The Estate of the Beckoning Lady by Margery Allingham, 1955

 

This is Albert Campion #15

Cover image only - no review

Police at the Funeral by Margery Allingham, 1931

 

Series: Albert Campion #4

Cover image only - no review

Cargo of Eagles by Margery Allingham, 1968

 

Series: Albert Campion #19 (last in series)

About the author: Margery Louise Allingham (1904 – 1966) was an English novelist from the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction". Allingham is 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 matured into a strongly individual character, part-detective, part-adventurer, who formed the basis for 18 novels and many short stories. (wikipedia) 

Major characters:

• Morty Kelsey, professor and historical writer
• James Teague, a released prisoner
• Target Burrows, ship's engineer, with a glass eye
• H.O. Wishart, poet
• Dixie Wishart, his wife, barkeep at "The Demon" [bar]
• Mossy Ling, the only one who has seen The [real] Demon
• Dr. Dido Jones
• Sir Albert Campion

Locale: England

Synopsis: Historical professor Mortimer "Morty" Kelsey brings Albert Campion to the seaside village of Saltey, a rather desolate and forbidding place. Kelsey regales Campion with stories of past pirate adventures, a legendary demon, and a hidden treasure. The action centers around the house of Miss Kitty Kytie, who has left it to attractive Dr. Dido Jones, who knew her when she was in hospital. Kelsey believes a treasure is hidden in the vicinity, sought after by released prisoner James Teague. When Dido arrives to take possession, she finds the body of her attorney, Hector Askew, inside. 

Review: This story takes us back to The Beatles era, with "mods" terrorizing the community on motorbikes with their tight black outfits, blasting music on their "transistors". The pirate/smuggling backstory is right out of Jamaica Inn (Daphne du Maurier). The hidden treasure is indeed found, and in a clever hiding place. The disposition of the treasure is an interesting exercise, and this is the significance of the title. Mossy Ling is an enjoyable character, hanging around the bar and telling his story (he was the only one who saw The Demon) in exchange for drinks. The true story behind the legend comes out, and it is quite funny.

 

Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham, 1930

 

ABE Books

This is Albert Campion #2. It also was published in the Collier Front Page Mystery series.

About the author: Margery Louise Allingham (1904 – 1966) was an English novelist from the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction". Allingham is 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 matured into a strongly individual character, part-detective, part-adventurer, who formed the basis for 18 novels and many short stories. (wikipedia) 

Major characters:

• Judge Crowdy Lobbett
• Marlowe Lobbett, his son
• Isopel Lobbett, his daughter
• Giles Paget, owner of the Manor on Mystery Mile
• Biddy Paget, his sister
• Ali Fergusson Barber, art dealer
• Anthony Datchett, palm reader
• St. Swithen Cush, rector
• Albert Campion, amateur detective

Locale: Mystery Mile, on an island in the River Orwell, Suffolk, England

Synopsis: Judge Crowdy Lobbett is heading to England on a liner, hoping to avoid assassins who seem to be after him in revenge for his sentencing members of the notorious Simister Gang. He is accompanied by his son Marlowe and daughter Isopel. He arranges to rent a quiet manor, owned by Giles Paget and his sister Biddy, who are anxious to get some rental income from it. 

The Manor is located on Mystery Mile, a the name given to a small village contained on an island, connected to the mainland by a causeway ("The Stroud"). The Lobbetts seek out Albert Campion to detect whether the assassins have followed the Lobbetts to England. All seems quiet until the rector, St. Swithen Cush, commits suicide; leaving behind a note and a red chess piece as a clue. Then Judge Lobbett disappears without a trace when walking through the hedges of the manor's maze, but leaves behind a cryptic note.

Review: I was pleased this paperback edition came with a map of Mystery Mile. I checked my Collier Front Page edition, it has the same map, larger with much clearer notations. I could not read some of them on the paperback version. The map is a piece of art in itself! Notice one cherub has a magnifying glass, the other a gun!

This is an enchanting story with lots of color. There are the Seven Whistlers who watch for comings and goings over The Stroud, a mysterious case full of children's books, a red chess piece, and of course the judge who walked into the maze and was not seen again.

Thoroughly enjoyable, and another Campion under my belt.

The Fear Sign by Margery Allingham, 1933

 

This is Albert Campion #5.

Also published as Sweet Danger (UK) and Kingdom of Death (USA)

Major characters:

• Albert Campion
• Magersfontein Lugg, Campion's butler/valet
• Augustus "Guffy" Randall
• Jonathan Eager-Wright, a mountaineer
• Dicky Farquharson, a mining engineer
• M. Etienne Fleurey, hotel manager
• Sniffy Edwards, a rat-faced crook
• Peaky Doyle, crook with the pronounced widow's peak
• Brett Savanake, financier
• Amanda Fitton, a Huntingforest heiress

Locale: Village of Pontisbright, Suffolk, England

Synopsis: Averna is a tiny principality in the Balkans, deeded centuries ago to the Huntingforest family. Long forgotten and abandoned until an earthquake rearranges things, it suddenly has an enviable seaport. The British government enlists Albert Campion to investigate and reclaim ownership. Campion and friends Guffy Randall, Jonathan Eager-Wright, and Dicky Farquharson pose as the Hereditary Paladin and his entourage, and journey - not to Averna, but to the tiny Suffolk village of Pontisbright; wherein are the only remaining Huntingforest heirs. Campion seeks the three proofs of ownership: a crown, a charter, and a receipt. 

The meet charming young Amanda Fitton, who operates a mill with an attached dynamo; which she uses to recharge batteries for the villagers. She also has an electric car (and this is 1933!). While Campion seeks the three proofs, he has competition from an evil financier Brett Savanake, who wants them for his own ends.

Review: This story, while written in 1933, reminds me of the Superintendent Richard Jury series (by Martha Grimes) with a titled hero and an sidekick who works the amusing locals, combined with the all-hell-breaks-loose adventures of the Tommy Hambledon stories (by Manning Coles). If you enjoy either of those authors, you will like this one. It also has overtones of the tiny principality comedies (The Mouse That Roared, for one).

Also see this review by Bev Hankins on My Reader's Block.

Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham, 1934

 

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.

More Work for the Undertaker by Margery Allingham, 1949

 

dustjackets.com

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:

• Roxana "Ruth" Palinode, deceased prior to story
• Edward Palinode, deceased prior to story
• Lawrence Palinode
• Jessica Palinode
• Evadne Palinode
• Clytie White, a Palinode niece
• Renee Roper, rooming house owner
• Captain Alastair Seton, a tenant
• Jas. Bowels, undertaker
• Pa Wilde, a chemist (pharmacist)
• Detective Albert Campion
• Magerfontein Lugg, Campion's manservant

Locale: London

Synopsis: Albert Campion learns about the odd Palinode family - classicly educated, once wealthy, now almost destitute due to failed investments. Roxana ("Ruth") and Edward have already passed away, now it appears they had been poisoned - so Campion is investigating the deaths. The three remaining Palinodes (Lawrence, Jessica, and Evadne) and their niece Clytie White live in a rooming house on quiet Apron Street, run by Renee Roper. Another tenant is hard-drinking elderly Captain Alastair Seton.

Meanwhile, suspicious happenings occur at Jas. Bowels' undertaking establishment across the street. Bowels rents the basement of Roper's house to store his coffins. There are instances of unexplained coffin removals from the basement in the dead of night.

The poison that killed Ruth gets traced back to the local chemist, Pa Wilde, who, during questioning,  suddenly takes poison himself  and dies. 

Campion investigates three threads: the poisoning of Ruth, the exhumation of Edward, and the strange coffin shuffling by Jas. Bowels. 

Review: This book reminds me of Martha Grimes' Inspector Richard Jury stories - Campion is mostly an observer, has a comic-relief sidekick Magerfontein Lugg (think of Melrose Plant), and a police officer Charlie Luke, D.D.I. (think of Sgt. Wiggins) who does the legwork. 

An enjoyable episode is the "high speed" chase of the horse-drawn hearse wagon, with the police cars using the newfangled "wireless radios" to full advantage. 

The true story behind the coffin movements is revealed at the end, and it was a surprise; yet totally believable. 

The Palinodes have their own private language, using classical quotations to fit the situation. Distracting, and doesn't add anything to the plot.

I was disappointed that we never learn the results of the exhumation of Edward. That story line got dropped after a brief mention that he was indeed dug up, but we never find out what happened to him.

The White Cottage Mystery by Margery Allingham, 1927

 

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:

• Chief Inspector W. T. Challoner
• Jerry Challoner, his son
• Roger William Christiansen, owner of The White Cottage
• Eva Grace Christiansen, his wife
• Joan Alice Christiansen, their daughter, age 5
• Norah Phyliss Bayliss, Eva's sister
• Eric Crowther, their neighbor at The Dene, and the victim
• Clarry Gale, a.k.a. William Lacy, valet to Eric Crowther
• Latte Cellini, resident of The Dene

Locale: England, Paris, and Mentone, France

Synopsis: Jerry Challoner encounters, and is enchanted by a young lady - Norah Phyliss Bayliss - whom he meets as she steps off a bus. He watches as she enters The White Cottage. The Cottage is also home to Roger and Eva Christiansen, and their five-year old daughter Joan Alice. 

Almost immediately a shot is heard from the cottage, and a cry of murder. Jerry rushes in to find the house in turmoil and a body (D below) in the dining room. It is Eric Crowther, their neighbor, who lives next door at 'The Dene', an imposing institutional-like grey building. Jerry identifies himself as the son of Scotland Yard Chief Inspector W. T. Challoner. 

Crowther has been killed by a shotgun blast, the gun found resting on the dining room table (E). The Challoners soon find that Crowther was disliked by all, and took pleasure in tormenting others. There was a past affair between him and Eva, and he had taunted Roger (confined to a wheelchair) about it, daring him to shoot him - even conveniently providing the shotgun which he had left propped up in a corner (C) of the dining room. 

The Dene was also home to Latte Cellini, a mysterious Italian who suddenly disappears. Taking this as a sign of guilt, Challoners follow him first to Paris, then to Menton on the French Riviera. The Challoners are surprised to find Eva and Norah there as well.

Here is a possible layout of The White Cottage, reverse-engineered from the text showing the rooms of significance - omitting stairs, bath, etc. The Dene is off to the right. You may find this helpful as much conversation is about how the killer got in and out, and movements of the family during that time.

A - the narrow door

B - French windows

C - where Crowther propped the gun

D - body of Crowther

E - dining room table

F - coat rack

G - front door

Review: This is my first Allingham read, and it was quite enjoyable. Originally published as a serial, its heritage is apparent. Similar-length tight chapters are quite focused and well organized. It was edited prior to publishing as a book to remove the traditional lead-in synopses. The murder occurs immediately in chapter one, and all the characters introduced neatly in chapter two.

The story is stretched a bit by several coincidences, as the Challoners just happen to meet up with Eva and Norah in Paris, and then again in Menton. 

One story line which I expected but did not occur was some explanation of The Dene - being described several times as a grey, institutional building - I expected some creepy hanky-panky going on there but no.

Also see this review by Bev Hankins on My Reader's Block.