"The theatre plays backdrop to romance and murder. . . Good reading." -
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Newly arrived from New Zealand and in need of funds, Martyn Tarne takes a job as a dresser to the Vulcan Theater's leading lady. Along with a paycheck, this also provides her with a ringside seat to the backstage circus-and the eventual murder that occurs on opening night. Inspector Alleyn is soon called to solve the case and put a stop to all the drama. . .
"To my thinking, no other writer evokes 'the incense of the playhouse' or describes the technical details of stage production with the degree of authenticity that Dame Ngaio achieved in novels like
Enter a Murderer,
Killer Dolphin,
Night at the Vulcan and
Light Thickens." -Marilyn Stasio,
The New York Times
"The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers." -
Times Literary Supplement
Also published under the title Opening Night
