Death at the Dolphin

 

by Ngaio Marsh (read by James Saxon) c. 1967

Agatha Christie Centenary Celebration, October side read

I am beginning to think that I like Ngaio Marsh more than Agatha Christie

 

 I love that this is set in a theater around the production of a play. Marsh was not just an author but she was a playwright, producer and director as well. She knows all the moving parts and weaves them into the tale deftly.

One thing that I like about Marsh is that she is not always in a hurry to get to the foul deed. She takes her time with the set up, giving us time to get to know the cast of characters and the situation, maybe even dropping a few clues along the way. It's the anticipation -- waiting for the other shoe to drop, wondering who the victim will be and when and where it will take place.

Four stars.