• Death at the Dolphin

  • By: Ngaio Marsh
  • Narrated by: James Saxon
  • Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (142 ratings)

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Death at the Dolphin  By  cover art

Death at the Dolphin

By: Ngaio Marsh
Narrated by: James Saxon
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Publisher's summary

The restoration of a bombed-out London theatre ends in violent death - and one of Marsh’s most vivid and dramatic novels.

When the bombed-out Dolphin Theatre is given to Peregrine Jay by a mysterious wealthy patron, he is overjoyed. And when the mysterious oil millionaire also gives him a glove that belonged to Shakespeare, Peregrine displays it in the dockside theatre and writes a successful play about it.

But then a murder takes place, a boy is attacked, and the glove is stolen. Could it be that oil and water don’t mix? Inspector Roderick Alleyn is determined to find out....

©1967 Original Text of 1967 by Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

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

What listeners say about Death at the Dolphin

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Ngaio Marsh revels in the world of the theater

A classic English mystery with unexpected twists and turns. Peregrine Jay is a fascinating and charming protagonist who works well with Inspector Allen. There is something almost mystical about an abandoned, bombed out theater struggling to be reborn. The reader experiences "The Dolphin" as an actual character with moods and secrets and dreams.
The actors who people Marsh's mystery are believable and often hilarious. Ngaio Marsh clearly knows the nuts and bolts of producing a play. Nothing in this novel is predictable.

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

Very Enjoyable and Well written

I have read other novels by this author but so far have enjoyed this the most. Fast moving, credible, entertaining, good characters and a fine plot. Definitely recommended.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Highly recommended

Well-written and well-read, one of the best crime novels. The novel is set in the world of the theater and cleverly layers drama on drama.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Classic Marsh

Where does Death at the Dolphin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The books of Ngaio Marsh are classic British mysteries and James Saxon is the best narrator of them. Death at the Dolphin is one her best - although I really like Surfeit of Lamphreys best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death at the Dolphin?

There are quite a few. The beginning, where the producer nearly drowns in an empty theater is horror movie quality. These period novels are often hilarious due in part because of the complete lack of political correctness. The detective, Chief Inspector Roderick Allyan is one of the best in fiction.

Have you listened to any of James Saxon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He's Great!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. Not extreme.

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2 people found this helpful