This is the twelfth book in the Inspector Roderick Alleyn series by Ngaio March. I've read about Ngaio Marsh and Inspector Alleyn, but hadn't actually read any of the books until this one.
Many of the reviews and blogs I've read compare Marsh to Agatha Christie, a favorite author of mine. I was eagerly anticipating a wonderful afternoon reading this book, but found myself a little disappointed. I found the first few chapters to move fairly slowly, and I couldn't seem to care about the characters.
Perhaps it is because it was written about New Zealand, a place I'm not really familiar with, and the attitudes were a little strange to me. The story also took place during World War II, and apparently New Zealand was a bit different than what I've read about the U.S. during that time.
The plot revolves around the possibility of Nazi spies, and centers about a hot springs resort near the coast. Several people are suspected in turn of being a spy, and then there is a murder. Inspector Alleyn is incognito, and doesn't reveal himself until near the end of the story, and he reveals the plot.
The book improved as I read it, but it still isn't one of my favorite books. I will read the other books I have by Marsh (I bought a box lot of paperback mysteries in early 2014), hoping I develop a better liking for the writing.
This is part of my Mt. TBR reading challenge, 10th of 48 books.
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