Spinsters in Jeopardy

I had good memories of this book, and was looking forward to coming to it in the series re-read. Sadly, I found that the prejudices of the time spoiled much of this book for me. The casually racism and misogyny I expected. However, there was a scene where some weird pseudo "Pagan" rites were described. Although I could tell that the character who described them was outraged, I was almost amused to note that the description, for the most part, could be applied to a High Church Episcopal service with equal accuracy. It was very odd. I also was saddened by the bias and inaccuracy of the descriptions of marijuana, and also the lack of strength that Troy has in this volume. It's as though Ms. Marsh feels that through marriage and children, show more Troy is now weakened. show less

Roderick Alleyn has some business to attend to in the south of France, and his wife, Agatha Troy, and their son, Ricky, are coming along as cover. They'd also like to visit a distant cousin of Troy's with whom she has been corresponding. However, the three of them all become embroiled in the goings-on at the mysterious Château de la Chèvre d'Argent.

This was a totally bananas book. Any mystery that involves a bizarre cult is bound to be. I had to keep reading just to see how the bananas-ness would resolve itself. I also really enjoyed how Marsh rendered Alleyn and the French police speaking in French, making use of actual French and writing the English sentences in such a way that they sounded French. Ricky was a little charmer, too, show more and Troy is always a welcome addition to the Alleyn stories. I probably wouldn't reread this, but it's worth reading once. show less

An icky Svengali dude and his entourage have taken over a chateau in the small French village of Roqueville, and for some reason (never properly explained) Inspector Alleyn has been called upon to assist with the Surete's investigation of just what-all they may be up to. Drugs, is what. Getting susceptible young people (mostly young women) hooked on marijuana through a mish-mash of pagan ritual culminating in some sort of "sacrifice" to Swami (sexual, of course--and there's a goat) ...and all this to somehow cover up that what they are doing in a nearby abandoned factory is manufacturing and distributing massive amounts of hashish and heroin...yeah, it's that ridiculous. I have never understood the cult mentality, first of all, so right show more away I don't get it. I loved Alleyn's interaction with his wife and child, and there's a fair bit of humor, dark and otherwise, woven in. But none of the rest of it worked for me at all. show less

When I start reading any of Marsh's Roderick Alleyn books, I start with the expectation that it would be a cozy mystery. Spinsters in Jeopardy, with gangs and cults and daring dos, is entertaining, but is not exactly cozy. It dampened my excitement a bit, but is overall an enjoyable read.

Summary: Alleyn takes his family along to visit a distant cousin in southern France while collaborating with the French in investigating a drug ring.

The lesson of this story may be not to mix work and pleasure, particularly if your work is as a Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard. Alleyn is on assignment with the French police to bring down an international drug operation. Before he can even reach his destination, two things happen that get wrapped into the plot. He and Troy both witness what appears to be a murder of in a chateau immediately opposite where the train stopped before entering a tunnel. Ricky, their son, is still sleeping. Then they learn an unaccompanied elderly woman, Miss Truebody, has come down with acute appendicitis. show more When they reach Rocqueville, there destination, they learn the only available doctor (since the others are at a conference) is an Egyptian doctor Baradi, residing at the chateau.

Alleyn learns that authorities think the chateau is the center of the drug operation, which uses a nearby chemical factory. Taking Miss Truebody there gives him an in, particularly because he had experience administering anesthesia in the war and is needed. He learns that the chateau is the center of a weird cult led by M. Oberon, who likes to parade naked in their ceremonies. The guests are mostly elite socialites and actors, many with, or who will soon acquire, drug habits. Marsh devotes several of her stories to plots involving drugs–clearly something of which she did not approve and it’s apparent in her treatment of the characters.

Alleyn and hia family arouse suspicion even though they are unsure of his identity, and Ricky is kidnapped to keep them out of the way, and plays a key role in helping break the case. Alleyn’s young and dashing driver becomes his right hand man both as they recover Ricky and help bust the drug cult/ring.

The title? There are three spinsters in jeopardy in this story and one is the apparent murder victim seen in the window by the Alleyns. Along the way, Raoul’s girlfriend Therese gets caught up in kidnapping Ricky but then plays a key role in assisting Alleyn and Raoul. Alleyn’s complicated schemes depend on his French counterpart showing up when needed. Troy pitches in by persuading a young woman not to return to the chateau and helps her and her young man recognize their love is more important than a crazy cult.

It’s all a bit madcap and out of the ordinary for an Alleyn mystery. One might object to Ricky being placed in the middle of this, but I recall that Marsh is not alone in using this device, which Elizabeth Peters uses to great effect with Ramses, Amelia’s son. It would be great to see Raoul and Alleyn team up again. But if not, then this was good fun! show less

Despite how kooky and pointless the plot of this Alleyn mystery was, I actually really enjoyed it. It was entertaining and silly. The cult and drug stuff is hilarious (if very dated) and I liked Alleyn's interactions with some of the subsidiary characters. I guess it was sort of a guilty pleasure, despite the ridiculous plot. In the past, I haven't enjoyed the books that involved Ricky, but something about how cute and precocious he was in this book was incredibly charming. Troy is always great, too. Different than her regular fare, but I really liked this one by Marsh.

Reminiscent of Agatha Christie's 4:50 from Paddington, police Inspector Roderick Alleyn catches a glimpse of what he believes to be a murder through a train window as he passes a villa. He, wife Troy and their young son Ricky are en route to the French Riviera for a much-needed holiday. Ah, an inspector can never take a vacation from crime -- especially when Ricky goes missing in an attempt to dissuade Alleyn and Troy from investigating Chateau of the Silver Goat, the scene of the crime. But can the Alleyns prove that? And how do they find their son?

The sunlit Mediterranean setting and a mostly clever plot rescues this 17th entry in the Roderick Alleyn mystery series from its implausible ending. It was also nice to see Troy front and show more center, although not to the extent that she was in Final Curtain. Definitely worth reading despite the cultic mumbo-jumbo. show less