Book Review: Death of a Peer by Ngaio Marsh

Death of a Peer Ngaio Marsh
1/25/2000	Rating:
The Lampreys are a scattered, loveable gentry family. Mr. Lamprey is the younger brother of an English Lord and has always had money. He and his family, though, never could manage money. They are often broke and looking for ways for money to fall in their laps. The idea of work is entirely foreign to them. Robin Gray met them while they lived in New Zealand and fell in love with the family. They moved back to England when she was 16. Now her parents have died and she is going to England to live with an aunt. She first stops in London to spend some time with the family who mean so much to her. As usual, the Lampreys are broke. The bill collectors are visiting their residence. Mr. Lamprey invites his older brother to visit them so he can appeal for money. The Lord reluctantly accepts the invitation. When asked for funds, he refuses. The brothers have a voluble argument, then the Lord leaves. A few minutes later his wife joins him in the elevator. As they are descending, she starts screaming. He has been murdered in the elevator. The Lamprey family are the main possible suspects since the elevator had not gone back to the ground floor since it first brought the Lord and his wife up earlier. Robin cannot imagine a member of that family murdering anyone. When Detective Allyne arrives, he has to untangle all the stories, figure out which deception is to cover a murder and which deception is to protect someone in the family. This mystery is well done. The list of suspects is limited. Those without an alibi do not seem capable of murder. Those who seem capable or who would have a reason had an alibi. The Lamprey family is charming. The suspense keeps the reader going, yet the story never gets dark or depressing, even when describing the murder scene (which is quite gruesome, actually). As usual, Marsh has another superb novel here. Notice: Non-graphic violence
The Series: A Man Lay Dead Enter a Murderer The Nursing Home Murder Death in Ecstacy Vintage Murder Artists in Crime Death in a White Tie Overture to Death Death at the Bar Death of a Peer Death and the Dancing Footman Colour Scheme Died in the Wool Final Curtain A Wreath for Rivera Night at the Vulcan Spinsters in Jeopardy Scales of Justice Death of a Fool Singing in the Shrouds False Scent Hand in Glove Dead Water Killer Dolphin Clutch of Constables When in Rome Tied Up in Tinsel Black as He's Painted Last Ditch Grave Mistake Photo Finish Light Thickens	You might also like: The Police at the Funeral by Margery Allingham