Night at the Vulcan

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Exceptionally written even by Marsh's normally high standard, NIGHT AT THE VULCAN drips with atmosphere of actor's egos, opening nights, and greasepaint--not to mention murderous intent. The plot is unusually complex, revolving around the opening of a highly allegorical drama by a demanding author, whose professional tantrums are more than matched by the personal dramas of the cast, all of whom come under suspicion of murder when opening night is overshadowed by unexpected murder. Excellent and extremely enjoyable, peopled with the colorful characterizations that Marsh creates so well. One of the best.

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Ngaio Marsh book
Review: Night at the Vulcan has everything; sympathetic (and endearing) characters, lots of Shakespearean quotes, realistic dialogue, two very different (but equally satisfying) love stories, gorgeous prose...all of the things I read Ngaio for. The character of Martyn Tarne is one I wish Ngaio had re-used in a later book (like she did with some characters from "Death of a Peer" and "Killer Dolphin.").

Ngaio Marsh is my favorite author, and Night at the Vulcan is my favorite Ngaio Marsh. 'Nuff said.

Rating:
Summary: Truly "Dramatic" Irony
Review: Who would've thought that so many murders could occur in theatres? But then again, it's all a case of life imitating art, and no one does this better than Ngaio Marsh. It's not surprising when you realize that she was a stage director/producer in New Zealand. _Night at the Vulcan_ beautifully captures the atmosphere unique to the theatre, while laying out a very clever case of murder made to look like suicide. This is all told through the eyes of Martyn Tarne, a young lady newly arrived to the London theatre scene, making it all the more interesting. The only reason that I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5, was that the identity of the murderer became a little too obvious, in my opinion, but all in all, a fantastic read.