Setting in for a cozy night of brandy and darts at the pub, an inebriated lawyer suffers a seemingly harmless dart puncture. But within moments of ...
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reviews
Mar 28, 2010
Surreysmum
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Mar 09, 2010
Starfish
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I remember trying to read this ages ago and coming to the conclusion that I didn't like it, and not reading any Ngaio Marsh for years as a result -- funnily enough, even though I am definitely a fan of Marsh's style and work now, I still didn't enjoy it. It was also the only of the three Marshes that I didn't manage to get the murderer, though I don't think that interfered with my enjoyment -- rather she was too good at creating an atmosphere of tension and suspicion, and there was enough other
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Feb 09, 2012
Kristyh
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I really enjoyed the lead up to the murder section of this book, but the sluething left me cold. I found it very repetitive - we went through the scenario once when it happened, once when Alleyn investigated and then again when the Chief Constable rehashed the whole thing. Marsh's cleverness lies in her ability to turn suspicion in every direction so the reader has no idea who is the actual culprit, but she could have wound this one up alot more quickly in my opinion.
Aug 09, 2011
Really enjoyed this book - the story was very well-written and a complete puzzler to me. I was intrigued by the landscape of the village - tried to "see" the tunnel and cliffs and fuze bushes by the sea in my mind - along with the inn and characters and the bar, this created a very picturesque plot. Thanks for sharing this book!
Jun 15, 2011
Michale
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Still enjoying this series, although I did come across one jarring sentence that nearly made me put the book down: "They've found Parrish's affairs are in a muddle and he's been to the Jews." Must remember this was finished in New Zealand in May of 1939.
Dec 07, 2008
Hillary
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I was rather disappointed in this book. I didn't have much sympathy for any of the characters, murderer and murderee included. The narrator on my audible version was excellent, but doesn't quite hold a candle to James Saxon. But then, who could?
Jan 07, 2010
Jay
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Dame Marsh brings along another twisted mystery that will keep the reader guessing to the last few pages.
A cosy game of darts between enemies ends with death by poisoned dart... Go along for the ride and just try and beat Marsh at her own game!
A cosy game of darts between enemies ends with death by poisoned dart... Go along for the ride and just try and beat Marsh at her own game!
Jan 29, 2012
John
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When rereading this one I always remember who, I always remember why, but Marsh stumps me on the how over and over. To use "Marsh" and "great" in the same sentence is redundant.
Jul 28, 2011
Vivl
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I feel no guilt at the pleasure I get from reading Ngaio Marsh novels. Her writing is superb, her characters are intensely human and her mysteries are excellent. What more could one want?
Aug 21, 2010
Madison
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An intricate, well written puzzle mystery as you can expect from Marsh, but ultimately disappointing to me because the murder, once solved, just isn't psychologically compelling.
May 29, 2010
Jennifer
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This was an audiobook download of this audio recording from myilibrary via my local library. Excellent book and recording. My first Ngaio Marsh, but definitely not my last.
May 11, 2010
Sarah
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My first Ngaio Marsh - lovely descriptions but a little convoluted in places. But in general good characterization and a very promising pair of detectives.
Jun 24, 2010
Bettie
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Jan 27, 2012
April the Cheshire Meow
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Christie is fun and traditional, but Marsh is a genius. Her Alleyn novels are far superior in plot, characterization and writing.
Jan 14, 2012
Nancy
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I have been able to figure out the culprit in several of the Ngaio Marsh books I have recently read. This one had me fooled up till the end!
Mar 02, 2011
Kyrie
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Just couldn't get into the main characters enough to care what had happened to them, but the plot was intriguing.
Jan 17, 2012
Lester
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What a GREAT BOOK! Written in 1939 and far surpasses most of the 'whodunits' of newer authors!
I will be checking for other books written by Ngaio Marsh at our libraries.
I will be checking for other books written by Ngaio Marsh at our libraries.
Apr 02, 2010
Brainorgan
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Death at the Bar (Roderick Alleyn Mysteries) by Ngaio Marsh (1998)
Nov 15, 2009
Maureen
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This mystery starts slowly but builds as the book goes on to a clever climax.
Apr 13, 2011
Heidi
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I am just discovering these early Inspector Alleyn mysteries... Classic drawing room mystery without the drawing room and an interesting ending.
Oct 20, 2010
Julie
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I have a tough time warming up to Marsh at times, and this book was one of them. I just didn't much care about anyone in it, with the possible exception of Fox.
Dec 30, 2010
Andrea
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On the whole, this is not a story which emotionally captures me - I did not feel any great bond for any of the players, but it is a neat and very deceptive mystery.
Jul 11, 2011
Jyoti
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Heard the 8-part book on a travel. There were breaks which is about the worst that can happen during a mystery read. And yet, what I remember the most is that it was read well. A single person can represent so many characters so effectively is what impresses me the most about well-read audiobooks. Considering the painstaking research and interviews by the detective, its end was abrupt.
Jan 31, 2011
Beth
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This had been sitting on my shelf for several years. It's not my favorite type of mystery, but I still enjoyed trying to figure out who done it. I would read more by this author, but probably would not put her book at the top of the TBR pile.
Sep 15, 2010
Doina
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I saw the Patrick Malahide TV adaptation of this novel last year. Was trying to remember who the killer was, and for the life of me I couldn't remember. Interesting twists and turns in this one. I like the atmosphere she creates in her novels, and this one didn't disappoint. I didn't much care for the characters, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
Apr 03, 2008
Maggie
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Okay, this is a good airplane book, but that's about it. I left it on the plane, as a matter of fact. I mean it's a story about murder and finding the murderer, but it wasn't wonderfully written or anything. I guess part of it for me is that I don't care about the guy who got married so I didn't really care if they caught the murderer!!
Jan 03, 2012
Thalia
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I read this years ago, re-reading now, although I may remember too much of it for it to be very suspenseful.
Ended up galloping along towards the end (and skimming a bit) due to being up late. Another Marsh puzzle that can be picked apart elegantly.
Ended up galloping along towards the end (and skimming a bit) due to being up late. Another Marsh puzzle that can be picked apart elegantly.
Mar 04, 2010
Jz
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Not one of her best, I'd say. Character development was too shallow for me to care. It didn't take too long to figure out who would die, andit seemed that there were really only three viable suspects, but it did keep one guessing until the end.
Jan 25, 2011
Brett
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One of my all-time favorites. I want to live in this book. The mystery is interesting, the characters are fantastic, & some of the passages are laugh-out-loud funny in a uniquely "British golden age" way.
