English Mysteries Club discussion

I have got my copy but won't get around to reading it for a week or so.

I had read this book 2-3 months ago but I do have a mind like a sieve. Here are some of the points I remember liking/ disliking about the book.
1) I loved the idea of the old English stately house being the venue for the crime over a leisurely weekend.
2) I found the Russian sub-plot quite annoying in retrospect after reading the whole book. Quite unnecessary but placed there to distract the reader's attention I suppose.
3) inspector Alleyn had a strange personality in this book.I don't think Marsh had quite figured out how exactly her detective should behave at this point.
4) I enjoyed this book overall and will definitely be trying more books in the future.

I enjoyed this book, although I agree with Arpita's points 2 + 3. I suppose the Russian sub-plot made sense given the era it was written, but it felt a little scattered to me.

Despite that, I'm glad that I have finally read a Ngaio Marsh (for some reason I've avoided her for years) and I will read more of her books.

Valerie wrote: "I enjoyed this book, although I agree with Arpita's points 2 + 3. I suppose the Russian sub-plot made sense given the era it was written, but it felt a little scattered to me.

Despite that, I'm glad that I have finally read a Ngaio Marsh (for some reason I've avoided her for years) and I will read more of her books..."

I also agree with Arpita. Which is why I can say: Valerie, do read more Ngaio Marsh. After a few books she worked out what Alleyn was like and he's good, especially once he gets married. (I'm not going to mention her name, so that you can enjoy the book in which they meet when you get to it!)

Jean-Luke wrote: "I'm going to have disagree with you guys in the sense that I actually enjoyed the Russian subplot at the time that I read this.

I was actually ready to give it five stars right up until Alleyn rev..."

I also liked the Russian subplot. It was quite contemporary when she wrote this in 1934 and has worn well in my opinion. Of course, it would be silly if it had been written now but to me, it fit in with the setting and time period.

I guess Marsh's books are formulaic, but I enjoy the formula so that doesn't bother me. Probably wouldn't want to read ten of them in a row, but as an intermittent leavening of my bookish dough, they remain enjoyable.

It was interesting to me, after reading the whole series, mostly in order, to go back and re-read the first one for this group. It was interesting to see what aspects she kept and what ended up falling by the wayside over time. Honestly, this is probably not her best, but I still enjoyed it immensely.

Have read the first three or four in this series some time ago and it was interesting to go back and re-read the first one. I agree the author is not quite sure, at this point, how she wants her detective to behave; but the traditional country house plot is given a different twist and the novel, as a whole, is enjoyable.

This is my first official Ngaio Marsh! While I'm not overly enamored with Inspector Alleyn yet, I enjoyed Ms. Marsh's writing style enough to read more of this series.

I have a question: Do you prefer mysteries where the victim is a scoundrel and the murderer is more sympathetic or where the victim is an "innocent?"

I read this quite some time ago so didn't remember to much about it. Liked it more than I remembered liking it the first time. I missed Alleyn's relationship with Fox who is his main confidant in later books. Death in a White Tie is my favorite.

Ellen wrote: "I read this quite some time ago so didn't remember to much about it. Liked it more than I remembered liking it the first time. I missed Alleyn's relationship with Fox who is his main confidant in..."

I missed Fox as well - I love the bits where Fox tries to speak French :)

Laura wrote: "Ellen -- I'm so glad to find someone else who's read Death in a White Tie! Of course, on this thread, there are probably dozens, but in my community, very few.

And Leslie, yes, I love when Fox sp..."

I didn't know she was involved in the theater, but it does make sense since so many of her mysteries do have a theater setting... I like the ones with the Dolphin Theater - I think there are a couple set there.

I just finished rereading this and I really enjoyed it.
I will agree with those who miss Fox because I missed him too. I really enjoy Nagio Marsh and have read several of her books.

Usually it is just too hard for me to relate to murderer's that are nice, but commit heinous and inhuman crimes. So I hope the "get their just rewards" somewhere in the story.

However, once in awhile, for some reason I can't really explain, a murderer endears himself or herself to me and I hope they make it and are not caught.

One of the series that I really like is by Lawrence Block. He writes about a hit man. I think the reason I am hoping throughout the book that he continues his "career" is that Block really does a good job of describing how bad the victim is. So in fact the reader often wants to congratulate the guy rather than see he is arrested.

Block also writes about a burglar (Bernie Rodenbarr). It is not really that Bernie is so endearing (he is rather a pain actually), but that his character just seems like he is pursuing his career. It just happens to be burglary. It helps that these books are not suspenseful, but more fun. Block writes some books that cry out for punishment of the bad guy.

But in general, where there is a real work of suspense, I hope the killer is caught, and even sometimes killed as a result of the horrific crimes committed within the story. What makes me crazy is when the story ends up in the air; where it appears that the killer has gotten away with their actions and can continue killing.

These can be "teasers" for the next novel in a series, or they can just end with everyone hanging. I recognize that these are probably the works that get the most accolades, but it can leave readers with no solution to the puzzle.

Laura wrote: "I didn't know she was involved in the theater, but it does make sense since so many of her mysteries do have a theater setting... I like the ones with the Dolphin Theater - I think there are a coup..."
I also did not know that Ms. Marshs' works were ever theatre productions. I live outside Seattle, so I doubt I will ever see them unless I travel. Seattle tends to go for the avant garde (sp) in a big way. Both in the threatre and art.

But it helps to know this so I can look up her work on the internet (art).

I have read quite a few of her works and really enjoy them. I know that this period was filled with police or private eyes with sidekicks, and I tend to enjoy most of them. Just like old mysteries.

Has anyone seen A Man Lay Dead - dramatization? They changed the story somewhat and introduced some characters, which rather spoiled it for me.

Arpita wrote: "Has anyone seen A Man Lay Dead - dramatization? They changed the story somewhat and introduced some characters, which rather spoiled it for me."

Yeah. Netflix has the Inspector Alleyn series available for streaming. The episode "loosely" based on this book had a weird subplot about a monastery theft from one of the suspects dressed as a woman. It was a little bizarre...

Arpita wrote: "Has anyone seen A Man Lay Dead - dramatization? They changed the story somewhat and introduced some characters, which rather spoiled it for me."

Was this a PBS series? I haven't seen it...

I'm glad I missed this. Out of interest, who did they cast as their weird Alleyn?

Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter are my favourite Lord Peter and Harriet Vane.

I could see Patrick Malahide as Alleyn, properly written.

Sorry this is off- topic from the book but related to the recent discussion.
I think that when it comes to dramatized adaptations of mystery novels the ones I really like are the David Suchet Poirot's.

I haven't actually read any Colin Dexter yet but I love the Inspector Morse series.

I think Laura you have a valid point. When I walk into Barnes and Nobles nowadays, the best selling books always contain those that have had recent movie releases. So yes I think people would be more aware of Marsh if her books were better dramatized.
I would like to read Dexter in the future. I just didn't get into the books I tried in the past.

Laura wrote: "Arpita wrote: "Sorry this is off- topic from the book but related to the recent discussion.
I think that when it comes to dramatized adaptations of mystery novels the ones I really like are the D..."

Hahaha - that's one reason I nominated a Dexter book for April's book of the month!! Don't forget to vote in the poll - right now less than 10% of the group is voting...

Leslie lets keep nominating the Dexter books. I feel I would read it if its a BOM :)

Dexter: YES!

Let's read one that's been dramatized, watch the video as well, and discuss both.

This is my first Ngaio Marsh novel and I really enjoyed it. I liked the Russian subplot. It added enough confusion to keep the plot from being too simple. I really liked Inspector Alleyn. There was enough of a hint of his past to get my curiosity up about him. I did give it 4 stars rather than 5 because some of the characters confused me throughout the book, and I didn't really like the ending, although I have to give her points for coming up with something unique. :) I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

This was my first Ngaio Marsh book and I wasn't really impressed. Arpita made some good points. The Russian plot was just plain silly with daggers being passed around. I do agree it's probaby indictive of the times. But really? Inspector Alleyn hiding in the chimney? And what a shock to read that he looked like a "n-word ministrel". I understand the word was common in the times but it's been such a long time since I've read it that it took me aback. Still my inperson book club is going to read "Tom Sawyer" so I better get used to it.
It goes without saying that sliding down the bannister was just silly and the voices in the bathroom was absurd.
Perhaps we shouldn't read the first books. We should read a good one like the one that many liked, "Death in a White Tail." That way, when you go back and read the first one you would be more tolerant. Joan suggest this for Deborah Crombie and I think it's a good idea.

Back when I first read this she didn't have much competition - not sure it would even have got published if it had been written much later. Having said that I have read everything she wrote and eventually loved Alleyn, especially after he married and became a little less precious, but my favourites were always the ones she set in theatres. I'm really chuffed to see that the group reads old favourites as well as finding new ones, in fact really glad that there is such a group and it is so active :)

I am plodding on with this - I am not too caught up in it and keep putting it down for other things!

Laura and Arpita - a friend recently passed on the entire Inspector Morse books - enough to keep me going for a while!

Penny : they will come in useful for when a DExter becomes BOTM!
I'm personally waiting for the day a benevolent someone donates their Morse DVD collection to me :)

Arpita wrote: "Penny : they will come in useful for when a DExter becomes BOTM!
I'm personally waiting for the day a benevolent someone donates their Morse DVD collection to me :)"

LOL! You and me both!

Penny wrote: "I am plodding on with this - I am not too caught up in it and keep putting it down for other things!

Laura and Arpita - a friend recently passed on the entire Inspector Morse books - enough to kee..."

Lucky you!

Love the Morse series. I've read all of them & wish there were more.Also Rendell's Inspector Wexford series.

It's been many years since I read this book but I'm sure I didn't enjoy it as much as the first time.While the characters were fairly well defined, the method of committing the crime was outrageous.

Since this was Marsh's first attempt at mystery writing I'm willing to cut her a little slack and suspend my disbelief where the method of murder is concerned. It also helps to take into account her background in theatre. Seems to me that much of what seems erratic in the book might be attributed to Marsh's theatrical nature. This wasn't the best of the series by any means but I always enjoy her writing. I agree with Susan that perhaps first books might not be the best introduction to an author.

Laura wrote: "But for a recommendation to someone who wants to read one of Marsh's better books, "Artists in Crime" doesn't have spoilers for other stories and is my personal favorite. ..."

I second this recommendation. It's one of her really strong books.

I finished this and wasnt madly impressed. I really didnt care about any of the characters, I guessed who did it (and I am usually terrible at that) and the method of murder seemed so contrived as to be unbelievable. Not sure I will read any more of the author - especially as Inspector Morse awaits!!!

So I was trolling Netflix yesterday and found an Inspector Alleyn series. I watched one called "Final Curtain" and I really liked it. It had an assistant names Fox and a young lady named Troy. I guess I'm going to have to give this series another try.

Susan wrote: "So I was trolling Netflix yesterday and found an Inspector Alleyn series. I watched one called "Final Curtain" and I really liked it. It had an assistant names Fox and a young lady named Troy. I gu..."

Which series, please? Who was playing Alleyn?

Fox & Troy are in many of the books.

Hj wrote: "Susan wrote: "So I was trolling Netflix yesterday and found an Inspector Alleyn series. I watched one called "Final Curtain" and I really liked it. It had an assistant names Fox and a young lady na..."

It was called tbe Inspector Alleyn series and I didn't check out who played him. I will get more info tonight when I watch the next one It was really delightful and had one of my favorite fantasies in it. There was a house party in huge country estate and everyone dressed for dinner. My fantasy was shaken when Troy had to cimb three or four flights of stairs to her room.

Leslie wrote: "Fox & Troy are in many of the books."

I had only read the first one for our monthly read and they weren't in it so it was a surprise for me. They really made Alleyn more likable to me.

Susan wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Fox & Troy are in many of the books."

I had only read the first one for our monthly read and they weren't in it so it was a surprise for me. They really made Alleyn more likable to me."

They do. His relationships with them reveal his personality. For the first few books it's just Fox (and Bailey and Thompson, technical policemen who look for fingerprints and take photos). He meets Troy in the sixth book, Artists in Crime. This is a really excellent murder mystery, one of the strongest by Ngaio Marsh (in my opinion), even without the interest one has in seeing how his relationship with Troy develops.

That reminds me - we also see Alleyn interacting with his mother in this book, and again he's very likeable then.

Susan wrote: "Hj wrote: "Susan wrote: "So I was trolling Netflix yesterday and found an Inspector Alleyn series. I watched one called "Final Curtain" and I really liked it. It had an assistant names Fox and a yo..."
I have four of the episodes on DVD. Alleyn is played by Patrick Malahide, Troy by Belinda Lang and Fox by William Simons.

That's great, Ellen. Netflix only has 3. I have watched two now. The last one is on the book we read. I really enjoyed the two I watched. They were fun.

I will take your advice, Laura, and try those. The Artists in Crime isn't on my Netflix so I won't have to worry.

I wasn't a member when this was a selection, but finished this book last month. I listened to the audiobook version and loved it. I've already started another book by this author. Thanks for the recommendation regarding Artists in Crime.