About the author: Margery Louise Allingham (1904 – 1966) was an English novelist from the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", best remembered for her hero, the gentleman sleuth Albert Campion. Initially believed to be a parody of Dorothy L. Sayers's detective Lord Peter Wimsey, Campion formed the basis for 18 novels and many short stories. (from Wikipedia)
Major characters:
- John Lafcadio, famous painter, deceased
- Belle Lafcadio, his widow
- Linda Lafacdio, their granddaughter, age 25
- Thomas Dacre, Linda's fiancé, age 37
- Rosa-Rosa, Dacre's elegant new Italian model
- Harriet Pickering, alias Donna Beatrice, John Lafadio's other woman, now age 60
- Lisa Capella, John's former model, now the Lafcadio cook
- Max Fustian, manager of the painting sales
- Fred Rennie, John's color mixer, now a house guest
- Mr. William Potter, artist
- Mrs. Claire Potter, maid
- Albert Campion, amateur detective
- Inspector Stanislaus Oates
Locale: England
Synopsis: John Lafcadio was a famous painter living in his artist colony of Little Venice (England), and died seven years prior to the story, leaving his widow Belle Lafacdio. In preparation for his passing, he painted twelve paintings and wrapped them up, with instructions to sell one a year following his death; both for his continued fame and for financial support for Belle. These annual sales, managed by Max Fustian, attract much news and attention.
John had a live-in model/consort, Donna Beatrice (real name Harriet Pickering) and the three of them lived together in harmony. John is now long gone, but Donna still remains in the household.
John's granddaughter, Linda Lafcadio, is engaged to (yet another) painter, Thomas Dacre. Dacre returns from a trip to Italy with an elegant model, Rosa-Rosa. In order for her to emigrate to England legally, they were married. Dacre hoped for the same 3-way arrangement that John had, but Linda will have none of it.
The sale of painting #8 is at hand. During the viewing, the lights go off as the meter expires.* When they are restored, Dacre is found stabbed to death, and Linda is immediately suspect.
Albert Campion is no sooner investigating the death, when a second occurs.
*In the 1920's-1930's, the early days of home electricity (my parents remembered having this) it was common for electricity to be supplied through a coin-operated meter, similar to a parking meter.
Review: First, I liked the way the author introduced the characters to the reader. This takes place at the sale of the painting, and as each character enters the narrative, they are named and described.
Amateur Campion does an efficient job of investigation while keeping on the good side of the law, as represented by Inspector Oates. The story picks up speed after the second death, and soon Campion finds himself the target. It was amusing how the "attack" on Campion is made and is described from his point of view.
The twist at the end, regarding the twelve paintings, is a surprise and makes the whole story fit together.
No comments:
Post a Comment