A body in the back of a taxi begins an elegantly constructed mystery, perhaps the finest of Marsh's 1930s novels. The season had begun. Debutantes and chaperones were planning their luncheons, teas, dinners, balls. And the blackmailer was planning his strategies, stalking his next victim. But Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn knew that something was up. He had already planted his friend Lord Robert Gospell at the scene. But someone else got there first...
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers' Times Literary Supplement 'Ngaio Marsh's Death in a White Tie is the best detective story I have ever read!' Dashiell Hammett '[This book has] a distinction that puts the author in the front rank of crime story writers' Times Literary Supplement 'A brilliant, vivacious teller of detective novels.' News Chronicle 'The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunnit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.' The Sun
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 she received what she called her 'damery' in 1966.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Although not in the same league with BLACK AS HE'S PAINTED or DEAD WATER, Ngaio Marsh's DEATH IN A WHITE TIE is a highly satisfying novel that meets the expectations readers have of this particular author: it is literate, witty, peopled with fully rounded characters, and set against an interesting backdrop--in this case the London debutant season.
In this particular novel, Inspector Allen is called upon to investigate rumors of a blackmailer at work in London's high society, and he accordingly recruits Lord "Bunchy," a well known and decidedly fatherly figure. Bunchy is quick to identify the blackmailer--but just as the blackmail plot seems about to unravel murder steps in, and Allen must not only uncover the blackmailer but a killer as well.
As is often the case in a Marsh novel, some readers will spot the killer long before the book's finish--but as typical of Marsh, getting there is most of the fun. A number of favorites return in this novel, including painter Agatha Troy, previously introduced in ARTISTS IN CRIME, and Allen's charming mother; the novel also includes a number of romantic subplots that Marsh handles with considerable effectiveness. Neither newcomers nor old fans will be disappointed; recommended.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is perhaps Ngaio Marsh's best example of an upper-crust English murder mystery. The characters are so finely drawn that it makes you wish they would show up in her other novels. Rory Alleyn is at his youthful best, with a convincing amount of restrained-British angst just to make him more loveable. This is a compelling whodunit, with more than enough great writing and humour along the way to make it look great as a novel, too.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Chief Detective-Inspector Alleyn enlists the assistance of his well connected society friend Lord Robert 'Bunchy' Gospell to find out who is blackmailing several wealthy ladies. The charming Bunchy makes several interesting discoveries while making the rounds of "the London season," but is quite unfortunately murdered before he can and Alleyn can piece together the whole story.
As usual, Marsh places her clues very fairly but subtly. The backdrop of the debutante parties gives an interesting behind the scenes glimpse of 1930s London society, and if you like your mysteries peopled with lots of peers, this book is for you.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Seen better, seen worse
When a blackmailer strikes high society during the Season, Detective Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn of Scotland Yard enlists the help of Lord Robert "Bunchy" Gospell, a charming... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Hatbox Dragon
Death in a White Tie
Entertaining mystery. I wanted to find out how the romance between Inspector R. Allyn and Agatha Troy progressed as crimes were solved.
Published 13 months ago by Cwb
CD version narrated by B. Cumberbatch is ABRIDGED
This is one of my favorite Marsh mysteries and I was delighted to find a CD audiobook version. Unfortunately, I was extremely surprised when I wound up with a 3-hour abridged... Read more
Published on December 28, 2009 by Tiffany Taylor
Muddling Marsh
Not one of Marsh's best to my way of thinking. Excepting perhaps Detective Alleyn, the book is full of characters that one does not care about, engaged in an uninteresting... Read more
Published on July 15, 2005 by Arch Angler
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
"Roderick," said Lady Alleyn, looking at her son over the top of her spectacles, "I am coming out." Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
green boudoir, green sitting room, blue sofa, cloakroom attendant, top landing Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lord Robert, Lady Carrados, Miss Harris, Captain Withers, Sir Daniel, Sir Herbert, Halcut Hackett, Marsdon House, Lady Alleyn, Donald Potter, Lucy Lorrimer, Evelyn Carrados, Lard Robert, Lady Mildred, Captain Maurice Withers, Miss O'Brien, Scotland Yard, Uncle Bunch, Agatha Troy, Miss Birnbaum, Paddy O'Brien, Belgrave Square, Good Lord, Bridget O'Brien, Bunchy Gospell New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
"Roderick," said Lady Alleyn, looking at her son over the top of her spectacles, "I am coming out." Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
green boudoir, green sitting room, blue sofa, cloakroom attendant, top landing Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lord Robert, Lady Carrados, Miss Harris, Captain Withers, Sir Daniel, Sir Herbert, Halcut Hackett, Marsdon House, Lady Alleyn, Donald Potter, Lucy Lorrimer, Evelyn Carrados, Lard Robert, Lady Mildred, Captain Maurice Withers, Miss O'Brien, Scotland Yard, Uncle Bunch, Agatha Troy, Miss Birnbaum, Paddy O'Brien, Belgrave Square, Good Lord, Bridget O'Brien, Bunchy Gospell New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 1
book:
23
books
cite this book:
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- Death in Ecstasy (Dead Letter Mysteries) by Ngaio Marsh in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- on 11 pages
- Mystery!: A Celebration by Ron Miller on page 109, page 111, and Back Matter
- Died in the Wool (Inspector Roderick Alleyn Mysteries) by Ngaio Marsh in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- Light Thickens by Ngaio Marsh in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- Final Curtain by Ngaio Marsh in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
See all 23 books citing this book
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