"Someone's added a new flourish to South Mardian's annual sword dance. One of the dancers in the performance has been neatly decapitated. But was it murder? or magic? In a village so totally populated by eccentrics, anything is believable and everyone's a suspect. Scotland Yards Inspector Alleyn has to perform some nimble steps of his own to crack this bizarre case"

If you love mysteries, and especially do not want to have to worry about profanity and sex, this series by Ngaio Marsh featuring Inspector Alleyn is not to be missed. She is almost as good a writer as Agatha Christie! You will love this book so much that you will want to read all of them I am sure!

Share/Like this Review?

Alleyn is a quite ingratiating detective and once he arrives on the scene the story gains in interest. There are quite a number of characters, but all are well fleshed out and it's not confusing keeping them straight in your mind as you read. Although crucial to the solution I got a little bored with the details of the (fictitious) Dance of the Five Sons, and thought a diagram of the area it took place in would have been helpful (Alleyn draws one himself to illustrate his thoughts to his police colleague.)

Share/Like this Review?

Good mystery. It was so interesting to learn about some of the ancient customs/rites of English country folk. You always learn something new in Marsh's books.

Share/Like this Review?

British mystery by a New Zealand born writer. Very old school but a refreshing departure from more modern mysteries.

Share/Like this Review?