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Roderick Alleyn #29
Last Ditch
Ricky Alleyn, son of the renowned police detective Roderick Alleyn, has taken himself to a secluded island to write a novel. Or think about writing a novel. Or look for distractions so he can avoid writing a novel.
The distractions abound, mostly in the form of colorful local characters, so all is beer and skittles until Ricky stumbles across a murder and then gets himself kidnapped. Naturally his father rushes to the island to save the day . . .
The distractions abound, mostly in the form of colorful local characters, so all is beer and skittles until Ricky stumbles across a murder and then gets himself kidnapped. Naturally his father rushes to the island to save the day . . .
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 28, 1976
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716 people want to read
About the author
Ngaio Marsh
202books788followersDame Ngaio Marsh, born Edith Ngaio Marsh, was a New Zealand crime writer and theatre director. There is some uncertainty over her birth date as her father neglected to register her birth until 1900, but she was born in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand.
Of all the "Great Ladies" of the English mystery's golden age, including Margery Allingham, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh alone survived to publish in the 1980s. Over a fifty-year span, from 1932 to 1982, Marsh wrote thirty-two classic English detective novels, which gained international acclaim. She did not always see herself as a writer, but first planned a career as a painter.
Marsh's first novel, A MAN LAY DEAD (1934), which she wrote in London in 1931-32, introduced the detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn: a combination of Sayers's Lord Peter Wimsey and a realistically depicted police official at work. Throughout the 1930s Marsh painted occasionally, wrote plays for local repertory societies in New Zealand, and published detective novels. In 1937 Marsh went to England for a period. Before going back to her home country, she spent six months travelling about Europe.
All her novels feature British CID detective Roderick Alleyn. Several novels feature Marsh's other loves, the theatre and painting. A number are set around theatrical productions (Enter a Murderer, Vintage Murder, Overture to Death, Opening Night, Death at the Dolphin, and Light Thickens), and two others are about actors off stage (Final Curtain and False Scent). Her short story "'I Can Find My Way Out" is also set around a theatrical production and is the earlier "Jupiter case" referred to in Opening Night. Alleyn marries a painter, Agatha Troy, whom he meets during an investigation (Artists in Crime), and who features in several later novels.
Series:
*
Of all the "Great Ladies" of the English mystery's golden age, including Margery Allingham, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh alone survived to publish in the 1980s. Over a fifty-year span, from 1932 to 1982, Marsh wrote thirty-two classic English detective novels, which gained international acclaim. She did not always see herself as a writer, but first planned a career as a painter.
Marsh's first novel, A MAN LAY DEAD (1934), which she wrote in London in 1931-32, introduced the detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn: a combination of Sayers's Lord Peter Wimsey and a realistically depicted police official at work. Throughout the 1930s Marsh painted occasionally, wrote plays for local repertory societies in New Zealand, and published detective novels. In 1937 Marsh went to England for a period. Before going back to her home country, she spent six months travelling about Europe.
All her novels feature British CID detective Roderick Alleyn. Several novels feature Marsh's other loves, the theatre and painting. A number are set around theatrical productions (Enter a Murderer, Vintage Murder, Overture to Death, Opening Night, Death at the Dolphin, and Light Thickens), and two others are about actors off stage (Final Curtain and False Scent). Her short story "'I Can Find My Way Out" is also set around a theatrical production and is the earlier "Jupiter case" referred to in Opening Night. Alleyn marries a painter, Agatha Troy, whom he meets during an investigation (Artists in Crime), and who features in several later novels.
Series:
*
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
May 23, 2020
This is the twenty ninth in the Roderick Alleyn series and the second appearance by Ricky Alleyn, son of Alleyn and Troy. Previously met as a child, he is now twenty one and an aspiring author. Jasper and Julia Pharamond, a couple that Alleyn and Troy had met, previously on a cruise, have arranged lodgings for Ricky with the Farants. Mrs Farant used to work for the Pharamond’s and so Ricky intends to spend the long vacation writing.
His good intentions are somewhat affected by a crush on Julia and by events in the fishing village of Deep Cove. These include the surly painter, Sid Jones, the overly religious stable owner, Mr Harkness, and his pregnant niece, Dulcie, who is refusing to say who the father of her baby is, and, of course, murder. When Ricky goes riding, with the Pharamond’s, and they come across a body in a ditch, it is, initially, seen as an accident. Ricky, though, possesses some of his father’s desire to uncover the truth � but without his skills or subtlety.
This crime involves drugs and those involved seem a little too obvious. The novel does not really come alive until Alleyn comes onto the scene, but Ricky’s interest in crime makes me wonder whether he will appear in future books (admittedly, I am now near the end of the series) or whether Ngaio Marsh had considered using him as a possible successor to his father. Overall, rated 3.5.
His good intentions are somewhat affected by a crush on Julia and by events in the fishing village of Deep Cove. These include the surly painter, Sid Jones, the overly religious stable owner, Mr Harkness, and his pregnant niece, Dulcie, who is refusing to say who the father of her baby is, and, of course, murder. When Ricky goes riding, with the Pharamond’s, and they come across a body in a ditch, it is, initially, seen as an accident. Ricky, though, possesses some of his father’s desire to uncover the truth � but without his skills or subtlety.
This crime involves drugs and those involved seem a little too obvious. The novel does not really come alive until Alleyn comes onto the scene, but Ricky’s interest in crime makes me wonder whether he will appear in future books (admittedly, I am now near the end of the series) or whether Ngaio Marsh had considered using him as a possible successor to his father. Overall, rated 3.5.
June 12, 2020
Started out as an interesting read, as Troy and Alleyn's son Ricky is on a small island attempting to write a book (we never learn much about it, I assume its a novel). Then we take a strange detour into horses and a convoluted drug ring, that I did not find particularly compelling. I still think her writing is stronger than her earlier books, but this was not my favorite.
January 1, 2019
A very entertaining book for me. I only recently learned of Alleyn's son Ricky in the book where he is introduced as a very bright little 6 year-old boy. Whether he appears in any other books in the series I am unaware, not having read all of them. This book places Ricky, at 21, front and center. He is on a break, staying as a boarder on an island where he believes he will live quietly, concentrating on writing a book.
A social connection of his parents found the place for him and also welcomed him to the island with dining at their impressive house along with outings that included horseback riding, not a familiar activity for Ricky. This sparkling socially adroit and very much married Julia becomes what is likely Ricky's first real crush.
There will be police action, of course, but the spotlight is on drug trafficking again as it was in "Spinsters." As events conspire, Alleyn will be called to manage the investigation, there is a suspicious death of a horsewoman, attempt on Ricky's life and later kidnapping of Ricky who ends up in the thick of things.
Rather than give away the plot...
Strangely amusing description of one of Ricky's dinner partners when he first arrived:
"Then comes Miss Harkness. She was a well-developed girl with a weather-beaten complexion and hands so horny that Ricky was reminded of hooves."
Alleyn's reluctance to interfere where his son was staying:
his AC-"'We haven't got anyone on the island so far. The lead on Saint Pierre's only just come through. What's the young chap doing there, Rory?'
Alleyn said very firmly, 'He's writing a book, sir. He went over there to put himself out of the way of distraction and has set himself a time limit.'
'Writing!' repeated the A.C. dicontentedly. 'A book!' And he added: 'Extraordinary what they get up to nowadays, isn't it? One of mine runs a discotheque.'"
The A.C. went on to add that there was yet another coincidence at that island, a "riding fatality." He then explained that the Super at Montjoy was down with a perforated appendix, so there it was. 'There's a funny noise.'
'It may be my teeth. Grinding.'
The A.C. gave a high whinnying laugh. 'You can take Fox with you, of course.'"
The final pages of this Felony & Mayhem paperback includes a delightful extract from a collection of short stories by Marsh where she describes the creation of her character Roderick Alleyn.
A social connection of his parents found the place for him and also welcomed him to the island with dining at their impressive house along with outings that included horseback riding, not a familiar activity for Ricky. This sparkling socially adroit and very much married Julia becomes what is likely Ricky's first real crush.
There will be police action, of course, but the spotlight is on drug trafficking again as it was in "Spinsters." As events conspire, Alleyn will be called to manage the investigation, there is a suspicious death of a horsewoman, attempt on Ricky's life and later kidnapping of Ricky who ends up in the thick of things.
Rather than give away the plot...
Strangely amusing description of one of Ricky's dinner partners when he first arrived:
"Then comes Miss Harkness. She was a well-developed girl with a weather-beaten complexion and hands so horny that Ricky was reminded of hooves."
Alleyn's reluctance to interfere where his son was staying:
his AC-"'We haven't got anyone on the island so far. The lead on Saint Pierre's only just come through. What's the young chap doing there, Rory?'
Alleyn said very firmly, 'He's writing a book, sir. He went over there to put himself out of the way of distraction and has set himself a time limit.'
'Writing!' repeated the A.C. dicontentedly. 'A book!' And he added: 'Extraordinary what they get up to nowadays, isn't it? One of mine runs a discotheque.'"
The A.C. went on to add that there was yet another coincidence at that island, a "riding fatality." He then explained that the Super at Montjoy was down with a perforated appendix, so there it was. 'There's a funny noise.'
'It may be my teeth. Grinding.'
The A.C. gave a high whinnying laugh. 'You can take Fox with you, of course.'"
The final pages of this Felony & Mayhem paperback includes a delightful extract from a collection of short stories by Marsh where she describes the creation of her character Roderick Alleyn.
January 11, 2023
Late career Ngaio Marsh, based in the Channel Islands.
Much of this book centres on the now Chief Superintendent Alleyn’s son, a writer taking a break on the island who becomes tangled in a murder and drug smuggling ring.
On the one hand, it’s great to meet Alleyn’s son gown up, but on the other the book is pretty slow going until Alleyn arrives. The whodunnit is straightforward (you know it’s one of two or three people) and the drugs plot adds complexity but little interest.
Average but readable.
Much of this book centres on the now Chief Superintendent Alleyn’s son, a writer taking a break on the island who becomes tangled in a murder and drug smuggling ring.
On the one hand, it’s great to meet Alleyn’s son gown up, but on the other the book is pretty slow going until Alleyn arrives. The whodunnit is straightforward (you know it’s one of two or three people) and the drugs plot adds complexity but little interest.
Average but readable.
August 12, 2018
My impression of Ricky from the first book still stands - he's too precious, and how he managed to bumble his way into every step of the investigation and leave nothing for the second investigation was too much. Still, he was a nice change of pace from his too suave and bland Papa. I'm glad he didn't turn too, too much and become a jobbing detective version of his dad. For the consummate Ngaio Marsh fan, this is a good read. For everyone else, ehn, I wouldn't recommend it.
February 2, 2017
#29 in the series and it starts with Alleyn’s son Ricky, all grown up and writing a novel during his break from being a new don. He takes himself to a Channel Island off the coast of Normandy for a writer’s retreat and of course–in a completely implausible series of coincidences–accidentally gets himself embroiled in a case for which Alleyn himself is called to investigate.
This my least favorite Marsh novel, hands down; I often skip it when I do a re-read of the entire series. It does all the things that I dislike when other series writers do them. First, in order to create tension, it puts a family member of the detective in peril. Second, it tries awkwardly to be timely, using slang that is outdated almost before the book goes to print [witness one character who lives in what everyone keeps referring to as the Pad, with a capital P]; and it also tries to incorporate headlines from the newspapers. The drug trade is again featured here; a drug kingpin Ziegfeldt from a previous novel is mentioned, although in neither book is he essential to the plot. Besides, drug trafficking and hostage situations and having Alleyn wave a gun around have never been what this series is about. Marsh writes about them poorly, so I wish she had stuck with the milieus about which she wrote so well: murder among the middle and upper class, in England and New Zealand, without trying to bring in the world drug trade. Perhaps she herself realized this, because one of the characters tells Alleyn at the end that her maiden name was Lamprey: the zany family of impoverished peers about whom Marsh wrote at the very start of her career.
This my least favorite Marsh novel, hands down; I often skip it when I do a re-read of the entire series. It does all the things that I dislike when other series writers do them. First, in order to create tension, it puts a family member of the detective in peril. Second, it tries awkwardly to be timely, using slang that is outdated almost before the book goes to print [witness one character who lives in what everyone keeps referring to as the Pad, with a capital P]; and it also tries to incorporate headlines from the newspapers. The drug trade is again featured here; a drug kingpin Ziegfeldt from a previous novel is mentioned, although in neither book is he essential to the plot. Besides, drug trafficking and hostage situations and having Alleyn wave a gun around have never been what this series is about. Marsh writes about them poorly, so I wish she had stuck with the milieus about which she wrote so well: murder among the middle and upper class, in England and New Zealand, without trying to bring in the world drug trade. Perhaps she herself realized this, because one of the characters tells Alleyn at the end that her maiden name was Lamprey: the zany family of impoverished peers about whom Marsh wrote at the very start of her career.
April 2, 2017
In the last four months I've been on a Marsh reading binge, with just two books to go. I found this one the most disappointing. It was like another author borrowed the Alleyns and Fox but didn't really know what to do with them. Only in the description of the Pharamonds did the "real" Ngaio Marsh peep out. Even her usual way of putting things was lacking. I typically find myself underlining all sorts of descriptions, but not this time. The ultimate solution was a surprise,
July 22, 2018
One of the last of Marsh's Inspector Alleyn novels--32 novels over an almost fifty-year writing career. Marsh, along with Christie, Sayers, and Allingham, were the Grand Dames of twentieth-century crime novelists. A well-written, well-told story. I've not read any of her other novels, but this one seems as good a place to start as any other, though the whole series follows the career and marriage of Alleyn. There is a nice little appendix telling the story of how Marsh came to start writing crime novels, and how she came up with Inspector Alleyn (pronounced Allen).
February 2, 2021
Feb. 2021 reread: No change to my opinion
------------
2017 reread:
In this late entry of the Inspector Alleyn series, the focus is on Alleyn's son Ricky. While the last third, when Alleyn himself arrives on the scene, was exciting, I found the mystery itself a little obvious.
Wanda McCaddon/Nadia May did a decent narration but it wasn't as good as some of hers I have listened to.
------------
2017 reread:
In this late entry of the Inspector Alleyn series, the focus is on Alleyn's son Ricky. While the last third, when Alleyn himself arrives on the scene, was exciting, I found the mystery itself a little obvious.
Wanda McCaddon/Nadia May did a decent narration but it wasn't as good as some of hers I have listened to.
April 11, 2021
I've enjoyed the Roderic Alleyn mystery series by very much. The last two have had interesting twist to them. In Clutch of Constables, it was a Troy-centric (that being Alleyn's wonderful wife) mystery. In , the book focuses on the Alleyns' young son, Ricky.
Ricky is away on his own on an island off the coast of France, working on his 'novel'. His accommodations have been arranged by the Pharamond family, a wealthy family who Ricky's parents had met on a cruise during a previous case. (I think I may have read that one). Ricky is quite taken with Julia Pharamond, the wife of Jasper. The family is full of life, and Ricky enjoys their company, while at the same time, feels uncomfortable around them. He finds it distracting being with them, taking away from his book writing.
The small community is filled with strange characters. Everyone seems to be off somewhat; the Pharamonds, Dulce Harkness (the 'loose' woman, who may or may not be pregnant), her uncle Cuth (a religious fanatic), Sydney Jones (the local artist, who really seems to dislike Ricky and may have had relations with Dulce), Gilbert Ferrant (owner of the place where Ricky is staying, a lady's man, and also mystery man), etc.
While the Pharamonds and Ricky take a horse-riding jaunt up island, Dulce is killed in another horse jumping accident. Is it murder or an accident? The local cops hold off making a decision and gradually, Chief Inspector Alleyn and his faithful Inspector Fox, become involved. Ricky takes a trip to the French town of St Pierre and discovers both Ferrant and Jones there. An attempt is made on Ricky's life.
It's a fascinating story. Ricky is an excellent character, creative, intelligent, and handles himself well when put under stress. (well, he is a bit overwhelmed by the lovely Julia.). The story involves potential murder, a religious fanatic, maybe even international drug smuggling. When Alleyn arrives, the investigation takes a new pace. With the help of straight-forward local cop, Sgt Plank, they check out the death of Dulce, investigate the locals. The whole story is well developed, filled with interesting characters and comes to a satisfying conclusion.
I like Alleyn so very much, he's a presence, one who impresses hits son and co-workers and intimidates those who deserve to be intimidated. Marsh is one of the great classic mystery writers and this story is as good as all the others I've enjoyed. There could have been a bit more of his lovely wife, Troy, but there was still enough to make it worthwhile. :0). (4.5 stars)
Ricky is away on his own on an island off the coast of France, working on his 'novel'. His accommodations have been arranged by the Pharamond family, a wealthy family who Ricky's parents had met on a cruise during a previous case. (I think I may have read that one). Ricky is quite taken with Julia Pharamond, the wife of Jasper. The family is full of life, and Ricky enjoys their company, while at the same time, feels uncomfortable around them. He finds it distracting being with them, taking away from his book writing.
The small community is filled with strange characters. Everyone seems to be off somewhat; the Pharamonds, Dulce Harkness (the 'loose' woman, who may or may not be pregnant), her uncle Cuth (a religious fanatic), Sydney Jones (the local artist, who really seems to dislike Ricky and may have had relations with Dulce), Gilbert Ferrant (owner of the place where Ricky is staying, a lady's man, and also mystery man), etc.
While the Pharamonds and Ricky take a horse-riding jaunt up island, Dulce is killed in another horse jumping accident. Is it murder or an accident? The local cops hold off making a decision and gradually, Chief Inspector Alleyn and his faithful Inspector Fox, become involved. Ricky takes a trip to the French town of St Pierre and discovers both Ferrant and Jones there. An attempt is made on Ricky's life.
It's a fascinating story. Ricky is an excellent character, creative, intelligent, and handles himself well when put under stress. (well, he is a bit overwhelmed by the lovely Julia.). The story involves potential murder, a religious fanatic, maybe even international drug smuggling. When Alleyn arrives, the investigation takes a new pace. With the help of straight-forward local cop, Sgt Plank, they check out the death of Dulce, investigate the locals. The whole story is well developed, filled with interesting characters and comes to a satisfying conclusion.
I like Alleyn so very much, he's a presence, one who impresses hits son and co-workers and intimidates those who deserve to be intimidated. Marsh is one of the great classic mystery writers and this story is as good as all the others I've enjoyed. There could have been a bit more of his lovely wife, Troy, but there was still enough to make it worthwhile. :0). (4.5 stars)
May 14, 2018
1977’s Last Ditch by Ngaio Marsh turns its focus to Ricky Alleyn, the son of Detective Superintendent Roderick Alleyn, as Ricky goes to the Channel Islands to immerse himself in his work in writing a novel. There he runs into a family who met his parents once on a cruise, and Ricky finds himself falling in love with the wife, Julia Pharamond. He also makes the acquaintance of Sid Jones, a wannabe painter with a bad attitude until he learns that Ricky is the son of Agatha Troy, ther greatest painter England has ever produced. Ricky keeps suspecting Sid of nefarious behavior, especially when Sid, who works as a paint salesman in exchange for free acrylic paints toi use, gets furious when Ricky accidentally steps on one tube, causing it to burst open. Another day the Pharamonds talk Ricky into joining them going horseback riding at the stables owned by Mr. Harkness. The fire-and-brimstone religious man is furious that his daughter, the highly promiscuous Elsie, is pregnant and tries to lock her in her room. But Elsie manages to escape and takes out the bay mare against her father’s express orders. When the family and Ricky return to the stable, they find the body of Elsie in a ditch behind a big bush, apparently the victim of having taken too dangerous a chance in jumping the horse where her father has forbidden her to go.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at
November 24, 2022
Young Alleyn goes to a channel island to write and finds himself enmeshed in a complicated family circle, a death in a riding accident (or murder?) and suspicions of the international drug trade which brings the elder Alleyn to the place and endangers young Ricky. Is there a link between the death and the drugs? Marsh is good at awful people and here she again constructs one of her exasperating, other worldly families: the Pharamonds (Far above the World; Farouche World etc.). It’s no surprise that the wife, the incredibly irritating Julia, turns out to be a Lamprey, Marsh’s OTHER irritating family.
October 9, 2024
The Genreland theme of this month is Classic Mystery which includes books published through the 1960s. I was excited to read this book because I could get the audio version from the library, clear out the physical copy from my TBR shelf, and satisfy the theme because Ngaio Marsh. As it turns out, this book is one of her last books and wasn't published until 1974, so it is outside the time frame.
Because I have not read this series in any particular order, I am not sure when exactly Troy and Alleyn had a son. But this book focuses on equal measure on Ricky Alleyn as on his father. Ricky is a writer gone off to one of the Channel Islands to write a novel. While he is there he is drawn into the twisted lives of the locals, including a young single pregnant woman who is killed attempting a reckless jump on horseback. His landlord takes mysterious midnight fishing trips. And a local artist of erratic temperament is constantly underfoot. For Alleyn there is concern about the import of heroin from France, possibly via the Channel Islands. Of course, all things converge and Ricky gets himself in trouble trying to play detective. Luckily Alleyn and Brer Fox sort it all out in the end.
I think I like her more traditional plots focusing on Alleyn and Fox much better, but it was nicely done.
Because I have not read this series in any particular order, I am not sure when exactly Troy and Alleyn had a son. But this book focuses on equal measure on Ricky Alleyn as on his father. Ricky is a writer gone off to one of the Channel Islands to write a novel. While he is there he is drawn into the twisted lives of the locals, including a young single pregnant woman who is killed attempting a reckless jump on horseback. His landlord takes mysterious midnight fishing trips. And a local artist of erratic temperament is constantly underfoot. For Alleyn there is concern about the import of heroin from France, possibly via the Channel Islands. Of course, all things converge and Ricky gets himself in trouble trying to play detective. Luckily Alleyn and Brer Fox sort it all out in the end.
I think I like her more traditional plots focusing on Alleyn and Fox much better, but it was nicely done.
November 27, 2021
In which meet the grown up Roderick Alleyn II, also known as Ricky. He is a don (that's the equivalent of an American college professor), and is trying to write a book during the long summer break. But his sojourn in a small village in the Channel Islands leads him into danger, and soon Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn ends up on the scene as well.
I can't help wondering if Marsh would have brought Ricky back in future tales--and if he might have ended up in the police force himself!
I can't help wondering if Marsh would have brought Ricky back in future tales--and if he might have ended up in the police force himself!
April 18, 2024
I always love Marsh’s style and the cool-yet-dry Alleyn, but this will forever be my favorite: delightful humor, a tidy mystery, a costal setting and the unparalleled angst of father/son peril. No notes. 👌🏼
June 29, 2024
It was fun to find this book by NZ author Ngaio Marsh in a Croatian Air B&B.
Murder mystery written when she must’ve been well into her 70s. Lovely prose, written about an English small town drug cartel in 1976 with the language reflecting this.
Murder mystery written when she must’ve been well into her 70s. Lovely prose, written about an English small town drug cartel in 1976 with the language reflecting this.
July 30, 2022
I rather liked this one... but perhaps a little despite myself?
April 26, 2023
I like Ngaio Marsh, but this book felt dated to me, partly because I the author may have been trying too hard to be on trend at the time she wrote it. She was in her eighties in 1977, and I suspect that’s why it didn’t work.
January 16, 2017
Young Ricky Alleyn, twenty-one years old and a Writer, is not really to my taste. Especially when he falls deeply in calf-love with a married woman and goes around swooning over her all book, and when he gets himself into desperate pickles by trying to ape his father's deduction methods with none of his father's skill or experience. In general I seem to have little patience with long-running series that start giving us the adventures of the "next generation"; I was never a fan of Ramses and Nefret in the Amelia Peabody series, for instance. This is no exception.
The mystery itself is not very interesting, and quite confused because of young Ricky's preoccupations. Eventually Alleyn Sr. shows up to Quickly Sort things and bail Ricky out of trouble. Hopefully this is a one-off and Ricky returns to being a background character in further books; if not I may end up having to pass on them.
The mystery itself is not very interesting, and quite confused because of young Ricky's preoccupations. Eventually Alleyn Sr. shows up to Quickly Sort things and bail Ricky out of trouble. Hopefully this is a one-off and Ricky returns to being a background character in further books; if not I may end up having to pass on them.
May 10, 2022
It must be difficult to write a murder mystery set on a glamorous resort island infested with international drug smugglers, but the author has somehow managed to pull it off. The story is muddled and has no real suspense. None of the characters are even marginally sympathetic, least of all the protagonist, a hopelessly immature young man who awkwardly stumbles about playing amateur detective and needing to be rescued when he isn't otherwise busy writing the next great British novel and mooning over an older married woman like some lovestruck high school boy.
It's surprising that an author who's written as many books as Marsh should make such an obvious mistake as failing to maintain a consistent point of view. The first part of the novel is told from the young man's perspective, but when his father appears on the scene midway through the book the narrative switches over to his POV and the young man essentially disappears from the narrative in the final fifty pages.
It's surprising that an author who's written as many books as Marsh should make such an obvious mistake as failing to maintain a consistent point of view. The first part of the novel is told from the young man's perspective, but when his father appears on the scene midway through the book the narrative switches over to his POV and the young man essentially disappears from the narrative in the final fifty pages.
August 1, 2019
This was a very enjoyable revisit with Roderick Alleyn's son Ricky. The last time we saw him he was six years old. Now he's twenty-one and trying to find his own way as a hopeful writer of fiction. My favorite parts were his interactions with his father and godfather, Inspector Fox, who are both anxious to keep Ricky out of their investigation, even though he's already right in the middle of it by the time they arrive. I didn't enjoy the emphasis on chasing drug dealers, which has cropped up too often in Marsh's later books, but it's certainly something relevant to the time period. It's sad to think that I'll be done with the Alleyn books soon. In spite of a few in the series that bogged down and had me wondering if I even wanted to keep going, I'm glad I stuck it out. The later books have picked up and been more enjoyable overall. I definitely recommend this one.
December 23, 2014
I wish I'd discovered these during my long-ago Christie phase, because while I don't think Marsh's plots are as neat as Christie's, her writing is better. However, I was still fairly meh about this one: police procedurals are just not my cup of tea, even though I like the characters.
I may see if I can find the book or two which come after , out of curiosity to see the progress of Alleyn and Troy's romance, but other than that, I don't think I'll seek out more Marsh.
I may see if I can find the book or two which come after , out of curiosity to see the progress of Alleyn and Troy's romance, but other than that, I don't think I'll seek out more Marsh.
September 29, 2020
I feel badly. I love Alleyn and Troy and I just don't care at all about their kid....
9/28/20 I cared more about Ricky this time around, but it's not my favorite book in the series. Ricky is writing a novel and has taken off to some island to do so. He stumbles on a very flirty friend of his parents, a murder, and drug dealing, then gets kidnapped. Alleyn and Fox are right on his heels as they try to round up the drug sellers, and uncover the murderer.
9/28/20 I cared more about Ricky this time around, but it's not my favorite book in the series. Ricky is writing a novel and has taken off to some island to do so. He stumbles on a very flirty friend of his parents, a murder, and drug dealing, then gets kidnapped. Alleyn and Fox are right on his heels as they try to round up the drug sellers, and uncover the murderer.
June 23, 2010
What a fun golden-age mystery. I loved the characters, setting, mannerisms of the time and pacing of the story. I don't know why I've never read Ngaio Marsh before, but I've already ordered the first few books in this series to start from the beginning. I look forward to catching up with Inspector Alleyn.
February 13, 2011
The second appearance of Ricky Alleyn, who makes a good showing at the beginning of the novel, managing to nicely encompass aspects of both his parents, but then unfortunately catches a bad case of too-stupid-to-live and fades off the screen. More a 2.5 than 3 star novel, dragging considerably in the middle.
April 16, 2012
This wasn't a story that was put together. It was like someone getting dressed in the dark and ends up with functioning articles of clothing such as pants, blouse, socks, but the bits do not match in color or style. It really read as if Marsh hurriedly meshed three incomplete short stories together and forced the plots into one in order to get a 200 page book done. Anyway, it didn't work.
November 20, 2021
Ngaio Marsh should never have written about drugs. She makes her characters all sound completely ridiculous. The murder is incidental to the plot about the scourge of dope. This is the second of her books I've read where this is the case. Good thing there were Roderick Alleyns around to completely cure society of that problem so no one ever has to deal with it again.
December 14, 2021
Secondo libro di Ngaio Marsh che leggo e giudizio simile.
Atmosfera, personaggi e trama ben costruiti, ma dialoghi ed azioni insipidi e macchiettistici.
Ancora peccato, perchè gli elementi del buon giallo classico ci sono sempre tutti.
Atmosfera, personaggi e trama ben costruiti, ma dialoghi ed azioni insipidi e macchiettistici.
Ancora peccato, perchè gli elementi del buon giallo classico ci sono sempre tutti.
August 30, 2023
Summary: Alleyn and Troy’s son Ricky finds himself in the middle of a murder of a young horsewoman and gets mixed up with a group of drug runners when all he wants to do is get away on a Channel island and write.
We met Rick, Alleyn and Troy’s son, once before in Spinsters in Jeopardy (#17). He’s now a twenty-one year old who fancies himself a writer and thinks a small town, Deep Cove, on a Channel island the ideal location to make progress on writing a book. Little does he realize he is about to find himself a witness after the fact to a murder, and caught up in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
He takes lodgings with Gilbert and Marie Ferrant. He is the local plumber who also goes on night time “fishing� outings, and takes trips over to France, decked out in fine dress. Marie takes in laundry and is a fine cook, having previously worked for the town’s elite family, the Pharamonds. Her son even shares the name of a Pharamond cousin, Louis, and we are left to wonder if there is more than coincidence�
Ricky is invited up to the Pharamonds to lunch and is instantly enchanted by Julia, wife of Jasper. The charm is broken by Dulcie Harkness, an equestrienne, the niece of Cuthbert Harkness who owns the local stable, The Leathers. They’ve been fighting, with her being accused of all sorts of immorality by her religious fanatic uncle. It turns out she is pregnant, and several men could be the father.
Then, that evening, Ricky goes to the local pub and meets up with Syd Jones, an artist and is invited up to his “pad.� He’s a drug user, the evening an uncomfortable one, but Ricky, wanting to get along, arranges an introduction to his artist mother. Subsequently, they have a dust up when Ricky steps on a tube of paint, sending Syd into a rage.
Ricky just wants to write, but can’t stay out of trouble. He goes riding with the Pharamonds, witnessing another fight between Dulcie and her uncle, who forbids her to follow the wanton example of the Pharamond boy of jumping a hedge on the stable property. The uncle orders Syd, who makes some extra working at the stables to take the best horse, a mare, to get shoed to make her unavailable and locks Dulcie in her room. When the party returns, Dulcie is found on the other side of the ditch, dead, having been crushed under the horse, and the horse injured, cut on the shanks by what looked like a wire. A coil of wire on the property shows signs of a length having been freshly cut, but no wire is found in the hedge. Ricky is one of those who witness the scene.
Alleyn and Fox, who have come to the island, are staying in Montjoy, the tourist village. They are investigating the possibility of drugs coming into the country from France through the island. The local police, represented by the stalwart Sergeant Plank, are glad for the help in investigating what appears to be a murder.
Meanwhile, Ricky gets in the middle of more trouble. He decides to take a break and visit the French town across the channel. He has an unpleasant encounter with Syd on the boat, being accused of following him. So he does, surreptiously, when they reach land. But not enough. He’s caught by Gil Ferrant peeping through a newspaper. Subsequently, we discover that Ferrant and Syd are working together. That afternoon, as a storm is rising, Ricky goes out to the dock to arrange his return and is pushed into the water, likely by one of them and is saved by a sailor on the boat, with a black eye and sodden clothes.
Recounting this to his father and Fox on return, they suspect Ferrant and Syd Jones of being part of a drug ring. But they don’t pull him out of the Ferrants and get him off the island. Meanwhile Alleyn and Fox are trying to figure out if the murder of the girl and the drug ring are in any way connected. Jones could have been one of the possible “fathers.�
Alleyn’s lapse in judgment and Ricky’s naivete set up a pretty exciting finish with Ricky in peril. All told, I have to admit to not finding Ricky particularly likable and it feels in ways that he has been indulged by parents who know better. Still, it all contributes to a pretty exciting finish. Along the way, Marsh paints scenes of the beauty of this Channel island with words, enabling one to visualize the setting, including a couple impressive storms.
I’m not sure this was one of Marsh’s best overall. The drug trade, no doubt, was a current concern of the time, and it allowed her to center a plot on something beside country parties and theatres. I wish the Ricky character was developed differently. While Julia Pharamond is a flirt, Ricky should have more sense than to think he has a chance with this older, rich, married woman. I do like how Alleyn consistently supports the local police like Sergeant Plank and help them shine–one of his best qualities. On the whole, a pleasant read, though not Marsh at her best.
We met Rick, Alleyn and Troy’s son, once before in Spinsters in Jeopardy (#17). He’s now a twenty-one year old who fancies himself a writer and thinks a small town, Deep Cove, on a Channel island the ideal location to make progress on writing a book. Little does he realize he is about to find himself a witness after the fact to a murder, and caught up in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
He takes lodgings with Gilbert and Marie Ferrant. He is the local plumber who also goes on night time “fishing� outings, and takes trips over to France, decked out in fine dress. Marie takes in laundry and is a fine cook, having previously worked for the town’s elite family, the Pharamonds. Her son even shares the name of a Pharamond cousin, Louis, and we are left to wonder if there is more than coincidence�
Ricky is invited up to the Pharamonds to lunch and is instantly enchanted by Julia, wife of Jasper. The charm is broken by Dulcie Harkness, an equestrienne, the niece of Cuthbert Harkness who owns the local stable, The Leathers. They’ve been fighting, with her being accused of all sorts of immorality by her religious fanatic uncle. It turns out she is pregnant, and several men could be the father.
Then, that evening, Ricky goes to the local pub and meets up with Syd Jones, an artist and is invited up to his “pad.� He’s a drug user, the evening an uncomfortable one, but Ricky, wanting to get along, arranges an introduction to his artist mother. Subsequently, they have a dust up when Ricky steps on a tube of paint, sending Syd into a rage.
Ricky just wants to write, but can’t stay out of trouble. He goes riding with the Pharamonds, witnessing another fight between Dulcie and her uncle, who forbids her to follow the wanton example of the Pharamond boy of jumping a hedge on the stable property. The uncle orders Syd, who makes some extra working at the stables to take the best horse, a mare, to get shoed to make her unavailable and locks Dulcie in her room. When the party returns, Dulcie is found on the other side of the ditch, dead, having been crushed under the horse, and the horse injured, cut on the shanks by what looked like a wire. A coil of wire on the property shows signs of a length having been freshly cut, but no wire is found in the hedge. Ricky is one of those who witness the scene.
Alleyn and Fox, who have come to the island, are staying in Montjoy, the tourist village. They are investigating the possibility of drugs coming into the country from France through the island. The local police, represented by the stalwart Sergeant Plank, are glad for the help in investigating what appears to be a murder.
Meanwhile, Ricky gets in the middle of more trouble. He decides to take a break and visit the French town across the channel. He has an unpleasant encounter with Syd on the boat, being accused of following him. So he does, surreptiously, when they reach land. But not enough. He’s caught by Gil Ferrant peeping through a newspaper. Subsequently, we discover that Ferrant and Syd are working together. That afternoon, as a storm is rising, Ricky goes out to the dock to arrange his return and is pushed into the water, likely by one of them and is saved by a sailor on the boat, with a black eye and sodden clothes.
Recounting this to his father and Fox on return, they suspect Ferrant and Syd Jones of being part of a drug ring. But they don’t pull him out of the Ferrants and get him off the island. Meanwhile Alleyn and Fox are trying to figure out if the murder of the girl and the drug ring are in any way connected. Jones could have been one of the possible “fathers.�
Alleyn’s lapse in judgment and Ricky’s naivete set up a pretty exciting finish with Ricky in peril. All told, I have to admit to not finding Ricky particularly likable and it feels in ways that he has been indulged by parents who know better. Still, it all contributes to a pretty exciting finish. Along the way, Marsh paints scenes of the beauty of this Channel island with words, enabling one to visualize the setting, including a couple impressive storms.
I’m not sure this was one of Marsh’s best overall. The drug trade, no doubt, was a current concern of the time, and it allowed her to center a plot on something beside country parties and theatres. I wish the Ricky character was developed differently. While Julia Pharamond is a flirt, Ricky should have more sense than to think he has a chance with this older, rich, married woman. I do like how Alleyn consistently supports the local police like Sergeant Plank and help them shine–one of his best qualities. On the whole, a pleasant read, though not Marsh at her best.
Read
August 1, 2024The 29th Insp. Alleyn mystery features his now adult son, budding author Ricky. Living in the Channel Islands while trying to finish the Great British Novel, he, like members of his family are wont to do, stumbles upon a murder. Will his father arrive in time to help him?
This is not a good book, but I'll start with the (few) positives. First, as always, Ms. Marsh is quite adept at describing place: the islands sound quite beautiful. Second, it's always nice to see Troy and I particularly loved the family moments (Fox, of course, is included). Third, well, there isn't a third; that's it.
Now to the negatives. I'll stick with four. First, perhaps because she wanted to stay au courant while writing in the post-Golden Age Mystery decades, Ms. Marsh often used drug trafficking as a plot point. Unfortunately, she was not the right author for this topic, which just comes across as silly. Second, the jargon and characterizations were dated even in the '70s (which I remember very well), In truth, once we met Rick, a 21 year old who smokes a pipe and wears tweeds in -- "wait for it" -- 1977, I was done.
Third, there's lack of continuity with previous books and several loose ends. For example, this is actually the . In truth, Ricky's lack of exposure in the series (though we see Troy a lot, his parents rarely mention him, even when they should -- see ) meant that it was hard to invest in him. I did appreciate the callback to Nigel Bathgate (an important character in the early books who just disappears later on) as the author draws parallels between both men (Ricky is also a writer; Alleyn uses similar dialogue when interacting with both; Alleyn briefly thinks of missing Nigel, though never by name). In terms of loose ends, one plot point from carries over here, but is . I wonder if the author ever planned to return to it?
Finally, the mystery is very weak. The perpetrators are obvious from the beginning; the multiple crimes , and motivation, never this author's strong suit, is particularly weak here: would a ? The mechanics of the mystery contain huge holes (I was never clear as to why, exactly, the . I'll also add that this book is unusually violent and contains instances of child and animal abuse. This really was not to my taste.
2 stars. I note that Wikipedia links to a review by a late self-styled "expert in detective fiction." Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; this one, however, ascribes to Ngaio Marsh characteristics that entirely ignore the queer aspects of her personal life.
This is not a good book, but I'll start with the (few) positives. First, as always, Ms. Marsh is quite adept at describing place: the islands sound quite beautiful. Second, it's always nice to see Troy and I particularly loved the family moments (Fox, of course, is included). Third, well, there isn't a third; that's it.
Now to the negatives. I'll stick with four. First, perhaps because she wanted to stay au courant while writing in the post-Golden Age Mystery decades, Ms. Marsh often used drug trafficking as a plot point. Unfortunately, she was not the right author for this topic, which just comes across as silly. Second, the jargon and characterizations were dated even in the '70s (which I remember very well), In truth, once we met Rick, a 21 year old who smokes a pipe and wears tweeds in -- "wait for it" -- 1977, I was done.
Third, there's lack of continuity with previous books and several loose ends. For example, this is actually the . In truth, Ricky's lack of exposure in the series (though we see Troy a lot, his parents rarely mention him, even when they should -- see ) meant that it was hard to invest in him. I did appreciate the callback to Nigel Bathgate (an important character in the early books who just disappears later on) as the author draws parallels between both men (Ricky is also a writer; Alleyn uses similar dialogue when interacting with both; Alleyn briefly thinks of missing Nigel, though never by name). In terms of loose ends, one plot point from carries over here, but is . I wonder if the author ever planned to return to it?
Finally, the mystery is very weak. The perpetrators are obvious from the beginning; the multiple crimes , and motivation, never this author's strong suit, is particularly weak here: would a ? The mechanics of the mystery contain huge holes (I was never clear as to why, exactly, the . I'll also add that this book is unusually violent and contains instances of child and animal abuse. This really was not to my taste.
2 stars. I note that Wikipedia links to a review by a late self-styled "expert in detective fiction." Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; this one, however, ascribes to Ngaio Marsh characteristics that entirely ignore the queer aspects of her personal life.
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