From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

False Scent (Roderick Alleyn, #21)

Ngaio Marsh

Start date: September 1, 2019

Finish date: September 30, 2019

Discussion: Group Challenges

Why we're reading this: The next in our Inspector Alleyn challenge.
[close] The next in our Inspector Alleyn challenge.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 168 topics — 7,798 comments total

Group Challenges

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) by Agatha Christie
By Susan · 17 posts · 20 views

last updated Sep 25, 2025 01:00PM

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

last updated Sep 16, 2025 12:58PM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Sep 01, 2019 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the twenty first in the Roderick Alleyn series, first published in 1959. This mystery takes place over one day, which begins with the fiftieth birthday of actress, Mary Bellamy. Mary has been a leading lady at the theatre for years, but she is now fifty and extremely touchy about her age. As her family, and admirers, appear, she has a large party planned. However, all is not destined to go well.

Her adopted son, Richard, who has previously written comedy plays with his mother in mind, ha ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2022 John rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ngaio-marsh

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

5 likes · Like · see review

Dec 08, 2021 Lady Wesley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-golden-age-or-similar, listened

This is another of Marsh’s mysteries related to the theater. It’s lots of fun, and the whodunnit was quite a surprise.

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 23, 2019 Jill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ngaio-marsh

One of Marsh's better books I thought. It certainly had me guessing. A temperamental actress, as she comes across to the reader, dying at her 50th birthday party,where she upsets lots of guests. People lurking on landings or worse for wear on celebrating are all suspects for Allyen and Fox to sort out, along with family and servants who are also very upset. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 26, 2019 Leslie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, mysteries

An interesting way to commit impromptu murder in this entry of the Alleyn series! I figured out the guilty party fairly early (even before the murder had happened!) though there were critical aspects that I didn't get until Alleyn explained them. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 23, 2015 Ellen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: marsh, mystery-roderick-alleyn, mystery-sleuth, mystery-cozy

False Scent by Ngaio Marsh.

The theatrics begins at the beginning and it is over the top theatrics. The people involved are all wrapped up in the London stage with this gala celebration for Mary Bellamy's 50th birthday bash. The well wishers are as superficially thrilled with Mary as she is with each one of her so-called admirers.

Then someone substitutes poison for Mary's favorite azalea spray and she ends up murdered... but by who and why? That's for Inspector Roderick Alleyn to deduce.

I loved t ...more

Like · see review

Jul 25, 2016 Carissa rated it really liked it

A fun read, as Marsh's books generally are, but the apparently obligatory "young couple in love" become interchangeable and rather tedious as the series progresses. ...more

Like · see review