Black As He’s PaintedOne of Ngaio Marshs most popular novels, this time featuring one of her best creations Lucy Lockett, the crime solving cat. When the exuberant president of Ngombwana proposes to dispense with the usual security arrangements on an official visit to London, his old school mate, Chief Superintendent Alleyn, is called in to persuade him otherwise. Consequently, on the night of the embassys reception the house and grounds are stiff with police.