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Roderick Alleyn #31
Photo Finish
MURDER IN HIGH C...
A persistent paparazzo has hounded operatic soprano Isabella Sommita until her nerves are at the breaking point. Now her millionaire boyfriend has whisked her to a New Zealand island to recover. There she plans a performance of an aria written just for her-- by her secret young lover, who, along with a bevy of envious celebrities, is also on the island. It's the perfect set-up for grand opera-- wild passions...and bloody murder. And when the great singer is found dead, a photo on her bosom, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn must find out who did the diva in...
A persistent paparazzo has hounded operatic soprano Isabella Sommita until her nerves are at the breaking point. Now her millionaire boyfriend has whisked her to a New Zealand island to recover. There she plans a performance of an aria written just for her-- by her secret young lover, who, along with a bevy of envious celebrities, is also on the island. It's the perfect set-up for grand opera-- wild passions...and bloody murder. And when the great singer is found dead, a photo on her bosom, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn must find out who did the diva in...
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
209 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
About the author
Ngaio Marsh
197 books819 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 141 reviews
September 18, 2020
This is the first book I've read by Ngaio Marsh,and I think it will be the last as well.The author has been compared to Agatha Christie but I don't think the comparison is justified.Christie is far superior.
It is also the first book I've read which is set in New Zealand.The description of New Zealand's
South Island is rather well done.
But as for the murder mystery,this book felt like a slog.It lacked suspense,tension and excitement.I couldn't care much about the killer's identity,or for that matter about the sleuth,Roderick Alleyn.
The book limped to the finish,rather than race to a photo finish.
It is also the first book I've read which is set in New Zealand.The description of New Zealand's
South Island is rather well done.
But as for the murder mystery,this book felt like a slog.It lacked suspense,tension and excitement.I couldn't care much about the killer's identity,or for that matter about the sleuth,Roderick Alleyn.
The book limped to the finish,rather than race to a photo finish.
July 15, 2020
These later Inspector Alleyn mysteries are really good. This is the thirty first in the series and published in 1980. Ngaio Marsh has some uncomfortable moments, with Alleyn offering some, out of character, mild cursing and there is some stereotyping of a homosexual character, I can only assume that this is Marsh attempting to be more modern, but to hear Alleyn utter even the blandest swear word seemed almost as unlike Wimsey taking a corner carefully…
That said, you can see this as a mid-Eighties TV movie. Alleyn and Troy invited to a millionaire’s house on an island, in New Zealand, to meet opera star, Isabella Sommita. Troy is invited her paint her portrait. Alleyn to investigate a paparazzi photographer, nicknamed, ‘Strix,’ who has made a nuisance of himself by taking unflattering portraits of the volatile singer.
While there, they are to witness the premiere of a new, one act opera, bizarrely called, ‘The Alien Corn,’ written by a young man, named Rupert Bartholomew, who is the Sommita’s new lover. There are a good cast of other suspects, and motives, for the murder which, of course unfolds. The house guests are stranded on the island, by a storm, leaving Alleyn to investigate the crime. I can hardly believe that the next book will be the last in the series and am pleased that Marsh kept up her standards to the end.
That said, you can see this as a mid-Eighties TV movie. Alleyn and Troy invited to a millionaire’s house on an island, in New Zealand, to meet opera star, Isabella Sommita. Troy is invited her paint her portrait. Alleyn to investigate a paparazzi photographer, nicknamed, ‘Strix,’ who has made a nuisance of himself by taking unflattering portraits of the volatile singer.
While there, they are to witness the premiere of a new, one act opera, bizarrely called, ‘The Alien Corn,’ written by a young man, named Rupert Bartholomew, who is the Sommita’s new lover. There are a good cast of other suspects, and motives, for the murder which, of course unfolds. The house guests are stranded on the island, by a storm, leaving Alleyn to investigate the crime. I can hardly believe that the next book will be the last in the series and am pleased that Marsh kept up her standards to the end.
July 4, 2019
Very entertaining book, published in 1980 toward the end of Marsh's career with a New Zealand setting, her home ground. In this instance both Alleyn and his wife Troy are asked to attend a gathering on a remote island. Troy is asked to paint a portrait of the talented soprano, opera singer Isabella Sommita. Alleyn reports in to his A.C. and finds that he is aware of Troy's invitation to New Zealand and is very happy to be sending Alleyn on the same trip on assignment. "Am I to take it, sir, that this is an order?" His boss expresses surprise that Alleyn is not happy about traveling that far to a beautiful island with his wife. Alleyn replies, "..you talked about coincidences. It so happens that by a preposterous series of them Troy has been mixed up to a greater and lesser degree in four of my cases." Of course he loses that argument.
Initially both Alleyn and Troy are entranced by the beauty of the landscape. "The prospect was astonishing. At this hour the Lake was perfectly unruffled and held the blazing image of an outrageous sunset. Fingers of land reached out bearing elegant trees that reversed themselves in the water. Framed by these and far beyond them was the Island and on the Island Mr. Reece's Lodge."
It is a remarkable house and quite a gathering to remember. Alleyn helps Troy get her studio prepared and many members of the party support the rehearsal and preparations for a debut opera, written by the singer's pretty, young cicisbeo. The performance eventually does go forward, of course, and ends in murder. To add to Alleyn's difficulty of being the one to investigate, a tremendous storm plays a part in isolating those left at the lodge without opportunity to leave by launch nor allow for police to come with their assistance. It is a rich field of suspects he must mine.
Felony & Mayhem paperback, 2016
Library Loan
Initially both Alleyn and Troy are entranced by the beauty of the landscape. "The prospect was astonishing. At this hour the Lake was perfectly unruffled and held the blazing image of an outrageous sunset. Fingers of land reached out bearing elegant trees that reversed themselves in the water. Framed by these and far beyond them was the Island and on the Island Mr. Reece's Lodge."
It is a remarkable house and quite a gathering to remember. Alleyn helps Troy get her studio prepared and many members of the party support the rehearsal and preparations for a debut opera, written by the singer's pretty, young cicisbeo. The performance eventually does go forward, of course, and ends in murder. To add to Alleyn's difficulty of being the one to investigate, a tremendous storm plays a part in isolating those left at the lodge without opportunity to leave by launch nor allow for police to come with their assistance. It is a rich field of suspects he must mine.
Felony & Mayhem paperback, 2016
Library Loan
June 23, 2024
This is an excellent mystery series that I've read many times. This particular book is one of the New Zealand ones, which are some of my favorites. A vain opera star is being chased by a paparazzi so she retreats to a private island in New Zealand. The famous British portrait painter, Agatha Troy, comes to paint the diva, bringing her husband, the Scotland Yard Detective along. The story is a bit over-the-top for me, much like opera is, but it's still good fun. And any time I can have Alleyn and Troy together, I'm pretty happy.
NB - At some point in the series we're told to pronounce the detective's last name as Allen, not Al-Line. FYI
NB - At some point in the series we're told to pronounce the detective's last name as Allen, not Al-Line. FYI
May 30, 2020
Ngaio Marsh second to last novel. Set entirely in New Zealand at a remote lake house on the West Coast of the South Island. Inspector Alleyn with his wife Troy there for her to paint a portrait of Isabella Sommita a world famous temperamental opera singer who thanks to a paparazzi photographer is at the end of her tether. Her millionaire boyfriend, Montague Reece, owns the luxurious lake house and has taken her there to recover.
She also plans to perform an aria written just for her– by Rupert her secret young lover. On the night of the performance a storm shuts down the island resort from the mainland. After most of the guests have left the singer is found murdered.
There are numerous suspects. The young lover Rupert humiliated by the show, the paparazzi photographer, her bad tempered maid Maria, her agent, her old tutor or her boyfriend.
The story has a few red herrings, Mafia feuds and Inspector Alleyn puts all the clues together working out who the mysterious Rossi is and the motive.
She also plans to perform an aria written just for her– by Rupert her secret young lover. On the night of the performance a storm shuts down the island resort from the mainland. After most of the guests have left the singer is found murdered.
There are numerous suspects. The young lover Rupert humiliated by the show, the paparazzi photographer, her bad tempered maid Maria, her agent, her old tutor or her boyfriend.
The story has a few red herrings, Mafia feuds and Inspector Alleyn puts all the clues together working out who the mysterious Rossi is and the motive.
July 28, 2020
One of my favorite Marsh books to date (despite lacking the loveable sidekick Fox). While some elements of the story verge on ridiculous, Marsh manages to keep the story in the realm of believable. She doesn't shy away from outrageous characters however, which makes the story all the more enjoyable. I also tend to like the stories that heavily incorporate Alleyn's wife, Agatha Troy, particularly when she is at work with her art. These are the first books I have read that truly seem to understand and convey what is like in the mind and process of an artist to get their final product. Its not too heavy handed in this respect, and it makes me wish she was a real person, so I could enjoy the paintings she creates.
December 8, 2012
Marsh's penultimate book, set in her home country, New Zealand. A persistent paparazzi, Strix, is annoying the diva, Sommitta (highest). She demands police protection; they agree because they think there Are drugs involved in her entourage but they dont tell her; then she invites Roderick Alleyn's wife to paint her at a remote retreat where a new opera by Sommita's lover will be performed. So...everybody's on a remote island, power is lost because of a storm and... Guess what? There's a murder! It's a puzzle mystery and a good one!
June 27, 2025
A complicated plot that fits into the closed room mystery genre. In this case everyone is cut off on a small island due to a bad storm. A murder ensues and there is no shortage of suspects.
In the end everyone is gathered together while Inspector Alleyn reveals the murdered, method and motive.
In the end everyone is gathered together while Inspector Alleyn reveals the murdered, method and motive.
May 19, 2021
Only interesting as an artifact from a time long gone.
May 18, 2012
Originally published on my blog here in October 1999.
Right at the end of her career, Marsh took her detective Alleyn back to her beloved New Zealand, scene of some of his earlier successes. It was almost forty years after her previous novel set outside Europe. Photo Finish also features a flamboyant, larger than life stage personality, the soprano Isabella Sommita. Emotionally exhausted after attacks on her by a photographer naming himself Strix, who pursued her across the world, surprising her in unflattering poses to destroy her image, she goes to the New Zealand home of her multimillionaire lover. From there she summons both Alleyn and his wife - Alleyn to investigate the identity of Strix, Troy to paint "La Sommita". Alleyn accepts because he is interested in suspicions that some of Sommita's entourage are involved in the drug trade, Troy because she is fascinated by the singer's face and the challenge of conveying a personality whose vanity and temper are almost as famous as her voice.
At the house, in an inaccessible part of the South Island, the party is cut off by bad weather. Then her maid finds Isabella Sommita, dead, with Strix's latest photo attached to her body by the dagger through her heart.
This, Marsh's last but one novel, is more like an Agatha Christie than most of her books. It has a strong puzzle at its centre, to which character distinctly takes a second place. This is the case to the extent that I found it difficult to remember which of the characters were which in some cases. The background is well done; the beauty of the South Island is portrayed convincingly but is never obtrusive.
In quite a large proportion of Marsh's novels - I should think around ten of the fifty or so - Troy is innocently involved in one of her husband's cases. I have mentioned this before, but I bring it up again since it is mentioned in Photo Finish. Alleyn remarks how much he hates Troy being involved in his investigations, and says that this has happened four times. Perhaps through a career of over fifty years Marsh had a less solid memory of her novels than I do at the moment, having read them through in order in two years, but I was immediately able to think of more examples than this.
Right at the end of her career, Marsh took her detective Alleyn back to her beloved New Zealand, scene of some of his earlier successes. It was almost forty years after her previous novel set outside Europe. Photo Finish also features a flamboyant, larger than life stage personality, the soprano Isabella Sommita. Emotionally exhausted after attacks on her by a photographer naming himself Strix, who pursued her across the world, surprising her in unflattering poses to destroy her image, she goes to the New Zealand home of her multimillionaire lover. From there she summons both Alleyn and his wife - Alleyn to investigate the identity of Strix, Troy to paint "La Sommita". Alleyn accepts because he is interested in suspicions that some of Sommita's entourage are involved in the drug trade, Troy because she is fascinated by the singer's face and the challenge of conveying a personality whose vanity and temper are almost as famous as her voice.
At the house, in an inaccessible part of the South Island, the party is cut off by bad weather. Then her maid finds Isabella Sommita, dead, with Strix's latest photo attached to her body by the dagger through her heart.
This, Marsh's last but one novel, is more like an Agatha Christie than most of her books. It has a strong puzzle at its centre, to which character distinctly takes a second place. This is the case to the extent that I found it difficult to remember which of the characters were which in some cases. The background is well done; the beauty of the South Island is portrayed convincingly but is never obtrusive.
In quite a large proportion of Marsh's novels - I should think around ten of the fifty or so - Troy is innocently involved in one of her husband's cases. I have mentioned this before, but I bring it up again since it is mentioned in Photo Finish. Alleyn remarks how much he hates Troy being involved in his investigations, and says that this has happened four times. Perhaps through a career of over fifty years Marsh had a less solid memory of her novels than I do at the moment, having read them through in order in two years, but I was immediately able to think of more examples than this.
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July 14, 2024Well, That Was Silly!
The author sets her penultimate Insp. Alleyn mystery in her New Zealand homeland. Here, Alleyn accompanies his artist wife (always nice to see Troy and their egalitarian marriage) when she's hired to paint a famous opera singer. When the diva is murdered, he's tasked with finding her killer -- amidst a raging storm that cuts him off from any help.
As usual, Ms. Marsh writes strong beginnings and weak endings. As usual, she's quite good on place (the journey to the island, the island, and the house are very well-described). As usual, she's quite bad on motive (). I will say that I think this is the only time the author uses .
As usual, Ms. Marsh is incredibly xenophobic (even if she isn't technically British, she shares their disdain for the European "South"). As usual, Ms. Marsh is, inexplicably given that she was in theatre, incredibly homophobic to the point where in, 1980, she was still calling gay men "one of those."
The edition I read was filled, I think, with typos; at times, sentences made little sense and that is not something I noticed before.
I solved the mystery about half way through; anyway, it passes the time. Side Note: I teach film: that is not a pan, but a tilt.
The author sets her penultimate Insp. Alleyn mystery in her New Zealand homeland. Here, Alleyn accompanies his artist wife (always nice to see Troy and their egalitarian marriage) when she's hired to paint a famous opera singer. When the diva is murdered, he's tasked with finding her killer -- amidst a raging storm that cuts him off from any help.
As usual, Ms. Marsh writes strong beginnings and weak endings. As usual, she's quite good on place (the journey to the island, the island, and the house are very well-described). As usual, she's quite bad on motive (). I will say that I think this is the only time the author uses .
As usual, Ms. Marsh is incredibly xenophobic (even if she isn't technically British, she shares their disdain for the European "South"). As usual, Ms. Marsh is, inexplicably given that she was in theatre, incredibly homophobic to the point where in, 1980, she was still calling gay men "one of those."
The edition I read was filled, I think, with typos; at times, sentences made little sense and that is not something I noticed before.
I solved the mystery about half way through; anyway, it passes the time. Side Note: I teach film: that is not a pan, but a tilt.
March 1, 2010
And this one was beyond silly. Clearly the first Marsh I read was an exception.
June 28, 2025
There are a number of mystery series that I enjoy, that featuring Inspector Alleyn by Ngaio Marsh being one of my favorites. Over her life, 1895 - 1982, Dame Ngaio Marsh wrote 32 books in this crime series. One last one was published in 2018, completed by Stella Duffy. Since I started reading this series in the mid-2000's, I've managed to complete 19 of the books and enjoyed every single one. On our visits to England, my wife and I got acquainted with the TV series based on the books and it's just as good.
Anyway, specifically back to my latest book, Photo Finish, the 31st book in the series... and yes, I haven't always read them in sequence. I picked this one because I've had it the longest on my shelf and I've been trying to clean off some of the dustiest books this year. This Alleyn mystery is unique because it's set in New Zealand, instead of England. There were about 4 set in New Zealand. At any rate, this provided a nice change of pace and scenery from the other books.
Alleyn's wife, famous artist Troy, has been requested by a famed soprano, Isabella Sommita, to travel to New Zealand to paint her portrait. Troy is very excited by this request as Sommita is a prima donna. At the same time, Scotland Yard receives a request from Sommita's manager to conduct an informal investigation at the same time. It seems that someone has been harassing Sommita by following her and taking photos of her that show her in an unfavorable light. Alleyn doesn't want to step on his wife's thunder but it's a chance for them to go away together so he accepts.
Sommita is staying on an island estate on the south island of New Zealand which is owned by her friend, wealthy Montague V. Rice. She will be performing for a private audience, an opera written by her protege and lover, a young man she met in Sydney Australia, one Rupert Bartholomew. When they arrive, the Alleyn's note a considerable friction. Rupert now believes his opera is sub-standard and wants Sommita not to embarrass herself. But it's all been arranged and the guests have arrived as well as a small group of performers.
After the performance, a number of things happen... a major storm has brewed up so the majority have to depart quickly or get stuck on the island. Rupert breaks down in front of the group. Sommita heads off to her suite and later on, her maid, Maria discovers her dead body.. stabbed in the heart with the most recent embarrassing photo pinned to her chest.
Alleyn is in a bit of a pickle now. He's not officially on duty but the island has been cut off because of the storm and the phone is not working. With the assistance of Sommita's doctor, John Carmichael and of his lovely wife, Alleyn tries to conduct an investigation into the murder and that is the crux of the story. And it's an entertaining, interesting one.
The cast of characters are all well-defined. Because it's kind of a closed room mystery on a slightly larger scale, the story allows them to all become more than two-dimensional. And because they are of the emotional musical crowd, they keep Alleyn hopping. The mystery itself is also interesting as there is a mafia feud element that is discovered as Alleyn delves deeper into the diva's life. It gets kind of confusing as the varied possibilities are explored but ultimately everything is wrapped up very nicely. A nice page turner, great characters, fascinating locale and all around entertaining story. (3.5 stars)
Anyway, specifically back to my latest book, Photo Finish, the 31st book in the series... and yes, I haven't always read them in sequence. I picked this one because I've had it the longest on my shelf and I've been trying to clean off some of the dustiest books this year. This Alleyn mystery is unique because it's set in New Zealand, instead of England. There were about 4 set in New Zealand. At any rate, this provided a nice change of pace and scenery from the other books.
Alleyn's wife, famous artist Troy, has been requested by a famed soprano, Isabella Sommita, to travel to New Zealand to paint her portrait. Troy is very excited by this request as Sommita is a prima donna. At the same time, Scotland Yard receives a request from Sommita's manager to conduct an informal investigation at the same time. It seems that someone has been harassing Sommita by following her and taking photos of her that show her in an unfavorable light. Alleyn doesn't want to step on his wife's thunder but it's a chance for them to go away together so he accepts.
Sommita is staying on an island estate on the south island of New Zealand which is owned by her friend, wealthy Montague V. Rice. She will be performing for a private audience, an opera written by her protege and lover, a young man she met in Sydney Australia, one Rupert Bartholomew. When they arrive, the Alleyn's note a considerable friction. Rupert now believes his opera is sub-standard and wants Sommita not to embarrass herself. But it's all been arranged and the guests have arrived as well as a small group of performers.
After the performance, a number of things happen... a major storm has brewed up so the majority have to depart quickly or get stuck on the island. Rupert breaks down in front of the group. Sommita heads off to her suite and later on, her maid, Maria discovers her dead body.. stabbed in the heart with the most recent embarrassing photo pinned to her chest.
Alleyn is in a bit of a pickle now. He's not officially on duty but the island has been cut off because of the storm and the phone is not working. With the assistance of Sommita's doctor, John Carmichael and of his lovely wife, Alleyn tries to conduct an investigation into the murder and that is the crux of the story. And it's an entertaining, interesting one.
The cast of characters are all well-defined. Because it's kind of a closed room mystery on a slightly larger scale, the story allows them to all become more than two-dimensional. And because they are of the emotional musical crowd, they keep Alleyn hopping. The mystery itself is also interesting as there is a mafia feud element that is discovered as Alleyn delves deeper into the diva's life. It gets kind of confusing as the varied possibilities are explored but ultimately everything is wrapped up very nicely. A nice page turner, great characters, fascinating locale and all around entertaining story. (3.5 stars)
June 27, 2021
One of Marsh’s last novels, coming out in 1980, and taking place at about the same time, at least no earlier than 1979. That presents a bit of a problem in terms of the chronology of the series – the hero served in World War I which would put him in his mid eighties at the time of this book and he’s still going strong, he’s wrestling guns out of the hands of people who would seem to be in the prime of life – never mind who done it, Inspector, what we want to know is, where is your fountain of youth?
Once we get past the idea that there’s been some sort of re-boot for Inspector Alleyn and his wife the mystery itself is pretty good, not at all bad for being written by Marsh when she herself was in her eighties too.
Once we get past the idea that there’s been some sort of re-boot for Inspector Alleyn and his wife the mystery itself is pretty good, not at all bad for being written by Marsh when she herself was in her eighties too.
November 27, 2021
As Alleyn notes, his wife, painter Agatha Troy, has been involved in 4 or his previous cases. Here is the 5th, with Troy's invitation to paint a diva opera singer's portrait at a multimillionaire's estate on a New Zealand island leads to the Alleyns being involved in a Agatha Christie like scenario--only Marsh wrote much better characters than Christie! The plot is good, the whodunnit has some unexpected twists and turns, and Marsh's love for her native country shines through in descriptions of the flora and fauna. My only quibble is that I wish that she had been consistent with time--this is set around 1979 or so, and Alleyn would have been well past retirement age at that point in time!
Nonetheless, a fine penultimate book in this series.
Nonetheless, a fine penultimate book in this series.
March 26, 2020
I had a feeling of de ja vu when reading this - maybe a similar cozy mystery of people stranded because of a storm? And a paparazzi stalking someone?
Again, set in New Zealand. The description of the Alleyns arrival and drive through the countryside was majestic and breathtaking.
Lots of Italians to add flavour to the story.
Again, difficult to guess the culprits. Well plotted.
Again, set in New Zealand. The description of the Alleyns arrival and drive through the countryside was majestic and breathtaking.
Lots of Italians to add flavour to the story.
Again, difficult to guess the culprits. Well plotted.
October 26, 2022
Alleyn and his wife Troy find themselves on an island in New Zealand where she is to paint a famous opera diva. Of course there is a dramatic storm, an opera, and a murder. Outrageous characters fill in the rest of the story.
September 3, 2023
Certainly not my favourite Marsh book. Enjoyed the setting, just not the plot or the characters so much.
There’s always something enjoyable about Marsh’s books but for me, but this just felt a bit run of the mill. I struggled to engage with characters or the mechanics of the murder. Lots of talk of keys, lots of slightly contrived set ups. A little bit of opera. It just didn’t hit all the right notes.
There’s always something enjoyable about Marsh’s books but for me, but this just felt a bit run of the mill. I struggled to engage with characters or the mechanics of the murder. Lots of talk of keys, lots of slightly contrived set ups. A little bit of opera. It just didn’t hit all the right notes.
August 16, 2020
Really enjoyable whodunnit, good banter at points 👌🏻
October 30, 2017
Not one of Marsh's best. Rather boring and with a very unoriginal solution.
December 28, 2022
One of my favorite concepts:tight space, limited amount of suspects. And the victim is an opera singer! Buuut then there is my least favorite theme, which I can't say cause spoilers.
June 28, 2018
Two stars because of mostly unlikeable characters, though perhaps balanced by the presence of Troy, albeit quite in the background. And Dr. Carmichael is a good sort.
Goodbye to Mr. Alleyn and crew, since I mistakenly read the last one in the series out of order. At least we have Inspector Lynley to carry on the tradition of the unflappable peer with innate graciousness.
Goodbye to Mr. Alleyn and crew, since I mistakenly read the last one in the series out of order. At least we have Inspector Lynley to carry on the tradition of the unflappable peer with innate graciousness.
May 24, 2020
Troy! Stop accepting commissions to go to strange, isolated places to paint portraits!
Alleyn went with her this time, though, invited because the main character, the diva, is worried about being harassed by a particularly persistent paparazzo (is that the singular of paparazzi?)
Oh, opera. Oh artistic temperament (though I wish the surrounding cast had been fleshed out "to type" a little more than they were; they barely make an impact on the reader. What a waste of a contralto, a supporting soprano, a tenor, and a basso profundo...so MUCH could have been done with them)
Marsh and her esoteric references. Gees. They are thick in this one.
"Her manner suggested the pleasurable likelihood of his offering to seduce her at the first opportunity. 'So you come to the salon, too,' she said, 'to hear music?' And in her velvet tones the word music was fraught with much the same meaning as china in The Country Wife."
So off to Google I go; The Country Wife is a Restoration comedy written in 1675 by William Wycherley. It's anti-Puritan ideology and sexually explicit; it includes the notorious "china scene," a double entendre dialogue mostly heard from off stage, where the main character discusses his collection of china a lady friend.
Also the term "auto-da-fé" which means the burning of a heretic during the Spanish Inquisition.
And the bit that describes the head housekeeper, Mrs. Bacon, as being named with "Congrevian explicitness" (Congreve, another Restoration playwright, often named his characters to define their nature or their occupation)
The wind is described operatically as a "leitmotiv to the action."
Alleyn makes fun of Troy's burying emotions by saying, "She's being British. If there were any bullets about, she'd bite on them."
"You interest me strangely. Pray continue" - a nod to Sherlock Holmes
Also a reference to a "Stoppard-like time slip," a convention used by playwright Tom Stoppard to replay scenes with new dialog.
Otherwise, a serviceable plot with a murder, interesting characters, opera, Troy, and Alleyn, all in the wild landscape of New Zealand's South Island. What more could you ask for?
Alleyn went with her this time, though, invited because the main character, the diva, is worried about being harassed by a particularly persistent paparazzo (is that the singular of paparazzi?)
Oh, opera. Oh artistic temperament (though I wish the surrounding cast had been fleshed out "to type" a little more than they were; they barely make an impact on the reader. What a waste of a contralto, a supporting soprano, a tenor, and a basso profundo...so MUCH could have been done with them)
Marsh and her esoteric references. Gees. They are thick in this one.
"Her manner suggested the pleasurable likelihood of his offering to seduce her at the first opportunity. 'So you come to the salon, too,' she said, 'to hear music?' And in her velvet tones the word music was fraught with much the same meaning as china in The Country Wife."
So off to Google I go; The Country Wife is a Restoration comedy written in 1675 by William Wycherley. It's anti-Puritan ideology and sexually explicit; it includes the notorious "china scene," a double entendre dialogue mostly heard from off stage, where the main character discusses his collection of china a lady friend.
Also the term "auto-da-fé" which means the burning of a heretic during the Spanish Inquisition.
And the bit that describes the head housekeeper, Mrs. Bacon, as being named with "Congrevian explicitness" (Congreve, another Restoration playwright, often named his characters to define their nature or their occupation)
The wind is described operatically as a "leitmotiv to the action."
Alleyn makes fun of Troy's burying emotions by saying, "She's being British. If there were any bullets about, she'd bite on them."
"You interest me strangely. Pray continue" - a nod to Sherlock Holmes
Also a reference to a "Stoppard-like time slip," a convention used by playwright Tom Stoppard to replay scenes with new dialog.
Otherwise, a serviceable plot with a murder, interesting characters, opera, Troy, and Alleyn, all in the wild landscape of New Zealand's South Island. What more could you ask for?
January 1, 2011
A decent mystery, quite well-supplied with appropriate levels of fair clues and false trails, and some rather good descriptive passages capturing Westland in New Zealand, and some nice local flavour cameos - I quite liked Bert, the chauffeur, with his unmistakeable (and unending) flow of kiwiisms - right on the nose, and just the right side of caricature. Also, the NZ detective inspector and his 'status quow'.
But on the whole, I think for future silly holiday reading, I'll be going back to Georgette Heyer. Silly throwawayness in romance is far more satisfying than silly throwawayness in crime, at least for me. Probably because romance is really just that silly. Or alternatively, maybe crime novels would be just as awesome if there were more cravats involved.
But on the whole, I think for future silly holiday reading, I'll be going back to Georgette Heyer. Silly throwawayness in romance is far more satisfying than silly throwawayness in crime, at least for me. Probably because romance is really just that silly. Or alternatively, maybe crime novels would be just as awesome if there were more cravats involved.
November 2, 2014
Another winner in the Roderick Alleyn series. Alleyn's wife,Troy has been commissioned to paint the portrait of a famous and temperamental opera star, Isabella Sommita and Alleyn tags along. The star and her protector, the fabulously wealthy Mr. Reece, are ensconced on a private island in New Zealand along with a host of musical guests. Sommita's "protege", Rupert, has written an opera just for her and she is determined to stage it for those assembled. Those who have seen/heard the score are horrified, as the opera is sub par. And then murder raises its ugly head and we are off and running. Good characters, clever plot, and a thoroughly enjoyable book.
December 22, 2023
Read in the hardcover omnibus "Ngaio Marsh: 5 Complete Novels"
Once again Marsh takes us to New Zealand, this time with Alleyn accompanying Troy on a commission to paint a famous soprano (with of course some commission of his own from the Chief Commissioner!). I liked the setting and I am always glad when Troy is involved but for some reason this late entry in the series seemed to lack some of the spark that her earlier books had. Maybe I am missing Fox?
Once again Marsh takes us to New Zealand, this time with Alleyn accompanying Troy on a commission to paint a famous soprano (with of course some commission of his own from the Chief Commissioner!). I liked the setting and I am always glad when Troy is involved but for some reason this late entry in the series seemed to lack some of the spark that her earlier books had. Maybe I am missing Fox?
September 22, 2020
Not bad . But then, not all that good too.
One personal remark. The use of negative and assertive questions after general statements has been done to boring death in this book.
Like -
Some guy in the story says, "I thoroughly searched. " DID I NOT?
I asked you to keep a watch. DID I NOT? It was pretty simple. WAS IT NOT? There are hundreds and hundreds of such migraine-inducing examples in the book. Amen.
One personal remark. The use of negative and assertive questions after general statements has been done to boring death in this book.
Like -
Some guy in the story says, "I thoroughly searched. " DID I NOT?
I asked you to keep a watch. DID I NOT? It was pretty simple. WAS IT NOT? There are hundreds and hundreds of such migraine-inducing examples in the book. Amen.
January 18, 2023
I wanted to slap the opera diva silly.
10/2/20 It isn't better on the second reading. I had this one figured out early on.
1/18/23 Reread it because it fit a reading challenge prompt. I enjoyed Rory and Troy. The over the top opera singer kinda faded into the background for me, this time. It still felt like a bunch of cliches and not Marsh's best work.
10/2/20 It isn't better on the second reading. I had this one figured out early on.
1/18/23 Reread it because it fit a reading challenge prompt. I enjoyed Rory and Troy. The over the top opera singer kinda faded into the background for me, this time. It still felt like a bunch of cliches and not Marsh's best work.
August 2, 2016
I find I like the film versions of the Inspector Allen mysteries better than reading them. They don't wear well on the long haul. This one in particular seemed dated and dull. Which is a shame really as I picked it up at Friends of the Library book sale hoping for something classic. This one wasn't. Should have saved my 25 cents for something else.
Read
May 20, 2022A return to New Zealand but just not interesting. I honestly didn’t care who did it. This was written maybe four years before her death. I hate to say it, but she should have stopped with the last one. There is one more in the series. I almost hate to open it. I love Alleyn and Troy and it’s sad to see them dealt with so perfunctorily.
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