Time to Kill

David Mallin #1

by Roger Ormerod

When Detective Sergeant Dave Mallin is invited for a few frames of snooker, he wasn't expecting to be playing Eldon Kyle.

Kyle was the man who had threatened Both Mallin and his colleague Geoff Forbes with murder.

But his opponent is more deadly than even Mallin could have guessed.

And when Geoff is killed in the very same building, it seems Mallin has given Kyle a firm alibi.

Soon Geoff's wife Elsa is under threat as well.

And Mallin himself may be implicated.

Mallin must fight to prove his innocence and to find the real killer in this atmospheric crime thriller, which is perfect for fans of Peter James and Peter Robinson.

Genres: Mystery

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Roger Ormerod was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. He worked as a county court officer, an executive officer in the Department of Social Security, a postman, and a shop loader in an engineering factory.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

DS David Mallin is playing snooker with criminal Eldon Kyle, when Mallin's friend, Geoff Forbes, is killed. Mallin suspects Kyle, as he threatened both Mallin and Forbes, but how would it be possible.
An enjoyable crime story, a good start to the series

[shanghao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started out quite abruptly but once I got used to the writing style it’s a swim.

A mix of dry British wit plus American no-frills pacing and refreshing fairplay in terms of the misdirection.

Not a fan of the characters though, except for the goon Odin Breeze. David would’ve been alright were it not for his weird fawning over Elsa, his best friend’s wife.

Managed to figure this out before the reveal but it didn’t minimize my enjoyment of the book. Will check out the others in the series.

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight into the action here and catch up as you go. This is set in the 1960s or 1970s in London, with a touch of gangland style. Dave is a cop brought up in the old school but soon finds his retired boss murdered and himself in the frame, even though the boss’s wife is also suspect. The first person narrative is compelling and there are touches of humour, particularly with regard to the thug detailed to tail the hero.

[Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I've gotten used to Ormerod's style, I really enjoyed this one.

Sep 2023: 4/5
Apr 2025: 5/5