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nichola's review against another edition
4.0
I love Alleyn. He isn't Poirot or Dalgliesh but he is a special kind of gentleman detective.
He is charming and clever and at times forceful.
He is charming and clever and at times forceful.
scorpionturtle's review against another edition
3.0
Viewed as a satire of gothic and mystery novels this works well. Everything is way over the top.
clockless's review against another edition
4.0
You really don't know what you are getting in a mystery, particularly in your first time with an author, until the end, where everything either hands together in a tidy package or falls apart at your feet. This is one of the former, although it didn't seem like it would be one most of the way through. Comparisons to Christie are inevitable, but mystery-wise she can go seven or eight rounds, easy. The setting is where she really stands out; she writes of a dirtier, more realistic London than Christie's lovely, but sanitized, upper class world. I can't really say that one is decidedly better than the other, but they are distinct, which is what I think matters most.
biblioventurer's review against another edition
2.0
It was fine. I hated the first half and enjoyed the second half. Being written in the 1930s, some of the attitudes toward homosexuality were offensive by modern standards. I also thought her impression of an American accent was ludicrous. It was a good mystery, and I plan to read others by this author, but I don't think she provided the reader with enough clues that he or she could solve the mystery on his/her own. One of the folks in our discussion group found it lacking in suspense, and I agree.
besha's review against another edition
2.0
Superfluously vicious depiction of queer men; ludicrous interpretation of the effects of opiates; embarrassingly weak plotting. The writing's still enjoyable, but madam, you are no Dorothy L Sayers.
kell_xavi's review against another edition
3.0
An odd case, florid and gothic in its aesthetic, but then fairly routine in the sleuthing. Marsh is a lovely writer, with many rich phrases and a dry humour that adds pep to a lot of the case. I especially love when Nigel asks Alleyn to “pretend this is a detective novel,” as well as these few phrases:
All sorts of queer little religions squeak, like mice in the wainscoting, behind its tedious façade.
It was one of those offices that look as if they were kept going as a memorial to Charles Dickens.
this interaction
Alleyn: Please forgive me if I am odiously facetious sometimes… You’re kind enough to let me show off and I take advantage of it. Do forgive me.
Nigel (embarrassed and delighted): Chief Detective-Inspector, I am your Watson, and your worm. You may both sit and trample on me. I shall continue to offer you the fruits of my inexperience.
and
Alleyn: Startling cases are generally easy. The difficult cases are the ones when one drunk heaves a brick at another drunk and leaves him lying in the road. Once they go in for fancy touches it’s usually kindergarten stuff. And this is so very fancy, so very extra, so specially Susie.
The case itself, in its evidence-gathering and suspect-questioning was less interesting than I’d hoped, despite the theatrical backdrop. I enjoyed Miss Wade and Janey and Nigel and Garnette, but most of the cast was either frothy and of no substance, or more down-to-earth than their spiritual pleasures would suggest. The drug element added some spice, as did the illicit affairs and romances, but I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied by the end.
(I was pleased, however, that some effort was made towards drug rehabilitation. They may have some boring homophobic alliances, but they’re not truly heartless.)
All sorts of queer little religions squeak, like mice in the wainscoting, behind its tedious façade.
It was one of those offices that look as if they were kept going as a memorial to Charles Dickens.
this interaction
Alleyn: Please forgive me if I am odiously facetious sometimes… You’re kind enough to let me show off and I take advantage of it. Do forgive me.
Nigel (embarrassed and delighted): Chief Detective-Inspector, I am your Watson, and your worm. You may both sit and trample on me. I shall continue to offer you the fruits of my inexperience.
and
Alleyn: Startling cases are generally easy. The difficult cases are the ones when one drunk heaves a brick at another drunk and leaves him lying in the road. Once they go in for fancy touches it’s usually kindergarten stuff. And this is so very fancy, so very extra, so specially Susie.
The case itself, in its evidence-gathering and suspect-questioning was less interesting than I’d hoped, despite the theatrical backdrop. I enjoyed Miss Wade and Janey and Nigel and Garnette, but most of the cast was either frothy and of no substance, or more down-to-earth than their spiritual pleasures would suggest. The drug element added some spice, as did the illicit affairs and romances, but I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied by the end.
(I was pleased, however, that some effort was made towards drug rehabilitation. They may have some boring homophobic alliances, but they’re not truly heartless.)
writerlibrarian's review
2.0
A little above average Marsh. Reading in order of publication makes for a nice progression in the way Alleyn interacts with his "crew". Inspector Fox is still learning French, he moved to an advanced class, Sergeant Bailey gets to fingerprint all the suspects and Nigel Bathgate the young wide eye journalist, Alleyn's Watson, gets to stumble upon the murder in this quite far fetched tale of deception, addictions and false identity. I didn't spot the culprit at all, then again I wasn't really looking for it. I was enjoying the playful interaction between the "team".
my_potato_farm's review
Surely this is the worst one.
-Bathgate is back. I thought we were rid of him.
-Page after page of "humorous" homophobia
-The best character is the murderer
-Bathgate is back. I thought we were rid of him.
-Page after page of "humorous" homophobia
-The best character is
innerweststreetlibrarian's review
3.0
Utterly hilarious. What's not to love about creepy orgiastic cults and "hothouse flower" acolyte boys?