tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post6445313537195733136..comments2024-03-28T10:31:55.774-07:00Comments on The Passing Tramp: Tuesday Night Bloggers The Great Detectives 1: Roderick Alleyn Murderset: Off with His Head (1956), by Ngaio MarshThe Passing Tramphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-24712899873328281882018-06-12T02:02:39.648-07:002018-06-12T02:02:39.648-07:00You know, I think I agree about Malahide, but I th...You know, I think I agree about Malahide, but I think what did in the series was that the women audience was just not attracted to him as a leading man, though he is a very good actor. But he frequently looks quite peeved! Which is why he makes good villains too.<br /><br />Agree about Chandler, he has no business making Mary sue accusations, lol.The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-87096829213033120962018-05-06T15:33:14.000-07:002018-05-06T15:33:14.000-07:00I just finished re-reading this book, and then dis...I just finished re-reading this book, and then discovered your post. I've enjoyed Alleyn & Co for several decades, altho I agree that he seems affected at times. Patrick Malahide played him as less "precious," I think. Regarding Troy & Harriet, to me they seem more realistic than their menfolk! As someone noted previously, Alleyn sometimes comes across as the author's idea of the perfect man, a sort of male Mary Sue (as does the mature Wimsey). Regarding Chandler's snide remarks--the gender that gave us James Bond shouldn't point fingers at female authors' "wish fulfillment"! I recall that Marsh herself was critical of the Wimsey/Vane romance, saying it made Wimsey look foolish. I don't see it myself--I love the Alleyns, but their courtship wasn't any more realistic, and in fact I found Harriet's skittishness towards marriage more believable than Troy's objections to Alleyn. Martyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17570040930983242270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-19166494095365851622018-04-06T13:50:52.010-07:002018-04-06T13:50:52.010-07:00Thanks so much. I get irritated by Alleyn sometime...Thanks so much. I get irritated by Alleyn sometimes but I still think he's a Great Detective. As is Philo Vance and some others who bug the heck outta me!The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-71081122803912923912018-04-06T13:49:47.418-07:002018-04-06T13:49:47.418-07:00That's Black As He's Painted? He is pleas...That's Black As He's Painted? He is pleasingly normal.;)The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-24730868463886767512018-04-06T13:49:14.631-07:002018-04-06T13:49:14.631-07:00I have a love-hate relationship with Rory, Yvette!...I have a love-hate relationship with Rory, Yvette! I think you would like this one, I did.The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-39484622220375349382018-04-06T13:26:08.871-07:002018-04-06T13:26:08.871-07:00I thought I had read every Ngaio Marsh mystery, bu...I thought I had read every Ngaio Marsh mystery, but turns out I don't remember this one at all. Could I have missed it? I'll have to track down a copy. Thanks for a great review. P.S. I love Alleyn, he can never be too 'posh' for me. Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-81132535002586721782018-04-06T12:43:41.403-07:002018-04-06T12:43:41.403-07:00I have read a lot of Inspector Alleyn books in my ...I have read a lot of Inspector Alleyn books in my life, and generally enjoyed them, but I am still on the fence about that detective. But I certainly think he should be on a list of 100 Great Detectives. On the other hand, I know little about the book and its criteria, and we will never agree wholeheartedly on any list. Regardless, very nice overview of this detective and the author.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-14074752260835758552018-04-05T00:54:59.588-07:002018-04-05T00:54:59.588-07:00My favourite is Fred Gibson.My favourite is Fred Gibson.Lucy R. Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08632983296994349550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-59731886689054471862018-04-04T04:55:51.306-07:002018-04-04T04:55:51.306-07:00I’ve decided to give up and love him too! Looking...I’ve decided to give up and love him too! Looking for Alleynisms has become a source of fun for me now. And, in all seriousness, she did write some of my favorite British mysteries. The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-55917534982631913552018-04-04T04:52:24.930-07:002018-04-04T04:52:24.930-07:00Great overview, Curt, and I am with you on most of...Great overview, Curt, and I am with you on most of that. I actually think I would find Alleyn more bearable if Marsh wasn't so in love with him (muddled though that may sound). She has every possible woman having a soft spot for him, and it is plain annoying.<br />I read Off With His Head when I was at school, and remember quite a few things about it - though not the basic plot points. I am slowly working my way through the oeuvre, so will get to it soon, then come back and re-read your very intriguing review. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-19010164749428328832018-04-04T04:29:52.806-07:002018-04-04T04:29:52.806-07:00Yes, I think that works best! Except for the one ...Yes, I think that works best! Except for the one character being RAF in WW2, it really works to do it your way.<br /><br />I enjoyed rereading it, and enjoyed it the first time. I happen to like my quaint and cozy corners of England as much as the next fan.The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-10387540163382096002018-04-04T03:24:39.946-07:002018-04-04T03:24:39.946-07:00I always imagined it was wrirren in the 30s - it w...I always imagined it was wrirren in the 30s - it wouldn’t pass as a mainstream post-war novel for sure. It’s still a great mystery - she fooled me completely, and I liked it.Sheena McGrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15519436546509188497noreply@blogger.com