Death at the Dolphin (1966)

Inspector Alleyn mystery. One of Marsh’s theatre mysteries, but not my favorite. Almost no one comes off well, and the whole thing seems sort of awful. [July 2011] ( )

Killer Dolphin was more lighthearted than Light Thickens, the other book featuring Peregrine Jay, and also highly enjoyable.

In the first couple of chapters, improbable events unfold in an absurd, comic, almost Wodehousian way. Later in the book, the interviewing of the suspects is suspenseful and intriguing, as facts intermittently come to light. Police Superintendent Alleyn has a bigger and more interesting role.

The parts I found the least enjoyable in both books were the petty intrigues among the leading actors. I never felt like I knew the characters well enough to care about their silly disputes. These books are possibly more interesting to theatre fans than to mystery fans, although I thought it was uniquely satisfying to encounter a combination of the two realms. ( )

Better than "Colour Scheme" as it moves along faster despite the fact that once again the murder doesnt occur until middle of the story.

This wasnt the best recording (downloaded from Audible) I've had, as the narrator's voice changes enough to make it appear that there are more than one narrator.

Once again, the story is set in a theatre, where a derelict theatre is resurrected, and a new play is performed, having been inspired by the discovery of a glove belonging to Shakespeare's grandson. Months into the production, the night porter is killed......

One of those books one re - reads every few years. ( )