Scales of Justice (novel)

Scales of Justice is a 1955 novel by Ngaio Marsh, a New Zealand crime writer best known for her detective novels featuring Roderick Alleyn. The book is the twenty-first novel in the Alleyn series.

The story revolves around the seemingly inexplicable deaths of prominent members of a seemingly idyllic English village. The victims, all connected to the local amateur opera society, are poisoned by nicotine, and the focus quickly turns to the tight-knit community's rivalries and hidden secrets. Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate, navigating the complex social dynamics and uncovering the truth behind the murders.

Scales of Justice is noted for its classic "whodunit" style, characteristic of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Marsh's detailed descriptions of the English countryside and the personalities of the villagers contribute to the novel's atmospheric quality. The plot is intricate and relies heavily on deduction and the gradual unraveling of clues, typical of the Roderick Alleyn mysteries. The title refers to the symbolic representation of justice, hinting at the themes of fairness, guilt, and the search for truth that are central to the narrative.