Dame Ngaio Marsh was born in New Zealand in 1895 and died in February 1982. She wrote over 30 detective novels and many of her stories have theatrical settings, for Ngaio Marsh’s real passion was the theatre. She was both actress and producer and almost single-handedly revived the New Zealand public’s interest in the theatre. It was for this work that she received what she called her ‘damery’ in 1966.

‘A really marvellous Marsh.’PUNCH‘A first-rate book – an enticing opening, a fine whodunnit plot and exceptional richness in characterisation, background and humour. Don’t miss it on any account.’SUNDAY TIMES‘Shows Ngaio at the top of her form, combining a strong plot with well-developed characters and a variety of unexpected detail.’MARGARET LEWIS‘The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.’THE SUN