Inspector Alleyn -- A Man Lay Dead

I've finished reading my first mystery by Ngaio Marsh, called A Man Lay Dead.  Ngaio Marsh, along with Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham and Dorothy L. Sayers constituted the "Queens of Crime".  They wrote mysteries during the 1920s and 30s, which is considered the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.  I love mysteries, and why I've not read more (or in a couple of cases anything at all) by these authors is beyond me.  I've been in the mood lately for a really traditional type of murder mystery and this fit the bill perfectly.  Marsh wrote 32 mystery novels, and this is the first introducing Inspector Roderick Alleyn.

A Man Lay Dead is a classic murder mystery.  Five guests have been invited to the country house of Sir Hubert Handesley, where they are going to take part in a parlor game called "Murder".  Nearly all are of the British upper crust and wealthy, and maybe a few have one or two secrets they'd prefer to keep under wraps.  What begins as an entertaining weekend filled with a bit of (pretend) murder and mayhem ends quickly in the death of Handesley's good friend, Charles Rankin.  Although Rankin was nearing middle age, he was still quite handsome, rather wealthy and a bit of a womanizer, burning the candle at both ends even at this weekend party.  And he made the mistake of bringing with him an unusual Russian dagger that the murderer will use to dispatch him.  Conveniently (well not for him anyway) more than one house guest has something to gain by his death. 

Of course Scotland Yard is called in and we are introduced to Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn.  I always like to get a good handle on my sleuths.  Marsh was very careful not to reveal too much, too soon, and I still don't feel like I really know him.  Handesley's niece, Angela, remarks:

"Alleyn did not resemble a plain-clothes policeman she felt sure, nor was he in the romantic manner--white-faced and gimlet-eyed.  He looked like one of her uncle Hubert's friends, the sort that they knew would 'do' for house-parties.  He was very tall, and lean, his hair was dark, and his eyes grey with corners that turned down. They looked as if they would smile easily but his mouth didn't."

He seems to have a very dry sense of humor and has this self-deprecating manner.  You feel from his words that maybe he's not entirely in control, but his actions put that idea to rest.  Quite often in mystery novels the detective is an everyday sort of guy, but you get the feeling that Alleyn is equally as distinguished as the guests at Handesley's house party with his 'cultured voice', and he's most certainly a bright fellow and well-educated.  He's a gentleman detective, but he most certainly doesn't play up any of these facts.

I've never been very good at figuring out who the culprit is, and this story was no exception.  Marsh gave me every chance, leaving clues to follow or maybe to trip me up.  On a couple of occasions when a detail was revealed I know I mentally uttered an "oh, so that's what happened, why didn't I figure it out".  She did have a couple of twists that took the story onto an entirely different track, throwing in a little international intrigue along with simple run of the mill murder.  All in all this was a very satisfying read.  I've already ordered or am mooching the next couple of Inspector Alleyn mysteries, Enter a Murderer and The Nursing Home Murder, but it appears that some of her books have gone out of print.  I guess I'll be looking be keeping an eye out for them used.  I'd also like to read more Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, and I've yet to even try Margery Allingham.

In the meantime, however, I have Elizabeth George's new mystery Careless in Red.  It's been at least three years since the last Inspector Lynley mystery, and I'm curious to see where she takes the story after killing off one of the main characters last time around!  Lynley is another posh detective, titled and all, and I am completely addicted to the series.  It's one of the few that I've read each and every installment since the very beginning.  Some of the last few have been a bit uneven, but I still can't help myself and will read them irregardless.  I'm disappointed that the BBC canceled the TV series, but at least I still have the books!         

Comments

[Alisia]

I am slowly catching up on my blog reading, and what a great post to open up! I love Agatha Christie, but the others are new to me. I'll definitely be checking out these "Queens of Crime".

[Kay]

I think I read a Ngaio Marsh book years and years ago. Probably when I was first reading Agatha Christie. I need to read some of them. I have CARELESS IN RED here to read as well. Love Tommy and Havers. I'm anxious to see how the direction the series will take now. I also love the TV series and have already mourned the fact that the last few episodes will come on MYSTERY this summer. Even though Nathaniel Parker did not look at all like I imagined Lynley, he really grew on me. Now, in my mind, he is Thomas Lynley.

[Litlove]

I like Ngaio Marsh, particularly the ones set in the theatre world. Death in A White Tie is by far and away the best one of hers I've ever read. I haven't read much Elizabeth George, though. I've got A Traitor to Memory on my shelves but it's so huge I keep getting put off.

[Smithereens]

I read too fast and nearly stumbled on "a bit of (pretend) murder and mayhem ends quickly in the death of Handesley's good friend, IAN Rankin" ;) Oops, my mistake!
Please do keep us posted on the latest Elizabeth George! When I knew an important character had been killed off in the one before, I couldn't bring myself to buy the book as I feared it might be the end of the series... I'm now relieved!

[Victoria]

I love reading your posts on mystery novels. I read so few myself, despite wanting to expand my repetoire and read more. :-) I hadn't heard of Ngagio Marsh until today, but will keep an eye out for second hand copies now.

[Dorothy W.]

I was not familiar with Marsh, so thanks for the introduction! I had no idea she was part of the Golden Age of detective fiction, which I know very little about to begin with. So much to learn!

[Danielle]

Alisia--I really need to read more Agatha Christie--I've only read a few of her books and seen a few of the movie adaptations. All of a sudden this is exactly the type of mystery I'm in the mood for.
Kay--I think I'm in the mood for a mystery binge of the Ngaio Marsh/Agatha Christie type, but I'll have to read the E. George first. I hope to start it properly this weekend--it's waiting for me on my nightstand. I felt the same way about the series. When I saw the cast I was so disappointed (they weren't at all how I imagined them) that I didn't even watch the first couple of seasons. I finally started watching the videos and was hooked (now I own all the DVDs). I think Nathaniel Parker does an excellent job and he's exactly how I picture him now! I didn't realize that there were still a few episodes left to air--I thought it was completely finished, so I have something to look forward to at least.
Litlove--I'm looking forward to getting into the Marsh series! I'm going to try and read them in order, as I like to see how the detective character develops. Elizabeth George's books didn't start out so long, but it seems with each new novel they do get a bt chunkier! I think mystery novels can get a little too convoluted if they get too long. It seems most mystery novels are only around 300 pages (more or less) and that works well for me, too! She is worth the effort I think, though her earlier novels might be just a tinier bit better than some of her later books.
Smithereens--I'm not sure why George needed to kill of the character she did, but it'll be interesting to see where she takes things. I was also wondering if that meant the end of the series as well. I'm curious about this one--I've certainly waited long enough to find out, as I didn't read that interim novel (What Came Before He Shot Her). Have you seen the BBC adaptation? And isn't it funny how your mind fills in the blanks as you read ahead? I do that, too!
Victoria--She's very much in the vein of Agatha Christie--a very traditional mystery novelist. I wanted to try has as I read she was one of the "queens of crime" from this golden age of mysteries. I do like Inspector Alleyn. They're quick reads and I'm sure you can find an abundance of used copies about. I love reading mysteries and have to have at least one near by--they're very addicting!
Dorothy--I had heard of her, but for so long I wasn't in the mood for that sort of mystery, but I very much enjoyed it. I need to give Margery Allingham a try now--after reading your post about her I'll be looking for some of her books, too. There is so much to learn, isn't there?!

[Kitty]

I also like the Ngaio Marsh theatrical mysteries; LIGHT THICKENS is a favorite. I love the character of Peregrine Jay in those books; wish he'd appeared in others.

I read a lot of mysteries, but for some reason I've just never been able to get into Elizabeth George. I just don't like the characters, I think... I'm not sure what it is!

[Ann Darnton]

I love Ngaio Marsh and am really envious that you still have them all to read. Although, I suppose there is nothing stopping me from reading them again. I wonder if they would stand up to a second read? I'm glad to hear the George is out. I wonder if it's available in the UK yet? I must go and jog the library's arm.

[jenclair]

I checked out a Ngaio Marsh from the library years ago and then went on to read every one I could find. It has been years, however, and I think I'd like to renew that acquaintance.

[Danielle]

Kitty--I'm planning on reading the Marsh books in order. I think the second one has a theatrical setting, and I'm looking forward to it as so many people have called these favorites! I really like the George mysteries, but I do know what it's like not to click with characters.
Ann--It is nice to discover a good author and then find out she has a whole slew of books to look forward to reading! I just received the second one in the mail yesterday and contemplated opening it and starting to read, but I'd better not, since I have Careless in Red waiting for me. I hate that publishing lag between the US and the UK. Wouldn't it be nice if books were published simultaneously in both places?!
Jenclair--I liked the first one so much I am going to try and buy the books (new or used--whatever I can get my hands on). I'm sure my library has them, but it's nice to be able to go back to them later.

[Krakovianka]

I recently began reading Ngaio Marsh mysteries--my Krakow library has a couple dozen books from the 60's, I think. Every one I've picked up has had a theatrical setting.

Now Elizabeth George--I must see if I can find a copy of her new book. Thanks for the heads-up on that! I really enjoy her writing, although the last couple of books have been hard to read.

[Danielle]

Krakovianka--I've heard Marsh's books set in the theater are especially good, so I'm looking forward to them. I hope to start Careless in Red this weekend. I think she's good, too, but I think I prefer some of her earlier books to the later ones. The newer books have gotten very long, haven't they. Still I always have to read her books.