A review by sarahmatthews
Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh

mysterious medium-paced

Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh

read on audio

Narrator: Marie McCarthy

Harpercollins

Pub. 1962, 251pp

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This is a classic crime read set in a village among a group of neighbours who’re related in various ways. I knew I was going to get on well with the audiobook from the start as the narrator was instantly engaging, expressing the dialogue brilliantly.

The action centres around the home of snobbish Percival Pyke Period, an eccentric figure who’s writing his memoirs, alongside the cook Mrs Mitchell, his loyal servant Alfred and his new lodger Mr Cartell who has a rather troublesome dog, Pixie. The first chapters set up the world surrounding this household with the introduction of a cast of distinctive characters. I particularly liked Mr Cartell’s ex-wife, the Flamboyant Desiree Bantling, and this great description:

“with her incredible hair brushed up into a kind of bonfire, her carefree makeup, her eyebrows and her general air of raffishness she belonged, asMr Period mildly reflected, to Toulouse Lautrec rather than any contemporary background.”

She’s known for her amusing parties and there’s a long build up to her April Fool’s treasure hunt which is set to end in tragedy. In fact, as the murder doesn’t take place until about Chapter 14 I felt I knew everyone involved very well and of course there were plenty of strong motives for possible killers.

The central idea of a letter being sent in condolence to someone for the death of a loved one before the deceased was discovered was unique and played out well.

One thing that surprised me was the lack of period details to root the story to the 1960s. It seemed to me that it could’ve very easily been set in the 30s or 50s, though there were a few passing references like mentioning TV. I guess it stuck out as my other read for the 1962 club week was The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side by Agatha Christie which was very much about social change.

This is my first Ngiao Marsh novel and I’ll be returning to her in future