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A review by maplessence
A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh
2.0
2.5 ★
& that high only because this was Marsh's first book. Makes you realise what a remarkable achievement Christie's first , [bc:The Mysterious Affair at Styles|816084|The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, #1)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482495814s/816084.jpg|3366260] was.
Other reviewers have criticised Marsh for inconsistencies in Alleyn's characterisation. I actually don't mind this. I prefer it to having Alleyn & various aristocrats angsting over being involved in something as low bred as a murder! This is very tedious in Marsh's other novels. And I did enjoy the start- although for some strange reason, the frenetic pace had me imagining everyone saying their lines while dancing 30s style.
Marsh's theatrical background always makes me see her characters as actors playing a part, rather than as three dimensional humans.
Like many of Mary Stewart's books, there was another character in this one.
Alleyn even smokes while searching a suspect's dressing room!
But I was enjoying this until around the 80% mark when I became impatient with a silly sub plot. & then a very long explanation.
It was my idea to read this in the Reading the Detectives group. I hope, in time, they will forgive me!
& that high only because this was Marsh's first book. Makes you realise what a remarkable achievement Christie's first , [bc:The Mysterious Affair at Styles|816084|The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, #1)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482495814s/816084.jpg|3366260] was.
Other reviewers have criticised Marsh for inconsistencies in Alleyn's characterisation. I actually don't mind this. I prefer it to having Alleyn & various aristocrats angsting over being involved in something as low bred as a murder! This is very tedious in Marsh's other novels. And I did enjoy the start- although for some strange reason, the frenetic pace had me imagining everyone saying their lines while dancing 30s style.
Marsh's theatrical background always makes me see her characters as actors playing a part, rather than as three dimensional humans.
Like many of Mary Stewart's books, there was another character in this one.
Alleyn even smokes while searching a suspect's dressing room!
But I was enjoying this until around the 80% mark when I became impatient with a silly sub plot. & then a very long explanation.
It was my idea to read this in the Reading the Detectives group. I hope, in time, they will forgive me!