Light Thickens

Dame Ngaio Marsh was, along with Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Margery Allingham, known as one of the "Queens of Crime." She wrote 32 detective novels featuring Sir Roderick Alleyn. I hadn't read one before, but since I am reading everything I can get my hands on about Macbeth, I came across Light Thickens, which was the last Alleyn novel, published in 1982.

As a mystery novel, Light Thickens is a bit lackluster. The crime occurs well after half the novel is done, and the investigation isn't particular intriguing. What makes the novel interesting (or not) is the early portion, which covers, in painstaking detail, the rehearsals for a production of Macbeth at a London theater. Marsh was involved in theater, and thus seems to be enthused about sharing her knowledge, but if the reader isn't particularly interested in how a play is mounted or in Shakespeare, it could be a slog.

The first half or so of the book we are introduced to the director, Peregrine Jay (who was in another Marsh novel) and his cast. He has to deal with various impediments, such as an actress who can't help but be superstitious about the play, which many think is cursed; a child actor who is the son of a serial killer; a Banquo who is prickly about everything; and a weapons and fight expert who seems to be out of his gourd. Eventually the murder is committed, which I won't spoil here, suffice it to say it is spectacular, as it occurs during a production of the play.

Alleyn then takes over, and the solving of the case is pretty dry. There really aren't any clues to speak of, although the key one is noticed by a child. There are no "a-ha" moments.

So if you want to read a murder mystery featuring Macbeth, as I did, this is the perfect book. For others, I would advise to skip it.