In 1934 Ngaio Marsh gave us the first of a series which for lovers of the English cozy deserves to be known better than I think it is. This, the first in the series gets things off to a great start. True, this may not be Ms. Marsh's best crafted pure mystery; she got better with time and the plot here is so much a paradigm for the genre that it is at least now a cliche. But Roderick Alleyn arrives on the scene as an interesting and believable centerpiece with enough of an enigma about him to make us want to know more. I have read a half dozen others before coming to this one but wish I had started here.

A Man Lay Dead is the first appearance of Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Alleyn is Ngaio Marsh's "handsome" creation who went on to star in over 30 novels and short stories. Marsh has often been overlooked in the mystery genre, but in my opinion she is one of the very best. Her wit, characters, and tight story-telling make all of her books very enjoyable to read. The murder may seem to be a little difficult to solve yourself, but as you get used to Marsh's tools and style, you quickly catch on and start to think like her hero. I highly recommend this book as a great introduction to Marsh's wonderful world.

"A Man Lay Dead" is a tight, well-written, and fun little murder mystery. It isn't a very long book, and reads quite fast, so it serves its purpose well as a quick and cozy get-a-way to 1930s England and the crime that seemed to run rampant there in the world of detective fiction.

The set-up is deliciously wicked. A group of people gather at an old country estate for a game of Murder. Someone is secretly selected to play the murderer, and then at some point during the weekend has to pick a person to kill (not for real, of course). Well, someone takes the play-acting a little too far, and a man does, indeed, end up laying dead.

The characters are delightful representations of 1930's stock murder suspects, and they are all well-drawn by the author. The protagonist, Detective-Inspector Alleyn, is quite an "all-business" kind of man, but his character develops remarkably, and naturally, well as the story unfolds. Some of the tedious things he does early-on make sense by book's end.

This was a very enjoyable mystery. I only deduct one star due to its rather superfluous nature (it's not a classic of the genre, or anything), however, in my opinion, it does everything a detective story should, and in the best possible way.

Short, sweet, and highly entertaining.

Others have commented on the disparaging treatment of the camp, gay steward. Another of the characters is obviously a lesbian, and she is sympathetically written up except that the passengers comment rudely on her "ugliness". She is a foil, though, to the Nice Young Girl Jemima and the wonderful Mrs Dillington Blick (imagine Diana Dors in her heyday). An interesting touch is to have a priest and a psychiatrist discuss the mind of the murderer. Of the two, I'd take the priest's demonic possession over the doc's 50s Freudianism. If you enjoyed this voyage, read Marsh's Clutch of Constables.

When Scotland Yard has reason to believe London's latest serial killer has set sail on a small luxury liner, Inspector Allen is quickly dispatched to perform an investigation en-route. The result is one of Marsh's more tightly plotted novels with enough twists to keep you guessing all the way to the end. Unfortunately, it is also the Marsh novel most likely to offend modern readers.

Marsh is particularly noted for her ability to create well-rounded, convincing characters... but there is an exception: on the rare occasions when she deals with either implicitly or obviously gay characters, she inevitably characterizes them as slimy, dismissable, and unlikable--and even Inspector Allen, who is inevitably polite to one and all, feels free to behave toward them in the most obnoxious manner imaginable.

Marsh's tendency toward homosexual hysteria is noticeable in DEATH IN ECASTY and PHOTO FINISH, but it is particularly obvious here, and it is so powerful that it renders an otherwise wonderful bit of writing progressively distasteful. Marsh is among my favorite mystery writers, and I did read the book to the end--but it was not a book that I kept on my shelf afterward.

Clues point to a serial murder being aboard a cargo ship bound for South Africa. Inspector Alleyn is sent to join the ship on its voyage south. It carries nine passengers in addition to the crew.

The cast of characters are vividly drawn and Ms. Marsh does a wonderful job in making us switch our suspicion from one character to the next. As with most mysteries of this sort, much of the fun comes from the interplay between the characters as opposed to the mystery itself.

As always, Marsh provides us with the necessary clues to guess the murderer. If you pay close attention, you may figure out the solution within the first half of the novel. A drawback here, is that the list of the possible guilty parties is narrowed rather early on. Part of this is, however, made up for by trying to perceive who the next victim will be.

Something has been made about the character of a gay character. I've always thought that it is somewhat dangerous to attempt to place the latest views of morality/society upon works of fiction written in the past. Was Ms. Marsh prejudiced against homosexuals, or was she portraying the reality of her day? One could easily interpret that the unfavourable characteristics of the character may have arisen from the need to hide their sexuality. Also, because of its role in the outcome of the mystery, its uncertain as to what could have been changed and still keep the mystery intact. Finally, in regard to how gay characters are treated by other characters in the novel, it seems more likely that they would have suffered prejudice, etc., rather than open acceptance and celebration of their sexual preferences.

In Ngaio Marsh's "Photo Finish", Inspector Alleyn travels to Marsh's back yard -- New Zealand -- to consult with an Opera diva who is being stalked by a mysterious photographer. Unflattering photos of 'The Sommita', as she is known, have driven her -- as well as her 'patron' and his staff -- to distraction. Alleyn, along with his artist wife, Agatha Troy (who is to paint a portrait of the singer), journey to a remote island hideaway where murder -- no surprise -- quickly occurs. Marsh peppers the story with well-drawn characters: a young composer, surly Italian servants, mysterious millionaire...but frankly, I guessed who the murderer was early on, as well as the motive. The novel is still enjoyable, but other Alleyn mysteries are more exciting and more, well, 'mysterious'.

Marsh was noted for her ability to draw memorable characters, and PHOTO FINISH is no exception, with the novel revolving around famous opera soprano "La Sommita"--an individual of such colorful bombast that her presence dominates both every one around her and the novel as a whole. Coaxed into assisting "La Sommita" when his artist wife is asked to paint her, Inspector Allen begins the case in an effort to track down a photographer who has made a career of photographing the diva in the most unflattering ways possible--and then selling the photographs to newspapers in cities where she is appearing. Upsetting for the diva--and extremely amusing for the reader--but is there actual danger afoot? There most certainly is, and once more Allen is called upon to investigate a particularly nasty murder, this time with possible Mafia connections. Some readers may spot the killer long before the inspector himself, but even so Marsh's vivid way with words makes PHOTO FINISH a vastly entertaining read.

A wonderful mystery setting (New Zealand house party, cut off from the outside world) in one of Marsh's wittiest, best-written books (at the age of 85!). Ending was a bit disappointing, but otherwise wonderful. Her penultimate book, better than her last, Light Thickens.

I have enjoyed Ngaio Marsh mysteries in the past, and I am interested in Macbeth, so I was looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, as a mystery it was disappointing. The lead in to the murder took the first two-thirds of this confusingly over-populated book, with the murder itself almost an afterthought. The plot centered around the production of Macbeth, and not the victim or criminal. I cannot reveal the weakness of the plot without also revealing the ending, but the solution was so excessively convenient that I wound up very frustrated. The identity of both the murderer and the victim seemed largely a matter of coincidence and not of fate.

This is the last book written by The Queen of Classic Mystery Ngaio Marsh. I is beautifully written and dramatic.

"Light Thickens" is Ngaio Marsh's last novel and one of her best. The mystery centers around a production of "Macbeth" at the Dolphin Theatre in London. Most of those involved in the play are superstitious to varying degrees about the bad-luck curse traditionally associated with "Macbeth." Even to say the play's name is considered dangerous, so it's referred to as "the Scots play." During rehearsals someone starts playing gruesome practical jokes. And somebody is sending out anonymous messages about a likable and talented child actor whose father is the Hampstead Chopper, a notorious serial killer confined in the Broadmoor asylum. One night, during a performance attended by Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn, a grisly murder involving a ceremonial sword occurs just before the final curtain. If you like traditional British cozies with mostly pleasant characters, you'll probably enjoy this mystery, and if you're also a Shakespeare aficionado, you'll enjoy it even more.

While I enjoyed _Enter a Murderer_, I found the plot a bit similar to _Death at the Bar_. If I hadn't first read _Death at the Bar_ this wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as both plots are rather clever - it's just unfortunate that they're clever in the same way. I also didn't like Inspector Alleyn as much in this book - granted he was investigating a murder that takes place amongst theatrical people, but still, he came off as a bit overdone at times. At any rate, _Enter a Murderer_ was quite entertaining - Marsh definitely starts to plumb the depths in terms of a murderer's psychology, and the whole set up, with the murder taking place on stage in full-view of an audience (talk about witnesses!) was a really neat idea.

Nagaio Marsh's Enter A Murderer appears unabridged, with James Saxon narrating the story of a theater murder and an actor. It's up to Inspector Roderick Alleyn to sort out whodunit. The narration brings the story to life, with all its strengths.

Having never read any of Ngaio Marsh's books before I thought I'd try the chronological approach. Apparently this wasn't such a good idea as according to other reviewers her better work was later. The book was well plotted and intelligent but ultimately I found the social scenery a bit dated and finally got on my nerves. It did keep me interested and I was surprised at the end. All in all not great but worth pursuing further

I guess that on my quest to read as many Marsh novels as possible, my expectations have grown. While it was fun watching Alleyn falling head over heels in love, neither the plot nor the characters particularly grabbed me. I think the artists all came off a bit as stereotypes, at times downright annoying. Not a bad read, but far from Marsh's best.

When a beautiful model is murdered in a most unlikely way, Inspector Allen is required to investigate both the crime and the woman of his dreams: noted artist Agatha Troy. Marsh's generally superior skills as a writer are a bit muddy in this novel, but even so her cast of characters--particularly Allen's mother, Troy, and the art students--are colorfully drawn and combined with an unusually clever plot. A must-read for Marsh fans!

I love the countryside that Marsh describes in this book and Overture to Death (set in the same town). However, I found the bizarre nature of the host almost unbelievable and somewhat antagonizing. The character interaction is excellent and the whodunnit portion satisfying. FYI, the host is not murdered, as is implied in the first review. Who is murdered is part of the suspense, so you are better left not knowing this detail.

Wealthy, self-indulgent Jonathan Royal has decided to amuse himself by hosting a houseparty--but not so much for the pleasure of his visitors as for the satisfaction of his own sense of mischief: his guests have been selected for their antagonism toward each other! Needless to say, a number of kettles soon begin to boil... And murder is the result!

Well read mystery fans will probably spot the killer on the basis of previous experience, but DEATH AND THE DANCING FOOTMAN offers one of Marsh's better plots--and as usual she creates a vividly drawn cast of characters and presents her tale with considerable style and plenty of wit. Long standing fans will enjoy it and newcomers will be converted! Recommended.

This is one of Mash's books that I consider a "comfort book." When I don't know what else to read, I reach for this one. The story begins with a house party and a clutch of very unique individuals... of course, murder can't be far behind. It is true that Inspector Alleyn doesn't enter the story until halfway through the book, but that is really incidental. The characters are fascinating studies of human folly and they more than carry the story until Alleyn shows up. Aubrey Mandrake, a guest at the house party, plays a "Dr. Watson"-ish character and is himself quite engaging. This book is a must read for its quirkiness and it's wit. A great Marsh mystery.

This is one which people who don't care about the puzzle may enjoy, as there is a lot of theater detail. But the plot is limp and dull. One her rare failures.

Although it is a bit short on actual mystery, KILLER DOLPHIN is probably the best-written of Marsh's novels set in the theatrical world, offering a sharply-written peep behind the curtain into a way of life that combines creativity, hysteria, obnoxious egos, and unexpected self-discipline.

On a whim, a promising young director tours a dilapidated theatre and almost falls to his death, only to be unexpectedly rescued by the property's eccentric and incredibly wealthy owner. The incident sets in motion a chain of unexpected events: the property owner, who is in possession of a glove made by William Shakespeare, rennovates the theatre and installs the young man as artistic director--who in turn writes a play inspired by the Shakespeare glove--which is in turn displayed to promote the play. But with such a valuable artifact in the mix, theft and murder are inevitable.

Marsh writes this particular novel with remarkable brilliance--so much so that the slightness of the story is actually rather beside the point. KILLER DOLPHIN is a remarkably well-written work, and should be required reading for all Marsh fans.

In "Killer Dolphin", an Inspector Alleyn mystery, Ngaio Marsh takes her celebrated detective into the world of the theatre: The Dolphin Theatre, to be exact. Alleyn himself makes a late appearance; for the first part of the book, the protagonist is Peregrine Jay (originally from New Zealand), a playwright and theatrical director who becomes caught up in theft, murder, betrayal, and even romance. The crime revolves around a glove reputed to belong to the son of the greatest English playwright (I won't spoil it!) and its connection to a shadowy billionaire. By the time Alleyn appears, Jay has witnessed backstage romance, intrigue, and mercurial tempers that threaten the production and possibly even the actors' lives. Marsh captures the theatrical world well, and expresses the diverse personalities and creativity that flourish on the live stage. She also delivers suspense and just enough romance to satisfy the reader without detracting from the main plot and character development. A good diversion.

WWII has ended at last, and Chief Detective-Inspector Alleyn is coming home from his wartime work on the far side of the world. His wife Troy, free of her wartime work of mapmaking, takes on a portrait-painting job in the country to pass the last 3 weeks before Alleyn's return. Some realistic character development is presented throughout the story, as both Alleyn and Troy are nervous about their relationship after more than 3 years of enforced separation.

Troy is to paint Sir Henry Ancred in the character of Macbeth. (Troy asks him about the superstition that it's an unlucky play - while he avoids speaking the name, he says it was far from unlucky for *him*.) Sir Henry is 75, handsome, a cooperative sitter - and lively, as the frequent interfamily bouts of temperament, and his recently-installed young mistress (or fiancee?) Sonia Orrincourt, bear witness. Most of Sir Henry's family - those not still on active military service - live in the Ancred mansion, and generally make a point of demonstrating how highly-strung they are. They've suspended their normal feuds to ally against Sonia. Sir Henry keeps matters stirred up, having not only his own formidable artistic temperament, but indulging a rich oldster's hobby of revising his will at regular intervals - and publicly presenting Sonia with valuable family jewelry soothes no feathers.

Sir Henry's 10-year-old grandaughter Patricia, is currently out of favor due to a rash of crude practical jokes - but did an elder relative engineer them to discredit her? Fenella and Paul, as distant cousins, want to marry, over the old man's objections. How much would they - or their parents on their behalf - want to secure their inheritance? Cedric, as next in line to the title (and with an overdone effeminate manner, a stock figure in Marsh's work) is a disappointment to his grandsire, and may be cut to the bare bones of the entailed estate now that Sir Henry might remarry. In contrast to the usual stereotype, Sonia is more a more sympathetic character than most of the family - no pretentions as an actress or a person, making a refreshing change from most of the Ancreds.

On the evening of Sir Henry's birthday, everything comes together: Alleyn is due back, Troy's painting is complete, Sir Henry's solicitor is present to make a new will - and sure enough, one of the party is found dead in suspicious circumstances. Alleyn must finally face his personal problem with keeping Troy and his work in separate compartments. Inspector Fox, once again, is shown to be a full partner on the police team, not merely a sidekick and foil.

As a fan of Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie, I was disappointed with the beginnings in Final Curtain. Perhaps it is because this is the first time I read Ngaio Marsh.

Sayers and Christie were skilled in narrating upper British class society in a very comfortable and convincing manner. Marsh on the other hand, though her characters were supposed to be British, did not realistically convey her portrayal of the upper-class Ancred family from a native's perspectives. In this aspect, it was unfortunate for Marsh that she was a New Zealander and a first time reader like myself would conclude that was at least partially responsible for her characters not being genuinely British enough.

The story began with Mrs Alleyn, nee Troy, wife of Inspector Alleyn who was one of Marsh primary detective character, being commissioned to paint a portrait of Sir Henry Ancred, an aristocrat equally proud of his background in the dramatic arts.

Arriving at the manor of the baronet, Troy discovered a menagerie of Andreds, by blood and by law, in a highly tensed family situation. While tension was a familiar atmosphere in a family with most members from theatrical background, the severity increased significantly with the widowed Sir Henry being taken by third-rate actress Sonia Orrincourt, and therefore placing the inheritance of his children and grandchildren at risk.

Despite a series of practical pranks and family bombshells, Troy managed to complete the portrait, just before the subject was found dead several hours later.

No foul play was suspected at that time, and Troy resumed her life, meeting with her husband who had been away for nearly two years. For Marsh fans, this would be a significant reunion, and Marsh did not disappoint them by being economical with the details, I suspect.

Shortly after that though, the focus returned to the Ancreds whom all except Sonia received anonymous letters saying the death of Sir Henry was murdered contrived by the one who benefitted the most. Inspector Alleyn was charged with sorting through the menagerie in the Ancred household, from the widowed daughter-in-law who kept the house, to the love-struck first cousins, to the precocious granddaughter, a wide range of colourful characters who couldn't seem to stop being dramatic off stage.

The mystery itself was rather disappointing. Agatha Christie's Poirot would lament at the lack of pattern. However, a positive point to be made was Marsh did not have her detective over-analyse the suspects as Christie was sometimes prone to do.

A very good big-family-run-by-hated-rich-old-patriarch mystery, complete with a gloomy old house and lots of poison. Has one of Marsh's engaging "mystery queens." While stereotypical, these characters are always amusing and witty, if nasty as well. Unlike Christie, Marsh often alluded to homosexuality in her books. Lots of Troy, which will be a plus or a minus depending on how you feel about her.

Unlike most of Marsh's Inspector Allen novels, A Clutch of Constables focuses primarily on his celebrated artist wife Troy, who has taken a spur of the moment river cruise only to find herself increasingly disturbed by mysterious goings-on during the voyage. Instead of damaging the story, the shift in focus to Troy makes for a refreshing change, and like most Marsh novels A CLUTCH OF CONSTABLES abounds with colorful, finely drawn characters and considerable atmosphere. Readers will quickly identify the nature of the criminal plot, but they will not be quite as quick to identify the ring-leader. A very entertaining read.

An interesting mystery that features a cast of characters all of which seem both innocent and slilgtly off-kilter at the same time. The seedier the character the less you suspect them, the more charming the character the more you suspet them.

Action takes place during a cruise along an unnamed river in England. Chief Inspector Alleyn's (Marsh's hero for those new to her books) wife has center stage as she is at the center of events as murder(?) strikes within the confined space of the riverboat. Are her suspicions correct or just the result of over-wrought nerves? You be the judge.

Marsh seems to play the psychological angle here as the tension is expertly increased with the result of at least one moment of genuine horror.

A good read.

The format of this Marsh mystery differed a bit, in that it cut back and forth between Inspector Alleyn teaching a class and the case that he actually uses as an example, which incidentally, involves his wife Troy. Troy decides to take a breather after her London art show and sees that there is a last minute cancellation on a mini-cruise. She signs up for it, and realizes, shortly into the trip, that she may be on bored with a famous international criminal - one wanted for murder. But which one of her fellow passengers is "The Jampot"? Alleyn himself is in the States on business, so a good deal of the information is first learned through Troy's letters to him (an interesting change, since we usually see Alleyn's letters to Troy). But as he becomes more and more alarmed by her reports, he returns to try and catch the Jampot before yet another murder is committed.