Final Curtain (novel)
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''Final Curtain'' is a 1947 crime novel by the New Zealand author
Ngaio Marsh Dame Edith Ngaio Marsh ( ; 23 April 1895 – 18 February 1982) was a New Zealand mystery writer, writer. As a crime writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Marsh is known as one of the Detective fiction#Golden Age detective novel ...
, the fourteenth in her series of mysteries featuring Scotland Yard detective
Roderick Alleyn Roderick Alleyn (pronounced "Allen") is a fictional character who first appeared in 1934. He is the policeman hero of the 32 detective novels of Ngaio Marsh. Marsh and her gentleman detective belong firmly in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, ...
. It was published in Britain by Collins and in the USA by Little, Brown. The plot features the world of actors, and Alleyn's wife, the artist Agatha Troy, has a main role in the story. The novel was well received in contemporary reviews as well-written, coming smoothly to “a satisfactory climax”.


Plot summary

In 1946 England, with
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
finally ended, the painter Agatha Troy awaits, after a lengthy wartime separation, the return of her husband
Roderick Alleyn Roderick Alleyn (pronounced "Allen") is a fictional character who first appeared in 1934. He is the policeman hero of the 32 detective novels of Ngaio Marsh. Marsh and her gentleman detective belong firmly in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, ...
, who has been chasing spies in New Zealand as his contribution, while Troy has been making maps and pictorial surveys for the army in London. She accepts a commission to paint the celebrated actor Sir Henry Ancred at his ancestral home Ancreton Manor, where she meets his adult children and grandchildren, and witnesses the tensions and dynamics of a family of theatricals, who act as if on stage among themselves. The main cause of trouble in the household is Sonia Orrincourt, a brassy young actress Sir Henry has made his mistress and then fiancée. A series of practical jokes are judged by Sir Henry to be the work of his youngest granddaughter, Patricia, known as Panty, an outspoken, mischievous child currently attending a school evacuated to Ancreton during the war, where an outbreak of ringworm has happened. These jokes anger Sir Henry against his family. Troy finishes the portrait and displays it at Sir Henry’s 75th birthday party. That night, Sir Henry dies, apparently of natural causes. His last will creates a furore of accusation among the Ancred family, who later send anonymous notes that he was murdered. Troy returns home to reunite with her husband. They resume being in love, and begin a new phase about her involvement and interest in his work. Alleyn investigates Sir Henry's death. Troy shares what she observed of the family with Alleyn. Arsenic is assumed as the poison because an old tin of rat poison is found. Sir Henry’s nightly glass of milk with a helpful medicine has been thoroughly washed, making investigation more difficult. They disinter the corpse, and learn that the poison that killed him is
thallium Thallium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Tl and atomic number 81. It is a silvery-white post-transition metal that is not found free in nature. When isolated, thallium resembles tin, but discolors when exposed to air. Che ...
, the treatment meant in small dose for the children. The last will signed by Sir Henry gives the estate to his heir, grandson Cedric, but nearly all the cash goes to fiancée Sonia. That leaves Cedric with an expensive estate and no funds to run it. Selected other family members get a few thousand pounds. Granddaughter Panty was no longer a favorite in his last will. Cedric’s mother, Millamant, saw that will as unjust and infuriating for her son. After much talk with upset family members and household staff, Alleyn realizes that there was an opportunity created when two medicine bottles picked up from the chemist were left untended in the flower room, not put in the children’s room and Sir Henry’s room directly. He realizes also that Sonia’s life is threatened at Ancreton Manor. With two plans for protecting her, he still arrives too late and she dies of the same poison. In his talks with family, he learns that Cedric and Sonia played all the practical jokes on Sir Henry. Alleyn challenges Millamant; she put the thallium in the bottle meant for Sir Henry, tossed his original medicine, and put water in the bottle meant for the children who have ringworm. For Sonia, who adds milk to her tea, Millament repeats the fatal poisoning method. Alleyn has no witness to any of Millamant’s actions, making for a weak case in court. He and Troy discuss this frustrating end to his involvement with Ancredon Manor.


Characters

*Agatha Troy, famed portrait artist, wife of Roderick Alleyn *Chief Inspector
Roderick Alleyn Roderick Alleyn (pronounced "Allen") is a fictional character who first appeared in 1934. He is the policeman hero of the 32 detective novels of Ngaio Marsh. Marsh and her gentleman detective belong firmly in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, ...
*Detective Inspector Fox *Sir Henry Ancred, Baronet, well known actor, famous for playing Macbeth *Cedric Ancred, son of the late Henry Irving Ancred and widow Millamant, heir to Sir Henry *Thomas Ancred, Sir Henry’s younger son *Pauline Kentish, his older daughter *Paul Kentish, her son and Sir Henry’s grandson *Patricia Kentish, aka Panty, her daughter and Sir Henry’s granddaughter *Desdemona Ancred, his younger daughter *Jenetta Ancred, wife of Sir Henry’s son Claude Ancred *Fenella Ancred, their daughter and granddaughter to Sir Henry *Miss Sonia Orrincourt, mistress and then fiancée of Sir Henry *Miss Caroline Able, school mistress at Ancreton Manor


Background

Ngaio Marsh, as her biographers Margaret Lewis and Joanne Drayton describe, spent World War Two in her native New Zealand, living with her father at their home outside Christchurch, continuing to write her increasingly popular crime novels, two of which (''
Colour Scheme In color theory, a color scheme is a combination of 2 or more colors used in aesthetic or practical design. Aesthetic color schemes are used to create style and appeal. Colors that create a harmonious feeling when viewed together are often us ...
'' and ''
Died in the Wool ''Died in the Wool'' is a detective novel by Ngaio Marsh; it is the thirteenth novel to feature Roderick Alleyn, and was first published in 1945. The novel is set in New Zealand, and death on a sheep farm. Synopsis The novel concerns the murder ...
'') are set in New Zealand, and devoting much energy and creativity to directing and touring the Canterbury University Players in memorable productions, revitalising the New Zealand theatre in the process.


Reception

Evelyn Banks reviewed the novel soon after publication, considering it keeps up Miss Marsh’s high standard, saying “The story moves smoothly, as do all Miss Marsh’s, to a satisfactory climax.” ''The Observer'' considered it a “a detective story written with grace and culture, moving easily amongst well-observed characters.” Marilyn Stasio, writing in ''The New York Times'', titles a set of reviews as Final Curtain. She said that "Dame Ngaio still rules" in backstage mysteries, and went on to review a mystery novel by
Peter Lovesey Peter Harmer Lovesey (10 September 1936 – 10 April 2025), also known by his pen name Peter Lear, was a British writer of Historical mystery, historical and Detective fiction, contemporary detective novels and short stories. His best-known ser ...
.


Television adaptation

''Final Curtain'' was adapted in 1993 for the BBC TV series ''
The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries ''The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries'' is a British detective television series, broadcast on BBC1, which was adapted from nine of the novels by Dame Ngaio Marsh, featuring the character Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn. The pilot episode was shown ...
'', starring
Patrick Malahide Patrick Gerald Duggan (born 24 March 1945), known professionally as Patrick Malahide, is a British actor of stage and screen. His acting credits include '' The New Avengers'' (1976), '' ITV Playhouse'' (1977), '' The Eagle of the Ninth'' (1977) ...
as
Roderick Alleyn Roderick Alleyn (pronounced "Allen") is a fictional character who first appeared in 1934. He is the policeman hero of the 32 detective novels of Ngaio Marsh. Marsh and her gentleman detective belong firmly in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, ...
,
Belinda Lang Belinda Lucy Lange Fraser (born 23 December 1953), known professionally as Belinda Lang, is an English actress. She starred as Kate in the BBC sitcom '' Dear John'', Liza in the ITV sitcom '' Second Thoughts'' (1991–94), and Bill Porter in t ...
as
Agatha Troy Roderick Alleyn (pronounced "Allen") is a fictional character who first appeared in 1934. He is the policeman hero of the 32 detective novels of Ngaio Marsh. Marsh and her gentleman detective belong firmly in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, ...
and a cast including
Eleanor Bron Eleanor Bron (born 14 March 1938) is an English stage, film and television actress, and an author. Her film roles include Ahme in the Beatles musical ''Help!'' (1965), the Doctor in '' Alfie'' (1966), Margaret Spencer in '' Bedazzled'' (1967) an ...
and
Jonathan Cullen Jonathan Cullen (born 1960) is a British actor of stage, film and television. Personal life Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, Cullen's father was Tony Cullen, a founding member of the Northern Sinfonia. He was educated at the Royal ...
.


References


External links

* {{Ngaio Marsh Roderick Alleyn novels 1947 British novels Novels about artists William Collins, Sons books Little, Brown and Company books British detective novels