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nancie's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
annacantcook's review against another edition
funny
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
sjruskin's review against another edition
3.0
Lots and lots do characters with quirky English names. Had a bit of trouble keeping it all straight, but still good classic detective story.
claudia_mary's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
meganc30's review against another edition
4.0
I always feel in better hands when Ngaio Marsh brings Alleyn into the story. Usually, it's about halfway through the book. This is one of the rare ones where he appears on the first page, and I quite enjoyed it.
bookaneer808's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Death in a White Tie was the first Ngaio Marsh book I read, many years ago, but the character of Sir Robert "Bunchy" Gospell was one that stayed with me. An elderly man with old-fashioned Victorian mannerisms and tricks of speech who still has tremendous charm, an observant eye and great kindness, he is also a friend of Roderick Alleyn. This connection allows him to do a bit of snooping for Scotland Yard when high-society blackmail ring is suspected...
This is one of the more personal feeling books in the Alleyn series, and perhaps as a consequence it feels more alive than those with the usual aloof, ironic tone.
The characters are drawn with economy & vividness, the setting is the Season when debutantes are brought out, but Bunchy, small, round and dapper, has my heart.
This is one of the more personal feeling books in the Alleyn series, and perhaps as a consequence it feels more alive than those with the usual aloof, ironic tone.
The characters are drawn with economy & vividness, the setting is the Season when debutantes are brought out, but Bunchy, small, round and dapper, has my heart.
eososray's review against another edition
4.0
Only my second book in this series but it's better than the first one I read.
I liked this debutante setting and the characters, I think it would be rather hard not to like Roderick's mother, she seems like a great lady.
I liked this debutante setting and the characters, I think it would be rather hard not to like Roderick's mother, she seems like a great lady.
1mpossiblealice's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is my favourite Marsh so far. I enjoyed the setting and the characters, the writing was really good, particularly some of her descriptions of people. I also really like Alleyn and Fox together, and there was lots of that in this book. Plus at the end you can clearly see how you could have worked it out from the clues in the book, which is satisfying. And Troy is in this, unfortunately not as present as some of the others, but she does make a few appearances, and I really like her.