Death in a White Tie

By: Ngaio Marsh

Narrated by: James Saxon

The London season has begun. But while debutantes and chaperones plan their luncheons and balls a deadly blackmailer is stalking the highest echelons of society.

Naturally, it falls to charming, aloof Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn - son of Lady Alleyn - to investigate the case. He has already planted his close friend Lord Robert at the scene. But someone else got to him first....

Death in a White Tie was first published in 1938 and is perhaps the finest of Marsh's 1930s novels - elegantly constructed, witty and marvellously entertaining.

Please note: This is a vintage recording. The audio quality may not be up to modern day standards.

©1938 Original Text of 1938 by Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers." (Times Literary Supplement)

"Ngaio Marsh’s Death in a White Tie is the best detective story I have ever read...." (Dashiell Hammett)

"[This audiobook has] a distinction that puts the author in the front rank of crime story writers." (Times Literary Supplement)

Great story, bad sound

I loved this story but the audio track was abominable! I chose this recording because it was unabridged. Each track had a different, and poor, sound quality.

Alleyn and Fox

If you know Ngaio Marsh, you know her stories are always engaging. I prefer the Franks characterizations. Saxon’s Alleyn sounds more effete than suave, and it was sometimes hard to distinguish between speakers. And the audio on this particular recording was inconsistent. These points were not enough, however, to detract so much from the listening experience that I didn’t enjoy the mystery.

as fun and clever as all Marsh's mysteries

if you love Agatha, then you will feel the same about Marsh. British, clever details, love - maybe, twists & turns, etc. there are a lot of reasons Marsh is so well regarded

Intricate and intriguing!!

This story is one of the best in the series. Although far too much happens in two days (as usual), the mystery remains a mystery until the very end and a most satisfying one! In addition, Alleyne wins his love. The narration has uneven patches but it goes well enough. I thought Vassily was pronounced differently in prior readings and maybe incorrect (Russian) here? Curious! Overall, a tremendous story and great fun.

The Audio Was So Uneven

How uneven was it? So uneven I got seasick!
Also some of the most clumsy love scenes since Blade Runner!

Different readers, or poor sound quality?

Any additional comments?

It sounded as though there were two different readers for this audiobook, but perhaps the audio was simply poor quality? It was confusing to hear seemingly two different male readers (one with a lower voice, one with a higher voice) portraying the characters.

Recording Quality NOT an Issue!

Don’t be out off by the reviews that make a big deal of the sound quality. It is very minor and just in a few, brief spots. It is 97% good, and the 3% that isn’t perfect is not worth mentioning. It did not at all diminish my enjoyment of this great book! Both the story and the narrator are excellent!

Very Poor Recording Quality

The book was good but the recordings itself was so poor it was hard to enjoy. I had to listen to the entire recording at three-quarter speed in order to distinguish the words. Disappointing.

A great story

Yes the quality of the audio is poor but the excellent story and fine narration offset this liability. I think this is one of NMs best novels. The plot is intriguing and the setting and setup are both very involving. Even in its lesser audio quality I think this is one of NMs works you shouldn’t miss.

recording awful but great story

recording switched between voices and styles. extremely poor showing. seems to be audio issues.

story fantastic.