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Inspector Alleyn 3-Book Collection 1: The captivating murder mystery detective fiction novels (A Man Lay Dead, Enter a Murderer, The Nursing Home Murder)
Commemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime’s first book, the first volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.
A MAN LAY DEAD
Sir Hubert Handesley's extravagant weekend house-parties are deservedly famous for his exciting Murder Game. But when the lights go up this time, there is a real corpse with a real dagger in the back. All seven suspects have skilful alibis - so Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn has to figure out the whodunit…
ENTER A MURDERER
The crime scene was the stage of the Unicorn Theatre, when prop gun fired a very real bullet; the victim was an actor clawing his way to stardom using bribery instead of talent; and the suspects included two unwilling girlfriends and several relieved blackmail victims. The stage is set for one of Roderick Alleyn's most baffling cases…
THE NURSING HOME MURDER
A Harley Street surgeon and his attractive nurse are almost too nervous to operate. Their patient is the Home Secretary - and they both have very good personal reasons to want him dead. The operation is a complete success - but he dies within hours, and Inspector Alleyn must find out why…
674 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
226 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Ngaio Marsh
194 books816 followersDame Ngaio Marsh, born Edith Ngaio Marsh, was a New Zealand crime writer and theatre director. There is some uncertainty over her birth date as her father neglected to register her birth until 1900, but she was born in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand.
Of all the "Great Ladies" of the English mystery's golden age, including Margery Allingham, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh alone survived to publish in the 1980s. Over a fifty-year span, from 1932 to 1982, Marsh wrote thirty-two classic English detective novels, which gained international acclaim. She did not always see herself as a writer, but first planned a career as a painter.
Marsh's first novel, A MAN LAY DEAD (1934), which she wrote in London in 1931-32, introduced the detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn: a combination of Sayers's Lord Peter Wimsey and a realistically depicted police official at work. Throughout the 1930s Marsh painted occasionally, wrote plays for local repertory societies in New Zealand, and published detective novels. In 1937 Marsh went to England for a period. Before going back to her home country, she spent six months travelling about Europe.
All her novels feature British CID detective Roderick Alleyn. Several novels feature Marsh's other loves, the theatre and painting. A number are set around theatrical productions (Enter a Murderer, Vintage Murder, Overture to Death, Opening Night, Death at the Dolphin, and Light Thickens), and two others are about actors off stage (Final Curtain and False Scent). Her short story "'I Can Find My Way Out" is also set around a theatrical production and is the earlier "Jupiter case" referred to in Opening Night. Alleyn marries a painter, Agatha Troy, whom he meets during an investigation (Artists in Crime), and who features in several later novels.
Series:
* Roderick Alleyn
Of all the "Great Ladies" of the English mystery's golden age, including Margery Allingham, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh alone survived to publish in the 1980s. Over a fifty-year span, from 1932 to 1982, Marsh wrote thirty-two classic English detective novels, which gained international acclaim. She did not always see herself as a writer, but first planned a career as a painter.
Marsh's first novel, A MAN LAY DEAD (1934), which she wrote in London in 1931-32, introduced the detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn: a combination of Sayers's Lord Peter Wimsey and a realistically depicted police official at work. Throughout the 1930s Marsh painted occasionally, wrote plays for local repertory societies in New Zealand, and published detective novels. In 1937 Marsh went to England for a period. Before going back to her home country, she spent six months travelling about Europe.
All her novels feature British CID detective Roderick Alleyn. Several novels feature Marsh's other loves, the theatre and painting. A number are set around theatrical productions (Enter a Murderer, Vintage Murder, Overture to Death, Opening Night, Death at the Dolphin, and Light Thickens), and two others are about actors off stage (Final Curtain and False Scent). Her short story "'I Can Find My Way Out" is also set around a theatrical production and is the earlier "Jupiter case" referred to in Opening Night. Alleyn marries a painter, Agatha Troy, whom he meets during an investigation (Artists in Crime), and who features in several later novels.
Series:
* Roderick Alleyn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 19, 2024
Early novels, setting up characters, finding her plot lines
February 2, 2022
Review of A Man Lay Dead.
I had been searching for cozy murder mysteries (murder ain’t cozy but that is the name of the genre) ever since I finished reading all of Agatha Christie’s novels and short stories multiple times. So far, no one has come close to the “Queen of Crime” in style, plot, or ingenuity.
I sort of liked “The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” even though it was confusing. I also liked “Magpie Murders”. They are not at par with with Christie’s creations but the authors of these books are faithful admirers of Christie and that shows in the books.
Absolutely hated the new book that features Hercule Poirot “Mystery of three quarters”.
Ngaio Marsh is one of the other “Queen of Crimes” a title which is also held by two more. Since I was looking not just for a juicy mystery but for a setting that was commonly seen in Christie’s books, I wasn’t disappointed. The language, especially certain idioms and phrases were confusing, and writing style isn’t smooth. The general vibe is of irreverence which was annoying. The mystery is not particularly engaging, and the Detective is not endearing as Poirot or Miss Marple.
But I have only the first book and I hope things get better in the subsequent ones.
A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh
My rating:3.5/5.
I had been searching for cozy murder mysteries (murder ain’t cozy but that is the name of the genre) ever since I finished reading all of Agatha Christie’s novels and short stories multiple times. So far, no one has come close to the “Queen of Crime” in style, plot, or ingenuity.
I sort of liked “The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” even though it was confusing. I also liked “Magpie Murders”. They are not at par with with Christie’s creations but the authors of these books are faithful admirers of Christie and that shows in the books.
Absolutely hated the new book that features Hercule Poirot “Mystery of three quarters”.
Ngaio Marsh is one of the other “Queen of Crimes” a title which is also held by two more. Since I was looking not just for a juicy mystery but for a setting that was commonly seen in Christie’s books, I wasn’t disappointed. The language, especially certain idioms and phrases were confusing, and writing style isn’t smooth. The general vibe is of irreverence which was annoying. The mystery is not particularly engaging, and the Detective is not endearing as Poirot or Miss Marple.
But I have only the first book and I hope things get better in the subsequent ones.
A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh
My rating:3.5/5.
October 11, 2025
Almost a 4, perhaps a 3.9. This is an engaging murder mystery, a bit old fashioned, but with lots of trails to follow.
Currently reading
September 13, 2022It's a bit awkward to write an in-progress review, but since this omnibus is three-novels-in-one and I'm not sure how quickly I'll be able to plunge through the rest, I want to get my thoughts down as they come.
To start with, I really enjoy the physical book itself. Great page feel, wonderfully flexible covers - especially for a book of this length - and a simple but effective design. Those are all components that make me hope I'll like the writing enough to want to keep it on my shelf. So far, I'd say that's a yes.
We start off with an introduction by the novelist herself, interestingly enough. I'm much more used to Scholarly Essays, which have their benefits, but it's quite different to learn the history of Inspector Alleyn through the author's own words.
The one slightly sour note is the odd sense of resentment towards Dorothy Sayers...a fellow novelist of whom Marsh seems to be strangely scornful. I'll have to make comparisons once I read more of her work, then revisit Sayers, but the latter certainly has more of the literary bent on her side. Maybe that's why? Marsh thought of her as too full of herself, perhaps? The snide remark about not falling in love with her detective, as Sayers had done, also seemed unnecessary.
But the introduction was still an excellent...well, introduction to Marsh's clear prose and engaging style.
A Man Lay Dead (1934): 3.5 stars
I'll have to decide on the volume's total stars once I'm done, but this was a solid opening act. I enjoyed the cast of characters, and particularly the banter between Inspector Alleyn and Nigel, our traditional good-humored young man who falls in love with a lady of the house during a murderous weekend in the country. There are a lot of initial parallels to Margery Allingham's 1929 novel, The Crime at Black Dudley , although I'd easily say I prefer Marsh's version. While Allingham seemed to improve as she went on, Marsh had a firm grasp on her story and her characters right out of the gate.
Alleyn is very interesting indeed. He's not wishy-washy or full of fascinating neuroses like all the popular detectives Marsh listed in her introduction, but he does have quirks of his own. He comes across as a real gentleman: educated and well-spoken and respectful, fitting right into the genteel cast in this country manor. But as several characters point out near the end, he has a real cruel streak running through him.
That final reenactment of the murder, forcing everyone to stand and watch, seemed a bit too theatrical and almost...well, sadistic is too strong of a word, but it's getting there. It's not as though it was necessary to identify or catch the murderer, and it's fairly clear that it won't add much to the evidence when they go on trial - with plenty of other fingerprints and other solid items that had already been gathered.
Perhaps that scene was just Marsh's love of the theatre creeping in, with the nods to Hamlet and the play-within-a-play and all that. I'm not sure it entirely fit with Alleyn's character, but I'll have to get to know him better.
The other part that was a bit yawn-worthy and draggy was the whole Russian Secret Society subplot. Why any of that? It had so little relevance to the main storyline, and literally took us out of the house and into London for a side adventure that felt entirely disconnected from the primary mystery. It's funny that Marsh even called this out in her own narrative, by the locals' reaction to the inquest: "the whole affair ended, leaving the onlookers with a sense of having been served with treason when they ordered murder."
I hope she tightens up her storylines more in subsequent novels. If we can stick to the really interesting characters and Alleyn's sharp, focused intellect, I think I'll wind up enjoying this series a lot.
Another element I appreciated: the domestic staff all being an important part of the plot and the investigatory process. They're often completely overlooked - as Nigel himself does, not thinking of a housemaid as someone important or visible enough to provide him with a rock-solid alibi.
And I find it very interesting that Alleyn doesn't actually seem that convinced that the murderer will be convicted, even after all his hard work figuring out who they were and how they'd done it. I've been watching a lot of Columbo recently (yes yes on a real mystery binge I guess), and there's a really ridiculous thread of super thin evidence and sudden confessions as the final "gotcha" of each episode.
Alleyn knows who did the stabbing. He identified the general motives and lined up as much evidence as he possibly could. But, if the other high-society folks don't step up with the right testimony, or if the murderer has a good lawyer, they could very easily walk.
That makes it difficult to be a detective, I'd think...and maybe that's the reason for Alleyn's cold-hearted nature when it comes time for the curtains to close. What's the point of all the hard work if no one hangs at the end of it? If his evidence gets tossed aside as not good enough, and they walk free?
It certainly explains why he's occasionally very sharp with those he's questioning, or trying to pull witness statements out of. Nice people like Nigel slide back into well-bred niceness and won't treat a solid English murderer (their friend or at least compatriot) the same as a bunch of scheming Russians, even if they're equally guilty. And maybe that's the point of that whole side-plot...which of those people were more evil, when it came down to it? Isn't cold-blooded English murder just as bad - or worse?
Very interested to see how those sorts of theme carry through the rest.
Enter a Murderer (1935): 4.5 stars
Well, Marsh may not have fallen in love with her Inspector Alleyn, but I do believe Nigel Bathgate has, a little.
I was surprised and delighted to find Nigel back in the thick of things. I'd assumed he was just a side character in the first book, so it was fantastic to have him back for more good-humored banter and cheerfully obliging ineptitude. Alleyn's deep fondness for him certainly comes through, and poor Nigel just keeps stumbling into situations that upset his sense of Proper English Decency...but he ardently admires and respects Alleyn, even when the man is being a bit of a jerk.
Alleyn has a bit of a flirtation with a starlet this time around, which I found somewhat unnecessary, but I suppose it's to show that he has a heart underneath all that stern clinical policeman exterior. I did enjoy the unraveling of the mystery and the unveiling of the murderer, even though it followed a kind of similar plotline to the first book. I hope the third one is a bit more unexpected.
At least there were no random secret society sideplots this time; the drug business veered a little bit in that direction, but it was an important component of several characters' potential motives.
Not the most cleverly difficult mystery out there, but I do so enjoy Marsh's writing. Her characters are vibrant and complicated, and even when she gets a bit too deep into a subject she loved (the theater), she still keeps it engaging for an audience who doesn't know much more than the basics of how a play is run. (Although...would the stage really ever be dark enough for someone to creep on, replace some bullets, and creep back off, without being seen? Clearly Props was the only one in the cast and crew who didn't need better eyeglasses.)
But the writing is good enough to make me overlook some minor plot holes (like why the murderer would need to pop into another dressing room to put on gloves and add incriminating evidence...?), and this edition is so lovely that I'll forgive the pretty rampant typos and punctuation errors. Did no one edit it while typesetting?
To start with, I really enjoy the physical book itself. Great page feel, wonderfully flexible covers - especially for a book of this length - and a simple but effective design. Those are all components that make me hope I'll like the writing enough to want to keep it on my shelf. So far, I'd say that's a yes.
We start off with an introduction by the novelist herself, interestingly enough. I'm much more used to Scholarly Essays, which have their benefits, but it's quite different to learn the history of Inspector Alleyn through the author's own words.
The one slightly sour note is the odd sense of resentment towards Dorothy Sayers...a fellow novelist of whom Marsh seems to be strangely scornful. I'll have to make comparisons once I read more of her work, then revisit Sayers, but the latter certainly has more of the literary bent on her side. Maybe that's why? Marsh thought of her as too full of herself, perhaps? The snide remark about not falling in love with her detective, as Sayers had done, also seemed unnecessary.
But the introduction was still an excellent...well, introduction to Marsh's clear prose and engaging style.
A Man Lay Dead (1934): 3.5 stars
I'll have to decide on the volume's total stars once I'm done, but this was a solid opening act. I enjoyed the cast of characters, and particularly the banter between Inspector Alleyn and Nigel, our traditional good-humored young man who falls in love with a lady of the house during a murderous weekend in the country. There are a lot of initial parallels to Margery Allingham's 1929 novel, The Crime at Black Dudley , although I'd easily say I prefer Marsh's version. While Allingham seemed to improve as she went on, Marsh had a firm grasp on her story and her characters right out of the gate.
Alleyn is very interesting indeed. He's not wishy-washy or full of fascinating neuroses like all the popular detectives Marsh listed in her introduction, but he does have quirks of his own. He comes across as a real gentleman: educated and well-spoken and respectful, fitting right into the genteel cast in this country manor. But as several characters point out near the end, he has a real cruel streak running through him.
That final reenactment of the murder, forcing everyone to stand and watch, seemed a bit too theatrical and almost...well, sadistic is too strong of a word, but it's getting there. It's not as though it was necessary to identify or catch the murderer, and it's fairly clear that it won't add much to the evidence when they go on trial - with plenty of other fingerprints and other solid items that had already been gathered.
Perhaps that scene was just Marsh's love of the theatre creeping in, with the nods to Hamlet and the play-within-a-play and all that. I'm not sure it entirely fit with Alleyn's character, but I'll have to get to know him better.
The other part that was a bit yawn-worthy and draggy was the whole Russian Secret Society subplot. Why any of that? It had so little relevance to the main storyline, and literally took us out of the house and into London for a side adventure that felt entirely disconnected from the primary mystery. It's funny that Marsh even called this out in her own narrative, by the locals' reaction to the inquest: "the whole affair ended, leaving the onlookers with a sense of having been served with treason when they ordered murder."
I hope she tightens up her storylines more in subsequent novels. If we can stick to the really interesting characters and Alleyn's sharp, focused intellect, I think I'll wind up enjoying this series a lot.
Another element I appreciated: the domestic staff all being an important part of the plot and the investigatory process. They're often completely overlooked - as Nigel himself does, not thinking of a housemaid as someone important or visible enough to provide him with a rock-solid alibi.
And I find it very interesting that Alleyn doesn't actually seem that convinced that the murderer will be convicted, even after all his hard work figuring out who they were and how they'd done it. I've been watching a lot of Columbo recently (yes yes on a real mystery binge I guess), and there's a really ridiculous thread of super thin evidence and sudden confessions as the final "gotcha" of each episode.
Alleyn knows who did the stabbing. He identified the general motives and lined up as much evidence as he possibly could. But, if the other high-society folks don't step up with the right testimony, or if the murderer has a good lawyer, they could very easily walk.
That makes it difficult to be a detective, I'd think...and maybe that's the reason for Alleyn's cold-hearted nature when it comes time for the curtains to close. What's the point of all the hard work if no one hangs at the end of it? If his evidence gets tossed aside as not good enough, and they walk free?
It certainly explains why he's occasionally very sharp with those he's questioning, or trying to pull witness statements out of. Nice people like Nigel slide back into well-bred niceness and won't treat a solid English murderer (their friend or at least compatriot) the same as a bunch of scheming Russians, even if they're equally guilty. And maybe that's the point of that whole side-plot...which of those people were more evil, when it came down to it? Isn't cold-blooded English murder just as bad - or worse?
Very interested to see how those sorts of theme carry through the rest.
Enter a Murderer (1935): 4.5 stars
Well, Marsh may not have fallen in love with her Inspector Alleyn, but I do believe Nigel Bathgate has, a little.
I was surprised and delighted to find Nigel back in the thick of things. I'd assumed he was just a side character in the first book, so it was fantastic to have him back for more good-humored banter and cheerfully obliging ineptitude. Alleyn's deep fondness for him certainly comes through, and poor Nigel just keeps stumbling into situations that upset his sense of Proper English Decency...but he ardently admires and respects Alleyn, even when the man is being a bit of a jerk.
Alleyn has a bit of a flirtation with a starlet this time around, which I found somewhat unnecessary, but I suppose it's to show that he has a heart underneath all that stern clinical policeman exterior. I did enjoy the unraveling of the mystery and the unveiling of the murderer, even though it followed a kind of similar plotline to the first book. I hope the third one is a bit more unexpected.
At least there were no random secret society sideplots this time; the drug business veered a little bit in that direction, but it was an important component of several characters' potential motives.
Not the most cleverly difficult mystery out there, but I do so enjoy Marsh's writing. Her characters are vibrant and complicated, and even when she gets a bit too deep into a subject she loved (the theater), she still keeps it engaging for an audience who doesn't know much more than the basics of how a play is run. (Although...would the stage really ever be dark enough for someone to creep on, replace some bullets, and creep back off, without being seen? Clearly Props was the only one in the cast and crew who didn't need better eyeglasses.)
But the writing is good enough to make me overlook some minor plot holes (like why the murderer would need to pop into another dressing room to put on gloves and add incriminating evidence...?), and this edition is so lovely that I'll forgive the pretty rampant typos and punctuation errors. Did no one edit it while typesetting?
January 18, 2021
A Man Lay Dead - My second Ngaio Marsh book, I enjoyed my first novel more. It was still interesting, but overall excessively complex, certain items did not add red herrings, but diverted the story and reduces the atmosphere of the closed circle mystery that is so strong in the rest of the novel. The true strengths of this story are the characters and atmosphere. I think this would have benefitted from more editing to me. But I will continue to read more in this series. As I enjoyed a later book so well it makes me think that Ngaio's writing gets better over time.
Enter a Murderer - Better than the first with the mystery, making more sense. The red herrings are realistic and altogether this felt more natural. The first book had a sense of fear that came from being unable to escape. Where as this book was more superficial in feeling and hugely dramatic and a theatrical murder. I love how Marsh no only writes stories of murders in different scenarios but adapts the atmosphere to invoke different feelings based on each individual murder.
The Nursing Home Murder - Best of all three, just straight forward who done it. But done really well. All the motives and suspects are explored throughout the story, but Allen just needed to work through the motives and evidence. This was the least flimsy but the most realistic of the three. But is also is the most timeless, the detective work and evidence has changed very little and seems still very relevant.
Enter a Murderer - Better than the first with the mystery, making more sense. The red herrings are realistic and altogether this felt more natural. The first book had a sense of fear that came from being unable to escape. Where as this book was more superficial in feeling and hugely dramatic and a theatrical murder. I love how Marsh no only writes stories of murders in different scenarios but adapts the atmosphere to invoke different feelings based on each individual murder.
The Nursing Home Murder - Best of all three, just straight forward who done it. But done really well. All the motives and suspects are explored throughout the story, but Allen just needed to work through the motives and evidence. This was the least flimsy but the most realistic of the three. But is also is the most timeless, the detective work and evidence has changed very little and seems still very relevant.
July 29, 2025
The very early Alleyn mysteries, with an Alleyn that still had a bouncy facetiousness that needed an occasional walk round the park and he — and Inspector Fox — hadn't so much starch in their gills. Briskly written mysteries that don't feel choreographed peopled with characters that for the most part develop organically.
October 7, 2018
Easy reading
Love reading Dame Ngaio Marsh! And equally enjoy rereading her writing. She befuddled (in a good way ) , amuses and gives dramatic resolution in equal measures.
Love reading Dame Ngaio Marsh! And equally enjoy rereading her writing. She befuddled (in a good way ) , amuses and gives dramatic resolution in equal measures.
August 29, 2017
As I have already read 'The Nursing Home Murder' previously I had an inkling of what to expect from Ngaio Marsh's Gentleman at Scotland Yard Detective.
I really enjoyed these stories, and especially the author's explanation of how Roderick Alleyn came about.
A Man Lay Dead is a classic country house murder with an over blessing of suspects when an all too overdue victim meets his fate in slightly dramatic conditions. Here we meet DI Inspector Alleyn and where he meets his new civilian friend and foil, Nigel Bathgate.
Enter a Murderer - Nigel invites Alleyn to a top West End play as he has (free) tickets for the performance. In the last act, the death enacted is actually real, witnessed by Alleyn and Nigel. Acting swiftly, Alleyn takes control of the situation. The twists and turns of the artistic world in which the murder takes place adds real depth to this investigation - what is real and what is artifice in this investigation?
I really enjoyed these stories, and especially the author's explanation of how Roderick Alleyn came about.
A Man Lay Dead is a classic country house murder with an over blessing of suspects when an all too overdue victim meets his fate in slightly dramatic conditions. Here we meet DI Inspector Alleyn and where he meets his new civilian friend and foil, Nigel Bathgate.
Enter a Murderer - Nigel invites Alleyn to a top West End play as he has (free) tickets for the performance. In the last act, the death enacted is actually real, witnessed by Alleyn and Nigel. Acting swiftly, Alleyn takes control of the situation. The twists and turns of the artistic world in which the murder takes place adds real depth to this investigation - what is real and what is artifice in this investigation?
July 22, 2021
My husband bought me a set of 3 Ngaio Marsh books, knowing how I'm a huge fan of Agatha Christie. Reading up on this author I read reviews saying how similar to Christie she is, how she challenged Christie for the crime writing crown etc. She is nowhere near as good a writer as Christie and I didn't even find her that similar. Yes, she was writing around the same time as Christie and the murder took place in a large country mansion. However, her introduction of Inspector Alleyn left a lot to be desired, her plot within a plot (a group of Russian dissidents being rounded up) was confusing and I didn't see what it added to the storyline at all.
I am going to give her another try (seeing as my husband bought me 3 books) but at the moment I'm not won over and not that keen.
I am going to give her another try (seeing as my husband bought me 3 books) but at the moment I'm not won over and not that keen.
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April 28, 20233.5⭐
I loved 'Died in the Wool' which was my first Ngaio Marsh novel. I guess she got better later, but I wonder if Marsh was ever as good as Agatha Christie or Dorothy Sayers. Though the writing style is the same as Christie's and frequently better, and typically Golden Age, the plots of these first 3 of her books were not great or as creative as Christie's (or Sayers's). She extends the story by subplots and red herrings and guessing games. Reconstruction of the crime seems to be Alleyn's only method to solving it. There are also the true confessions by the culprits disguised as fake ones. Overall, her plot devices seem formulaic.
I loved 'Died in the Wool' which was my first Ngaio Marsh novel. I guess she got better later, but I wonder if Marsh was ever as good as Agatha Christie or Dorothy Sayers. Though the writing style is the same as Christie's and frequently better, and typically Golden Age, the plots of these first 3 of her books were not great or as creative as Christie's (or Sayers's). She extends the story by subplots and red herrings and guessing games. Reconstruction of the crime seems to be Alleyn's only method to solving it. There are also the true confessions by the culprits disguised as fake ones. Overall, her plot devices seem formulaic.
October 3, 2025
My first go at this inspector and I really enjoyed his mild self-deprecating manner and gentle humour which hides a sharp mind. Very reminiscent of Agatha Christie as the first book was a country house setting, but dissimilar as no list of possible candidates for the crime and no drawing room dénouement. Alleyn is a gentleman, (as is Dorothy L Sayers' Lord Peter Whimsey), not a private sleuth but is employed by Scotland Yard and has a faithful sergeant rather than a manservant cum chauffeur.
May 29, 2021
Excellent
This is the first three Ngaio Marsh novels giving us the introduction to her policeman, Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn and I thought they were excellent. Real old fashioned policing at its best where everything was a foot slog with no mobile phones or computers etc.
This is the first three Ngaio Marsh novels giving us the introduction to her policeman, Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn and I thought they were excellent. Real old fashioned policing at its best where everything was a foot slog with no mobile phones or computers etc.
March 16, 2023
I haven't read any of Ngaio Marsh's books for many years but they do stand the test of time well.
A couple of these stories could have used some better editing.
Trying to describe in words a scene of people who are moving around doing different tasks is difficult and I did find 2 of the stories confusing because of this.
A couple of these stories could have used some better editing.
Trying to describe in words a scene of people who are moving around doing different tasks is difficult and I did find 2 of the stories confusing because of this.
April 27, 2021
At 663 pages this book contained the first three books by Ngaio Marsh featuring her detective Alleyn. Consummate plotting and distinctly “ off it’s time” in terms of cultural references and misogynistic assumptions. Vintage material that blazed a trail for crime fiction.
September 8, 2021
This was a fun read. If you like old world detective fiction before technology was added to sleuth fiction then this is your pick. Wasn't too happy with the third book because I felt the author dragged the story line or perhaps I was too slow in reading it that it dragged.
February 25, 2025
I am not sure if these have aged that well and the writing in places is kind of bonkers especially the character descriptions. I have no idea what a “three cornered smile” is, or “a Stilton in mourning” . And eugenics from 1935 is always a treat.
August 26, 2020
This is a great series written a long time ago that holds up in the vein of the brilliant sophisticated detective and his indispensable citizen sidekick. They're fun to read.
December 12, 2020
Nadat je Ngaio Marsh hebt gelezen, wil je nooit meer Agatha Christie.
May 22, 2021
I really like Inspector Alleyn, and simply love the writing.
August 3, 2021
Technically 3 books…. Did not enjoy…. I remember loving Marsh’s books, but somehow these fell flat for me
November 30, 2021
Now a Ngaio Marsh stan
November 26, 2022
Ì will put another of hers books in my list. I enjoyed the plot and all the details throughout the pages
May 22, 2024
I hope Allen doesn’t make a habit of reconstructing the scene of the crime. Otherwise an excellent Whodunit
January 3, 2025
3 1/2 Stars
The quirky characters really make this author's stories sing.
The quirky characters really make this author's stories sing.
March 14, 2025
Very good.
November 2, 2025
I enjoyed these when I read them, but honestly can’t remember one thing about them
June 8, 2016
Stars: 2.5 / 5
Recommendation: Read it if you want to step away from Christie or Holmes. My recommendation is watch the TV Series instead.
I came across this detective when I was browsing thru Netflix for some good mysteries and chanced upon a series called "Inspector Alleyn Mysteries" produced by British Television. The character charmed me enough to look up the source this series was based off. It was based off of Roderick Alleyn Novels by Dame Ngaio Marsh, a contemporary of Agatha Christie and the likes. Looking up on Amazon for the books of this series I found one that had three novels together. Promptly ordered it to enjoy the read. However the charm faded when I actually read the books. I guess Patrick Malahide (who played the role of Inspector Alleyn in the TV series except for the pilot episode) lived the role better than the one in the book. Anyway, here is my take on the book with the three novels.
The three novels in the book are the first three in the series of 32 novels by Ngaio Marsh - A Man Lay Dead (originally published in 1934), Enter A Murderer (originally published in 1935) and The Nursing Home Murder (originally published in 1935). The book also has a foreward by the author that explains how she came upon the idea of the character, how she named him, shaped him and then planted him in various murder plots that he effortlessly solves. He may not be as dashing as Sherlock Holmes or as witty as Poirot yet he was shaped to have his own distinction and mannerisms. The author mentions how a rainy day boredom sparked a thought of writing a murder mystery based off of the "Murder Game" that was famous then in England. It is quite interesting to read an author's mind and understand how a book is born. Well, then that is how Chief Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn was born. And I must say the foreward had actually wanted me to read the book in its entirety without putting it down. But like I mentioned above, the charm quickly faded.
The first novel, "A Man Lay Dead", as mentioned above is about a "Murder Game" gone wrong ending up in actually killing someone. In the beginning I felt a little confused in remembering the characters, where they were positioned and what role they were playing. However, it was very clear once Inspector replays the game with the remaining characters to get himself acquainted of the situation. Phew! That was a major help indeed. We also get to meet Nigel Bathgate and Angela North, both of whom you will get to see in future novels as well. Nigel, a jorunalist, infact assists the Inspector in solving the crime in this story - sort forming Dr. Watson to Ngaio's Sherlock. He also solves in capturing a Russian brotherhood in the process. Impressive!
The second novel, "Enter A Murderer", is a theaterical one. Incidentally Inspector Alleyn is in the galley watching the performance of "The Rat and The Beaver" when the murder occurs on stage. And ofcourse, Nigel Bathgate assists the Inspector again in solving the crime.
The third novel, "The Nursing Home Murder", The British Home Secretary, Sir Derek O'Callaghan MP dies an hour after he was operated for appendicitis. Initial suspicion points to his family physician, Sir John Phillips, since the last conversation they both had had been left with Phillips threating to kill O'Callaghan. Enter Inspector Alleyn and more layers unfurl and more suspects arise. Again his amanuensis, Nigel Bathgate, helps him while going undercover. In the end the actual killer gets caught although Alleyn is left with mixed feelings about life and love.
All three novels have simple English, straight forward approach, no major twists, involves intelligence rather than bullets and action. The Inspector is not a very charming fellow that make men want to murder him or women want to cling to him, yet his mind, mannerisms, thought process attracts you. Although many female suspects keep telling him and in some cases Nigel as well, that "he is a callous old pig". **WickedSmile**. The language used by the Inspector is quite comical. However, he is no Christie or Holmes to hook you on to his attraction or to Marsh's simple language. At every turn you expect him to spring up and reveal his inner side, but that never happens. The author was true to her character, just my mind couldn’t catch up.
I would recommend the TV series over the book, but you can still read the books if you want easy mysteries.
Recommendation: Read it if you want to step away from Christie or Holmes. My recommendation is watch the TV Series instead.
I came across this detective when I was browsing thru Netflix for some good mysteries and chanced upon a series called "Inspector Alleyn Mysteries" produced by British Television. The character charmed me enough to look up the source this series was based off. It was based off of Roderick Alleyn Novels by Dame Ngaio Marsh, a contemporary of Agatha Christie and the likes. Looking up on Amazon for the books of this series I found one that had three novels together. Promptly ordered it to enjoy the read. However the charm faded when I actually read the books. I guess Patrick Malahide (who played the role of Inspector Alleyn in the TV series except for the pilot episode) lived the role better than the one in the book. Anyway, here is my take on the book with the three novels.
The three novels in the book are the first three in the series of 32 novels by Ngaio Marsh - A Man Lay Dead (originally published in 1934), Enter A Murderer (originally published in 1935) and The Nursing Home Murder (originally published in 1935). The book also has a foreward by the author that explains how she came upon the idea of the character, how she named him, shaped him and then planted him in various murder plots that he effortlessly solves. He may not be as dashing as Sherlock Holmes or as witty as Poirot yet he was shaped to have his own distinction and mannerisms. The author mentions how a rainy day boredom sparked a thought of writing a murder mystery based off of the "Murder Game" that was famous then in England. It is quite interesting to read an author's mind and understand how a book is born. Well, then that is how Chief Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn was born. And I must say the foreward had actually wanted me to read the book in its entirety without putting it down. But like I mentioned above, the charm quickly faded.
The first novel, "A Man Lay Dead", as mentioned above is about a "Murder Game" gone wrong ending up in actually killing someone. In the beginning I felt a little confused in remembering the characters, where they were positioned and what role they were playing. However, it was very clear once Inspector replays the game with the remaining characters to get himself acquainted of the situation. Phew! That was a major help indeed. We also get to meet Nigel Bathgate and Angela North, both of whom you will get to see in future novels as well. Nigel, a jorunalist, infact assists the Inspector in solving the crime in this story - sort forming Dr. Watson to Ngaio's Sherlock. He also solves in capturing a Russian brotherhood in the process. Impressive!
The second novel, "Enter A Murderer", is a theaterical one. Incidentally Inspector Alleyn is in the galley watching the performance of "The Rat and The Beaver" when the murder occurs on stage. And ofcourse, Nigel Bathgate assists the Inspector again in solving the crime.
The third novel, "The Nursing Home Murder", The British Home Secretary, Sir Derek O'Callaghan MP dies an hour after he was operated for appendicitis. Initial suspicion points to his family physician, Sir John Phillips, since the last conversation they both had had been left with Phillips threating to kill O'Callaghan. Enter Inspector Alleyn and more layers unfurl and more suspects arise. Again his amanuensis, Nigel Bathgate, helps him while going undercover. In the end the actual killer gets caught although Alleyn is left with mixed feelings about life and love.
All three novels have simple English, straight forward approach, no major twists, involves intelligence rather than bullets and action. The Inspector is not a very charming fellow that make men want to murder him or women want to cling to him, yet his mind, mannerisms, thought process attracts you. Although many female suspects keep telling him and in some cases Nigel as well, that "he is a callous old pig". **WickedSmile**. The language used by the Inspector is quite comical. However, he is no Christie or Holmes to hook you on to his attraction or to Marsh's simple language. At every turn you expect him to spring up and reveal his inner side, but that never happens. The author was true to her character, just my mind couldn’t catch up.
I would recommend the TV series over the book, but you can still read the books if you want easy mysteries.
August 31, 2024
A Man Lay Dead ***/5
Enter a Murderer ***/5
Enter a Murderer ***/5
November 15, 2021
I agree with the comparisons, Ngaio Marsh certainly has the elements of a NZ Agatha Christie. I enjoyed these three stories and the reveals at the end. I was certainly kept guessing in all three.
February 25, 2013
I find that it sometimes takes a couple of books for an author to "warm up" as regards plot and characterisation. However, A Man Lay Dead was a reasonable story. I enjoyed the setting and the general premise of how the murder was commited. I felt it was a little weak overall, but it was still enjoyable.
Enter A Murderer was better in my opinion. Plenty of suspects and very little to go on. All in all a satisfying read. As was The Nursing Home Murder.
Overall I find Alleyn fairly likeable, and I like the relationship between him and Bathgate. The only thing I dislike in these novels is the usage of misspelled words to denote an accent. I find it annoying as it slows you down, making you re-read whole utterances. However, I do plan on reading more of this series.
Enter A Murderer was better in my opinion. Plenty of suspects and very little to go on. All in all a satisfying read. As was The Nursing Home Murder.
Overall I find Alleyn fairly likeable, and I like the relationship between him and Bathgate. The only thing I dislike in these novels is the usage of misspelled words to denote an accent. I find it annoying as it slows you down, making you re-read whole utterances. However, I do plan on reading more of this series.
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