Reading the Detectives discussion

We are now in 1980 and nearing the end of our Ngaio Marsh marathon!

Book 31 sees Alleyn, and Troy, back in New Zealand, in a heady mixture of art, opera and - of course - death. Murder and mayhem strike when a small group of people are confined to an island in the middle of a New Zealand lake in one of Ngaio Marsh's novels.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

I do think this is one of Marsh's better books. Although at first there did seem to be a lot of characters, they were so different that they were easy to tell apart. I did feel that there was a lot of misleading information fed to us, but it was cleverly done.

It didn't quite feel like we were in 1980, as I noted a Noel Coward reference. Though flight was used to get to New Zealand, whereas in the previous books I think Alleyn sailed.

I enjoyed Dr Carmichael taking the role of Fox. Though did find the plot verging on ridiculous at times.

Tracey wrote: "It didn't quite feel like we were in 1980, as I noted a Noel Coward reference. Though flight was used to get to New Zealand, whereas in the previous books I think Alleyn sailed. ..."

Yes, I think the flight may have been a first for this series. I think the whole way that Alleyn and Troy talk doesn't seem like 1980, but perhaps it would be a shame if they suddenly started speaking differently so near to the end of the series!

What did anyone think about the opera? It seems as if it starts off seeming good but then people gradually realise it isn't. I'm not an opera buff, but found this hard to imagine.

A shame that it gets completely burned, since possibly Rupert could rework some of it in the future - although I suppose he might never want to look at it again after everything that has happened.

It did seem dated although, as I mentioned in my review, there were a couple of moments where Alleyn cursed, 'bloody,' or somesuch, which seemed very out of character.

The idea of Rupert being the one kept by an older woman did seem quite modern.

Susan wrote: "The idea of Rupert being the one kept by an older woman did seem quite modern...."

It reminded me a bit of the film noir Sunset Boulevard - the young man trying to get a foot up and the older, fading female star trying to reassure herself she is still attractive.

I hadn't noticed Alleyn swearing, Susan! I did occasionally notice references to modern things which seem a bit incongruous in a Marsh book somehow, but I have now forgotten what these mentions were - maybe a particular TV show or something like that.

An aspect of the book I really liked was the mystery photographer and the spiteful messages being sent - this had a flavour of the "poison pen" stories so beloved by Golden Age writers!

I did not manage to work out the photographer's identity though, until Alleyn revealed it - did anyone else?

Judy wrote: "I hadn't noticed Alleyn swearing, Susan! I did occasionally notice references to modern things which seem a bit incongruous in a Marsh book somehow, but I have now forgotten what these mentions wer..."

Marsh had people 'bloody-ing' all through the book (so far), but when Alleyn uses bloody when talking with Troy it felt somewhat wrong to me. But, I'm guessing that's because she's always had him so well and genteely spoken up until now - or so it seems. The same as references to modern things seems almost forced. As though she's been told to modernise her writing. Unfortunately her actual style would have need to have some change to fit these references in less obviously.

I hadn't noticed the "bloody", Lesley and Susan, I admit. At least it was nothing worse, I suppose! I think he has always said "damn" a lot.

Was anyone else worried this book would turn out to be a drugs mystery again? I thought this early on when Alleyn is sent there partly to investigate a drugs ring - but fortunately for once it isn't all about drugs, which I don't think are a very good theme for Marsh.

Judy wrote: "I hadn't noticed the "bloody", Lesley and Susan, I admit. At least it was nothing worse, I suppose! I think he has always said "damn" a lot.

Was anyone else worried this book would turn out to be..."

Yes! When I first started reading my thought was "oh no, not another drug investigation ... sigh". I was so pleased it turned out to be just the opening.

I have to say I quite enjoyed this book even though it still had that dated feel considering it was written and published in 1980.

Thinking about this it occurs to me that while much had changed by 1980, even in NZ, Marsh was now in her mid 80s. Reflecting on my grandparents who were of a similar age during this period, there manner of speech, attitudes, behaviours etc. hadn't changed to reflect that time period. They were aware of changes, but hadn't joined the youth in the social changes - just spent a lot of time tut tutting at their grands. So, would Marsh be expected to have written in a more modern style, had her characters behaving in the manner of the time - when all said and done, those characters have been with her for all that time and probably wouldn't change that much either - that that in which she saw the world?

That could also explain why her attempts to introduce more modern aspects, possibly at the behest of her publisher, feeling to be a little forced.

I also did not pick up on the swearing, but I agree Lesley that as we get older, you change less, and become more out of sync with the modern time. Personally I don't want her books to be more modern, I enjoy them as they are.
I was a bit confused by the romance between Rupert and Sylvia. Were we to suppose that that had been going on awhile (despite Rupert only recently realizing how Bella was not who he supposed her to be?) Or did it just progress very quickly?
In retrospect, the killer seems a bit obvious. His icy cold demeanor was off-putting from the beginning, and explains why he would accept La Sommita as a trophy, but was okay with her sleeping with other men.

Just finished this one tonight. I enjoyed this one. I had no idea who the photographer was but I did suspect the murderer. Something he said about the book in the library made me think he had at very least seen the book earlier.

But I don’t understand why he waited so long to kill her? He had years, why leave it so long? I don’t think Alleyn explains why he waited for years then finally picked that night.

Victoria wrote: "But I don’t understand why he waited so long to kill her? He had years, why leave it so long? I don’t think Alleyn explains why he waited for years then finally picked that night...."

Good question! I don't know the answer though - it does seem very strange that he would live on intimate terms with her for such a long time. Did anyone else notice any explanations of this?

This might be one of my favorite Marsh's: the portrayal of their marriage, the setting and the storm, and Alleyn working so carefully given his non-official status. Of course I could be influenced by missing Alleyn for a couple of months and knowing we are almost done.

I saw no reason Reece would have waited so long for his revenge and don't remember any explanation. I didn't suspect him but I didn't suspect anyone else either (except Maria). I'm glad, plot-wise, that it was not Maria alone. That would have been anti-climatic.

Did Reece hope to pin the murder on Rupert? Until Maria added the knife was he hoping for a natural death verdict? I think I remember the cause of death being asphyxiation while under chloroform.

When Rupert and Sylvia were first seen together someone mentioned prior rehearsals off-island, but I don't think the reader was given any hint.

I think the delay in Reece actually murdering Bella was so that he could have the photography campaign culminating in a final photograph that mirrored the historic stabbing through the letter.

Marco being the photographer was indicated, in particular, by when he became part of the Reece household compared to when the photographs started, followed by details of opportunity to attempt to post the photograph off and the dubious claim to have seen someone who was potentially the photographer.

Bella is portrayed as gifted with regard to the quality of her voice rather than her appreciation of what makes music great rather than banal, and blinded by the beauty of the composer. As an enthusiast for classical music in general, rather than specifically opera, I can believe this is plausible; However, I think the very greatest musicians can judge between great and so-so music.

I, also, enjoyed this story, including Troy’s relationship with Alleyn, and thought that the whodunnit itself was fairly clued with everything coming together nicely.

Nick, I suppose the singer need not be a good judge of what she is singing but Bella is portrayed as such an established artist I thought she would have developed an "ear" with constant exposure.