CRIME & MYSTERY. Commemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime's first book, the third volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries. Death in a White Tie, Overture to Death, Death at the Bar.

A high-society homicide is the talk of the London season . . .“Marsh’s writing is a pleasure.” —The Seattle Times It’s debutante season in London, and that means giggles and tea-dances, white dresses and inappropriate romances . . ..and much too much champagne. And, apparently, a blackmailer, which is where Inspector Roderick Alleyn comes in. The social whirl is decidedly not Alleyn’s environment, so he brings in an assistant in the form of Lord “Bunchy” Gospell, everybody’s favorite uncle. Bunchy is more than lovable; he’s also got some serious sleuthing skills. But before he can unmask the blackmailer, a murder is announced. And everyone suddenly stops giggling . . . “It’s time to start comparing Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around.” —New York Magazine “[Her] writing style and vivid characters and settings made her a mystery novelist of world renown.” —The New York Times

Three witty novels by “the finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunnit” (The Sun). This volume includes three books in the Golden Age detective series from the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master: Death in a White Tie: A high-society homicide is the talk of the London season: “Marsh’s writing is a pleasure.” —The Seattle Times Overture to Death: In a Dorset village, a snobby local busybody is silenced for good in this tale by “a peerless practitioner of the slightly surreal, English-village comedy-mystery” (Kirkus Reviews). Death at the Bar: A famous barrister is enjoying a pint at the pub—until a dart becomes a deadly weapon . . . “In her ironic and witty hands the mystery novel can be civilized literature.” —The New York Times

A guide to series fiction lists popular series, identifies novels by character, and offers guidance on the order in which to read unnumbered series.

At an English pub, a dart becomes a deadly weapon: “Any Ngaio Marsh story is certain to be Grade A.” —The New York Times A game of darts does involve some danger, but it’s rarely lethal. There are exceptions, however, like the famous barrister who was enjoying a pint at the Plume of Feathers pub, and is now residing at the morgue. But Inspector Roderick Alleyn has a growing hunch that this peculiar “accident” can be traced to an old legal case . . . “A peerless practitioner of the slightly surreal, English-village comedy-mystery.” —Kirkus Reviews

Commemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime’s first book, the third volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.