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emziesreads's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Sometimes you just need to read a good old fashioned whodunnit in the spirit of the butler did it in the study with the candlestick.
fruitkate's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
whozlis's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
gingerjane's review against another edition
3.0
Alleyn seems pretty much fully formed in this first book, the Russian sub plot was all kinds of silliness.
tarshka's review against another edition
mysterious
3.0
Alright start to Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn series.
nekreader's review against another edition
2.0
Ah the classic British weekend in the country murder mystery. I liked it in the end, but had a tough time getting going and keeping the characters straight. There also seemed to be one plot too many. Although not as strong as the better Agatha Christie mysteries, A Man Lay Dead is still an enjoyable read. I'm interested to try some more and see how Marsh develops Roderick Alleyn.
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
Here's the introduction to Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn in the first of the series and the first novel Ngio Marsh wrote. A real murder is committed during a country house party game of Murder, and there are Russians and young women who drive too fast and mysterious knives. All great fun, although I'm hoping the character of Roderick Alleyn settles to something rather than jumping around in an alarming way that I find difficult to follow. The plot is rather thin and fluffy too, but it is interesting to see where one the the "Queens of Crime" started her journey.
vstewart76's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75