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A Man Lay Dead: Inspector Roderick Alleyn #1

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Arrives Wednesday, Feb 26
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Format: Kindle


Description

Crime comes to a country house: “Any Ngaio Marsh story is certain to be Grade A, and this one is no exception.” —The New York Times This classic from the Golden Age of British mystery opens during a country-house party between the two world wars—servants bustling, gin flowing, the gentlemen in dinner jackets, the ladies all slink and smolder. Even more delicious: The host, Sir Hubert Handesley, has invented a new and especially exciting version of that beloved parlor entertainment, The Murder Game . . . “It’s time to start comparing Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around.” —New York Magazine “A peerless practitioner of the slightly surreal, English-village comedy-mystery.” —Kirkus Reviews Read more


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Felony & Mayhem Press; Reprint edition (November 16, 2011)


Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 16, 2011


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 1086 KB


Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Wednesday, Feb 26

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Marsh is the master
This first novel is a classic! It established the time period and defined the character of DCI Roderick Alleyn. The subtleties of the case and the characters show many fascinating foibles. Marsh is worth reading and rereading!
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2023 by Charlene
    • Not the first one I have read
I read one of the latter books first. I really like the detective-inspector. I look forward to learning more about him. The change of allegiance of an important character and letting another off is weird. I liked the multiple story lines. A good series but not so good to pay full price. As I find them for $1.99 I will buy as many as I can. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2023 by Heather Black
    • First appearance of a classy, urbane police inspector
I haven’t read Ngaio Marsh before, which is amazing because I’m an avid reader of vintage mysteries. Right from the start, I really like her detective, Roderick Alleyn. He’s tall and lean, detached, sophisticated, and expensively educated. He claims to have a rotten memory, and writes down absolutely everything. He has a wry sense of humor. Despite his posh accent, he behaves like a real cop — searches bedrooms, picks through fireplace cinders, and takes elaborate measurements. The plot of this book is classic: in the course of a social weekend at country house full of antique weapons, a guest is brutally murdered during a frivolous murder game. One of the guests is Russian, and so is the aged butler, and this makes for an exciting Russian complication. Two of the guests are young people who may be falling in love. They do it in the best of taste. Other romantic undercurrents among the party are less innocent. So there’s a lot going on, and I zipped through the story with considerable enjoyment. This series promises to be clever, witty, and lighthearted – old fashioned, but that’s what’s fun about it. I’m moving on to the next book or two as soon as they arrive from Amazon. A Man Lay Dead first appeared in 1934. Marsh wrote prolifically between 1934 and 1982, so the series is a long one. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2018 by Patto
    • Classic tangled web
Marsh deserves all her glory. Crisp characters, detailed puzzling, just enough suspense to keep you reading as fast as you can... And a masterful denouement. Fun fun fun!
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2023 by unhappy ebook Customer
    • well written
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with its little twists and turns. A great read which leaves you guessing till the nd
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2023 by Mark
    • Good condition
Good postage time and product in good condition
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023 by Andrew Coburn
    • An Apprentice Work
Ngaio Marsh (1985-1982) was one of the four “Queens of Crime” (the others being Marjorie Allingham, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L. Sayers) who largely defined the 20th Century English murder mystery. All her mystery novels feature Inspector Roderick Alleyn of Scotland Yard, and the 1934 A MAN LAY DEAD is his first appearance. Most writers go through an apprentice period, and in truth A MAN LAY DEAD reads very much as if Marsh is copying an Agatha Christie formula. A number of people are invited a country house for a weekend party. The guests include a womanizer, a reporter, and an oddly-behaved Russian. The entertainment includes a variation of “the murder game:” a pretend killer selects a pretend victim and the other guests play sleuth. Unfortunately, an unknown element steps into the game and turns pretense into reality, and a very real corpse is found with a somewhat mysterious dagger protruding from his back. Fortunately, Alleyn is soon on the case. Marsh’s first novel is not only derivative, it is stiffly written. Even so, all the elements are there: her well known skill for mingling character and setting begins to show even here, and several of the characters—Alleyn, Nigel Bathgate, and Angela North—will go on to become reoccurring characters in Marsh’s later and more expert novels (B’rer Fox does not make his appearance until Marsh’s second novel, ENTER A MURDERER.) It may be clunky, but it is clunky with talent, and while you might spot the killer early on, the manner of the murder is quite inspired. Even so, this isn’t the novel I’d select to introduce a new reader to Marsh—it is more likely to appeal to an established fan who wants to read all of Marsh’s works. Recommended to such. GFT, Amazon Reviewer ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2015 by Gary F. Taylor
    • The Gold Standard
One of the finest drawing room murders. Inspector Alleyn is up to the task and young Nigel is beguilingly besotted with Angela. l will love rereading the whole series.
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2023 by Website's Mom

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