Up My Alleyn

(I wrote a view and it was good, but I when I cut, it did not paste, so now I must do this work in haste.)

If you log into YouTube, they make many suggestions based on your watch history. Whoever is here and gets on my computer gets logged into my account and although I do have eclectic tastes, they must think that I have multiple personality disorder, (if such a thing exists).

Nevertheless, they hit it right when they suggested “Artists in Crime’ read by Benedict Cumberbatch. OK, the idea of the voice got to me, I admit. I have enjoyed his work, but he can be a bit much;( It could be just from all the fawning he receives.) However, being scripted, I knew that he would do a good job, and his voice is soothing; I could not handle anyone who is annoying right now.

Ngaio Marsh’s name was vaguely familiar to me. It has come up long, long ago when my sister was introduced to Agatha Christie’s work and she then hooked me, but I never read Marsh’s work.
Perhaps you are already familiar with her; I feel almost dumb to have waited so long.

I did try Dorothy L. Sayers and found her lacking. Perhaps it was not her best work, perhaps it was my attitude at the time, or perhaps she is just a bad fit for me. However, I had forgotten into what context I had heard Marsh’s name and while listening, Christie’s work came to mind.

Marsh was a contemporary of Christie and Sayers, sort of ‘grand dames’ of a golden age of mystery, and I can see why.

Roderick Alleyn is her main protagonist. His character is a London police detective and although Marsh was a New Zealander, only four of her books are set there. I am anxious to get to them, as I don’t know much about New Zealand. It has had a mystique to me since I was a child, yet I never really studied it. I have no idea why.

Marsh is considered something of a national treasure in her native country. There is a prestigious award given for writing in her name every year. (I just learned that. Now I want to know more)

I have not finished “Artists in Crime” yet, perhaps while I am working today. I have a lot to do, (which is why I am angry with myself for losing the first, better copy of this post.) I thought the details were just enough to truly set the scenes without being too much most of the time.  The characters, at least the police, have been consistent. (If the suspects were consistent, we wouldn’t have much of a mystery, would we?)

Good mysteries keep me thinking. Real escapism from this world’s many pressing problems and those of my family are what I need. It’s like the difference between hard work which wears you out or enjoyable exercise, which is good for you. Good books are good for the mind, even though mine is taxed right now.
 

I wonder if I can catch up with Inspector Alleyn’s mind in his investigation?
I hope not.
I love a writer who can surprise me.