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Tied Up in Tinsel Audiobook
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(3.55) - 40 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
An English manor house on the moors is an ideal setting for a murder—and for one of Ngaio Marsh's classic murder mysteries.
The occasion is a Christmas party hosted by Mr. Hilary Bill-Tasman, landed proprietor of Halberds Manor and authority on antiques. Santa Claus is in attendance, played by a highly unpopular servant. When he goes missing after his performance, foul play is immediately suspected. There are a number of unusual characters attending the festivities, several of whom are perfectly logical candidates for murderer—and one of whom will elude the most prescient listener until tracked down by the indefatigable Inspector Roderick Alleyn, whose wife, Troy, innocently involved him in all these sinister goings-on in the first place.
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"Excellent! A proper British mystery. And as it's set during a Christmas party, just perfect for this time of year. I don't really know why Ngaio Marsh doesn't seem to be as well-known or widely read as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. Her mysteries are just as fun as theirs. "
— Sara (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“It’s time to start comparing Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around.”
— New York magazine -
“Agreeably effortless telling.”
— Guardian (UK) -
“One of her best and most baffling mysteries.”
— Daily Express (UK) -
“So entertaining that I recommend it unreservedly.”
— Daily Telegraph (UK) -
“Dame Ngaio has yet to write a mystery that is less than perfect.”
— Oregonian
Awards
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A 1973 Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee for Best Novel
Tied Up in Tinsel Listener Reviews
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" ( Morte de Gravata Branca ) "
— Babete, 3/14/2011 -
" One of my least favourite Marsh's. Another where I cannot like it because of who the murderer is. <br/> <br/>[spoilers removed] "
— Andrea, 2/1/2011 -
" What a joy to rediscover Ngaio Marsh and her detective, Roderick Alleyn. Sharp wit, decent plotting, and good character studies make these old books true classics of the genre. "
— Gail, 1/10/2011 -
" A pleasant, straightforward mystery with a good set-up. "
— Anne, 1/5/2011 -
" A great audiobook - abridged, of course. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch, who does a fantastic (and sometimes hilarious) job with all the voices. I can't say it was the most amazing mystery ever, but a fun romp in the Gentleman Detective genre. "
— Megan, 1/4/2011 -
" Beautifully mastered mystery. <br/>spoiler..... <br/> <br/> <br/>this is the one where Troy accepts Rory. "
— Diane, 9/14/2010 -
" Troy is trapped in a house by a heavy snowfall over Christmas at a country house staffed by ex-cons. "
— Colin, 9/5/2010 -
" Sometimes you read what you've got because you've got it. "
— Tara, 7/12/2010 -
" I've enjoyed the movies BBC made of some of these mysteries, but now that I'm going back and reading the books, WOW are they SO much better! <em>Death in a White Tie</em> had all the good bits of the movie, but a lot more complexity to the plot, and some sweet Troy bits to boot. "
— Anne, 7/7/2010 -
" A marvelous foray by Marsh into the haute monde of 1930's London. "
— Brett, 5/24/2010 -
" Death In A White Tie (Roderick Alleyn Mysteries) by Ngaio Marsh (1997) "
— Brainorgan, 4/2/2010 -
" Lovely characterisation, good plot, enough of a mystery to be interesting but not too much that you felt burdened with it. Unlike the last Ngaio Marsh I read, I didn't feel weighed down with needless details. Some lovely moments, and the added bonus of including Troy. "
— Starfish, 2/10/2010 -
" I read this before Christmas as it had a nice seasonal theme. A very enjoyable and beautifully written book, just perfect for some Yuletide reading. "
— Vanda, 1/1/2010 -
" I quite enjoyed this book, but I found the mystery itself a bit more muddled than normal for Ngaio Marsh. "
— Mike, 11/10/2009 -
" Ngaio is often compared to Agatha Christie, but I find her more detailed and in some ways a better writer. This book reflects the English upper class life of the '30s woven in a very good mystery. Lots of fun to read! "
— Slarson6, 7/28/2009 -
" This is a good one. The story is engrossing and the love angle is veddy briddish. Some things tied together a little too easily but the central mystery held together. "
— Lee, 6/24/2009 -
" 7th in series. 1938. <br/> <br/>Typical Golden Age of Mystery story with Ms. Marsh's touch. Lovely character development of Roderick Alleyn. A verfy good addition to the series. "
— Jz, 2/24/2009 -
" Not the best mystery I've ever read -- was disappointed by the victim chosen, as she allowed the reader to get a little too attached to him -- but I liked Detective Alleyn, his mother, and the time period in which it was set. "
— Emily, 8/22/2008 -
" I love Ngaio Marsh books. Superintendent Roderick Alleyn is prodded into a murder investigation after his wife Troy innocently involves him in all the sinster events. If you want a fun, easy mystery this book is perfect. <br/> <br/> "
— Elizabeth, 1/31/2008
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.