Late of this Parish

Gil Mayo Mystery #5

by Marjorie Eccles

The Reverend Cecil Willard is not one of those born to be loved… A scholarly and austere man, ex-headmaster of the local boys’ school, his stern moral principles and die-hard opinions have never endeared him either to those close to him or to his neighbours in the village in which he has lived and worked for so many years. The debilitating effects of a recent stroke have only made him more bad-tempered and difficult to live with — as his only child, Laura, knows all too well. Yet despite his often aggravating personality and presence, no one could ever imagine doing him any real harm…until the discovery of his murdered body at the foot of the altar steps in the church shocks the whole community. As DCI Gil Mayo begins his investigations into the murder, he soon discovers that there are plenty of people in Castle Wyvering who had cause to resent the old man, and one at least who had reason to fear him for the knowledge he possessed. But the question why has Willard been killed? Each interview seems to produce another viable suspect, from his submissive daughter to his animal-loving neighbours, his troubled gardener to the prospective headmasters for the local Uplands House School. Mayo’s investigation leads him down more than one strange path. What does the power struggle for the Headship of the school, or the shooting of three badgers, have to do with Willard’s murder? And who is the mysterious Sara mentioned in his diary? The answers only begin to appear after Mayo’s inquiries reach out beyond Wyvering and begin to connect up with another case in nearby Hurstfield…and the final solution to the murder will not become apparent until the killer has struck one more time… Late of this Parish is a chilling mystery filled with suspense that will keep you hooked. Praise for Marjorie Eccles ‘My heart soars when I come upon a superior mystery, and this is one.’ — US Mystery News Marjorie Eccles was born in Yorkshire and spent her childhood there and on the Northumbrian coast. She later lived for many years in the Midlands, where her crime novels are set. She has written more than twenty books and short stories for broadcasting and serials, and is the recipient of the Agatha Christie Short Story Styles Award.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 1992

About the author

Aka 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

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sharon Weyant-Muir · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[pdxmaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable mystery set in an English village. The characters are a bit cliched, but the story is pleasant enough.

[Vasilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Kenneth]

A good mystery in the British Style

[Ram Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable British village cozy. Very reminiscent of Caroline Graham's Barnaby series.

[Roshni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a small British town, an entertaining murder mystery

[Korin Hall]

I 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.