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maggiekms'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
3.5
jerihurd's review against another edition
3.0
I seem to be on a roll of mediocre reads. I do not understand all the glowing reviews and exclamations of "as good or better than Christie." I was looking forward to a cozy English murder--and Marsh, really, really tried to deliver that. However, it was painfully self-conscious in trying to catch that upper-crust Edwardian manner of speaking: characters named Bunchy, exclamations of "what what" and cabbies earnestly swearing "Gorblimey, governor!" I'm just surprised a pip pip and cheerio never appeared.
Aside from it all feeling so very forced, the characters just weren't all that interesting, except for one, and he was murdered ⅓ of the way through.
Christie and Sayers are safe in vying for Queen of Mystery.
Aside from it all feeling so very forced, the characters just weren't all that interesting, except for one, and he was murdered ⅓ of the way through.
Christie and Sayers are safe in vying for Queen of Mystery.
dmturner's review against another edition
3.0
I read the book a very long time ago, but just listened to the audiobook narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. It's an old fashioned mystery, cleanly written and of its time, and Cumberbatch's smooth young English voice is perfect for it. A nice indulgence.
allonsymelissa's review against another edition
4.0
I will admit that the original purpose of choosing this particular book was because the audio version had an amazing narrator, Benedict Cumberbatch. While it is true that I swoon at the sound of his voice, he also happens to have a wonderful talent for reading. I especially enjoy that he does voices. Listening to the audiobook was more like listening to a radio show done by many people and less like a book being read by one man. As someone who has a hard time staying interested in one thing for very long, this helped immensely.
As for the book itself, it was wonderful! I started this book not knowing what I was getting into. I went into it completely blind. I knew nothing of the subject matter, the author, or even when it was written. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was a murder mystery written in 1938. I have found myself gravitating to a lot of murder mysteries as of late and this had the added bonus of almost being like a period piece to me.
Since the word death is in the title one can assume that murder is implied. However, the story starts with detective inspector Roderick Alleyn investigating a blackmailing case. It takes a little bit getting into the actual murder and central plot of the story. It takes a little too long to be honest. I almost started doubting that any death was actually going to occur. This serves its purpose though. Marsh uses the lengthy beginning to set you up to get attached to a particular character who is exceedingly charming only to rip them away.
After the murder takes places it starts to get fun for the reader. There are so many clues, twists, and turns that your head starts spinning with hypotheses. Before the end of the book I had made 3 separate guess as to who was the guilty party. What really makes this book is you really don't suspect the person who did it at all which is exactly what what you want from a murder mystery.
It seems to be an easy series to pick up. I started on book #7 and completely understood what was going on. I'm almost curious as to if these are all just one off stories featuring the same characters. There was one small aspect I was a little curious about and it was about a particular love interest aspect. It is clear there is history between two characters, but it is not explained in this particular book other than it involving another case. It's such a minor aspect of the story though that it was not problematic.
There are several more mysteries by Ngaio Marsh starring inspector detective Roderick Alleyn, and I know I will be going back for more.
As for the book itself, it was wonderful! I started this book not knowing what I was getting into. I went into it completely blind. I knew nothing of the subject matter, the author, or even when it was written. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was a murder mystery written in 1938. I have found myself gravitating to a lot of murder mysteries as of late and this had the added bonus of almost being like a period piece to me.
Since the word death is in the title one can assume that murder is implied. However, the story starts with detective inspector Roderick Alleyn investigating a blackmailing case. It takes a little bit getting into the actual murder and central plot of the story. It takes a little too long to be honest. I almost started doubting that any death was actually going to occur. This serves its purpose though. Marsh uses the lengthy beginning to set you up to get attached to a particular character who is exceedingly charming only to rip them away.
After the murder takes places it starts to get fun for the reader. There are so many clues, twists, and turns that your head starts spinning with hypotheses. Before the end of the book I had made 3 separate guess as to who was the guilty party. What really makes this book is you really don't suspect the person who did it at all which is exactly what what you want from a murder mystery.
It seems to be an easy series to pick up. I started on book #7 and completely understood what was going on. I'm almost curious as to if these are all just one off stories featuring the same characters. There was one small aspect I was a little curious about and it was about a particular love interest aspect. It is clear there is history between two characters, but it is not explained in this particular book other than it involving another case. It's such a minor aspect of the story though that it was not problematic.
There are several more mysteries by Ngaio Marsh starring inspector detective Roderick Alleyn, and I know I will be going back for more.
maplessence's review against another edition
4.0
4.5★
When I reread [b:Death at the Dolphin|13355758|Death at the Dolphin (Roderick Alleyn, #24)|Ngaio Marsh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1376570736s/13355758.jpg|446445] I'll be interested to see how this earlier title compares. Death at the Dolphin was my favourite as a young reader, but this title was a first time read for me & this now feels like my favourite Marsh novel.
The main reason is it is a good story, well told & Marsh seems to have some understanding of the world of debutantes. I know back in the 60s/70s New Zealand had a debutante system as my four sister-in-laws were debutantes. So possibly Marsh grew up understanding the conventions.
Everything is very theatrical, but the best Marsh's generally are! & I think the debutantes' restricted world would have been theatrical in it's intensity.
What made this book more enjoyable for me is Alleyn's relationship with both Fox & Troy was far more natural than in the other Alleyn novels. He is not patronising or arch with Fox. & Rory & Troy aren't circling each other like a pair of skittish fauns. There is even *gasp!* a hint of passion.
I have knocked half a ★ off because I kept getting two of the male characters muddled & because I guessed the murderer quite early.
But glad to find a Marsh that I can wholeheartedly recommend!
When I reread [b:Death at the Dolphin|13355758|Death at the Dolphin (Roderick Alleyn, #24)|Ngaio Marsh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1376570736s/13355758.jpg|446445] I'll be interested to see how this earlier title compares. Death at the Dolphin was my favourite as a young reader, but this title was a first time read for me & this now feels like my favourite Marsh novel.
The main reason is it is a good story, well told & Marsh seems to have some understanding of the world of debutantes. I know back in the 60s/70s New Zealand had a debutante system as my four sister-in-laws were debutantes. So possibly Marsh grew up understanding the conventions.
Everything is very theatrical, but the best Marsh's generally are! & I think the debutantes' restricted world would have been theatrical in it's intensity.
What made this book more enjoyable for me is Alleyn's relationship with both Fox & Troy was far more natural than in the other Alleyn novels. He is not patronising or arch with Fox. & Rory & Troy aren't circling each other like a pair of skittish fauns. There is even *gasp!* a hint of passion.
I have knocked half a ★ off because I kept getting two of the male characters muddled & because I guessed the murderer quite early.
But glad to find a Marsh that I can wholeheartedly recommend!
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a fan of classic mysteries written during the "Golden Age" of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. This book was originally published in 1938 and, so far, it is my favorite of the Ngaio Marsh boooks that I've read. This may be because the detective, Roderick Alleyn, is in the story from the start rather than entering about a third of the way through the book. It's the London society season and prominent society women are being blackmailed. Alleyn asks his friend, Lord Robert Gospell, to help him unmask the blackmailer. Lord Robert is a favorite in the society set and is in a perfect position to help. And, in fact, he discovers what is going on. But, before he can reveal his information to Alleyn, Lord Robert is asphyxiated in a taxi cab and Alleyn is determined to find his killer. A very intriguing solution reveals itself in the final pages.
the_maggieg's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
shlee64's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0