A review by leenyx
The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham

mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

I've heard so many people sing Allingham's praises, and I have to say I'm disappointed. Campion has one of my favorite character traits, but when weighed against the rest of the book, it's not worth it. 

The book has rampant fatphobia, linking villainy to size more than once, and using as a point of mockery in one case. 

The mystery and it's plot is farfetched and nonsensical. The solution is infuriating, and nearly made me toss the book across the room.

Unlike Christie's clever lambasting of misogyny, Allingham seems to treat her female characters with disdain - they're objectified for the male characters' growth.

I'm not looking forward to the next book in the series.

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