Clutch of Constables

By: Ngaio Marsh

Narrated by: James Saxon

A classic Ngaio Marsh novel which features blood-curdling murders in the confines of a riverboat, the Zodiac, cruising through Constable country.

'He looks upon the murders that he did in fact perform as tiresome and regrettable necessities', reflected Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn on the international crook known as 'the Jampot'.

But it was Alleyn’s wife, Troy, who knew 'the Jampot' best: she had shared close quarters with him on the tiny pleasure steamer Zodiac, on a cruise along the peaceful rivers of 'Constable country'. And it was she who knew something was badly wrong even before Alleyn was called in to solve the two murders onboard....

©1968 Original Text of 1968 by Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

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

"Cruising through Constable country, in both senses, with a cargo of strongly varied, cunningly suspect characters...the classic detective story." ( The Times)

"It’s time to compare Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around." ( New York Magazine)

"A good Marsh...which puts it into the “must” category." ( The Sun)

Another good one

If you’re a British mystery fan, this is another good one from Ngaio Marsh. Bonus that it includes Troy, Roderick Alleyn’s wife.

Clutch of constables

One of my favorite bed time books! Read well with a range of voices. AND ALLEYN'S NAME WAS RIGHT.

CLASSIC ALLEYN

Unlike Allen, I love it when Troy is mixed in with his cases. And Fox is a wonderful "character actor."

Mispronounced the lead character's name through the first several chapters.

Mispronounced the lead character's name through several opening chapters, also a few other words, so I scored this narration as just middling. If the narrator had read this author's previous books, in several of them the name was explained.
Alleyn is pronounced like Alan and Allen. The "y" is completely silent.
Narrator's voice is good otherwise, however. Balanced, strong, and distinct.

Full of marsh’s wit and style

Good mystery well constructed interesting characters interesting setting good pace no goofy romance subplot. Recommended