From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Off With His Head (Roderick Alleyn #19)

Ngaio Marsh

Start date: July 1, 2019

Finish date: July 31, 2019

Discussion: Group Challenges

Why we're reading this: Next in our Inspector Alleyn challenge. This book is also known as Death of a Fool.
[close] Next in our Inspector Alleyn challenge. This book is also known as Death of a Fool.

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Group Challenges

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) by Agatha Christie
By Susan · 16 posts · 18 views

last updated Sep 12, 2025 08:12PM

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) - SPOILER Thread
By Susan · 13 posts · 22 views

last updated Sep 16, 2025 12:58PM

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What Members Thought

May 04, 2020 John rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ngaio-marsh

An entertaining read. Morris dancing with a twist!

Annually in the depths of winter in a remote English village the Dance of the five sons is performed on Sword Wednesday during the Winter Solstice. It has been performed for hundreds of years. The key characters in the dance are "The Fool", "The Hobbyhorse" "and "The teaser" (called "Betty").

Mrs. Bunz, an eccentric German folklorist turns up at Mardian Castle wanting to witness the secretive annual folk dance. She is given short thrift by 94 year ...more

20 likes · Like · see review

Jan 02, 2017 Gillian Kevern rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, queens-of-crime, vintage, nz-author, 1950s, police-procedural

This was a reread. I remembered the basics, but not all the details. Actually, I was impressed what a strong impression some parts left, while other parts I remembered as being completely different.

A good Ngaio Marsh, but not her best.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2022 Mike Penlington rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ngaio-marsh, ytd2022

An excellent whodunit and, perhaps more puzzling, howdunit! Some interesting insights into old English folklore and Morris dancing, later of which I really had no understanding of at all I discovered.

1 like · Like · see review