Ngaio Marsh, Artists in Crime (1938)

Ngaio Marsh (1895 – 1982) may still be the most famous crime fiction writer from New Zealand. This novel is the sixth in the Alleyn series, and the story where he meets Agatha Troy, the brilliant painter, whom he marries later.

Here is Alleyn´s first impression of Miss Troy when they meet on a boat from New Zealand back to England:

”Sitting on the canvas cover of one of the boats was a woman. She seemed to be dabbing at something. She stood up and he saw that she wore a pair of exceedingly grubby flannel trousers, and a short grey overall. In her hand was a long brush. Her face was disfigured by a smudge of green paint, and her short hair stood up in a worried shock, as though she had run her hands through it.”

This may not be art crime, but certainly artist crime. Alleyn falls for the interesting artist at first sight; she misunderstands him and feels annoyed by his unwanted attention while he, the nobleman, sees her beauty, her talent, her personality and her great intelligence behind the coat of paint.

Agatha Troy is going back home to Britain to begin a painting class for a handful of promising painters. As the reader expects, a murder soon takes place in the small, closed circle, and of course Alleyn is on the case, giving him a chance to be close to her.

There are several points of resemblance between this fine Golden Age whodunit and Dorothy L. Sayers´ Strong Poison, the novel where Lord Peter Wimsey meets Harriet Vane, the interesting and intelligent author who is accused of murder. Wimsey falls in love at their first meeting and does everything to save his beloved, but she is far too proud to accept his proposal.

2010 Cozy Mystery Challenge # 6

Coming up later this weekend: Competition - win a gift card.

Ngaio Marsh, Death in a White Tie (1938)

This cozy mystery is a fine example of the Golden Age of crime (the 1920s and 30s). Though written by a New Zealander, the setting is London, and the novel gives a fine sense of the environment and the period.

To be totally honest, I reread this novel as part of a competition to win a book. On the other hand, why shouldn´t I, as I enjoyed reading Mrs Marsh´s mysteries years ago and own several of them.

The first lines which should give you an impression of the environment and the period:

“Roderick,” said Lady Alleyn, looking at her son over the top of her spectacles, “I am coming out.”

“Out?” repeated Chief Detective-Inspector Alleyn vaguely. “Out where, mama? Out of what?”

“Out in the world. Out of retirement. Out into the season. Out. Dear me,” she added confusedly, “how absurd a word becomes if one says it repeatedly. Out.”

Like Lord Peter Wimsey, Detective Inspector Alleyn of Scotland Yard is a handsome and charming, noble investigator, and he seems quite taken by the painter Agatha Troy. (Not quite his class, and as she has been involved in a criminal case, she is too proud to marry him, Dear Reader).

Alleyn is engaged in a case of blackmail among the upper circles in London at a time when scandals mattered. Soon the dead body of one of Alleyn´s friends appears in a taxi, however, making him even more determined to solve the case.

This 7th Alleyn story is vintage Marsh – strongly recommended for lovers of the classic, cozy mystery.

Ngaio Marsh, Døden i kjole og hvidt (1969).
Denne krimi, som først blev udgivet i 1938, er et fint eksempel på kriminalromanens guldalder (1920erne og 1930erne). Selv om forfatteren er New Zealænder, udspiller serien sig i London, og romanen giver et udmærket indblik i perioden og miljøet.

For at være ærlig, genlæste jeg den i et forsøg på at vinde en bog. På den anden side, hvorfor skulle jeg lade være, eftersom jeg nød Alleyn-serien meget, da jeg var yngre.

Ligesom Lord Peter Wimsey, er inspector Alleyn fra Scotland Yard en smuk og charmerende adelig detektiv, og han er stærkt interesseret i maleren Agatha Troy. (Hun er ikke helt af hans egen klasse, og eftersom hun har været indblandet i en kriminalsag, er hun for stolt til at gifte sig med ham).

Alleyn bliver engageret i en sag om pengeafpresning blandt de bedre kredse i London på en tid, hvor skandaler virkelig betød noget. Og snart efter bliver liget af en af Alleyns personlige venner fundet på bagsædet af en taxi, og naturligvis er han endnu mere opsat på at opklare sagen.

Den syvende Alleyn-krimi er en klassisk Ngaio Marsh – anbefales for tilhængere af den traditionelle, ´britiske´ hyggekrimi.