Journal Entry 1 by potok-fan from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Friday, March 31, 2006

Journal Entry 2 by potok-fan from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Sunday, May 28, 2006

A review excerpt from the TLS is reprinted on the back cover: "Full marks...a really clever problem in detection." I would agree that this is a clever puzzle, with some unexpected twists and turns. There is less character development than in some of Marsh's other books, though. It's probably mostly (but not exclusively) the lack of that depth of characterization which left me feeling that this was not one of Marsh's best.

I found it interesting to see just how long the trope has been around of the detective-novel-detective drawing attention to how unlike detective-novel-detectives he is (this book was first published in 1939)!

"Look at those cigarette butts, squalid little beasts. Hallo!" He stooped and picked up two of them.

"The cigarette butt," he said, "has been derided by our detective novelists. It has lost caste and now ranks with the Chinese and datura. No self-respecting demi-highbrow will use it. That's because old Conan Doyle knew his job and got in first. But you and I Br'er Fox, sweating hacks that we are, are not so superior." 

Journal Entry 3 by potok-fan from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Wednesday, June 14, 2006

I put this book up on the mystery/conspiracy/political relay, and geishabird accepted it. I plan to get it into the post sometime this week, Friday at the latest. 

Journal Entry 4 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Received today...thank you! My mother has recommended I check out Ngaio Marsh, so I'm very pleased to have this. 

Journal Entry 5 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I found this an enjoyable mystery - not great, but good and interesting. Marsh's writing has a literary spin that I find amusing. I've only read a couple of her books so far but am really starting to like her style and will definitely read more. I like Alleyn quite a lot and his relationship with his "Br'er Fox" is endearing - reminds me a bit of Peter Wimsey and Bunter. Thanks for sharing.

I feel I must chastize the publishers of this edition, however - the back-cover-blurb actually gives away an important plot point, something that isn't revealed until quite late in the book. It doesn't give away the solution, but it does point the reader in a certain direction...shame shame! So any subsequent readers of this copy: don't read the back!!! :) 

Journal Entry 6 by blackadder75 from Lebanon, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Got this book in yesterday's mail. I can't wait to read it. 

Journal Entry 7 by blackadder75 at Lebanon, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, September 04, 2010

Another great book by Ngaio Marsh. I really thought that the book was very well written with a few twists. I figured who was going to be the victim but not who was the murderer. Everyone seemed to have a motive and no one an opportunitity.