False Scent (1959) by Ngaio Marsh

[Susan]

Welcome to the 21st novel in the Roderick Alleyn series, which sees Marsh turning back to the theatre for inspiration.

Mary Bellamy, darling of the London stage, holds a 50th birthday party, a gala for everyone who loves her and fears her power. Then someone uses a deadly insect spray on Mary instead of the azaleas. The suspects, all very theatrically, are playing the part of mourners. Superintendent Alleyn has to find out which one played the murderer…

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Susan]

Not quite in the theatre in this novel, but definitely among the theatrical :) Not quite finished this yet, but enjoying it so far.

[Judy]

Yes, very familiar Marsh territory with the theatrical characters and all the backbiting among them! I was quite pleased to see her returning to her comfort zone after a few very different settings in the last 3 books.

[Jill]

I do think this is among the better books of hers

[Susan]

I have nearly finished this and am enjoying it so far. Classic GA with an unsympathetic victim and a theatrical cast of characters.

[Denise S]

I've been trying to read these in order but I'll jump out of order to read this one and try to join in on the conversation. I usually read several books in the same time period instead of blazing through just one so I may be a bit slow.

[Judy]

I don't think it matters if you read this one out of order, Denise - hope you enjoy it.

[Denise S]

Judy wrote: "I don't think it matters if you read this one out of order, Denise - hope you enjoy it."

Thanks, Judy.

[Susan]

Interested to hear a reference to the Goon Show by Alleyn, which, despite having started in the early Fifties, felt very modern. I still think of these books being set firmly in the 1930's!

[Michaela]

I´ve read a lot of chapters till now, and the murder hasn´t happened till now (a bit boring), but will soon I guess. Looking ahead to this!

[Susan]

If you find this a bit dull, Michaela, you might be best to go back to one of the earlier mysteries, when Marsh was - I think - at her best.

[Sandy]

I've started this now and it has the characteristic Marsh opening as we meet the suspects and get to know the group dynamics (vs. back-filling the story with suspect interviews). I think this method works well, though it means we see less of Allen and Foxx. It gives the series a different flavor from the ones where we are following the detective from the first page wait for him to be drawn into a murder.

[Denise S]

This book isn't engaging me very much, though it is far from awful. I think the very long, somewhat boring introduction to the murder and Allyn and Fox has something to do with it. But, Marsh certainly knows how to write unappealing characters very well! There are so many characters in the introductory chapters with all kinds of motives! Looking forward to reading the last half.

[Michaela]

Susan wrote: "If you find this a bit dull, Michaela, you might be best to go back to one of the earlier mysteries, when Marsh was - I think - at her best."

I will complete this, though the murder hasn´t happened after 28% yet! I understand that it´s supposed to show all the persons (and relations between them) who can be possible suspects, but they are a lot, and it also takes a lot of time.

Anyway, which earlier mystery would you recommend? Thanks!

[Susan]

I enjoyed Death in a White Tie but I am sure people will be happy to recommend other choices.

[Michaela]

Thanks Susan! Will try that after I´ve read this one.

And yes, the murder has happened! Looking ahead to the rest!

[David]

I read this one last year, second Marsh book for me. I really enjoyed it. Maybe I should move to the spoiler thread.

[Bicky]

I joined the challenge late so I have not reread the earlier Marshes this time round. Somehow, I enjoyed this one a lot perhaps because all the characters were vividly portrayed.

It is strange that while Marsh and Alleyn have so many books which involve the theatre including murders on stage, within the theatre or involving actors etc., Christie, as far as I remember, has no murders in a theatre, on or off stage. She has one book involving actors - Lord Edgware Dies and even that book has lot of characters not involved with the theatre.

It is not as if Christie had no connection to theatre!

[Tara]

I actually liked the fact that the murder occurred somewhat later in the book, and I thought the development of the characters up to that point helped to flesh out the mystery in the latter part. If all of the novels have a very similar formula, one tends to tire of them easily, especially if you read them back to back as we are for this challenge.
As also discussed on the spoiler thread, I was particularly fond of Octavius the bookseller, and surely would be bankrupt if I had such a shop next door.
On other good Marsh books to read, I liked Died in the Wool, Death in a White Tie, and the last entry Singing in the Shrouds.