Malice Aforethought

Lambert and Hook #12

by J.M. Gregson

Detectives Lambert and Hook are called out to a disturbing murder scene. A body is found propped up against an old stone wall in a village churchyard. A thick crust of blood around the victim’s neck.

The victim is Ted Giles, a well-liked chemistry teacher at the local school.

But Lambert and Hook soon discover Giles had a secret life. The unassuming, well-dressed schoolteacher was moonlighting as a male escort.

Between ex-wives, new lovers and repeat clients, the laundry list of suspects is stacking up.

Can Lambert and Hook narrow down the list of would-be killers to find the real murderer?

Genres: Mystery, British Literature

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1999

About the author

James Michael Gregson taught for twenty-seven years in schools, colleges and universities before concentrating on full-time writing. He has written books on subjects as diverse as golf and Shakespeare.

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The body of a man is discovered in a churchyard. He was Ted Giles, a popular chemistry teacher at a local school. At first it seems to Lambert and Hook that no one disliked him but gradually they discover people who could well have wished him dead. They also discover his secret life which he had kept hidden from just about everyone. Could someone involved in his secret life have wished him dead or was the murderer a little closer to home?

I found this compulsive reading and read it in less than twenty four hours. I didn't work out who the murderer was and the revelation when it came was really clever I thought. When I looked back of course I could see the clues were there, I just hadn't picked up on them at all.

This is a cleverly plotted and well written mystery and one of the best of this series that I've read so far. The characters and motivations are all too believable and the motivations convincing. I recommend this book and this series to anyone who like well written crime novels with little on the page violence and bad language. The series can be read in an order.

[Elizabeth]

Light weight easy read English mystery.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is old school in that it is very short (under 200 pages) and spare.

I have not read any of the earlier books in this series, but this did not appear to spoil any of these previous works.

A body is found under a tree in a cemetery after the Nov 11 services in Gloustershire England.

The team of Lambert and Hook are assigned to find out who the victim is and why he was murdered.

They look at missing persons and follow the clues which leads them to determine it is a teacher who is separated from his wife and who is leading a bachelor fantasy life.

There are plenty of suspects and a thorough investigation which leads to the murder's identity.

Not much to be offended by here, no twists, no fireworks.

I borrowed a copy from the public library and wish I remembered why I placed it on my tbr list.

[Maria Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I haven't heard more about this author. I thought this was very well-written. Just exactly the sort of mystery I like: Interesting characters, who are well-developed; and a plot that is believable but not so apparent that I figured out "who done it"; a likable Inspector and his sidekick who proceed through the case in a thorough fashion. Not too much graphic violence or sex--definitely a "cozy" mystery.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unidentified body was found in a churchyard. Lambert and Hook eventually found out he was a teacher and involved with an escort service and several women. They have to narrow down the suspects to find out what happened.

Good police procedural as usual. Very enjoyable.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a body is discovered in the Broughton Ash churchyard, Superintendent Lambert and D.S. Hook investigate. But why would any one want to kill Ted Giles, a well liked chemistry teacher.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery

[Al Stoess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. well written. Simple, straight forward; no big words.

[Brian Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Good plot and resolution. Bit too much personal stuff (golf and sick wif) but moved along well.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Good plot.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I tried numerous books from this series and have come to the point of determination to quit trying. This was my choice for last day of my Kindle Unlimited subscription. Oh well.

[Wilbur Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it wasn't the book I thought I was getting from the library, but I really enjoyed it. It's a British procedural with a pair of cops I wouldn't mind having as friends and neighbors. Lambert and Hook are human, dedicated, and occasionally funny.

I need to look for more in this series.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. Something to read when you need just to get to sleep. Quite predictable and not much humour to leaven the loaf.

[T A FERRIS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man's revenge ?

A enjoyable crime murder story that was a who done it. But the killer needed to get his Alibi a but more solid to beat a clever policeforce.