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Spinsters in Jeopardy

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About this listen

A classic Ngaio Marsh mystery thriller combining drugs and sacrifice.

High in the mountains stands the magnificent Saracen fortress, home of the mysterious Mr. Oberon, leader of a coven of witches.

It is not the historic castle, however, that intrigues Roderick Alleyn, on holiday with his family, but the suspicion that a huge drugs ring operates from within its ancient portals. But before the holiday is over, someone else has stumbled upon the secret. And Mr. Oberon decides his strange and terrible rituals require a human sacrifice....

©1954 Original Text of 1954 by Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio Cosy Crime Thrillers International Mystery & Crime Mystery Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Fiction Thriller Detective Suspense Crime

Critic reviews

"She transforms the detective novel from a mere puzzle into a novel." ( Daily Express)
"As inventive as usual...a painter’s eye for landscape and people as good as ever." ( The Times)
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Excellent reading. But the story is very silly. Ngaio can't make up her mind if this is a who dunnit (it's obvious from about Chapter 3), a thriller or a comedy. Alleyn without the Yard can work, but not here.

Ric Jerome is a far better reader than Nadia May, in my opinion, and is the best thing about this audio book. I found the print version almost unreadable, he makes it come to life. Even if he resorts to a cod French accent a bit too much.

Well read but not one of Ngaio's best

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I have been listening to the Alleyn books in chronological order but almost didn't buy this one, since all the (admittedly few) reviews were so negative. I'm very glad I did not skip it! It is a more mature version of Death in Ecstasy, which, let's face it, is a little silly; the presence of Alleyn's wife and son do not detract from the story, and the plot is in fact less contrived than some of the other Alleyn novels' plots are.

Highly recommended.

Glad I got this one!

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Far-fetched storyline which is ribboned with concepts we would find racist today. She's moved the action away from the English milieu she normally satirises so sharply and subtly. No Fox, too much Troy and now there's a tiresome son included in the mix. Her character studies are lacking the usual nuance and the language its usual brio. Think she had a touch of writers' block with this one.

Not her best

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I found this a good story, with the added delight of seeing into more of Alleyn's personal life.
Well read as well, it kept me interested right to the end.

Exciting and intriguing

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l have to say that the great Dame's stories never fail to thrill and impress. Spinsters in Jeopardy is most striking because it is an Alleyn family mystery where Roderick, Troy and their six-years old boy play active parts in the story, resulting in an excellent reveal at the end. The French setting is evocative and beautifully rendered in every little description, and the inclusion of some wonderful French characters add an extra flavour and humour to the telling of the story.

Ric Jerrom's superb narration.

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