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"'Spending an evening with Campion is one of life's pure pleasures' Saturday Review 'Always of the elect, Margery Allingham now towers above them' Observer 'Allingham is the best of mystery writers' New Yorker"
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'Spending an evening with Campion is one of life's pure pleasures' Saturday Review
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This novel unfolds like a film noir thriller. Albert Campion, the detective, comes round in hospital, believing himself to be under arrest for serious assault on a policeman. But there is a matter much more urgent, something else pressing onto his disjointed brain. To make matters worse, he alienates his main ally, Amanda Fitton.
Originally published in 1941, the future of 'beleagured England'is at stake, 'with all the tides of a new and diabollically astute barbary lapping at her feet', in a way that youy wouldn't guess at even today.
A startling departure from Campion's usual territory.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For all those who do have a few Campion's under their belt before they read this one, then this book might be a bit frustrating because you keep wishing Campion would get his act together when he's wandering around at the start of the book trying to work out what he's supposed to be doing and what mystery he was actively solving. I know he was knocked out by thugs when he was getting too close for comfort, but I get the distinct feeling that M. Allingham was trying to craft the story a bit too carefully round Campion's loss of memory and tried too hard to keep it within the bounds of reason. As a result I think it has come out a bit lumpish and awkward. It does get better though - much better and is at its best when Campion gets hold of some handgrenades using them to dramatic effect.
One thing I really liked in this book is the near severing and then reaffirmation of the relationship between Campion and long-time companion Lady Amanda Fitton; for it is in this book that he's on the verge of losing Amanda forever due to taking her for granted; and in fact, he hurts her feelings at several points in the story. So this book also marks the point at which he realises how much Amanda means to him and how awful and lost he feels without that rock solid unassuming support she lends him - and I have to be honest, I came to realise myself how much the character of Amanda fills in the gaps in Campion's character - she's such a strong influence in, and part of Campion's life that the void left by her distancing herself somewhat from Campion would appear unbearable.
One more thing about this book that I found quite fascinating - it shows you vividly some of the fears of wartime Britain - the worry and fear of plots and treachery; of geniuses lending their efforts to the wrong side because their sheer intelligence and clarity of vision is essentially a form of madness (Lee Aubrey). Overall it's a great story of wartime organised thuggery and violence with the local police operating as best they can to perform normal policing whilst allowing some form of special operations (Campion and Stanislaus Oates) to proceed with all the fallout that that brings - an excellent and exciting portrait of Campion at work during times of conflict and conflicted loyalties.
One thing I really liked in this book is the near severing and then reaffirmation of the relationship between Campion and long-time companion Lady Amanda Fitton; for it is in this book that he's on the verge of losing Amanda forever due to taking her for granted; and in fact, he hurts her feelings at several points in the story. So this book also marks the point at which he realises how much Amanda means to him and how awful and lost he feels without that rock solid unassuming support she lends him - and I have to be honest, I came to realise myself how much the character of Amanda fills in the gaps in Campion's character - she's such a strong influence in, and part of Campion's life that the void left by her distancing herself somewhat from Campion would appear unbearable.
One more thing about this book that I found quite fascinating - it shows you vividly some of the fears of wartime Britain - the worry and fear of plots and treachery; of geniuses lending their efforts to the wrong side because their sheer intelligence and clarity of vision is essentially a form of madness (Lee Aubrey). Overall it's a great story of wartime organised thuggery and violence with the local police operating as best they can to perform normal policing whilst allowing some form of special operations (Campion and Stanislaus Oates) to proceed with all the fallout that that brings - an excellent and exciting portrait of Campion at work during times of conflict and conflicted loyalties.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Albert Campion started his literary life as a seemingly extraneous figure in a curious book called _The Crime at Black Dudley_ (aka The Black Dudley Murder), where he inexplicably solves the crime rather than the hero. After that, he goes through a series of free-wheeling adventures -- ably assisted by his servant, ex-convict Lugg and Inspector Stanislas Oates. These books, a lot of fun and more thriller than detective oriented, include _Look to the Lady_ (aka Gyrth Chalice Mystery) and _Mystery Mile_. One of the most fun but least detective-oriented is _Sweet Danger_ (The Fear Sign, Kingdom of Death) where he meets a girl called Amanda.
Personally, I find subsequent Campion adventures less interesting, and Campion himself becomes rather a dull fellow. But during the World War II he finds himself involved in this wonderful adventure, _Traitor's Purse_, where he's on the trail of Nazi spies, but -- here's the trick -- he has amnesia, and doesn't even remember what his mission is, much less whom he can trust.
Anyone who knows Campion adventures -- as most readers would when the book was published -- will know where the loyalties of Amanda, Lugg and Oates lie, and perhaps it is good to go in with a few previous Campions under your belt to eliminate some of hero's utter confusion.
It's a great story and it moves like lightning.
Personally, I find subsequent Campion adventures less interesting, and Campion himself becomes rather a dull fellow. But during the World War II he finds himself involved in this wonderful adventure, _Traitor's Purse_, where he's on the trail of Nazi spies, but -- here's the trick -- he has amnesia, and doesn't even remember what his mission is, much less whom he can trust.
Anyone who knows Campion adventures -- as most readers would when the book was published -- will know where the loyalties of Amanda, Lugg and Oates lie, and perhaps it is good to go in with a few previous Campions under your belt to eliminate some of hero's utter confusion.
It's a great story and it moves like lightning.
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