Play Audiobook Sample
Black as He’s Painted Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.02) - 558 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
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.
Download and start listening now!
"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
-
" Another one of the better Marshes "
— Lesley, 1/15/2014 -
" 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 -
" I was disappointed with this one. "
— Jennifer, 12/19/2013 -
" I like a bit of moral ambiguity and history/commentary in mysteries. The plot twist is a nice touch. "
— Grace, 12/19/2013 -
" I'm liking Ngaio Marsh quite a bit- I even find myself confusing her stuff with Josephine Tey's! "
— Kelly, 12/9/2013 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" One of my absolute favorite Inspector Alleyn's. Great characterization, plot and setting! "
— Leyla, 7/13/2012 -
" Another great one in the series "
— Lesley, 6/2/2012 -
" 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 -
" Like all of Dame Marsh's books, always literate. "
— Susan, 3/23/2011 -
" A good old-fashioned murder mystery. Just like I like them. "
— Susan, 7/1/2010 -
" Politically incorrect but some interesting characters. "
— Rebecca, 3/1/2010 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Like all of Dame Marsh's books, always literate. "
— Susan, 11/6/2008 -
" 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.