A Man Lay Dead begins with a simple premise that quickly became one of the most common >>> a group of individuals with strong ties to one another gather for an extended party at the country estate of an older host. Though on the surface the visitors are all close friends, it quickly becomes apparent that one of them sits at the center of a web of questionable relationships and lies, and (lo and behold) he/she somehow ends up dead before the event is through.
Despite the rapid onslaught of characters and names, keeping the suspects relatively straight in your head isn’t a problem, as each is established quickly in broad strokes that should be familiar at once to any Cozy Mystery reader. Names can quickly become associated with well-established and beloved character types – Sir Hubert Handesley is quickly established as The Educated Host, his niece Angela as The Reliable Modern Girl, the young man who serves as one of the primary points of view of the novel as The Intrepid Young Journalist, and so forth. These are character types beloved for a reason – they’re well portrayed and sympathetic here, and Marsh is especially skilled at showing how uncomfortable many of them become with one another – and how they try to conceal that fact – as suspicions begins to prey on them as their police-enforced isolation lengthens.
Speaking of the police, this is also our introduction to Inspector Alleyn, though his regular assistant, Sergeant Fox, doesn’t make an appearance in this early Marsh book. Compared to the detectives of Marsh’s contemporaries, Inspector Alleyn is a relatively quiet, conservative sort. He certainly doesn’t employ the flamboyant manner of a Poirot or the delicate social machinations of a Marple. Instead he is a prime example of the “educated investigator”, likely serving as one of the inspirations for later characters such as Thaw’s Inspector Morse, another character who perhaps possessed a bit more education than most people would expect from a police officer of those times. Though Alleyn’s presence might be a bit less pronounced than some of his more dynamic peers in the Cozy world, this isn’t necessarily a negative – instead it serves to make the mystery itself more of a star, as the reader is encouraged to focus more on the business at hand instead of the eccentric performances of the detective.
And I suppose that really summarizes Marsh’s strongest point – the mystery is the star, in the end, and Marsh writes strong mysteries that will often leave you guessing right up until the very end. A Man Lay Dead is a classic mystery by a classic author, and as such (I think) should be read by any fan of Cozy Mysteries.
P.S. The Inspector Allyen Mysteries television series is really, really good!
If you’re interested in reading more of these brief revisits of some of the more popular Cozy Mystery Series that I’ve written in the past, you can find them at the Most Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Billie says
You can’t go wrong with Ngaio Marsh. Her books are a good read. Thanks for the recommendation for the tv show/will have to check Netflix.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Billie, I totally concur! You can’t go wrong with Ngaio Marsh!
Linda k says
I loved this series when I was in college. I should check it out again!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda K, some of these authors from our past write classics, no matter when we read them!
Nicole says
Thank you a lot for telling the details of the books. Thats what i need to understood more if i like the books or not. I got a three book for under 4€ deal at amazon for kindle (i know feel its a little bit too easy to buy for kindle – one click and here you go 😉
But now i can put the older books back on my wishlist because i am not looking for old paperbacks. Really good. (I am also interested in Dorothy Sayers – so if you need a idea for a new topic here, i will appreciate it a lot to know more about her books 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nicole, here’s something I wrote about Dorothy L. Sayers way, way back when I first started the Cozy Mystery site:Dorothy L. Sayers: One of the Four Golden Age’s Queens of Crime
Stash Empress says
I read some of Ngaio Marsh’s books in high school. For some reason I’d forgotten all about them. Will have to add to the incredibly growing TBRR list (to be re-read) — which by now is as long or longer than the original TBR list. 😉
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash Empress, the good news is this: Ngaio Marsh’ mysteries are still good!
Cyn says
Thank you so much! I’ve never read any of her books but I will now! I’m in my 60’s and somehow I’ve always passed by her books. I guess I needed to hear your comments. Please continue to enlighten!
(I feel so embarrassed!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cyn, I think a lot of people have passed by her books without trying them. But her books really harken back to the Golden Age of Crime. I hope you try one soon. And, don’t be put off by all of the characters you will be introduced to at the beginning of the novel. (When I used to listen to the books on audio, I would sometimes have to replay the introduction chapters a few times because there seemed to be so many characters.)
Lynn T. says
I read Ngaio Marsh many years ago. You have rekindled (now I see the word kindle differently) my interest in reading A Man Lay Dead. I requested the book in e-format from the library. I am on a waiting list for it and they will contact me when it is available.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn T, you being on a waiting list sure says a lot for Ngaio Marsh’ work. (I love your reference to the word “kindle”!)
Billie says
I just finished A Man Lay Dead. Will have to continue with Ms. Marsh’s books and Pam B. I prefer to read the books in order too.
Emma says
This year has been a disappointment for me with giving up on what used to be my favorite authors. Luckily, I have a stash of Marsh, Wentworth, Allingham, Sayers, Blake and others of that era. They can’t be beat.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Emma, I’m sorry to hear that you finally gave up on your favorite authors. I know how difficult it is to make the decision to drop just one, and it sounds like you had to drop a few. At least you have the classics to look forward to…
susy says
I do not know how to pronounce Ms Marsh’s first name. I remember being 12 or 13 (a VERY long time ago) and wondering. Could someone spell it phonetically for me? Thanks alot for answering my silly question!
Nancy says
Not a silly question-I want to know too 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy and Nancy, I have heard it pronounced as “nah-eee-oh” >>> but that might not be the correct pronunciation. I don’t know why the “g” is there!
susy says
Thanks!
Wakar says
As I recall her name is pronounced “nye-oh.” And anyone who hasn’t read her is in for a treat. I spent years in my salad days scouring used bookstores in San Francisco for her, Christie and Allingham. Fun times.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Wakar, that’s it, exactly!
susy says
Thank you!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy and Susy, Wakar probably has it right. Nye-oh.
Angela says
I discovered Marsh from this very site (thanks Danna!) and I admit she rivals Christie for the top of my favorite classic author list. I have made it my mission to try at least 2 new to me classic authors a year. So far this year I attempted Crispin and Heyer. Next up is Tey. The great thing about the classics is they are a new source of reading joy with no pressure to keep up because nothing new is coming out next year. I can read them in my own time and they are great fillers for when I just need something to read. I still have Christies and Marsh’s I haven’t read! Here’s a discussion topic for you though…Does anyway else feel guilty when you try a new to you classic author and you don’t like them? I always wonder what’s wrong with me that I am not liking this author that everyone else seems to love and has for ages! Anyway, thanks again Danna for being a great info source for these classics!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Angela, I like your idea of adding two new-to-you classic authors each year. I might “borrow” that idea. I know exactly about that feeling – being able to read the books in the series whenever you want. I enjoy that feeling, also.
PamB says
Excited…..another new author for me to read. Danna, mysteries are my main books to read and since finding your blog (I think about 1 1/2 years ago) I’ve found so many new authors that I’ve never read. So far my favorites are Charlotte MacLeod, Jo Dereske, Ann Granger, Kathy Hogan Trocheck, Spencer Quinn, Patricia Moyes, Emily Brightwell, Dorothy Gilman, Stuart Palmer, Camille Minichino, Ada Madison, and Hazel Holt. Plus now I like to read books in order. I have a couple of newer authors to try in my ‘tbr mountain’. THANK YOU for all your time and effort to provide this awesome blog.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, you just listed a whole bunch of Cozy Mystery authors on my Favorite Authors list! I’m glad you’ve been able to add more authors to your favorite authors list. (You’re welcome.)