“Vintage Murder” by Ngaio Marsh

This book is one of the famous writer’s early works. The murder takes place in a theatre – doesn’t she just love killing people in theatres! Chief Inspector Alleyn is here – of course – and an English theatre on tour in New Zealand. The author has even built an imaginary city – Middleton – to stage her murder in.

I must admit that, having read some of Ngaio Marsh’s later works (though in translation), I expected more from “Vintage Murder”. Roderick Alleyn is as charming as ever, of course, but the rest of the characters could have been better drawn. There are a few good examples of Marsh’s insight into human psychology, but the whole central part of the book is dedicated to the first interrogation of everyone involved – pure routine, in fact, and thoroughly boring. Then, far more interesting episodes, like Roderick Alleyn’s ride to the mountains with Carolyn Dacres or his visit to Dr Te Pokiha, are given far less room than they deserve.

More than that, having read the explanation of how the murder had been achieved – twice! – I still don’t understand it. It has too much to do with the layout of the building, and though I have it drawn in front of me now, it doesn’t make anything any easier for me. Perhaps, if I read it a few times more…

And then, while some of the characters thought that killing a man by hitting him on the had by a big bottle of vintage champagne was a “high-class murder”, personally, I find it disgusting, and wasting so much good champagne and all the good food annoys me. Why not use something more conventional?

Having said that, I still find the book amusing and at the same time educational. I’ve learned a couple of new things about New Zealand and about Maori culture, as well as a few new English words. I’ve laughed a few times. The book is relatively easy to read, despite all the bore of the initial interrogation. And, of course, the presence of Roderick Alleyn alone can make any book worth reading. I think I’m in love with the man, but it’s a pity he has not got married yet by the time the events in the “Vintage Murder” take place, for I love Agatha “Troy” Alleyn even more than I love Roderick.

Somehow getting access to a few of the author’s other books in English is my task for the nearest future. I particularly want “Clutch of Constables”, but, unfortunately, it’s available at Amazon only as a used book or in the audio format. I don’t fancy audio books, and Amazon, for some reason, refuses to deliver used books to Russia. But I know that dreams do come true if one perseveres.