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Death in a White Tie (Roderick Alleyn, #7)

Ngaio Marsh

Start date: July 1, 2023

Finish date: August 7, 2023

Discussion: Group reads

Why we're reading this: Winner of the poll for our July group read - one of Marsh's best!…more
[close] Winner of the poll for our July group read - one of Marsh's best!

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Group reads

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What Members Thought

Jun 19, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This seventh book in the Inspector Alleyn series was published in 1938. This is set in the world of debutantes and coming out balls. Alleyn’s own mother, Lady Alleyn, is bringing out his niece, Sarah, and is looking forward to doing the Season. One of the balls that everyone is most looking forward to is that given by Sir Herbert and Lady Evelyn Carrados, for Evelyn’s daughter, Bridget. Meanwhile, Alleyn has asked his old friend, Lord Robert Gospell, who is always invited everywhere, to keep his ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Aug 06, 2011 Bev rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-mystery, cozy, police-procedural, vintage-mystery, mystery

Death in a White Tie is a reread for me. I discovered Ngaio Marsh back at my hometown Carnegie Library (more moons ago than we need to count) and I promptly read through all the Marsh books they had. Later, about twenty years ago, I read some of them again and Death in a White Tie was one simply because it's one of my favorites. There are so many things I enjoy about this tale of murder and blackmail amongst the London Society at the height of the Season--from the witty dialogue, to the scenes a Death in a White Tie is a reread for me. I discovered Ngaio Marsh back at my hometown Carnegie Library (more moons ago than we need to count) and I promptly read through all the Marsh books they had. Later, about twenty years ago, I read some of them again and Death in a White Tie was one simply because it's one of my favorites. There are so many things I enjoy about this tale of murder and blackmail amongst the London Society at the height of the Season--from the witty dialogue, to the scenes at the various society dos (debutante balls and teas and Agatha Troy's one-man art show), to the understate romance between Alleyn and Troy, to his affection for his mother, to the undercurrents of gossip in the chaperone circle at the dance. It's all so veddy, veddy British and elegant and well-done. And Marsh presents us with one of the most sympathetic victims--who doesn't want Bunchy's killer found and punished to the full extent of the law?

The story begins with Inspector Roderick Alleyn asking Lord Robert "Bunchy" Gospell to assist him in tracking down a despicable blackmailer who is at work among the cream of London society. Bunchy moves through society like everyone's favorite uncle. He can talk to anyone and go anywhere and no one would suspect that behind his twinkle and rather high, almost silly voice lies a very sharp brain that has helped the officials with other difficult problems in the past. His first assignment--to attend a performance of Bach at one of the new concert-rooms and attempt to find out who collects the blackmail money which the latest victim has been instructed to leave in her purse stuffed into a blue sofa. As Alleyn tells him:

Bunchy, let nothing wean you from the blue sofa. Talk to Mrs. Halcut-Hackett. Share the blue sofa with her and when the austere delights of Bach knock at your heart pay no attention...

Lord Robert does his job well and becomes convinced he knows the blackmailer's identity even though the lights were dimmed when the bag was collected. But he wants to be sure of his facts and confirmation comes at the next society function, a ball held by Lady Carrados for her daughter's coming-out. He calls up Alleyn before he leaves (to be sure the Inspector will still be at the Yard) and, unfortunately, someone walks in on his conversation. Two hours later, a taxi rushes up to the Yard with the driver announcing that his fare's been murdered. He's right...and the murdered man is Lord Robert Gospell.

Alleyn is dismayed and clearly shaken, not because he's lost a vital witness but because he's lost a very dear friend. He also feels directly responsible since Lord Robert was involved purely at his behest and he gives us a bit of the avenging hero speech when he speaks to Bunchy's sister.

I tell you this, Mildred, if it takes me the rest of my life, and if it costs me my job, by God! if I have to do the killing myself, I'll get the murderer and see him suffer for it.

He quickly realizes the melodrama of his words and says, "Good Lord, what a speech! Bunchy would have laughed at it." But, with the aid of Detective-Inspector Fox, he sifts through the movements of each suspect and makes good on his vow--bringing the crime home to murderer in less than two days.

This is, I believe, one of Marsh's best novels. It doesn't matter that I've read it before and know who the culprit is. I enjoy every minute that I spend in the company of the dashing gentleman policeman, Roderick Alleyn. ★★★★ for a lovely vintage read.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks. ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2021 Lady Wesley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: aud-rev, mystery-golden-age-or-similar, mystery-with-a-touch-of-romance, listened

Review of the audiobook narrated by James Saxon

What a wonderfully entertaining mystery! Of course, I could not identify the culprit until Alleyn explained it, but every jot and tittle of evidence fit in perfectly. Honestly, I don't know how mystery writers do it. The only downside here is that the victim (Lord Robert, known as "Bunchie") is a friend of Alleyn's and a most entertaining character. Most of the suspects are Alleyn's friends as well, and given that they all are members of the upper c ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 26, 2018 Bev rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-mystery, mystery, vintage-mystery, marsh-challenge, audionovel, bought-2018

Death in a White Tie is my absolute favorite Ngaio Marsh novel. I have read it many times and watched the BBC episode starring Patrick Malahide several times as well. This is the second time I have listened to Benedict Cumberbatch read in the audio novel version. I have posted a more thorough review (when I read this in 2014) which may be found HERE.

This time I will merely repeat what I said then: This is, I believe, one of Marsh's best novels. It doesn't matter that I've read it before and know ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 25, 2019 Bev rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: british-mystery, mystery, vintage-mystery, bought-2019

see review other edtions

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 24, 2018 ShanDizzy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A diabolical scheme leading to the murder of a sweet, likable, kind sir. Alleyn and the crew at their best to catch the killer because this time it is personal. An edge-of-your-seat conclusion. Love blossoms to the full amidst this terrible tragedy.

1 like · Like · see review