Chief Inspector Alleyn was Marsh's best known character who appeared in no less than thirty two novels (this was the third). Alleyn is an interesting character: a gentleman inspector with the Met but also able to mingle with the underworld (Communists in the case of this book!)
Unlike many Golden Age novels with their enthusiastic amateur detectives this book features solid police work including under cover and a crime reconstruction. There are a couple of enthusiastic amateurs who Alleyn calls upon for a bit of help, they are pretty annoying but luckily do not dominate proceedings.
