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Start giftingBlack as He’s Painted
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreWhen the president of Ng'ombwana proposes to dispense with the usual security arrangements on an official visit to London, his old school mate, Chief Superintendent Alleyn, is called in to try to persuade him otherwise.
Alleyn performs his mission so successfully that on the night of the Ng'ombwanan embassy's reception, the house and grounds are stiff with police. However, an assassin does strike, and Alleyn discovers a wealth of suspects in a coterie of ex-colonials residing in the very shadow of the embassy. Fortunately, he has no shortage of help either, from Special Branch to a tribal court—and a small black cat named Lucy Lockett who out-detects them all.
Ngaio Marsh (1895–1982), born in New Zealand, wrote over thirty detective novels. Many of her stories had theatrical settings, as her real passion was for the theater. She was both an actress and a producer and almost single-handedly revived the New Zealand public’s interest in live theater. In 1966 she was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Wanda McCaddon (a.k.a. Nadia May or Donada Peters) has narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, has earned numerous Earphones Awards, and was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
Reviews
“[Marsh] writes better than Christie.”
“The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an empress.”
“[Wanda McCaddon] is nothing short of extraordinary in this complicated mystery dominated by multiple male characters. In fact, listeners will disregard [McCaddon’s] gender altogether as she shifts effortlessly from one dialect to another during heated and animated conversations. Every character’s eccentricity is explored and appropriately interpreted, adding spice, humor, and authenticity to a proper British mystery.”
“As indispensable as that anchovy toast which appears at teatime if it’s the taste you once acquired.”
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