List $24.95

Written by Ngaio Marsh - Performed by James Saxon - Unabridged Fiction - 4 CASSETTES - 5.3 hours

Publisher, Audio Partners (September 2000)

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"It's time to start comparing Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around." -New York magazine

"The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an empress." -The Sun

The first of Ngaio Marsh's 32 acclaimed mystery novels, this introduces the continuing detective protagonist, Sir Roderick Alleyn of Scotland Yard. Five guests gather at Sir Hubert Handesley's country house party for the amusing parlor game of "Murder." But they aren't laughing when the lights come up on an actual corpse: the handsome and mysterious Charles Rankin with a dagger in his back. Scotland Yard's Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives to find the butler missing, alibis for all the suspects, and an intricate puzzle of betrayal. Thus begins his search for the key player in this deadly game.

About the Author: Dame Ngaio Marsh (1899 - 1982) was born and died in Christchurch, New Zealand. As an adult she lived both in New Zealand and in England. Her formal education centered on art and painting. Her first love was the theater; she was a talented and experienced playwright, actor, and producer. She also became a gifted painter. As a result, both theater and art are themes frequently woven into her mystery writing. Many of her tales involve murders committed in a theatrical setting, and her artist's eye served her well in detailing settings with words. She acquired the title Dame in 1966 in recognition of her services to drama and literature in New Zealand. The Mystery Writers of America named her Grand Master in 1978, in recognition of the sustained high quality of her writing and her notable contributions to the mystery genre.

About the Performer: James Saxon has appeared in numerous stage, film, and television productions. Highlights include the television production of Cleopatra, and the films Les Miserables (starring Liam Neeson), and A Prayer for the Dying (starring Mickey Rourke). He has read many other audiobooks.