Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6)

Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6)
Artists in Crime - Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6
Author: Ngaio Marsh
ISBN-13: 9780515075342
ISBN-10: 0515075345
Publication Date: 4/1/1984
Pages: 219
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 12

4 stars, based on 12 ratings
Publisher: Berkley Pub Group
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

7 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

ainea avatar reviewed Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
These are timeless
fibrogal avatar reviewed Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6) on + 180 more book reviews
Marsh is always good for an intriguing story, and it doesn't matter that it was written a while back--it's very good writing.
jlautner avatar reviewed Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6) on + 105 more book reviews
It was such a pleasure to read one of Marsh's mysteries again. I first read these when I was in my teens and was struck by the development of the characters, especially of detective Roderick Alleyn. It was a further pleasure to discover that this is the book when Alleyn meets Agatha Troy, artist.

The two first meet on a cruise, and there is awkwardness on both sides. Later, when both are home and a murder happens in Troy's studio, Alleyn realizes he has not forgotten the artist.

It is something of a classic mystery, with a set of suspects, almost a locked-room situation, so the detective and his trusty Fox focus on the students who were living at the studio. When I read this I had to remember that many of these detective stories from the 30s-50s take place in old British manor houses, houses with many bedrooms and with servants. So it is here. Plenty of room for everyone.

The victim is a live model, killed in a way that limits the number of suspects considerably. But there are always possibilities that someone is not telling the truth and is thus messing up the timeline.

While investigating the murder, Alleyn makes some efforts to be professional yet not unapproachable to Troy. In this he mostly does not succeed. She misreads his signals and he hers. It is rather classic in that respect as well.

Overall, satisfying and, for me, does not suffer from its age.
reviewed Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6) on + 155 more book reviews
Murder in an artists colony...unusual characters...
reviewed Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6) on + 133 more book reviews
Roderick Alleyn, a famous invertigator from Scotland Yard, is called to the scene of a murder involving a model for an art class at the home of painter Agatha Troy, an artist he has just met and who has almost captured his heart! A must-read-to-the-end to solve this one!
reviewed Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6) on + 157 more book reviews
Alleyne becomes acquainted with Troy in this book. One of my favorites.
reviewed Artists in Crime (Roderick Alleyn, Bk 6) on + 14 more book reviews
It was a bizarre pose for beautiful model Sonia Gluck--and her last. For in the draperies of her couch lay a fatal dagger, and hebind her murder lies all the intrigue and acid-etched temperament of an artist's colony. Called in to investigate, Scotland Yard's Inspector Roderick Alleyn finds his own passions unexpectedly stirred by the feisty painter Agatha Troy....brilliant artist and suspected murderess.