Artists in Crime by Ngaio Marsh

I generally don't like romance novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction of a love interest for Detective Roderick Alleyn in this sixth Ngaio Marsh novel, Artists in Crime. Returning from New Zealand where he went for rest and ended up crime-solving (see Vintage Murder), Alleyn meets artist Agatha Troy on board ship. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start (of course!). Conveniently, the murder happens in Troy's art studio back in England and our protagonist has an opportunity to redeem himself.

I enjoy the literary allusions and Alleyn's ability to quote poetry, Shakespeare, French, etc. Not only did this book have Pride and Prejudice vibes, but it also reminded me of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels I read recently. Like Wimsey, Alleyn is a genteel detective who enjoys solving the mystery, but suffers from remorse at finding the guilty party. And like Wimsey, he also has a wonderfully charming mother in Lady Alleyn. There are nods to other fictional detectives such as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Thorndyke. And some hilarious jabs at D.H. Lawrence. 

The writing is getting better with each novel: Up and down the passages the silence was broken only by the secret sound made by an old house at night, small expanding noises, furtive little creaks, and an occasional slow whisper as though the house sighed at the iniquity of living men. (p. 210)

Though not as lurid as modern mysteries, Artists in Crime has a little too much swearing, philandering, drugs, and grisly deaths to be in the "cozy" category. Oddly, I read these stories more for the charms of Detective Alleyn than for the mysteries.

Blessings,