Great Story, Passable Narrator

Overture to Death meets all the criteria of a great whodunnit - means, motive, opportunity, a cast of compelling characters and an exquisite plot. Although the murderer was obvious from the beginning, this does not detracts from the storyline. The narrator, Ric Jerome, reads well but does not do a very good job of bringing the characters to life. His Inspector Alleyn was poor almost a caricature. Similar voices were usd for some characters making them appear lackluster and inconsequential.

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One of my favorites of the series

Really enjoyed this one. Wasn’t sure until the end who “done it”

Reading the series in order, more to go! The only thing that confuses me is from book to book and reader to reader, the pronunciation of Detective Alleyn’s name changes. I’ve enjoyed most of the readers. This one was excellent.

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A Classic Page-turner

I first discovered Dame Edith Ngaio Marsh in the mid 70s when I was living in Australia. Sadly, I was not able to bring my set home with me. I slowly reacquired the novels - and now the incalculable boon of the internet has made them available to me electronically.

These stories are crime mysteries, books of manners and many are love stories. "She writes better than Christie" --New York Times Book review.(year?)is an understatement. Despite the gruesome nature of murder, these are gentle tales. There is very little violence, and what there is has been muted. I am listening to them in order. I just finished Overture to Death.There is something of timelessness about them, despite changes wrought by technology during her writing years. The tone never varies from her original civilized, discreet, well paced, sometimes humorous style.

I strongly recommend all of Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn stories

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Overture to Death

Very intriguingly plotted. Highly enjoyable to read. In plot and language, one of her best.

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Life in a Small Village Can Be Murder

Another wonderful mystery from one of the original Queens of the Golden Age. It has all the ingredients of a good "cozy." A typical English village. An interesting cast of characters. One or two likely victims. Some good red herrings. And the charming and brilliant Chief Inspector Alleyn to sort it all out. Nicely performed by Ric Jerrom.

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a few good red herrings...

A unique murder weapon, a few viable suspects, and the incomparable Roderick Alleyn, Inspector Fox, & Nigel Bathgate. My Ngaio Marsh binge continues to pay off.

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A thoroughly entertaining read.

This is my favorite Ngaio Marsh tale. It has a great plot, is well narrated.

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Maybe 'cozies' are not for me!

The narrator does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, the story is artfully written, the dialogue is believable. I'm learning, however, that books need to have a certain gravitas before I really want to listen to them. This was a bunch of silly, rich village people, none particularly likable, trying to cope with life and the changing times. I prefer Agatha Christie - she knew how to create situations that seemed important. This book was more of a satire than I like in a mystery story.

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