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Last Ditch
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Last Ditch
Last Ditch is a detective novel by Ngaio Marsh; it is the twenty-ninth novel to feature Roderick Alleyn, and was first published in 1977. The plot concerns drug smuggling in the Channel Islands, and features Alleyn's son, Ricky, in a central role.
Ricky Alleyn is writing a novel in a rented room in the Channel Islands off Normandy. He makes friends on the small island, and explores the places new to him. He writes long letters home, sharing his experiences with his parents. The couple Julia and Jasper invite him to join their group riding horses, rented for the day from Leathers, the local riding stables. After a good ride, they return to the stables, finding their own horses sensing trouble. Julia sees the trouble and calls Ricky over to look, sending the rest of her party to return the horses to their barn. Both are upset by the sight of a body at the blackthorn hedge, lying in a ditch.
The owner’s niece Dulcie has taken a horse, a sorrel mare, out to jump a blackthorn hedge near Leathers. Her uncle had a fierce argument with her not to try that jump. She dies in the attempt, now a horrid sight from her injuries, and the horse is injured. Mr Harkness is ranting about her sins, and about Sydney Jones, who failed to take that horse away for a new shoe. Harkness is aware of her death and taking no action. Jasper telephones for a doctor, ambulance, and a veterinarian.
Ricky, along with others, examines the place of the jump after Dulcie’s body is removed, noticing many details of the scene, including a fence running through the hedge and pieces of wire. The police sergeant asks questions of the riding party, after he has closely examined the site himself.
The inquest is adjourned at the request of the local police. The local superintendent suffers a burst appendix, prompting him to ask for assistance from Scotland Yard, which sends out Ricky’s father. Alleyn has been investigating illegal drug traffic, specifically heroin, across Europe, part of why he is chosen to work with the local police in the islands.
Ricky observes that his landlady’s husband and Sydney Jones are linked. Jones follows Ricky when he takes a day off to visit another island. Someone pushes Ricky into the water near a ship, intending to kill him. Ricky survives.
Ricky’s father and his partner Fox check in to a local hotel to begin work with Sergeant Plank. They determine that Dulcie was murdered from the evidence at the scene, and observe Ferrant, known to be a trafficker.
Ricky takes a walk one evening, making sure to pass the place where Syd Jones stays after a few unpleasant encounters with him. Jones and Gilbert Ferrant are inside repacking illegal drugs, ready for transport, and notice Ricky. Ferrant, with his gun, forces Ricky inside, where the two tie him up and beat him up as he is tied to a chair. The two continue their task of repacking heroin.
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Last Ditch
Last Ditch is a detective novel by Ngaio Marsh; it is the twenty-ninth novel to feature Roderick Alleyn, and was first published in 1977. The plot concerns drug smuggling in the Channel Islands, and features Alleyn's son, Ricky, in a central role.
Ricky Alleyn is writing a novel in a rented room in the Channel Islands off Normandy. He makes friends on the small island, and explores the places new to him. He writes long letters home, sharing his experiences with his parents. The couple Julia and Jasper invite him to join their group riding horses, rented for the day from Leathers, the local riding stables. After a good ride, they return to the stables, finding their own horses sensing trouble. Julia sees the trouble and calls Ricky over to look, sending the rest of her party to return the horses to their barn. Both are upset by the sight of a body at the blackthorn hedge, lying in a ditch.
The owner’s niece Dulcie has taken a horse, a sorrel mare, out to jump a blackthorn hedge near Leathers. Her uncle had a fierce argument with her not to try that jump. She dies in the attempt, now a horrid sight from her injuries, and the horse is injured. Mr Harkness is ranting about her sins, and about Sydney Jones, who failed to take that horse away for a new shoe. Harkness is aware of her death and taking no action. Jasper telephones for a doctor, ambulance, and a veterinarian.
Ricky, along with others, examines the place of the jump after Dulcie’s body is removed, noticing many details of the scene, including a fence running through the hedge and pieces of wire. The police sergeant asks questions of the riding party, after he has closely examined the site himself.
The inquest is adjourned at the request of the local police. The local superintendent suffers a burst appendix, prompting him to ask for assistance from Scotland Yard, which sends out Ricky’s father. Alleyn has been investigating illegal drug traffic, specifically heroin, across Europe, part of why he is chosen to work with the local police in the islands.
Ricky observes that his landlady’s husband and Sydney Jones are linked. Jones follows Ricky when he takes a day off to visit another island. Someone pushes Ricky into the water near a ship, intending to kill him. Ricky survives.
Ricky’s father and his partner Fox check in to a local hotel to begin work with Sergeant Plank. They determine that Dulcie was murdered from the evidence at the scene, and observe Ferrant, known to be a trafficker.
Ricky takes a walk one evening, making sure to pass the place where Syd Jones stays after a few unpleasant encounters with him. Jones and Gilbert Ferrant are inside repacking illegal drugs, ready for transport, and notice Ricky. Ferrant, with his gun, forces Ricky inside, where the two tie him up and beat him up as he is tied to a chair. The two continue their task of repacking heroin.