It was at four o'clock that a small dogged-looking car appeared on a rise above the village and began to sidle and curve down the frozen lane. Its driver, her vision distracted by wisps of grey hair escaping from a headscarf, peered through the fan-shaped clearing on her wind-screen. Her woolly paws clutched rather than commanded the wheel.
Comments: The atmospheric description of place and driver slowly builds up suspense. Marsh is known as a master of mysteries, and this one sounds good enough for me to borrow it from relatives to take back on my long trip home.
Book description:
Pagan revelry and morris dancing in the middle of a very cold winter set the scene for one of Ngaio Marsh's most fascinating murder mysteries. When the pesky Anna Bunz arrives at Mardian to investigate the rare survival of folk-dancing still practised there, she quickly antagonizes the villagers. But Mrs Bunz is not the only source of friction -- two of the other enthusiasts are also spoiling for a fight. When the sword dancers' traditional mock beheading of the Winter Solstice becomes horribly real, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn finds himself faced with a case of great complexity and of gruesome proportions...(amazon)
Title: Off With His Head by Ngaio Marsh
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins Pb (August 21, 2000)
Oh yes, this does sound rather atmospheric and perfect for this time of year. I am glad that you spotlighted it today. It's a book that I might indeed have to check out! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat beginning really sets the scene. I've only read two of Marsh's, one I really enjoyed, the other not so much.
ReplyDeleteI like the first sentence, but not so much the title.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed some of Marsh´s books, but I think they vary quite a lot. Roderick Alleyn is a great detective, though.
I loved the "woolly paws."
ReplyDelete