Black as he's painted [Hardcover]

Ngaio Marsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1974

One of Ngaio Marsh's most popular novels, this time featuring one of her best creations -- Lucy Lockett, the crime-solving cat. When the exuberant president of Ng'ombwana proposes to dispense with the usual security arrangements on an official visit to London, his old school mate, Chief Superintendent Alleyn, is called in to persuade him otherwise. Consequently, on the night of the embassy's reception the house and grounds are stiff with police. Nevertheless, an assassin does strike, and Alleyn finds he has no shortage of help, from Special Branch to a tribal court -- and a small black cat named Lucy Lockett who out-detects them all...

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A splendid, eccentric detective story in classic style.' Evening Standard 'She writes as beautifully as ever.' Sunday Times 'An elegant, disciplined writer, Marsh deserves to be read and re-read not just for her plots but for her characterisation, for her painter's eye view and for her outsider's insights into the heart of a vanished social world.' Susan Howatch 'The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.' The Sun --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dame Ngaio Marsh was born in New Zealand in 1895 and died in February 1982. She wrote over 30 detective novels and many of her stories have theatrical settings, for Ngaio Marsh's real passion was the theatre. She was both actress and producer and almost single-handedly revived the New Zealand public's interest in the theatre. It was for this work that the received what she called her 'damery' in 1966. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 460 pages
• Publisher: G. K. Hall; First Edition edition (1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816162328
• ISBN-13: 978-0816162321
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,630,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good, July 13, 2000

By 

Brenda "MYSHELFDOTCOM" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Black As He's Painted (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

First published in 1974, Black As He's Painted with Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn is back in print.

The mystery starts out with a bored Mr. Samuel Whipplestone, who is retired from Her Majesty's Foreign Service, venturing out on a stroll. The walk leads him to Capricorn Place, a couple of memorable experiences and a change in his newly retired life. Later in the mystery, he meets up with Superintendent Alleyn at a reception where an assassination has occurred. The superintendent has his hands full trying to keep his old school buddy, now president of Ng'ombwana in Africa, safe from his many enemies. Knowing Mr. Whipplestone's past job description, the Superintendent requests his aid - Mr. Whipplestone obliges.

I enjoyed reading Ngaio Marsh's mystery. It has the flavor of an old fashion British mystery, with an added flare of espionage. The author's ability to plant suspicion and lead her readers into the twists and turns are well done. Although I know Black As He's Painted is a Superintendent Alleyn mystery, I feel Mr. Whipplestone and the adorable recently procured addition to his household steals the show and adds charm to the mystery. If you haven't read a Ngaio Marsh Mystery here's your chance to experience a writer said to be in the same league as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great characterizations, November 5, 2008

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black As He's Painted (Hardcover)

This is my favorite of the baker's dozen Marsh's I've read so far. Not only are her style, dialog, & plot very fine, but her characterizations are delightful--esp. the Boomer (President of an African nation & former classmate of Alleyn's), the always intriguing Troy (bringing in her fascinating painter's perspective), and (perhaps esp.) former Foreign Service Officer Whipplestone & his cat Lucy Lockett. The supporting characters were also interesting & unusual (e.g. Gomez, the Chubbs, the Sanskrits, the Montforts, etc.). There's also an interesting foil regarding racial prejudice amongst the various characters. The only quibble might be the perhaps over-emphasis & insensitivity on the obesity of the Sanskrits. The book actually has two mysteries embedded in it--the overarching one and a quick & dirty one. Overall, a terrific mystery novel in the British tradition.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Black as He's Painted, July 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Black As He's Painted (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ngaio Marsh is one of my favourite mystery writers and this book lives up to her usual standard. Roderick Alleyn must investigate an assassination attempt on an old school friend that resulted in the death of a bystander. His job is made more difficult because of cultural differences and racism. In addition to creating believable characters, Marsh writes an interesting story with an unexpected ending.