Black As He's Painted - Softcover

Marsh, Ngaio

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006512283 ISBN 13: 9780006512288

Publisher: Harper Collins Pb, 2000

One of Ngaio Marsh's most popular novels, this time featuring one of her best creations - Lucy Lockett, the crime-solving cat. When the exuberant president of Ng'ombwana proposes to dispense with the usual security arrangements on an official visit to London, his old school mate, Chief Superintendent Alleyn, is called in to persuade him otherwise. Consequently, on the night of the embassy's reception the house and grounds are stiff with police. Nevertheless, an assassin does strike, and Alleyn finds he has no shortage of help, from Special Branch to a tribal court - and a small black cat named Lucy Lockett who out-detects them all...

About the Author:

Dame Ngaio Marsh was born in New Zealand in 1895 and died in February 1982. She wrote over 30 detective novels and many of her stories have theatrical settings, for Ngaio Marsh's real passion was the theatre. She was both actress and producer and almost single-handedly revived the New Zealand public's interest in the theatre. It was for this work that the received what she called her `damery' in 1966.

From AudioFile:

Marsh reintroduces Scotland Yard's Inspector Roderick Alleyn to listeners, and this time, he's protecting his old school chum, the president of Ng'ombwana, against potential assassins during his stay in London. Nadia May is nothing short of extraordinary in this complicated mystery dominated by multiple male characters. In fact, listeners will disregard May's gender altogether as she shifts effortlessly from one dialect to another during heated and animated conversations. Every character's eccentricity is explored and appropriately interpreted, adding spice, humor, and authenticity to a proper British mystery. B.J.P. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine