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smessmores's review against another edition
3.0
She likes her actors, doesn't she? Well, and likes killing them off.
I enjoyed the story, but it felt less complex than usual. And I found myself dissatisfied at how the murderer
I enjoyed the story, but it felt less complex than usual. And I found myself dissatisfied at how the murderer
Spoiler
ended up dying at the end. It seems like this has become a common way to avoid bringing people to justice who the reader might possibly like, and I'm noticing it more and more.robinwalter's review
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tigerb99's review
4.0
Complex! But best read for the wide variety of theatrical characters involved.
smcleish's review
4.0
Originally published on my blog here in February 1999.
This is one of the most theatrical of all Marsh's novels, being both about the stage and also very stagy in its setting, mostly taking place in a few rooms like a stage play. Oddly, it is missing a theatrical feature common to most (if not all) of her other novels: there is no "Cast of Characters" at the beginning.
Mary Bellamy, for thirty years the leading lady of the London stage, is about to hold a magnificent party to celebrate her fiftieth birthday. Her temperament, never the most equable, has gradually become more and more difficult; during her birthday she quarrels in turn with her long-time second lead and dress designer (who have dared to accept an engagement to work elsewhere); her adopted son, Richard, who is also the author of the plays she appears in, because he has just written his best work (with no part for her in it), and because she is jealous of his attachment to his new girlfriend, who is to be the leading lady in this new play; her manager and director, who have agreed to put on Richard's new play; and her husband, who asked her not to wear a perfume he dislikes intensely, given to her as a birthday present. All these arguments come to a head with a ferocious tantrum during the party - and then she is found dead, rather gruesomely killed with a strong weed-killer put into the perfume spray.
The character of Mary Bellamy is repellent; the success of False Scent is the way that you sympathise strongly with the murderer and don't want them to be discovered. It is, however, one of Marsh's more trashy and melodramatic novels; but that doesn't stop it being fun to read.
This is one of the most theatrical of all Marsh's novels, being both about the stage and also very stagy in its setting, mostly taking place in a few rooms like a stage play. Oddly, it is missing a theatrical feature common to most (if not all) of her other novels: there is no "Cast of Characters" at the beginning.
Mary Bellamy, for thirty years the leading lady of the London stage, is about to hold a magnificent party to celebrate her fiftieth birthday. Her temperament, never the most equable, has gradually become more and more difficult; during her birthday she quarrels in turn with her long-time second lead and dress designer (who have dared to accept an engagement to work elsewhere); her adopted son, Richard, who is also the author of the plays she appears in, because he has just written his best work (with no part for her in it), and because she is jealous of his attachment to his new girlfriend, who is to be the leading lady in this new play; her manager and director, who have agreed to put on Richard's new play; and her husband, who asked her not to wear a perfume he dislikes intensely, given to her as a birthday present. All these arguments come to a head with a ferocious tantrum during the party - and then she is found dead, rather gruesomely killed with a strong weed-killer put into the perfume spray.
The character of Mary Bellamy is repellent; the success of False Scent is the way that you sympathise strongly with the murderer and don't want them to be discovered. It is, however, one of Marsh's more trashy and melodramatic novels; but that doesn't stop it being fun to read.
pattydsf's review
3.0
It had been a long time since I listened to an Inspector Alleyn mystery. Ngaio Marsh rates right up there with the other great women of mystery - Christie and Allingham.
It took me awhile to get into this book - there was a long lead in to the mystery, but Alleyn came through and solved the crime. I will be getting another audiobook by Marsh soon.
It took me awhile to get into this book - there was a long lead in to the mystery, but Alleyn came through and solved the crime. I will be getting another audiobook by Marsh soon.
singinglight's review
3.0
I really like some of the minor characters in this one, especially Octavius Browne. (Jan 2008)
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