When in Rome

When in Rome is Ngaio Marsh's 26th Detective Roderick Alleyn novel, published in 1970. Set in historic Rome, the story follows a group of tourists whose sightseeing excursion becomes entangled with criminal activity. The plot centers on Sebastian Mailer, a British tour guide with connections to Rome's criminal underground, and author Barnaby Grant, whose manuscript becomes a point of connection between the two men. Detective Alleyn arrives in Rome to investigate drug trafficking and finds himself drawn into events surrounding Mailer's tour group. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Roman architecture, particularly the San Tommaso basilica with its layers of history - from a Flavian household to a third-century church. The tour group includes an array of characters from various backgrounds: aristocrats, authors, and former military personnel. The novel explores themes of deception and the contrast between surface appearances and hidden realities, using Rome's archaeological layers as a metaphor for the multiple levels of truth in human interactions.

Readers find this to be one of Marsh's lighter mysteries, with more focus on travelogue and Roman atmosphere than the central crime. Many reviewers note it works better as a period piece capturing 1960s Rome than as a detective story. Readers liked: - Rich descriptions of Rome and Vatican City - Cultural observations about Italian society - The theatrical elements and opera background - Inspector Alleyn's relationship with his wife Troy Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly for first half of book - Too much focus on tourism/sightseeing - Mystery element feels thin and predictable - Characters' behavior seems unrealistic at times Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,243 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) "More of a Roman holiday than a mystery," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Several Amazon reviews mention enjoying the historical snapshot of mid-century Rome but finding the actual detective story lacking in suspense.

Death in the Eternal City by M.G. Scarsbrook A murder mystery set among Rome's historic sites follows a detective through underground tunnels and ancient ruins to solve crimes connected to Vatican secrets.

Still Life with Murder by P.B. Ryan This detective novel combines historical atmosphere with criminal investigation as a former Civil War nurse investigates murders among Boston's upper class.

A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nunn A police procedural set in 1950s South Africa merges crime investigation with exploration of social complexities in a specific historical setting.

Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon A mystery novel set in Venice features Commissario Brunetti investigating murder among opera performers against the backdrop of Italian culture and architecture.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley An investigation unfolds at an English country estate where a young protagonist uncovers crimes through methodical detection methods similar to Alleyn's approach.

🔍 Ngaio Marsh was one of the four "Queens of Crime" alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Margery Allingham during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction 🏛️ The Mithraic temples mentioned in the book were real underground Roman sanctuaries dedicated to the mysterious god Mithras, with over 400 temples discovered across the Roman Empire ✍️ Despite being one of New Zealand's most successful authors, Marsh wrote most of her Inspector Alleyn novels while living in England, including "When in Rome" (1970) 💊 The book's focus on drug trafficking was particularly timely, as the 1970s marked a significant increase in international drug trade concerns and enforcement efforts 🎭 Before becoming a crime writer, Marsh was a renowned theater director, and she often incorporated theatrical elements into her mysteries - including this novel's dramatic Roman settings