Book Description
It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Murdered.
At Sir Hubert Handesley's country house party, five guests have gathered for the uproarious parlor game of "Murder." Yet no one is laughing when the lights come up on an actual corpse, the good-looking and mysterious Charles Rankin. Scotland Yard's Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives to find a complete collection of alibis, a missing butler, and an intricate puzzle of betrayal and sedition in the search for the key player in this deadly game.
Customer Reviews:
Series.......2006-03-13
This is a book which is part of one of my favorite series. Ngaio Marsh is an excellent writer. I always enjoy her books.
The first Alleyn mystery, but not a representative start.......2006-01-01
When beginning to read a series that unfolds various episodes in the lives of a group of characters, even in mystery series where the individual books are stand-alone works, one often wants to begin at the beginning. A MAN LAY DEAD, however, is an instance of a book not only at the beginning of a series, but at the beginning of its author's career, when Marsh was still experimenting with the craft of writing mysteries as well as working out how best to deploy her chief investigative character, Alleyn of Scotland Yard. (His rank varies over the course of the series, but here he's already rather distinguished and in his very late thirties or early forties. He's a character who will not age much over the next fifty years of his career.)
The basic plot of A MAN LAY DEAD is fairly simple - Nigel Bathgate, a young reporter, is accompanying his well-off cousin Charles Rankin to a country house party, wherein the main entertainment of the weekend is to be a Murder Game (which, of course, features a real corpse sooner rather than later). Since the local police force is fairly small and has a few people off sick, they promptly turn the case over to the Yard, and Alleyn takes over the investigation. (The fact that some of the chief suspects ordinarily live in London doesn't seem to be a factor.) Bathgate is essentially the viewpoint character throughout, without use of Alleyn's point of view as in later books, and Marsh introduces some rather strained bits of business at times to ensure that Bathgate can be an eyewitness to parts of the investigation that realistically he should never have been allowed to see, let alone participate in. Alleyn is an interesting but rather remote figure in this story.
The country house setting has about a dozen servants looking after a household whose official residents total two, as far as I can tell: Sir Hubert (a fanatical weapons collector with a hobby of giving parties) and his niece Angela, who is Bathgate's romantic interest. She's a demonic driver, and looks very good indeed compared to the female guests, who are both hangers-on of Nigel's cousin in one way or another. The other members of the house party generally give an impression of being stuffy and/or affected at first sight, while few of the servants have many scenes. Marsh in later years tended to develop supporting players more than she does here.
Considered as a puzzle, the story has at least one weakness, which is that Alleyn has information about the motives of some of the suspects that isn't given to the reader. However, since the evidence about *how* the crime was committed and of the characters' movements is provided, the reader has enough to work with to attempt a solution.
Considered in terms of portraying a police investigation, I don't think Marsh has been particularly realistic. On the one hand, Alleyn effectively puts the entire house party under house arrest by instructing them not to leave the house until the inquest (not, for example, just making themselves appropriately available), while on the other hand, the house isn't properly locked down and one of the servants manages to get away completely (and doesn't seem to face any consequences for having fled the scene once he *is* located). Alleyn messes around with forensic work rather than letting his fingerprint expert just do his job and *ask* for everyone's fingerprints, but on the other hand abets some illegal search and seizure at another point. As well as the standard reenactment of the crime/confront the murderer scene, Alleyn involves civilians unnecessarily in another bit of hunting with live bait that goes badly wrong.
In terms of human interest that turns this into a story rather than a simple puzzle - and supplies red herrings where necessary - I *had* thought Marsh's second book, ENTER A MURDERER, was overly melodramatic in spots. I spoke without having completed *this* book, which combines some fairly believable personal relationships with incidents that try the reader's credulity. One amazing subplot - "amazing" as a descriptive, not a compliment - is that the murder weapon is a symbolic weapon of a Russian secret society. The reason I'm not being complimentary about this is that the society is introduced without really being made to earn its way - it could've been really interesting and colourful but fell flat. Marsh doesn't seem to have put much effort into consistently working out what she *did* use with it - it's a "Russian" society, but uses Mongolian weaponry and the first member of the society we learn about is Polish, without any sense of how all those elements are supposed to fit together. This kind of undeveloped gimmick isn't at all typical of what I've read of Marsh's later work, so if a reader began with this book, the reader might get a very inaccurate impression of her typical style.
Drive-in totals:
- Three love affairs, at least one including the viewpoint character.
- One secret society with ceremonial sacred weapons and some torture.
- One kidnapping episode.
- Some rather prejudiced attitudes among the characters (mostly anti-foreign sentiment), with one noticeable ethnic slur.
A good start to a great series.......2005-09-04
This is a great introduction to a delightful series set in the classic English manor house.. Marsh takes her reader along not letting one know the "how" and "who" under the last few pages. It's the beginning of a wonderful friendship between Alleyn and journalist Nigel Bathgate. The series definitely improves over time, but I always like to begin at the beginning. Personally, I prefer Marsh to Christie; maybe because I'm a procedurals fan. Whatever your preference, there are interesting characters, effective red herrings, the classic reveal all of which result in a very satisfying read.
A beginner's classic cozy.......2003-12-07
Until now, I had never read anything by New Zealander Ngaio Marsh. Shall I ever again? Well, yes, especially when I feel in the mood for a `classic cozy'; and I mean that quite literally. This is Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn's first mystery. He has to be the most shrewdly charismatic of all the sleuths created during the Golden Era of mystery. In its most classic sense, "A man lay dead" takes place at an English country house. A party of five guests arrives for a weekend at Frantock, Sir Hubert Handesley's residence. Quite the tycoon, Handesley distinguishes himself in party planning and antique weapon collecting. One of his guests, Charles Rankin, brings with him not only his dull journalist cousin; but also a very old (and priceless) dagger of Mongolian origin. Upon perusal by Sir Handesley and the other guests during cocktails, the weapon appears to have a bloody past: it is believed to have been savagely used by some secret Russian organizations during the time of the Bolshevik revolts. Needless to say, after seeing the specimen Sir Hubert's mouth waters, his Russian butler disappears mysteriously, his only Russian guest, a Dr. Tokareff, starts acting weirdly then ever; and... Charles Rankin is stabbed in the back with the weapon during `The Murder Game', which was supposed to be the entertainment of the weekend. Thus, the innocently planned party becomes quite eerie, its guests more tense than ever; even though they all appear to have cast-iron alibis.
This first novel is somewhat general at times, but two thirds into it, I couldn't put it down. I found ingenious the way Marsh would not give away whodunit right up to the last two or three pages in the book. Alleyn keeps everyone on their toes during a constant guessing game, and even though at times he may appear disconcerting to everyone else involved - including the reader - he is very much in control of his ideas, suave as ever. I did find, however, that the Russian element in the story was pushed a bit too much. Even though the dagger does have a bloody past, it has really nothing to do in the end with the actual solving of the crime. In bringing on a complicated background of Russian espionage, Marsh confuses the reader with so many new characters and plot twists. In the end, it all goes back to the beginning - literally - to Frantock, where Alleyn, in a most dramatic display of his powers of persuasion, taunts the murderer into self discovery. I very much enjoyed reading the descriptions of the English country settings and the way the game is planned - perhaps I shall try it for my next party? No dagger, mind you - and I look forward to more Inspector Alleyn mysteries, where, due to Marsh's love of the theater; everything has quite a dramatic development.
Poor Debut.......2003-07-13
A preposterous tale that can only be excused by the fact that it was the author's apprentice work, obviously to Sayers and Christie. The situation is wholly generic: murder done under cover of `The Murder Game,' and all the suspects have cast-iron alibis. The murderer's is clever rather than convincing, but even this is undone by the complete absence of clues. It is not, however, the central murder that damns the novel, but the sheer badness of the extraneous elements. The facetiousness is embarrassing: Alleyn and Bathgate are at the nadir of their ingenuousness, giggling coyly like a pair of schoolgirls, while the passages with grubby brats are irritating in the extreme. The final straw is the intrusive and irrelevant "Russian element," which badly dates the tale; indeed, the preposterous bratsvo-torture scenes are reminiscent of Walling and Wallace at their worst. The previous owner showed his disappointment by scribbling Cyrillics in the margins.
Product Description
Paperbacks
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
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A Man Lay Dead
Ngaio Marsh
Manufacturer: Jove Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S08TTG |
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A Man Lay Dead
Ngaio Marsh
Manufacturer: New York Berkley Medallion F 630 no date.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MVDO50 |
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A Man Lay Dead
Ngaio Marsh
Manufacturer: Fontana/Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0006142117 |
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A Man Lay Dead
Ngaio Marsh
Manufacturer: New York: Berkley Books, 1970
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXFHCK |
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A Man Lay Dead
Ngaio Marsh
Manufacturer: Berkley Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000KT23U6 |
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A Man Lay Dead
Ngaio Marsh
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000K0AKS2 |
Customer Reviews:
Little House in the Fairy Woods.......2007-06-12
I was disappointed in the book I received. Not because of the story which was as wonderful as I remembered. But because of the lack of illustration. I had this book as a child (it belonged to my mother). My sister now has the copy with the beautiful illustrations. When I saw the book on amazon, it showed the illustration on the front of the hardcover book (see product) and I happily purchased it. When I recieved it there were no illustrations at all. I could have purchased the paperback for less which I knew did not have illustrations.
Book Description
Large format paper back for easy reading. A delightful children's classic from an otherwise little known author
Book Description
Always harmful and potentially deadly, eating disorders can wreak havoc on families. Unfortunately, the same can often be said of their treatment: blaming parents for the illness, many eating disorder programs exclude parents and widen the rift in an already shattered family. This powerful and controversial book by top researchers James Lock and Daniel le Grange argues that parents are not the culprits but the key to their teen's recovery. Based on new research, Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder shows how parents can break the disorder's control over their child's mind and re-establish normal eating and family relations. The odds for full recovery drop precipitously if treatment is delayed. A radically important wake up call, this book urges parents to act now.
Customer Reviews:
Very Informative Book.......2007-10-11
Of the books I've read about eating disorders, this is probably the most informative one regarding explanations of what eating disorders are. This is an excellent resource for anyone with a young child or teenager with an eating disorder. I did find their advice about leaving your job to stay home with your child or going to their school to eat with them to be a bit impractical, but overall think the book is a valuable resource.
Successful approach to recovery.......2007-08-10
I found this book extremely helpful. It is very easy to understand and provides key information to helping teenagers recover from eating disorders using a new approach that includes parents and other family members supporting strategies to recovery,
The most helpful read at a most difficult time.......2007-03-12
This book gave my husband and I a much needed understanding of this complicated disease. Nothing else was as clear and helpful.
Insight for Parents.......2007-01-23
Anorexia is a confusing psychiatric disease and this book provides an oversight of available therapies along with suggestions as to how best approach your child with it.
The book is somewhat difficult to "get into", as the first few chapters are rather theoretical but does give practical advice in the end.
With this book in hand, professional counseling is still recommended.
Very Helpful Book.......2006-07-17
I bought this book last summer (July 2005) just before my daughter was hospitilized with an (ED)eating disorder. I tried outpatient counseling, visiting a dietician,(begging too)and encouragement. I was depressed, frustrated, sad, and angry that my daughter was not improving despite my efforts to help her--and I realized she had an ED early. I
This book gave me insight and understanding to circumstances that may cause an ED and anecdotes that may relate to your child or family. It does not parent-bash, blaming failure on the parent. I shared this book with other parents with kids in ED treatment--and many bought it after looking at the content. I am grateful for the book and the treatment she received. The treatment was family-centered (mentioned in book) and involved the entire family. Treatment was difficult and necessary to save my child's life.
Parents, watch out for the internet: xanga, my space, House_of_sins.com--and other sites. There are communities of so- called "Ana and mia's",giving advice, and thinspirations to help your child continue their sickness.
This book is the best book on the market. It is not a manual for treatment alone, but an aide to understand and get help.
Book Description
From the author of the hugely popular Heart of the Home series comes a brand new, delightfully illustrated five-year memory book for the holidays, which Susan Branch fans will enthusiastically make part of their annual Christmas tradition. Christmas Memories is a highly interactive keepsake book about the joys of the holiday season, with new watercolours created especially for this book. It will be a familys 5-year record of their holiday seasons. For each of the five years, Christmas Memories will feature areas for readers to write in how each Christmas is special, as well as places to include the annual holiday photo, card, letters to Santa, and other cherished mementos. Families can record their traditions around: The Tree, Christmas Eve, Morning, and Day, and Christmas Dinner and Grace, Special Gifts to and from Special People, Special Parties, and New Years. The book will also include each years Christmas favourites: Decorations, Books, CDs, Movies, Stories, Carols, Recipes, and Collections. An aggressive licensing program is underway; existing licenses include stationery and cards, matted prints, personalized checks, fabric, scrapbooking and craft products, and kitchen accessories.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful book for Christmas memories...........2007-08-23
This is my second book, I love this book and hope to get one every 5 years! It's a great way to save all our wonderful Christmas memories, places to put photos,write notes and share your wonderful experiences for years to come. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys scrapbooking but doesn't have the time...it's done for you except what you put in...love it
Excellent Legacy to Someday Leave.......2006-03-19
Although our 2 children are still very small, we already love to flip through the pages of this book and look at the first year when our oldest was a baby. This book records 5 years of Christmas memories and is a treasure in our home. Each year in full of areas for pictures, attaching keepsakes, and recording memories that would otherwise get forgotten with the passage of time. There is also a pocket in the far back to keep other treasures in as well, such as letters to Santa, etc. We have completed the first 4 years and I intend on buying another copy after we complete the 5th year in December 2006. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to preserve memories!
Great Memory Keeper.......2006-02-25
I loved this book so much, I used all the pages each year and was delighted that Amazon had a copy to order a second one! The whole family enjoys looking at the book each year, going over the previous years events and memories. I recommend it, a treasure for your grandchildren!
Wonderful Christmas Memory Book!.......2005-10-30
I must say I purchased this book in 2001 for my husband and I to record every Christmas together from 2001-2005. And have grown fond of this book. It has places for your card, stamp, photo's of your family, tree, decorations and all your favorite things including funny things that happen like when my brother got stuck under the tree one year! I've grown so fond of it that I'm back to order 2 more of these books now to enjoy from 2006 through 2013! If you want something wonderful to record your favorite christmas memories or some type of great gift to give those whom seem to get sentimental during Christmas this is the book you need!
Great way to preserve special Christmas memories that otherwise might be forgotten and will be a great Heirloom for generations to come. This has been my most cherished book of all time and I'm sure it'll be yours too. comes with pockets to hold keepsakes, places to jot down special memories, great illustated pages and themes that only Susan Branch can deliver!
A Must for Susan Branch Fans!.......2001-12-15
This Christmas journal, just out this year, is loaded with Susan's wonderfully charming and creative art work. The volume is well organized and provides lots of space for recording activities, memories and other seasonal details. Space is also provided for special photos and keepsakes so you can thoroughly record your holidays for five years. It makes a wonderful heirloom quality addition to your family library. A perfect gift for the scribe, scrapbook fan or creative member of your family and an absolute must for us Susan Branch fans!
Customer Reviews:
Christmas from the Heart of the Home.......2007-01-10
I've had this book for years and I have purchased this book many times over for the perfect gift at Christmas for the person who has everything. I leave it out all during the holidays and people will pick it up and then want it. It's just a great book to read through with lots of great ideas to make your holidays enjoyable. Beautiful illustrations too. You simply can't go wrong wih this book. The perfect gift!
After Thanksgiving dishes are done, this book is the first thing I reach for........2006-11-15
As with Susan Branch's other seasonal books, I use this Christmas treasure to kick off the season! Serioualy, I've dog-earred some of the recipes that have become family traditions since I first got this book. I've learned how special it is to replace all sheets with fun holiday flannel sheets. I do much more than simply put up a tree these days. In short, I must attribute my refreshed zest for holiday living to re-reading this book every year before do anything else. (It's also a nice gift!)
The perfect holiday book.......2003-01-10
I bought this book when I first discovered Susan Branch books. I loved it so much I gave it to all my sisters and sisters-in-law. They have all used it as a reference during the holidays and even through out the year.I have given this book to so many others as well and they all love the book. I can only state that this book stands up with all the Susan Branch products and is wonderful and so useful.
A Wonderful Gift!.......2003-01-02
This book is so charming! I received it as a gift from a dear friend many years ago and I re-read it every Christmas! Recipes, ideas, and holiday thoughts pulled together with Susan Branch's truly unique artistry make this a favorite.
A beautiful holiday treasure!.......2001-12-11
No matter what else is going on, this book is a wonderful holiday "pick-me-up". You will feel instantly more "Christmasy" after looking through it. I keep it on my coffee table throughout the holiday season.
As with all Susan Branch books, her watercolor illustrations are absolutely beautiful. They rnage from adorable little elfs to sumptuous holiday table settings.
The recipes are clearly written, her cookie recipes are particularly good and she offers great tips on presenting cookies as a holiday gift.
This is a great book to browse through around the holidays!
Customer Reviews:
Cute. A little tiny 'tho.......2007-08-05
I purchased the autumn book and really enjoyed it, so I ordered Christmas Joy. I was tad disappointed to see this was such a small and slender volume. It has the same cute recipes and suggestions but fewer of them. It is also fairly short- only 46 pages. I read it in about 15 minutes.
Overalll, a cute book, but I was expecting more.
Dont you just LOVE Susan? I do!.......2006-08-02
This little book is a great addition to your Susan Branch collection. I enjoy the little recipes and as always her beautiful watercolor drawings! Beautiful!
A wonderful Christmas gift book !.......2003-11-13
This book has it all and is delightful. I bought this as a gift for my sister-in- law and am I ever glad I also got one for myself. Itis beautifully illustrated and is filled with recipes, decorating ideas and special thoughts. Its one of those books that you get out each year at Christmas time and you read it again and again.
Great gift........2002-03-03
Purchased this as a Christmas gift for my nephew's wife. She loved it!
A Delightful Book to Help get in the Spirit of the season.......2001-10-20
Susan Branch is a wonderful author. Not only does this book allow the reader to cook but also to become part of the wimsy and the fun that is a book from Susan Branch
Book Description
Coming Home for Christmas Cookbook is filled with memories of joyful homecomings, magical crafts, quick tips and decorating ideas, a bounty of gifts from your holiday kitchen, plus hundreds of time-tested recipes handed down from one generation to the next. From golden-brown turkey with sage dressing to the last luscious dessert, this is one cookbook you won't want to miss!
Product Description
Better Homes & Gardens "Holiday cooking then and now." Holiday recipes profusely illustrated in delicious color. Includes 24 page color-illustrated booklet insert, "Holiday Cookies & Desserts".
Books:
- A Moorland Hanging (A Knights Templar Mystery)
- A Murder is Announced (Miss Marple Mysteries)
- A Pocket Full of Rye (Miss Marple Mysteries)
- A Whole Lotta Love
- After Dark, My Sweet
- Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (An Agatha Raisin Mystery)
- Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell (An Agatha Raisin Mystery)
- Blood Is Dirt
- Bloody River Blues
- Butchers Hill (Tess Monaghan Mysteries)
Books Index
Books Home
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General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Enter A Murderer (A Roderick Alleyn Mystery)
Vintage Murder (A Roderick Alleyn Mystery)
Overture To Death (A Roderick Alleyn Mystery)
Death at the Bar (A Roderick Alleyn Mystery)
Artists in Crime
