• Light Thickens

  • By: Ngaio Marsh
  • Narrated by: Philip Franks
  • Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (120 ratings)

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Light Thickens  By  cover art

Light Thickens

By: Ngaio Marsh
Narrated by: Philip Franks
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Publisher's summary

Peregrine Jay, owner of the Dolphin Theatre, is putting on a magnificent production of Macbeth, the play that, superstition says, always brings bad luck.

But one night the claymore swings, and the dummy's head is more than real: murder behind the scene.

Luckily, Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn is in the audience....

©1982 Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about Light Thickens

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Disappointing

It seems that Ngaio Marsh became more deeply involved in theater herself and simultaneously ran out of plots for compelling mysteries. This is not her best. In fact, it is probably one of the least successful overall. No idea what the title has to do with the story? But plot swirls around Macbeth. Alleyne is incidental. Much back and forth and repetition. No way to redeem it. It's an homage to production of Macbeth and little more.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Only if you love theatre...

So sad to have finished the last Ngaio Marsh book, and more sad that it ended with a whimper. Most of the story concerns the mounting a production of Macbeth. I love everything about the theatre but it was very tedious. Marsh’s usually elaborate characters took a faraway seat to the intricacies of theatrical production. I yearned for Inspector Alleyn to make his appearance, which didn’t come until the last third of the book. At least the narrator was brilliant as usual.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Aside From Incorrect Pronunciation

What did you love best about Light Thickens?

It's a great mystery, with well-rounded characters. Alleyn is not as prevalent as usual, but it's made to work with another character to the fore.

What other book might you compare Light Thickens to and why?

Any other Marsh, Christie, or James title. It's a classic murder mystery.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I was really irritated that he had not made the slightest effort to get the Māori pronunciation even remotely correct. Normally Franks is really good, but the complete ignorance of one of the most easily mastered sets of sounds on the planet was really rubbish, especially given that there are resources for learning this readily available. A real let-down.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

Franks does great voices.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Reflects Ngaio Marsh's interest in Macbeth

For those who already enjoy Ngaio Marsh's stories, this brings together her love of the theater,her love of Macbeth, her varied interests in the power of things and old rituals, and a mystery. Not only who did it but how it was done.
The very detailed presentation of the staging of this great play may be tedious for those who have not become intrigued by the Shakespeare play of 'Macbeth' .For them it may be as interesting as railway time tables, yet the detail and the personalities do matter.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

At least learn how to say the characters names.

This was done in 2016 according to the copyright. It is not that hard to google words from non English languages like Rangi, and find out that they are pronounced rung-ee rather than “ran gee”
At least have some respect for the authors home country.

And that’s without getting started on how to say Alleyn’s name.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best rendition of the theatre rehearsals I have ever read!

This book succeeded in making me long to actually see the play they did…the rehearsal scenes were super and she brought out the artistry of a director in the process. Excellent.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

I want my credit back.

I paid for a book about a certain inspector.

This book is about theater people you wish would grow up. Spoiler: they don't.

The author attempted to write the inspector in, but as an afterthought, it seems.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

I just could not get into the story

I am a huge fan of the author and the narrator, but I just could not get any traction on this story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Terrific narration

I am a huge fan of Ngaio Marsh’s wonderful dialogue-heavy mysteries. They are such a treat to listen to generally, but I want to especially point out Philip Franks’ narration on this recording. At the end of part one, I actually had goosebumps as he moved us toward the opening night of the play. It was brilliantly done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Positively thrilling

Phillip Franks voices all the varied parts exceptionally well and made me want to see the production being rehearsed at the Dolphin!

The people we are supposed to like are especially likable in this, her last novel. The perpetrator was well hidden among several difficult people.

Some knowledge of the Scottish Play (MacBeth) is almost essential to enjoy the characters and plot. A quick review on Wikipedia could refresh English class memories- and - then do delve into this engaging and entertaining book. I did not want it to end.

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