Final Curtain cover

Final Curtain

by Ngaio Marsh

Troy Alleyn wasn't sure why she accepted the commission to paint the portrait of the well-known actor Sir Henry Ancred. She arrived at Ancreton Manor to find Sir Henry in poor health and suffering a series of merciless practical jokes from his grandchildren. Then death visits the manor, and the family in mourning constitutes a formidable assembly: the self-important Pauline, the egregious Cedric, acquisitive Sonia, and Milly who laughs perpetually at nothing. Troy is overwhelmingly relieved by the arrival of her husband, the redoubtable Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn of Scotland Yard...

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?