255 Whether I get the cash Letters from NM to DM, 9 Apr, 12 May 1969, ibid.
256 to bring about hideous Letter from NM to DM, 23 Jun 1969, ibid.
256 It too was a howling Letter from NM to DM, 17 Jul 1969, ibid.
256 As always I destroyed Letter from NM to DM, 18 Sep 1969, ibid.
256 the best yet Letter from NM to DM, 15 Jan 1970, ibid.
257 I had the usual tree Ibid.
257-58 Do you remember Letter from NM to JS, 27 Dec 1967, MS-Papers-0280-29, ATL.
258 up to 22,000 words Letter from NM to DM, 9 Jun 1970, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
259 Mine will be Doubting T. Letter from NM to DM, 10 Feb 1969, ibid.
259 was a great success Letter from NM to DM, 28 Dec 1970, ibid.
260 so don’t get yourself Letter from NM to GL, 22 Jan 1970, GL’s private papers.
261 3,000 words Letter from NM to DM, 2 Feb 1971, M-S-Papers 1946, ATL, Wellington.
261 I do wish that you Letter from DO to NM, 3 Apr 1970, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
261 I’m sorry you can’t find Letter from DO to NM, 20 Jul [1970], ibid.
261 I most certainly will Letter from DO to NM, [c. 16 Feb 1971], ibid.
261 dose of 6 antibiotic Letter from NM to DM, 22 May 1971, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
262 very small Letter from NM to DM, 8 Jun 1971, ibid.
262 There’s no denying Letter from NM to DM, 25 Jun 1971, ibid.
262 another great chunk Letter from NM to DM, 25 Jun 1971, ibid.
263 Bernard & Laura Letter from NM to DM, 14 Aug 1971, ibid.
263 I must say I still Letter from NM to DM, 29 Nov 1971, ibid.
263 Talk about a working Letter from NM to DM, 20 Dec 1971, ibid.
263 All I can say Letter from NM to DO, 4 Aug 1971, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
263 exhausting but memorable Letter from DO to NM, 23 May [1972], ibid.
264 really quite frail Letter from DO to Nora [?], 15 Feb 1972, ibid.
264 happy arrival Letter from NM to DM, 26 Jan 1972, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
264 Henry V is on Letter from NM to DM, 1 Apr 1972, ibid.
264 again that vital MS-Group-1635, ATL.
264 I hope most ardently Letter from NM to DM, [c. May-Jun] 1972, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
265 Don’t be so silly Olivia Spencer Bower Papers, Archives, CAG Te Puna o Waiwhetu.
265 Rehearsals going Letter from NM to DM, [Aug] 1972, MS-Papers-1946, ATL, Wellington.
265 I couldn’t bear you Letter from NM to DM, 19 Sep 1972, MS-Papers-1946, ATL, Wellington.
265 I was lost Letter from Bruce Mason to NM, MS-Group-1635, ATL, Wellington.
265 Every seat was taken Olivia Spencer Bower Papers, Archives, CAG Te Puna o Waiwhetu.
266 We made a net profit Letter from NM to DM, 16 Nov 1972, MS-Papers-1946, ATL, Wellington.
266 Throughout the rehearsal Letter from NM to AF, 18 Oct 1972, AF’s private papers.
266 Lucy was black, sleek Email from JE to author, 2 Dec 2007.
267 I have a sneaking feeling NM File, HC, Glasgow.
268 The Oratory dome Letter from NM to JS, 25 Nov 1960, MS-Papers-0280-29, ATL, Wellington.
268 $14,000 guarantee Letter from DO [?] to Edmund Cork, 10 Apr 1972, MS-Group-1635, ATL, Wellington.
268 I’m afraid that poor little Nicola Letter from NM to DM, 16 Nov 1972, MS-Papers-1946, ATL, Wellington.
268-69 On the night Email from AF to author, 26 Feb 2008.
269-70 The new book is giving [and following quotes] Letter from NM to DM, 10 Apr 1973, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
[I] flung up both feet Ibid.
I pulled myself together Ibid.
new professional Court Theatre’s Ibid.
South Pole whistling up Letter from NM to DM, 2 Jul 1973, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
271 I wish she could have stayed Letter from NM to DM, 2 Jul 1973, ibid.
271 She’s very thin & worn Letter from NM to DM, 8 Aug 1973, ibid.
271 I’m getting myself trained Letter from NM to DM, 11 Aug 1973, ibid.
271 It makes a noise Letter from NM to DM, 21 Aug 1973, ibid.
271 which is better Letter from NM to DM, 25 Sep 1973, ibid.
271 We laughed ourselves sick Ibid.
271 Syl is marvellous Letter from NM to DM, 1 Apr 1972, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
272 I’ve found a tenant Letter from NM to DM, 20 Dec 1973, ibid.
272 Over the past three decades Letter from NM to DM, 14 Jan 1974, ibid.
272 which were a howling success Letter from NM to DM, 7 Feb 1974, ibid.
272 Yours is a second home Letter from NM to DM, 9 Mar 1974, ibid.
272 Dear Jonathan Elsom Letter from NM to DM, 15 Apr 1974, ibid.
272 Thank the Lord Letter from NM to DM, 5 May 1974, ibid.
273 Hollywoodhouse was something Letter from NM to DM, 9 Jun 1974, ibid.
273 At the moment he’s editing Letter from NM to DM, 15 Jul 1974, ibid.
273 scalped, (literally) Letter from NM to DM, 19 Aug 1974, ibid.
273 I’m amusing myself Letter from NM to DM, 15 Jul 1974, ibid.
274 I’ve got to pop into Letter from NM to DM, 19 Aug 1974, ibid.
274 Will have to begin Letter from NM to DM, [c. Nov] 1974, ibid.
274 She also accompanies me Letter from NM to DM, 9 Jan 1975, ibid.
274 Jonathan Elsom has a big part Letter from NM to DM, 1 Aug 1975, ibid.
275 I shall leave [England] Letter from NM to DM, 27 Jun 1975, ibid.
275 It was worth doing Letter from NM to DM, [c. Dec] 1975, ibid.
276 the best Letter from NM to DM, 3 Feb 1976, ibid.
276 It’s marvellous NM File, HC, Glasgow.
276 very-up bucking letter Letter from NM to DM, 2 Jun 1976, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
277 this was at the request Letter from NM to DM, 3 Feb 1976, ibid.
277 At the moment I’m re-reading Letter from NM to DM, 3 Feb 1976, ibid.
277 Lieut. Pinkerton Letter from NM to DM, 2 Jun 1976, ibid.
277 two hard-case items Fox interview.
278 mass of desultory notes Letter from NM to DM, 23 Jul 1976, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
278 I’m sure you were saddened Letter from DO to NM, 9 Mar 1976, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
278 Which ranges from one lady Letter from NM to DM, 14 Sep 1976, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
278 The parents are kindly Letter from NM to DM, 19 Nov 1976, ibid.
278 Freddie & Eve Page’s Letter from NM to DM, 24 Jan 1977, ibid.
278 I must say I thoroughly Ibid.
279 clad in a ridiculous Letter from NM to DM, 10 Apr 1977, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
279 with the result that this little room Letter from NM to DM, 20 May 1977, ibid.
279 I shall have to learn Letter from NM to DM, 26 Jun 1977, ibid.
279 thoroughly professional Christopher Moore, ‘When Wexford was Alleyn’, New Zealand Memories, No. 62, Oct-Nov, p. 50.
279 stand-up fight Letter from NM to DM, 24 Nov 1977, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
280 come up & hold the fort Letter from NM to DM, [c. Dec] 1977, ibid.
280 did a spot of figure-skating Letter from NM to DM, 6 Apr 1978, ibid.
280 just in time to see Letter from NM to MB and JB, 8 May [1978], MS-Group-1635, ATL.
280 Ngaio has a delightful room Letter from Sylvia Fox to DM, [May] 1978, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
281 Many congratulations Letter from Elizabeth Walter to NM, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
281 I feel this is probably Letter from Robert Knittel to NM, 23 Feb 1978, ibid.
281 been interrupted so often Letter from NM to RK, c. 23 Feb 1978, ibid.
281 [It] hung round my neck Letter from NM to Edmund Cork, 3 Jan 1978, ibid.
281 Obviously there is more Letter from NM to JB, 23 Oct 1978, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
281 They linger in my mind Letter from EW, 6 Mar 1978, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
282 Grave Mistake seems to be beating Letter from NM to MB, 27 Mar 1979, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
282 We wr
ite to thank you Letter from NM and Sylvia Fox to DM, 8 Aug [c.1978], MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
283 lifted the level Letter from NM to JE, 14 May 1979, JE’s private papers.
283 true metier Letter from NM to Bruce Mason, 20 Feb [1978], MS-Group-1635, ATL.
283 It may turn out to be Letter from NM to DM, 10 Aug 1978, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
283 My visit to Johnny Letter from NM to MB, 22 Jul 1978, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
283-84 Drawers opened Ibid.
284 One begins to wonder Letter from NM to DM, 29 Oct 1978, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
284 I’m glued to my work Letter from NM to DM, 26 Oct 1978, ibid.
284 danger of letting it Letter from NM to DM, [c. Nov] 1978, ibid.
284 Presents, visits Letter from NM to DM, 7 Jan 1979, ibid.
284 The which said Memo from M. Reese, 21 Jan 1980, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
284 We had an enormous Letter from EW to NM, 9 May 1980, ibid.
285 Fossilized or not Letter from NM to EW, 20 May 1980, ibid.
285 [Max Cryer comment] Email from Max Cryer to author, 28 Jun 2007.
285 My memory is deteriorating Letter from NM to JB [c. 1981], MS-Group-1635, ATL.
285 her life since the early fifties David Elworthy to EW, 11 Apr 1980; EW to David Elworthy, 18 April 1980, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
285 It’s been tricky work Letter from NM to MB, 29 Jan 1981, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
286 I took arm loads Wilkinson interview with author.
286 I certainly ran Voice recording: ‘Reflections on Ngaio Marsh (and interviews with Ngaio Marsh, 7 and 24 April 1978)’, Bruce Harding, 23 Dec 2007.
287 She’s as brave as a lion Letter from NM to DM, 7 Jan 1979, MS-Papers-1946, ATL.
287 I was so happy Letter from NM to DM, c. Dec 1978, ibid.
287 It’s been in my head Letter from NM to EW, 2 Feb 1982, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
Chapter Nine
Dénouement
289 It was extremely difficult Letter from NM to JB, 5 Feb 1982, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
290 magnificent Dutchie, Letter from NM to JE, 26 Sep 1981, JE’s private papers.
290 She skidded down hill Letter from NM to MB, 30 Jun 1981, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
290 Ngaio was in great form Letter from Rosemary Greene to JE, c. 9 Mar 1982, JE’s private papers.
290 I don’t know what Letter from NM to EW, 2 Feb 1982, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
290 I’ve had a cable Letter from NM to JB, 5 Feb 1982, MS-Group-1635, ATL.
290 Well, my sweetie-pie Letter from NM to JE, 16 Feb 1982, JE’s private papers.
291 Helen Holmes rang up Lascelles interview with author.
291 The days leading up Letter from Jean Esquilant to JE, 3 Mar 1982, JE’s private papers.
291 There is going to be Letter from Rosemary Greene to JE, c. 9 Mar 1982, JE’s private papers.
291 chaste reticence Simon Acland, public tribute to Ngaio Marsh, delivered Christchurch Cathedral, 26 Feb 1982.
292 [Copy of manuscript arriving] Mannings interview with author.
292 I’m just delighted Letter from William Phillips to EW, 4 Mar 1982, NM File, HC, Glasgow.
292 I am delighted about this Letter from EW to Pat Cork, 8 Jun 1982, ibid.
Epilogue
293 [Deborah Walton memories] Walton interview with author.
293 Now, remember Fox interview with author.
293 a beautiful black cat Fox and Walton interviews with author.
293 She was really worried Fox interview with author.
Acknowledgements
‘Do you feel an uncomfortable heat at the pit of your stomach, sir? and a nasty thumping at the top of your head?…I call it detective fever…’
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (1868)
Like detection, the fever of research and writing is as exacting as it is rewarding. What keeps me going are people I meet along the way who share the fever with me, and make the journey worthwhile. To all those whose heads have thumped a little on my behalf, I thank you.
Our vision of Ngaio Marsh is as vivid as it is today because of the precious memories and memorabilia that her friends and family have kept and treasured. I have had the greatest privilege of meeting and working on this project with the following special people in Ngaio’s life. I would like to thank them for their insights and unstinting support: Jonathan Elsom, Annette Facer, Gerald Lascelles, Elric Hooper, John Dacres-Mannings, Jean Crabtree, Roy Mannings, Richard and Ginx Fox, Barbara Webb, Bob Scott, Simon Acland, John and Rosemary Acland, Judie and Malcolm Douglass, Rosemary and Mike Greene, Joy Wilkinson, Deborah Walton, Anne and Harry Atkinson, Alistair Johnson, Marian Minson, Brian Bell, Donald Munro, Max Cryer, Shirley O’Connor, Libby and Denver Glass, Charlotte Wilson, Leslie Shaw, Marie Gaut, and Henrietta Garnett (whose conversation was the inspiration for this book). I would like to pay a special tribute to the vision of Lady Doris McIntosh, who gave to the nation one of the richest legacies—Ngaio’s letters.
My research has been greatly assisted by the excellent scholarship of the following academics and writers. I am immensely grateful to Dr Margaret Lewis, Dr Bruce Harding, Dr Glyn Strange, Carole Acheson, Professor Howard McNaughton, Paul Bushnell and Dr Douglas Munro, and to my own superb lecturer in Shakespeare, Professor David Gunby. I am also indebted to Rowan Gibbs and Richard Williams for their very helpful bibliography.
‘It was the fourth member of our family’, Ngaio wrote of Marton Cottage; and it exists today because of the efforts of some outstanding and magnanimous people. To walk around the terraced gardens and then in the front door is to walk into Ngaio’s life. For a biographer this is a dream, so I thank sincerely Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust members, Dr Bruce Harding, Colin McLachlan, Pamela and John Wilson, and Eve Harding, for their years of volunteer work to secure public access and preservation, and John Dacres-Mannings for his generosity in leaving so many of Ngaio’s treasures intact.
In my research I have had been assisted by friends and significant people who have helped the project along the way. I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks especially to Linda Tyler for her vision and support over the years and of this project, to Suzanne Marshall, who shared my fever and researched tirelessly, to Patti Gurekian for her research in the United States, and to Dr Carole Shepheard, Dr Peter Lineham, Dr Mike Austin, Priscilla Pitts, Tonia Geddes, Brit Bunkley, Andrea Gardener, Susan Kano, Belynda De Mayo, Alison MacDuff, Mike Geraghty, Lorraine Shannon, Alison Gernhoefer, Sue McBride, Liz and Ian Rivers, Doug and Carolyn Ironside, Richard and Sarah Laycock, Julia, Philip and Richard Mottram, Mary and Barry Loe, Morrin Rout, Ruth Todd, Cilla McVeigh, David Harcourt, Steve Woodside, Dr Miriam Saphiro, Dr Richard Smith and Albert Chan, Cathy Hartles and Liz Nicolson, Sue Thompson, Sheryn Bennett, Ralph Knowles, Ann Rolinson, Leslie and Rick Land, Peter and Genevieve Packer, Graeme Ell and Sarah Hillary (who kept me running).
Ngaio Marsh Her Life in Crime Page 43