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Black as He’s Painted Audiobook

Name: Black as He’s Painted Audiobook
Brand: Blackstone Publishing
SKU: 2808
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.02 (558 reviews)
Author: Ngaio Marsh
ISBN: 9781481561334

By: Ngaio Marsh

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Read By: Wanda McCaddon Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: 8.00 hours at 1.0x Speed 5.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries Release Date: September 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781481561334

(3.02) - 558 listener ratings

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Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

Longest Chapter Length:

65:20 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

12:25 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

47:42 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

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Tied Up in Tinsel Audiobook, by Ngaio Marsh

Death of a Fool Audiobook, by Ngaio Marsh

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Publisher Description

When the president of Ng'ombwana proposes to dispense with the usual security arrangements on an official visit to London, his old school mate, Chief Superintendent Alleyn, is called in to try to persuade him otherwise.

Alleyn performs his mission so successfully that on the night of the Ng'ombwanan embassy's reception, the house and grounds are stiff with police. However, an assassin does strike, and Alleyn discovers a wealth of suspects in a coterie of ex-colonials residing in the very shadow of the embassy. Fortunately, he has no shortage of help either, from Special Branch to a tribal court—and a small black cat named Lucy Lockett who out-detects them all.

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"I found the language very interesting. It certainly gave a greater insight into british colonial thinking than say Agatha does. The murder mystery itself wasn't quite in Agatha's league but it was closer than most"
— Greg (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

“[Marsh] writes better than Christie.”
— New York Times Book Review
“The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an empress.”
— Sun (London)
“[Wanda McCaddon] is nothing short of extraordinary in this complicated mystery dominated by multiple male characters. In fact, listeners will disregard [McCaddon’s] gender altogether as she shifts effortlessly from one dialect to another during heated and animated conversations. Every character’s eccentricity is explored and appropriately interpreted, adding spice, humor, and authenticity to a proper British mystery.”
— AudioFile
“As indispensable as that anchovy toast which appears at teatime if it’s the taste you once acquired.”
— Kirkus Reviews

Black as He’s Painted Listener Reviews

Overall Performance:

(3.63)

5 Stars: 4

4 Stars: 8

3 Stars: 4

2 Stars: 2

1 Stars: 1

Narration:

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5 Stars: 0

4 Stars: 0

3 Stars: 0

2 Stars: 0

1 Stars: 0

Story:

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5 Stars: 0

4 Stars: 0

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Overall Performance:
" Another one of the better Marshes "
— Lesley, 1/15/2014
Overall Performance:
" I just couldn't get into this story about a country getting independence and the former colonials and the way it was all mixed up. "
— Kyrie, 1/3/2014
Overall Performance:
" I was disappointed with this one. "
— Jennifer, 12/19/2013
Overall Performance:
" I like a bit of moral ambiguity and history/commentary in mysteries. The plot twist is a nice touch. "
— Grace, 12/19/2013
Overall Performance:
" I'm liking Ngaio Marsh quite a bit- I even find myself confusing her stuff with Josephine Tey's! "
— Kelly, 12/9/2013
Overall Performance:
" Ngaio Marsh is no Dorothy Sayers or Agatha Christie, but for classic British murder mystery addicts, she will do in a pinch. This particular book reflects the racial attitudes and stereotypes of the era during which it was written and may offend modern sensibilities. "
— Monica, 1/21/2013
Overall Performance:
" I did in fact listen to this book on audio Cd's but couldn't find the right picture for that one. "
— Marleen, 1/15/2013
Overall Performance:
" Listened to well-narrated audio recording. Very British, very literate, very enjoyable---rather a jolly mystery. Recommend to fans of spirited but civilized whodoneits. "
— Elaine, 10/29/2012
Overall Performance:
" One of my absolute favorite Inspector Alleyn's. Great characterization, plot and setting! "
— Leyla, 7/13/2012
Overall Performance:
" Another great one in the series "
— Lesley, 6/2/2012
Overall Performance:
" Another used bookshop purchase to fill in the collection. I enjoyed this one in particular probably because I couldn't figure out who done it! "
— Gjmegjake, 9/5/2011
Overall Performance:
" Like all of Dame Marsh's books, always literate. "
— Susan, 3/23/2011
Overall Performance:
" A good old-fashioned murder mystery. Just like I like them. "
— Susan, 7/1/2010
Overall Performance:
" Politically incorrect but some interesting characters. "
— Rebecca, 3/1/2010
Overall Performance:
" Listened to well-narrated audio recording. Very British, very literate, very enjoyab---rather a jolly mystery. Recommend to fans of spirited but civilized whodoneits. "
— Elaine, 9/2/2009
Overall Performance:
" Ngaio Marsh is no Dorothy Sayers or Agatha Christie, but for classic British murder mystery addicts, she will do in a pinch. This particular book reflects the racial attitudes and stereotypes of the era during which it was written and may offend modern sensibilities. "
— Monica, 3/22/2009
Overall Performance:
" I did in fact listen to this book on audio Cd's but couldn't find the right picture for that one. "
— Marleen, 11/22/2008
Overall Performance:
" Like all of Dame Marsh's books, always literate. "
— Susan, 11/6/2008
Overall Performance:
" Another used bookshop purchase to fill in the collection. I enjoyed this one in particular probably because I couldn't figure out who done it! "
— Gjmegjake, 4/11/2008

About Ngaio Marsh

Ngaio Marsh (1895–1982), born in New Zealand, wrote over thirty detective novels. Many of her stories had theatrical settings, as her real passion was for the theater. She was both an actress and a producer and almost single-handedly revived the New Zealand public’s interest in live theater. In 1966 she was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

About Wanda McCaddon

Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.