) and am quite looking forward to reading more by this author. Thus, the four stars though had Goodreads allowed half stars, I'd have given it Three and a Half.
*
First Line: It was five o'clock in the afternoon and the burning August sun still registered contempt for time.
Series: Mark East# 2.
First Published: 1945
Source: Open Library
October 6, 2017
Private detective Mark East is on vacation in the sleepy small town where he solved his previous case. That was in the depths of winter; now it's hot (pre-airconditioning), even in the plush resort nearby. When a woman from the resort disappears from a church social, Mark thinks it's a romantic spat that drove her to leave. But as the local sheriff, with whom he's staying, finds out more, Mark gradually realizes that there's more to the case, eventually moving to the resort and exploring the missing woman's background. Soon it becomes a case of murder, and suspense is ratcheted high as another person is threatened.
June 19, 2020
Hilda Lawrence's 'A Time to Die' is set in small town America in August 1944. It is a heatwave & a storm is coming.
Hilda Lawrence only wrote a handful of novels & has sadly been almost forgotten. Although published long before I was born this book has a refreshingly timeless feel & is deserving of a new generation of readers.
Mark East is visiting old friends for a vacation when a murderer strikes. Reluctantly he unravels a mystery dating back to 1930. It is a gripping & unpredictable plot that benefits from mounting tension throughout. The characters are drawn with striking originality.
A real gem.
Hilda Lawrence only wrote a handful of novels & has sadly been almost forgotten. Although published long before I was born this book has a refreshingly timeless feel & is deserving of a new generation of readers.
Mark East is visiting old friends for a vacation when a murderer strikes. Reluctantly he unravels a mystery dating back to 1930. It is a gripping & unpredictable plot that benefits from mounting tension throughout. The characters are drawn with striking originality.
A real gem.
January 21, 2023
I love the location and the fact that characters from the previous book made an appearance (Beulah and Bessie!!), but this story dragged on for one chapter too many. However, the mystery and the characters made the journey well worth it.
November 5, 2018
I found this hard-going. Having read the author's first book, I had reservations before approaching this one.
I find the style of writing somewhat difficult and, although, again, there are some atmospheric passages, there was insufficient of interest in the plot to keep me fully engaged.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dover publications for the digital ARC.
I find the style of writing somewhat difficult and, although, again, there are some atmospheric passages, there was insufficient of interest in the plot to keep me fully engaged.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dover publications for the digital ARC.
August 3, 2020
A Time to Die was the second ‘Mark East’ novel published and is the second I have read. Unfortunately, I read this one after number 3 in the series (Death of a Doll) and it isn’t quite in the same league as its successor which is an exceptional piece of mid-twentieth century crime writing.
But there are many positives to this book: A Time to Die is a quality ‘noir’ novel; carefully and logically plotted and very well constructed. Like a later Hilda Lawrence novel I have read, the writing still feels fresh (it was first published in 1945) and frequently subtle and humorous. Although of its time it certainly isn’t ‘dated’ but it is in the very best sense a real time capsule, revealing a way of life and community that has all but disappeared.
However, the main problem I had was that this story follows hot on the heels of the first Mark East book and refers frequently to the happenings of that title, some of which are vital to the plot of this novel and are often not fully explained. The author appears to have treated A Time to Die very much as a continuation of the previous novel’s storyline and not a standalone piece, with much of the character development done in the previous novel also. So at times I felt a little like a bystander, observing the story and trying to fill in some gaps rather than being immersed in it.
Eventually, however, I got over the problem of not reading the first novel first and allowed myself to become interested and involved in the characters and the murder investigation (which doesn’t have an obvious solution). And without giving the plot away, the final section of the book really is gripping, with a genuine sense of desperation and peril.
So, A Time To Die proves to be another very good crime story from Hilda Lawrence. An author certainly worth reading, but probably worth reading in order.
Copy kindly provided by NetGalley
But there are many positives to this book: A Time to Die is a quality ‘noir’ novel; carefully and logically plotted and very well constructed. Like a later Hilda Lawrence novel I have read, the writing still feels fresh (it was first published in 1945) and frequently subtle and humorous. Although of its time it certainly isn’t ‘dated’ but it is in the very best sense a real time capsule, revealing a way of life and community that has all but disappeared.
However, the main problem I had was that this story follows hot on the heels of the first Mark East book and refers frequently to the happenings of that title, some of which are vital to the plot of this novel and are often not fully explained. The author appears to have treated A Time to Die very much as a continuation of the previous novel’s storyline and not a standalone piece, with much of the character development done in the previous novel also. So at times I felt a little like a bystander, observing the story and trying to fill in some gaps rather than being immersed in it.
Eventually, however, I got over the problem of not reading the first novel first and allowed myself to become interested and involved in the characters and the murder investigation (which doesn’t have an obvious solution). And without giving the plot away, the final section of the book really is gripping, with a genuine sense of desperation and peril.
So, A Time To Die proves to be another very good crime story from Hilda Lawrence. An author certainly worth reading, but probably worth reading in order.
Copy kindly provided by NetGalley
June 12, 2020
‘It was five o’clock in the afternoon and the burning August sun still registered contempt for time.’
Detective Mark East is taking a two-week holiday: one week in Bear River with Perley and Pany Wilcox, and one week in nearby Crestwood with Bessy Petty and Beulah Pond. They had helped him on an earlier case during winter. But now, in the heat of summer, he is feeling some regret.
As he walks down the Main Street, he sees a sign in the window of J T Spangler, Photographer:
‘THERE IS A PICTURE OF A MURDERER IN THIS WINDOW. GUESS WHO?’
He asks Mr Spangler to remove the photograph. Mark East thinks the photograph should be removed because it reminds people of things that should be forgotten. Mr Spangler wanted to keep it because it helps his earnings. The photograph is removed, but not the sign.
Mark East is then collected by his host’s son, Floyd.
That evening, they attend a Covered Dish Supper. One of the guests is wounded by an arrow, another is missing. Mark East really does not want to get involved in the missing person case, but when a body is discovered, he cannot walk away.
It seems clear that the murderer is one of the guests staying at a nearby hotel, but which one and why?
I really enjoyed this mystery. Nearly every guest has a secret (or two), and Mark East must sift through those secrets to identify the murderer. The tension builds: others may also be at risk as Detective East gets closer to the truth. In a book peopled with interesting (and complex) characters, I did not work out who the murderer was until close to the end.
This book was first published in 1945 and is the second of three books to feature Detective Mark East.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Agora Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Detective Mark East is taking a two-week holiday: one week in Bear River with Perley and Pany Wilcox, and one week in nearby Crestwood with Bessy Petty and Beulah Pond. They had helped him on an earlier case during winter. But now, in the heat of summer, he is feeling some regret.
As he walks down the Main Street, he sees a sign in the window of J T Spangler, Photographer:
‘THERE IS A PICTURE OF A MURDERER IN THIS WINDOW. GUESS WHO?’
He asks Mr Spangler to remove the photograph. Mark East thinks the photograph should be removed because it reminds people of things that should be forgotten. Mr Spangler wanted to keep it because it helps his earnings. The photograph is removed, but not the sign.
Mark East is then collected by his host’s son, Floyd.
That evening, they attend a Covered Dish Supper. One of the guests is wounded by an arrow, another is missing. Mark East really does not want to get involved in the missing person case, but when a body is discovered, he cannot walk away.
It seems clear that the murderer is one of the guests staying at a nearby hotel, but which one and why?
I really enjoyed this mystery. Nearly every guest has a secret (or two), and Mark East must sift through those secrets to identify the murderer. The tension builds: others may also be at risk as Detective East gets closer to the truth. In a book peopled with interesting (and complex) characters, I did not work out who the murderer was until close to the end.
This book was first published in 1945 and is the second of three books to feature Detective Mark East.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Agora Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 11, 2020
Oh my goodness what an exciting book!!! I started it yesterday and I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep last night! I finished it just now and my heart is going nineteen to the dozen. The mystery completely foxed me, I wasn't looking in the right direction at all.
I hadn't read any of Hilda Lawrence 's novels before, in fact I hadn't even heard of her. Sadly she wasn't a prolific author, she wrote only three novels featuring Mark East, A Time to Die being the second in the series plus a couple of other novels...I have already purchased those available on Kindle and am watching two paperbacks on Ebay.
The plot of A Time to Die revolves around her detective, Mark East returning to the community where he had solved a murder the previous winter. He goes to stay with friends he had made there during that case, purely for a holiday. On his first evening someone disappears from a Church Supper and at first he declines to be involved in the case being convinced that the missing person has gone away for their own reasons. The following day he changes his mind and then a body is discovered! From then on the plot thickens and the reader is taken on a breathtaking ride with clues and red herrings abounding.
I would like to give this book ten stars, never mind five. I can only say that Ms Lawrence's style is wonderful, somewhere between hard boiled and cosy. It's tremendously easy to read (and, as I said before, remarkably difficult to put down), the characters are fully fledged and true to life. I cannot enthuse any more, I recommend this book without reservation!
I hadn't read any of Hilda Lawrence 's novels before, in fact I hadn't even heard of her. Sadly she wasn't a prolific author, she wrote only three novels featuring Mark East, A Time to Die being the second in the series plus a couple of other novels...I have already purchased those available on Kindle and am watching two paperbacks on Ebay.
The plot of A Time to Die revolves around her detective, Mark East returning to the community where he had solved a murder the previous winter. He goes to stay with friends he had made there during that case, purely for a holiday. On his first evening someone disappears from a Church Supper and at first he declines to be involved in the case being convinced that the missing person has gone away for their own reasons. The following day he changes his mind and then a body is discovered! From then on the plot thickens and the reader is taken on a breathtaking ride with clues and red herrings abounding.
I would like to give this book ten stars, never mind five. I can only say that Ms Lawrence's style is wonderful, somewhere between hard boiled and cosy. It's tremendously easy to read (and, as I said before, remarkably difficult to put down), the characters are fully fledged and true to life. I cannot enthuse any more, I recommend this book without reservation!
April 22, 2020
"They all looked guilty enough to be innocent"
So true, and worded without any irony!
Stronger than her first book in this series. Crafted better and with a genuine climactic ending, replete with a brewing summer thunderstorm no less! Good, classic pulp -- diluted just a little bit and made a bit cozier than many other pulp mysteries I've read.
It's a 3 book series, and I actually first had taken out the 3rd book in the series (which I'll start soon), but decided to read her first two beforehand. And supposedly the 3rd book is her best, so we'll see. Enjoying this series so far.
So true, and worded without any irony!
Stronger than her first book in this series. Crafted better and with a genuine climactic ending, replete with a brewing summer thunderstorm no less! Good, classic pulp -- diluted just a little bit and made a bit cozier than many other pulp mysteries I've read.
It's a 3 book series, and I actually first had taken out the 3rd book in the series (which I'll start soon), but decided to read her first two beforehand. And supposedly the 3rd book is her best, so we'll see. Enjoying this series so far.
July 22, 2020
Good !
To my shame I had forgotten Hilda Laurence, I have had Death of a Doll in one of my bookcases for upwards of thirty years,and never come across another of her works.
Very domestic in tone, you could tell this was written by a woman if you didn’t have the covers ! This is a very well written book, in fact one of the best written I have come across in 2020. The puzzle is good, though pretty well telegraphed, the style is distinctly odd at first, but I soon ceased to notice. If you haven’t read anything by Hilda Laurence, I think you should.
To my shame I had forgotten Hilda Laurence, I have had Death of a Doll in one of my bookcases for upwards of thirty years,and never come across another of her works.
Very domestic in tone, you could tell this was written by a woman if you didn’t have the covers ! This is a very well written book, in fact one of the best written I have come across in 2020. The puzzle is good, though pretty well telegraphed, the style is distinctly odd at first, but I soon ceased to notice. If you haven’t read anything by Hilda Laurence, I think you should.
June 3, 2020
A Time to Die was an unusual murder mystery for me as it starred a 1940’s American private investigator and I usually prefer British-based Golden Age novels. I liked the descriptions of the moneyed classes enjoying the sweltering summer away from the city, but the majority of characters didn’t really come to life for me and I kept getting confused about their relationships with each other. This book is part of a series however, and I haven’t read any of the other books, so perhaps some of the confusing characters were introduced more fully in the first book.
The protagonist PI Mark East seemed to be quite a boorish bloke who ordered all the other characters around, even the police! Everyone seemed to defer to the man, even though he showed little interest in the case at the beginning and took no one into his confidence, even when they were in danger, He did manage to discover the murderer eventually, which is to his credit, but I didn’t find the murderer’s motives very convincing.
I’m glad I gave the book a chance, but I don’t think I will be seeking out more Mark East mysteries.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
The protagonist PI Mark East seemed to be quite a boorish bloke who ordered all the other characters around, even the police! Everyone seemed to defer to the man, even though he showed little interest in the case at the beginning and took no one into his confidence, even when they were in danger, He did manage to discover the murderer eventually, which is to his credit, but I didn’t find the murderer’s motives very convincing.
I’m glad I gave the book a chance, but I don’t think I will be seeking out more Mark East mysteries.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
January 11, 2024
kept me guessing until the last chapter
Another great mystery by Ms. Lawrence. As with the first Mark East adventure this mystery is very well written. I enjoyed it a lot but I did find Mr. East harder and maybe less patient than the first book. I can’t wait to see how he matures in the next novel.
Another great mystery by Ms. Lawrence. As with the first Mark East adventure this mystery is very well written. I enjoyed it a lot but I did find Mr. East harder and maybe less patient than the first book. I can’t wait to see how he matures in the next novel.
June 10, 2020
I liked this story, it was like a comfortable pair of socks- warm, comfy and a joy to have! I viewed this almost as guilty pleasure and It felt nI’ve to read a mystery with a bit of “old school” about it!
June 27, 2020
A bit slow to start but really picked up the pace after awhile, a real old fashion mystery with lots of twists and turns. Hadn't read this author before but will try to find more by Hilda Lawrence to read.
May 16, 2017
Really enjoyed this one!
November 16, 2021
So this was not really my thing but that’s a personal taste thing more than anything. The mystery is fine, I just find I don’t like American-set mid twentieth century Murder mysteries the way that I do British-set ones. There’s an interesting set of characters but I didn’t always find it easy to remember who was who. Fine, but I probably won’t looks for any more of them.
*******Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review - however belated!******
*******Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review - however belated!******
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