Scan barcode
jonathanpalfrey's review against another edition
3.0
This whodunnit consists largely of an endless parade of extravagantly eccentric characters of different kinds, interacting in their own peculiar ways in an obscure corner of London. There is much mystery, but Albert Campion gets to the bottom of it in the end.
I found it readable and mildly entertaining, but rather over the top. Allingham apparently set out to paint pictures of as many distinctive characters as she could think of, and stuff them all into the same book, so that there's hardly room for anyone normal.
When I found out what had been going on in the end, most of it took me completely by surprise. However, I'm no amateur detective, and when reading this kind of book I make no attempt to solve the case before the hero does. I just read it as a story and observe.
Not one of my favourite Campion stories, though it's not a bad one. A pity that we see nothing of his wife Amanda, apart from a brief message at the end; but I suppose she wouldn't fit into this story.
I found it readable and mildly entertaining, but rather over the top. Allingham apparently set out to paint pictures of as many distinctive characters as she could think of, and stuff them all into the same book, so that there's hardly room for anyone normal.
When I found out what had been going on in the end, most of it took me completely by surprise. However, I'm no amateur detective, and when reading this kind of book I make no attempt to solve the case before the hero does. I just read it as a story and observe.
Not one of my favourite Campion stories, though it's not a bad one. A pity that we see nothing of his wife Amanda, apart from a brief message at the end; but I suppose she wouldn't fit into this story.
cimorene1558's review against another edition
5.0
A fine, somewhat quirky mystery. This is what I would call middle-period Margery Allingham, as it's somewhere between the light-hearted style of the earliest Campion novels and the much darker late books, such as Hide My Eyes. It's more like the latter than the former, but there's plenty to laugh at.
topazlit's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
One of the weirder Campion books, with a fairly confusing plot but a very atmospheric setting. We are introduced to Charlie Luke for the first time, and Allingham's descriptions of Luke's vivid recreation of people and events are a delight. Luckily, Lugg is here as well, and we hear from Amanda on the very last page.
the_lady_miaow's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
She's a marvelous find. For anyone who appreciates Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, well-plotted Golden Age mysteries, not too violent/gritty/disturbing, eccentric characters, unusual situations, a bit of wit (well, a lot, in Sayer's case), Allingham is their slightly-younger near literary cousin, and luckily she was prolific.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
bookpossum's review against another edition
3.0
Good fun. Allingham gets better and better as she goes on and this was satisfyingly complex.
verityw's review
4.0
Another really good Albert Campion mystery. This is in the detective part of the Campion series, rather than the adventure-y end. He's getting a bit older by this point, so there's less running around and obvious danger, but he's not slowing down at all. He starts this book seemingly having been offered the governorship of an unnamed island but is still quite happy (in fact probably happier) moving into a boarding house to investigate a poisoning. The street surrounding the boarding house is full of eccentrics, and dubious characters and it's totally engrossing. It's probably not the best book to pick for your first Campion though - as there's very little explanation of his background and the reoccurring characters so I imagine if this was your first encouter with Albert, it might be a little baffling.
cmbohn's review against another edition
5.0
Apron Street is a quiet little thoroughfare in west London — and yet Albert Campion is called in to investigate a death, and he finds himself surrounded by as strange a family as he has ever encountered.
I remember this one as being a little creepy and very scary at the end.
I remember this one as being a little creepy and very scary at the end.