Tied Up In Tinsel

Ngaio Marsh (1895-1982) wrote this one just ten years prior to her death. It's a formula cozy murder, much in the vein of her other Inspector Roderick Alleyn/Detective Fox series entries. THE STORY here is that a rich aristocrat (Hilary Bill-Tasman) has re-purchased his noble family's run-down former estate and he's restoring the Manor House (Halberds Manor). Along with that he's bringing a young and beautiful wife into the home, a caveat of which not everyone approves. To add even more to the accoutrements Hilary has hired Inspector Alleyns' wife, the renowned Troy, to paint his portrait (a Marsh theme that we've seen before in Final Curtain, 1947). To commemorate the event, Hilary has invited his close relatives to celebrate a community Christmas at his not-quite-finished home, where the locals and their children are provided with gifts and subsequently fed a nice supper. Instead of Santa, Hilary opts for an ancient folklore Druid character to deliver the gifts. Providing the domestic service at the event is Hilary's staff, comprised in part of five men who have previously been convicted of murder -- but they've all been rehabilitated... or have they? In any case, Hilary's eccentric and aged Uncle F. Fleaton Forrester ("Uncle Flea") is supposed to play the Druid role but he falls ill and his personal manservant, Moult, has to take on the task at the last minute. Moult has been somewhat at odds with Hilary's unusual house staff members but it comes as a great surprise to all when Moult comes up missing just after the gifts are distributed. Of course Inspector Alleyn, who has just arrived back in England, ends up on the scene at the snowed-in and isolated mansion and he reluctantly takes on the case -- but his ability to solve the case is hampered as the level of cooperation is not high from the distrustful house staff, all of whom are naturally distrustful of the police. This mystery flows along nicely and one can read it over a couple of evenings -- the hardcover edition (Little, Brown and Company, 1972) runs for 222 pages. As usual, Marsh has crammed this cozy murder with lots of terrific wallpaper and atmosphere. While this isn't a "must-read," Marsh fans will clearly enjoy this entry and I can recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good, fluid, British cozy murder.

I had been an Agatha Christie fan for years when my Aunt first told me about Ngaio Marsh. I picked up this book around the Holidays, and was hooked. The plot was full of twists, and the characters were very well developed. This really was an amazing book.

This was the first Inspector Alleyn mystery I ever read so it holds an extra special place in my heart. Marvelous characters and a great mystery make this one of Marsh's best. The character of Troy Alleyn, a respected portrait painter, starts off the tale never expecting to be plunged into intrigue. She more than manages to hold her own until her husband is called in to solve the case. Quirky players, a little twisted holiday spirit, and the standard Ngaio Marsh wit make this book stellar. A must read and a great first book for Marsh newcomers.

Very entertaining mystery that takes place in a wealthy eccentric's enormous home. Troy Alleyn has been commissioned to paint Hilary (a man) Bill-Tasman's portrait during the Christmas holiday. While she knows that he's eccentric, she doesn't count on the fact that he likes to staff his house with ex-convicts ("onecers")from the local prison. When their crimes start repeating themselves in the great house and a missing person turns up dead, Inspector Alleyn is unwillingly pulled into the picture, taking charge of the investigation. I would have ranked the book higher, except that the identity of the murderer became fairly clear a little too early.

I really liked this particular Inspector Alleyn mystery. I've read quite a few of Marsh's books, and this one really sucked me in. I read it over the holidays on purpose, to put me in the mood. Didn't really work since it doesn't snow here, but it was nice to *read* about snow. At any rate, I loved the notion of the Man of the House having ex-convicts as his staff. I knew who had actually committed the murder in question, from the start (I had a hunch), and I was right, in the end. However, that in no way detracted from the pleasure of the story. I was glad, too, that the central figure was Troy, this time, rather than Roderick. Made a nice change. Her character is wonderful! Anyhoo, great story, all around. I just finished "Artists in Crime", too, and would give that 5 stars, also. There's a few Alleyn mysteries I would *not* give 5 stars to, so don't think me a fawning fan. These two books were exceptional.