Black as He's Painted

Village Detective Meets City Intrigue in Ngaio Marsh’s Noir

Written byNgaio Marsh

Narrated byPhilip Franks

Length8h11m

Release dateJanuary 28, 2016

GenreLiterature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Small Town & Rural

Languageenglish

★★★★☆ 4.7 (9,883 ratings)

Listen Free on Audible

Free with Audible trial. Cancel anytime.

Listen to a Sample

Hear Philip Franks's narration on Audible.

Play Sample on Audible

Quick Facts

Author	Ngaio Marsh
Narrator	Philip Franks
Runtime	8h11m
Published	January 28, 2016
Rating	★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5 (9,883 ratings)
Categories	Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Small Town & Rural, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery, Cozy, Thriller & Suspense, Crime Thrillers
Format	Audiobook (Digital)
Platform	Audible

Featured Audiobooks

Handpicked listeners' favorites this week

Strangers

by Belle Burden

★★★★☆ 4.8

Golden Son

by Pierce Brown

★★★★☆ 4.8

About This Audiobook

Experience the crisp, atmospheric storytelling of New Zealand crime mastermind Ngaio Marsh as Chief Superintendent Alleyn navigates London's glittering embassy scene and back to his small-town roots. Philip Franks’ narration brings a fresh, engaging edge to this classic whodunit, blending urban sophistication with rural charm in a seamlessly crafted audiobook that will have you guessing until the very end.

Tags: detectiveclassic crimesmall townLondonwhodunit

Why Listen to Black as He's Painted?

Expert narration by Philip Franks brings every character and scene to life across 8h11m of immersive audio.
Bestseller-quality story from Ngaio Marsh, rated 4.7 stars by 9,883 listeners.
Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.

Start Listening Free

Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

Philip Franks delivers an impeccable performance as Chief Superintendent Alleyn, capturing both his cool professionalism and down-to-earth character traits. The blend of high-stakes embassy drama and quaint village life is both intriguing and refreshing. However, some listeners might find the pacing a tad slow during the initial setup, which could benefit from slightly tighter editing to maintain maximum suspense. Still, for fans of classic crime fiction or those who appreciate the perfect balance of mystery and local color, this audiobook stands out as a must-listen.

Download: Black as He's Painted

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Free Download on Audible USA

Black as He's Painted by Ngaio Marsh is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Philip Franks with a runtime of 8h11m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.