The Parlor PI's discussion
Singing in the Shrouds by Ngaio Marsh Chapters 1-3
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message 51:
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Allison
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Jan 09, 2017 07:17PM
I don't know about gay but I had no idea what "R.C." meant. Best I thought of was Roman Catholic and I'm pretty sure that's not what they're alluding to.
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You're right "R.C" is Roman Catholic. I don't know what else those initials would stand for. And having the title of "Father" is associated with that religionI'm probably reading more into it than what's there. I went back and re-read the conversation. Seems like they find the crowd an interesting but weird bunch. The Cuddy's appear to be the kind who condescend their noses at people different from them. And that's probably why Mr. Cuddy remarked, "They look ridiculous to me." I guess seeing two men wearing "black cloaks and hats" associated with a religion and living a different way of life is odd to him -- he doesn't understand it.
I didn't know to what this quote was referring to either: "Mrs. Cuddy, overhearing them, smelt Popery."
The "them" is the 2 Priests.
On another note, while I was trying to find an explanation for what "R.C." meant I found this very book serialized in The Australian Women's Weekly dated 11 Feb 1959! The ads are a hoot! Pg 52 - "Men go for mustard"...too funny!
Link to the 1st page of the story in the newspaper:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/art...
Allison wrote: "I didn't know to what this quote was referring to either: "Mrs. Cuddy, overhearing them, smelt Popery."
The "them" is the 2 Priests."
It said in the preceding line 'They [the 2 priests] settled down to talk Anglo-Catholic shop" -- in other words, things associated with the Roman Catholic church whether it be their doctrines practices, etc and when Mrs. Cuddy overs hear them she refers to their conversation as "Popery" -- almost as if she's saying "here they go with their Roman Catholic stuff again". Popery is just another word for her outright disrespect of the 2 priest's conversation.
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Are we ready to move on to the next section?
Miss Abbott with her man-like qualities seems suspicious also. Could she be a man in disguise?
Anastasia wrote: "Miss Abbott with her man-like qualities seems suspicious also. Could she be a man in disguise?"That could be. I remember the description of the book says that Alleyn is tracking the killer before "he" strikes again. So it does seem like it will be a man who is uncovered as the killer (it would be quite a twist if it was a man in women's clothing!!). Also, I've read some descriptions of Marsh herself as a bit "mannish" so maybe this is one character she modeled after herself?
Nicole wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "Miss Abbott with her man-like qualities seems suspicious also. Could she be a man in disguise?"That could be. I remember the description of the book says that Alleyn is tracking..."
ANYTHING is possible! And the newspaper did refer to the killer as a "sex maniac" so it's possible that this killer has a disturbing sexual nature for the opposite sex while at the same time likes to dress up as a woman!
We usually jump to the conclusion and believe that it could be a man but WHAT IF a woman are behind these murders? We can't leave any stone unturned. It could be the mannish Mrs Abbott but it could be . . . . someone with qualities we would never suspect. Maybe someone as good looking and feminine as . . . . Brigid Carmichael? And what about Aubyn Dale? He's not the most "mannish" gent onboard.
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LovesMysteries wrote: "Allison wrote: "I didn't know to what this quote was referring to either: "Mrs. Cuddy, overhearing them, smelt Popery."
The "them" is the 2 Priests."
It said in the preceding line 'They [the 2 p..."
Oh, that makes sense then. The Cuddy's just seem so judgemental of everyone. A little more "Sister Bertha Better than You" than I can stand. Glad I'm not on the ship with them...there'd be more than 1 murder I tell you lol.
Anastasia wrote: "Miss Abbott with her man-like qualities seems suspicious also. Could she be a man in disguise?"I wondered about that too, Anastasia. I also wondered if maybe she wasn't the gay one since she seemed to, IMO, overreact so much to her "friend" getting married.
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Love the cast of characters thus far. Colorful, mysterious. Man eater. LOL
I trust the above wasn't a spoiler for it looks like I'm the turtle in The Parlor for this one.
Tina wrote: "I trust the above wasn't a spoiler for it looks like I'm the turtle in The Parlor for this one.No, you're not the only turtle. I've been going back and re-reading some parts so I'm lagging behind a bit but I'll be catching up ;)
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In Chapter 2, Sec. 2 I''ve been re-reading it over and over trying to comprehend this "technique" of Mrs. Dillington-Blick but I'm not getting it. Does anyone understand this?And what's with all the flowers in Dillington-Blick's cabin? Are they from friends? What's the reason behind it?
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Not sure about the technique. I'll also have to go back and read that bit.
I wonder if anyone is having a little trouble with Ngaio Marsh's writing style? There are moments I have a hard time following but I sure get it more now than I did when I was younger starting out on Marsh's books. When I was much younger I read A Man Lay Dead and I had some trouble with Marsh's writing style. I then tried Singing In The Shrouds and I didn't get too far in it because I was so frustrated with . . . . yes, you guessed it, her writing style so I stopped reading Marsh completely. And just recently I wanted to get back into her books and see if her writing style would again be a stumbling block for me. Actually I have a much better handle on it now than I did as a younger person, though there are times I go "hmmm, let me read that part again."
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Also, sometimes it's hard to follow the action connected to the characters. Then again, I've not progressed a whole lot into the story. Aside from this, this story is better than one I attempted to read years ago. I gave up on her books but thought to try one again.
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Thanks for the extra info, Pghfan. Never dreamt that those two were a couple. Maybe their characters (Troy and Hastings) clouded my vision. LOL
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Pghfan wrote: "I am not sure whether it is the writing style, but I don't think things flow as easily as I read them, with Marsh's writing. It is probably a sign of how Christie is still so popular, when her peer..."Pghfan, did you understand that scene in Chapter 2 when Mrs. Dillington-Blick tries her "technique" on the steward Dennis? I didn't understand what that technique was all about. I guess this would be my example of a scene that doesn't flow as easily. I read it a few times and it left me scratching my head.
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Pghfan wrote: "I totally agree. Asking myself whether the confusion is on purpose or just her style. She does appear to be a fairly complicated character, as we find out further in the book."It appears Mrs. D.-Blick tries to get inIformation about Dennis. Is her "technique" the ability to use her charms on other men and pull information about themselves?
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Pghfan, do you have an idea as to why Mrs D-Blick has all those flowers in her cabin? It's not like she's a film star receiving flowers from some of her fans.
Pghfan wrote: "It seems to work on some, but not on others!"What I don't understand is why would she have to pay a man to get information about himself? I'm not following. Oh well, I won't let my misunderstandings hinder me from enjoying the story
I think Mrs DBs technique refers to her ability to use her beauty and charm to get men to do things for her. The flowers are from her many male admirers. She is not paying for information but for services. It is well known that tipping initially on a cruise will ensure that you are specially looked after. Remember this is England where tipping is not a normal part of culture as it is in America.
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