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Colour Scheme

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Colour Scheme

Written by: Ngaio Marsh
Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
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Even down in New Zealand, war-fueled spy fever is running wild. Near the decaying sulphur springs of Colonel and Mrs. Claire, the strange lights and signals being sent to foreign ships at sea indicate that there's a spy in their midst.

Soon an even darker sign appears: a health-seeker with untoward intentions meets his demise in the boiling mud baths. Scotland Yard'sChief Inspector Roderick Alleyn, far from home on a wartime quest for German agents, knows that any number of people could have killed the unpleasant man: the English exiles he'd hated, the New Zealanders he'd despised, or the Maoris he'd insulted. Even the spies he'd thwarted—if he wasn't a spy himself.And when a new arrival appears, one who possesses the cunning of a criminal and the insight of a psychologist, the inspector's interest is piqued.

Often regarded as her most interesting book and set on New Zealand's North Island, Ngaio Marsh herself considered this to be her best-written novel.

©1943 Ngaio Marsh (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Mystery Police Procedurals Traditional Detectives Fiction Detective Espionage Murder Mystery
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What the critics say

“The queen of the straight crime novel—long may she reign!”

(Sunday Times (London))

“Nobody begins to touch Ngaio Marsh’s skill at creating corpses and suspects…Her dialogue is a continuous delight.”

(New York Herald Tribune)

“[McCaddon] embraces the challenge of re-creating a host of characters with varying accents, including depiction of Maori New Zealanders.”

(Booklist)

“Technically flawless…Superbly narrated by [Wanda McCaddon] and a ‘must’ for all Ngaio Marsh fans.”

(Reviewer’s Bookwatch)
All stars
Most Relevant
I always so enjoy a Ngaio Marsh mystery. Beautiful prose, an intricate plot, humour, and well drawn characters. And the reader was more than up to the mark.  Thank you Audible..

Compelling 

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Ms. Marsh is without a doubt the greatest writer, in this genre, of her generation. That says a lot considering her contemporaries Agatha Christie and Margery Allingham, to mention two. A story most enjoyable to either read or listen to.

The narrator, Nadia May, gives a marvellous performance. She brings all of the characters to life. Her reading is both smooth and expressive.

I highly recommend this book!

The best of the best!

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Yes, the racial prejudice was not good. The entitled British (and I speak as a British person myself) was quite unpleasant. While the story incorporated their views, as just evidence of ''the way it was' , a fact of the life, one can't help but wonder if it revealed some of the author's views. but she can't be asked now, having died decades ago. We can hope it was just telling it as it was.
Regardless, the story, the mystery was pretty good. I just didn't enjoy it because that way of life, the British colonists/invaders looking down their noses at those who belonged there in New Zealand (where the story is set) was always hovering or right up there. We see this in so many countries in the world. Anyway, if you can get past that, the story and mystery was pretty good.
The narrator has all the intonations of the people of that time done well. Can't comment on how she portrayed the voices of the Maori, but I"ll go with her inflecting as it was written. I've heard Nadia May before, and she is just right for Ngaio Marsh stories.
On another important note for those who are fans of Insp Alleyn, he was barely mentioned in this story.

Racial Prejudice in otherwise good story

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Throughout a dismal and piercing portrayal of anglocentric condescension and damaged Māori dignity in wartime New Zealand, Ngaio Marsh displays affection and respect for each. By the end, I found myself feeling amused and generous toward appallingly flawed British newcomers, and respectful of the Māori trying to navigate their rapidly changing world while maintaining pride in their heritage and strengths. I enjoyed this complicated mystery set in a harsh and beautiful environment and appreciated the smooth reading of it..

A funny and entertaining mystery

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