Death and the Dancing Footman: Amazon.ca: Ngaio Marsh: Books

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Product Description

A winter weekend ends in snowbound disaster in a novel which remains a favourite among Marsh readers. It began as an entertainment: eight people, many of them enemies, gathered for a winter weekend by a host with a love for theatre. They would be the characters in a drama that he would devise. It ended in snowbound disaster. Everyone had an alibi -- and most a motive as well. But Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn, when he finally arrived, knew it all hung on Thomas, the dancing footman... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 she received what she called her 'damery' in 1966. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Generic but Entertaining, Jul 13 2003

By	hacklehorn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death and the Dancing Footman (Mass Market Paperback)

Seven guests are chosen by their fiend-like host by reason of their mutual enmity and are imprisoned in a snow-bound country house to see what results from their tension and mounting hysteria; which is, of course, murder. Throughout, one is conscious of straining for effect, and, until the murder, the reader will find this one of the author's most tedious and uninspired jobs since the early books. The matter is not helped by a particularly irritating hero, a snobbish and precious aesthete, nor by Alleyn's late appearance, after which he does little except talk to witnesses. After the murder, if one can accept the large doses of hysteria, both masculine and feminine, the book becomes quite solid, and there is a novel twist on the alibi by wireless gimmick.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable, April 4 2002

By	Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Death and the Dancing Footman (Mass Market Paperback)

Wealthy, self-indulgent Jonathan Royal has decided to amuse himself by hosting a houseparty--but not so much for the pleasure of his visitors as for the satisfaction of his own sense of mischief: his guests have been selected for their antagonism toward each other! Needless to say, a number of kettles soon begin to boil... And murder is the result!

Well read mystery fans will probably spot the killer on the basis of previous experience, but DEATH AND THE DANCING FOOTMAN offers one of Marsh's better plots--and as usual she creates a vividly drawn cast of characters and presents her tale with considerable style and plenty of wit. Long standing fans will enjoy it and newcomers will be converted! Recommended.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and murder DO mix, Jan 14 2002

By	Kristen A. Criado (Franklin, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Death and the Dancing Footman (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of Mash's books that I consider a "comfort book." When I don't know what else to read, I reach for this one. The story begins with a house party and a clutch of very unique individuals... of course, murder can't be far behind. It is true that Inspector Alleyn doesn't enter the story until halfway through the book, but that is really incidental. The characters are fascinating studies of human folly and they more than carry the story until Alleyn shows up. Aubrey Mandrake, a guest at the house party, plays a "Dr. Watson"-ish character and is himself quite engaging. This book is a must read for its quirkiness and it's wit. A great Marsh mystery.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit bizarre but still excellent.
I love the countryside that Marsh describes in this book and Overture to Death (set in the same town). Read more

Published on Jul 18 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Delight & the Dancing Footman
This was the first Ngaio Marsh novel I read, and it has lead me to purchase two more of her works. Many people compare Marsh to Christie, for such apparently obvious reasons as... Read more

Published on Jul 1 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars death and the dancing footman
This is the fourth mystery written by Ngaio Marsh I've had the pleasure to read. The characters are believable. Read more

Published on Jul 1 2000 by LEMETRICE

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough Alleyn!
In _Death and the Dancing Footman_, Jonathan Royal, an eccentric gentleman (in the old sense of the word) decides to amuse himself by inviting a group of guests who antagonize... Read more

Published on Jun 26 2000 by MK Writer