Ngaio Marsh's most popular novel begins when young New Zealander Roberta Grey comes into contact with the Lamprey family, a peculiar bunch with plenty of charm but no money.
The Lampreys revel in their eccentricity and entertain their guests with complicated charades. But when one game goes wrong and rich Uncle Gabriel is found murdered in a most grizzly manner, the only person capable of solving the crime is Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn.
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"This mystery has probably one of my favourite cast of characters. I spent most of the book laughing out loud. I don't know what it is about her novels, but she takes a standard plot, and always manages to make it seem fresh and entertaining. You've got to love long descriptions and a longer setup to like her novels, so if you lose patience easily with that don't pick up this book." — Doina (4 out of 5 stars)
"This mystery has probably one of my favourite cast of characters. I spent most of the book laughing out loud. I don't know what it is about her novels, but she takes a standard plot, and always manages to make it seem fresh and entertaining. You've got to love long descriptions and a longer setup to like her novels, so if you lose patience easily with that don't pick up this book."
" Well written, but emotionally detached and bloodless despite the horrific nature of the murder and the odd cast of characters. "
" mystery - great depiction of New Zealand in first part, the rest in London. Totally endearing odd family - characters almost Dickensian. Probably my favorite of the Marsh books. "
" Another solid example from the golden age of British mysteries. "
" It's kind of funny and not a bad crime case. "
" I say this too often, but part of Marsh's appeal is her insight into the social settings of England as well as the mystery and it's the same here. The Lampreys are also so ridiculous, they're charming, and hard to resist. "
" The gentlemen detective investigates the gruesome death of the head of a spendthrift aristocratic family. Stars Jeremy Clyde. "
" One of the best of her books. "
" The best Marsh novel so far. The earlier ones were on the dry side, but here she really begins to do a better job with characterization and capturing the feel of WWII Britain. "
" One of the Grand Dames of Brit-Lit mystery. Between the eccentric family and the odious murder it gels to be a real fun read. "
" A strong NZ flavour to this book. I got misled by red herrings several times before the murderer was revealed finally "
" Very funny, but also some creepy moments. Worth reading just because the Lampreys (a family) are so hysterically charming! "
" Great read. My version is called "Surfeit of Lampreys" Good to reread occasionally. The BBC have got a good dramatisation of it out. You can buy it in itunes. "
" A really satisfying puzzler. First you fall in love with the Lampreys (or at least in like; I found them a bit tiresome to be honest), then you're forced to consider whether they're murderers. A solid performance from Handsome Alleyn and the stolid Fox, the prototype for Sgt. Lewis. "
" This could well be one of my absolute favorite Ngaio Marsh books. I love the Lampreys and I love Roberta Grey, and I love Inspector Alleyn. (Nov. 2007) "
" Another one well-done, with additional action on the Alleyn and Troy front. "
" i love the english way of looking at things "
" Definitely Marsh's best work. Charming characters. "
" Re-reading a favorite...Loved it again. "
" Death of a Peer (Roderick Alleyn Mysteries) by Ngaio Marsh (1998) "
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.
Anton Lesser has, as an associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company, played many of Shakespeare’s most demanding roles, including Troilus (Troilus and Cressida), Edgar (King Lear), Petruchio, Romeo, and Richard III. He is a frequent radio contributor and has recorded many audiobooks, including much of the work of Charles Dickens. Lesser’s narration has won him seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.
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