by Ngaio Marsh
First published 1967
London's Dolphin Theatre has risen from ruins to become the city's most talked about venue. The theater's new production, The Glove, draws audiences eager to see a play built around an authentic Shakespearean artifact recently discovered on the premises. Opening night should mark the theater's triumphant return to prominence. Instead, murder interrupts the performance. Someone dies during the show, turning what should be celebration into tragedy. Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives to investigate the killing. He must navigate the world of actors, directors, and theater patrons to identify the murderer. The authentic glove that inspired the play becomes a key element in his investigation. Alleyn works to separate theatrical performance from deadly reality as he pursues justice for the victim.
Genres: 20th-century, mystery, crime, british-literature, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, murder-mystery
Setting: London, Dolphin Theatre
Period: 20th-century
Paperback · Collins