Spinsters in Jeopardy

By: Ngaio Marsh

Narrated by: Ric Jerrom

A classic Ngaio Marsh mystery thriller combining drugs and sacrifice.

High in the mountains stands the magnificent Saracen fortress, home of the mysterious Mr. Oberon, leader of a coven of witches.

It is not the historic castle, however, that intrigues Roderick Alleyn, on holiday with his family, but the suspicion that a huge drugs ring operates from within its ancient portals. But before the holiday is over, someone else has stumbled upon the secret. And Mr. Oberon decides his strange and terrible rituals require a human sacrifice....

©1954 Original Text of 1954 by Ngaio Marsh (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"She transforms the detective novel from a mere puzzle into a novel." ( Daily Express)

"As inventive as usual...a painter’s eye for landscape and people as good as ever." ( The Times)

Not quite the usual detective story.

Rather than traveling the straightforward detective narrative, this plot is a bit contrived and struggles more than expected with plausibility.

In this tale falls for invoking her detective in a convoluted case requiring uncharacteristic derringer do, and even falls for the sin of threatening the detective’s family.

In spite of all that Alleyn and Troy give a good accounting of themselves, and are surrounded by rich and interesting characters.

Good potential but not thrilling enough

The performance of the narrator was good, the story was interesting but not exciting enough for my liking.

One of the best I have read so far.

Where does Spinsters in Jeopardy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the very best Naigo Marsh yet. I am reading them in order and this one is exceptional.

What other book might you compare Spinsters in Jeopardy to and why?

A Surfeit of Lampreys, an earlier Inspector Alleyn story.

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

Solid and engaging, as always.

Great story with an excellent reading!

A memorable, fast-paced book. Reader was fantastic with his French and variety of voices.

Disappointing

It’s dated and occasionally racist. I’ve known about this writer for a long time and had decided try her out, knowing it was from another era. These problems as well as the portrayal of the woman “sidekick” were really annoying.