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Artists in Crime

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Artists in Crime

By: Ngaio Marsh
Narrated by: Philip Franks
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About this listen

One of Ngaio Marsh’s most famous murder mysteries, which introduces Inspector Alleyn to his future wife, the irrepressible Agatha Troy.

It started as a student exercise, the knife under the drape, the model’s pose chalked in place. But before Agatha Troy, artist and instructor, returns to the class, the pose has been reenacted in earnest: the model is dead, fixed forever in one of the most dramatic poses Troy has ever seen.

It’s a difficult case for Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn. How can he believe that the woman he loves is a murderess? And yet no one can be above suspicion....

©1938 Original Text of 1938 by Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio Classics Cosy Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Crime Thriller

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Critic reviews

"The queen of the straight crime novel - long may she reign!" ( Sunday Times)
"The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress." ( The Sun)
All stars
Most relevant
I devoured all the Alleyn books many years ago and still re read them. This Audible reading had me riveted. Although I knew the story well I was drawn completely into the world of the artists, Troy and Alleyn. Philip Franks has a very subtle style, the characters were credible and very distinctive, he never over plays things. So many male readers sound like pantomime dames when interpreting female parts...but his are quiet and distinctive. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Well done to all concerned.

Wonderful

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love this book read it many years ago but how sad that the narrator mispronounces the main characters name. In the name Alleyn the y is silent therefore name is pronounced Allen not Alain. Sorry to be so picky but when you know and love a character its really irritating and spoils an otherwise enjoyable story.

Wrong name

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Not my favourite Marsh because the "romance" between Alleyn and Troy leaves me cold, but I do like the art world being explored and the actual killer was quite a surprise to me the first time I encountered the book. The narrator mispronouncing the name of the main character every single time however really, really gets annoying.

Good story let down by narrator

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How I wish Philip Franks had narrated all of the unabridged Ngaio Marsh! You forget it is one man doing it all. His voices and accents are marvellous. The story itself is pretty more gruesome in parts. But then as with all the best 'Golden Age' mysteries, everything comes right in the end, justice is done and comforting cosiness is restored.

Narration was brilliant

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Great plot, involved but not over-complicated. Alleyn meets his future wife which adds additional interest to the novel but in no way detracts from the story. This is third third Alleyn audio book I have listened to - each with different but equally good narrators - Philip Franks is excellent but I also wish he pronounced Alleyn's name correctly!

Highly Recommend

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