A thoroughly good read. Factual in places, some facts embroidered to add to the intrigue. A mystery that twists and unfolds and leaves the reader waiting until the end to discover who did it!

Mr. Campion's Abdication is staged in 1970 in an English country villa but harks back to 1937 and a visit by Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson to an archaeological dig nearby. Albert Campion vetted the location prior to the Prince's visit and is now called on by the Palace to avoid any finding of the Abdication Treasure. Mix in a current television re enactment of the visit by an Italian film crew along with Campion's son and his wife as actors. Is their a treasure? How does a murder in London in the 1950's fit in? Which red herrings to follow to the heart of the crime? Marvelous English cosy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC for allowing me to review this novel. I have not read any of Mike Ripley's Campion books before so was interested to being introduced to a famous character.
I found it quite hard to get into and felt that the story was a bit slow. I will read others on the series but felt that this book was not the right one for me.

Historical novels are not really my cup of tea. I found it well written but a little slow.

I haven’t read any of the previous Campion books but I’m sure that fans of his will enjoy this book.

Fatima

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

A princely treasure hunt!

This was unusually difficult to get into. I really wanted to connect more fully with the story as the whole events around Edward's abdication, Mrs Simpson and there Nazi leanings has always fascinated me. The 'what ifs' are too horrendous to contemplate.
The thing is that this was my first meet up with Albert Campion and so I do not have an understanding of who he is. He worked in mysterious ways--not fully visible to the naked eye, mine that is!
Thirty plus years later Campion is assisting with a film/documentary by an Italian company about the Prince and Mrs Simpson during their time at Heronhoe Hall and of a gift supposedly sent to show the Prince's appreciation to the Hall's owners, a gift now dubbed the Abdication Treasure. Campion's son and daughter-in-law appear as actors.
Buckingham Palace wants to put a stop to rumors of the treasure. A secretive background to a secretive time in history begets a secretive novel that almost pass me by.
I did like the cover, quite evocative.

A NetGalley ARC

Never underestimate Albert Campion or Mike Ripley who has done an admirable job of continuing where Margery Allingham left off. Admittedly following in her footsteps is a challenge - Albert Campion is one of the most popular figures of the Golden Age of Mystery. Campion and Lugg may be older, but as seen in Mr Campion’s Abdication, they are still formidable opponents to those with evil intentions.

Did the Duke of Windsor leave a treasure behind in the small village where he met up with Mrs. Simpson? Is there an Abdication treasure? Rumors flow like water but those in power are adamant - there is no treasure and Albert Campion must not find it. Campion insists his only purpose in going to Heronhoe is to aid in the making of a documentary starring his son and daughter-in-law. Searching for a nonexistent treasure is far from his thoughts, but that doesn't mean that Campion doesn't have another intention in mind.

Mr Campion’s Abdication is cleverly plotted with plenty of twists ready to please the Allingham enthusiast. The novel will definitely appeal most to fans of Golden Age mysteries and historical mysteries than to modern mystery fans. If you like Campion, you will definitely enjoy Mike Ripley’s portrayal of Allingham’s classic detective.

4 / 5

I received a copy of Mr Campion’s Abdication from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

Set in the 1970’s, Albert Campion has turned TV producer with an Italian filming company. The film is to be about Edward and Mrs Simpson and their time at Heronhoe Hall. The hall is the site of a historical dig, at the time it was hoped to be par with the famous dig at Sutton Hoo, but unfortunately it did not produce significant finds. But there was a rumour that Edward had left a treasure at Heronhoe, it was known as the “Abication Treasure”. A mystery, as no one knows who received it or if it was recieved at all. But Campion, with help of friends, family and archaeologists start sleuthing to discover the truth.

I really loved the way this book started and it had me hooked for a number of chapters, but I found that by the time I got to the middle the story started to become a little repetitive. With the same questions being asked of different people but receiving pretty much the same answers. It felt to me, a little too padded out in the middle, but then towards the ends few chapters, it picked up again.

There are a lot of things about this book I enjoyed. There is a lot of historical references, the characters are great, a real mixed bunch from varied backgrounds. The plot was intriguing and at the start I really enjoyed it, and also the end, but as I have mentioned the middle section just didn’t quite do it for me. I also found that I kept forgetting the decade this was set in, and had to remind myself that it was the 70’s.

This is a book that had potential for me to love, but just didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I would recommend to readers of historical crime, thriller, mystery. I do actually look forward to reading more by this author.

I wish to thank Severn House Publishing and NetGalley for my eARC of this book. My views expressed here are unbiased and my own.

It's 1970 and Albert Campion is still in business as he becomes involved in a film production company at Heronhoe, Suffolk. Re-nacting the visit of Edward and Mrs Simpson at an archaeological dig in 1936. But rumours of a treasure, the Abdication Treasure, bring past deeds to the surface. And what is the connection to a death of a 17 year old girl in 1955.
Am enjoyable story, well-written, keeping my interest until the conclusion.

Metropolitan Police Commander Charlie Luke was getting instructions (remotely) from Buckingham Palace about his old friend, Albert Campion. Luke was getting them by discreet word of mouth from Lord Breeze, Campion's neighbor and also a member of the House of Lords - and the message was quite clear:

'Is there a point to all this?' Luke snapped more sharply than he had intended.

'Of course there is. Nobody can possibly believe that Campion is down there for anything other than the Abdication Treasure [...] now you're needed to lean on Campion and make him stop looking.'

'But you're not sure he is, are you?'

'He must be. You said yourself that treasure hunting was right up Campion's street.'

'And you said the treasure doesn't exist.'

'It doesn't,' Lord Breeze said firmly, 'and I have been instructed to tell you to tell Campion that unless he wants to risk embarrassing the Palace he'd better lay off. There's no such thing as the Abdication Treasure, so there's nothing to find and Campion had better make sure he doesn't find it!'

And so we find ourselves once again in a new adventure for Albert Campion, that marvelous character created during the Golden Age of Detection by Margery Allingham, and - these days - returning in new stories written by Mike Ripley, with the blessing of the Margery Allingham Society. The latest of Ripley's books, to be released by Severn House publishers at the beginning of November, is called Mr. Campion's Abdication. This time, there may - or may not - be a treasure hunt underway for an unspecified and undefined "Abdication treasure" supposedly sent to people in the small and not-so-idyllic village of Heronhoe by a grateful ex-King Edward VIII in 1937, after his abdication from the English throne and subsequent marriage to the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. His Majesty was supposedly rewarding some of the villagers who had helped arrange his secret pre-marital trysts with Mrs. Simpson.

It's a complicated story, jumping as needed from events preceding the abdication in 1936 to a modern-day (well, 1970) archaeological dig and a highly suspect effort to make a television movie about a visit to Heronhoe by the then-not-quite-Edward VIII and Mrs. Simpson before he became king - and, of course, before his abdication. There are a couple of murders to be solved, too. As for the treasure, if any...well, you'll have to read Ripley's book to find out.

Regular visitors to this site know that - for the most part - I'm not a fan of these "continuations" of popular characters written after the death of the original author. In the case of Albert Campion, however, I think there's more of a direct chain leading from Allingham to Ripley. When Margery Allingham died, leaving two still-unfinished Campion novels, her husband, Philip Youngman Carter, completed them. Then Carter himself died, leaving behind a fragment of a new Campion novel of his own, which was eventually completed by Mike Ripley, who has now written more of them. So, to my mind at least, there's a direct link to be followed here, and the Campion of Ripley's novels is the legitimate inheritor of the original character. Campion is aging well, if not exactly gracefully, as he approaches his 70th birthday in 1970 (when this new book is set); regular followers of the series will also find Campion's friend and servant (he hates being called a "butler") Magersfontein Lugg playing a significant role, along with other members of Campion's family. The book is more of a thriller than a detective story, but Campion fans are likely to enjoy it. As I said, Mr. Campion's Abdication is being published in November by Severn House, which made an electronic copy available to me for this review.

Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion is one of my all-time favorite literary detectives, and Mike Ripley’s continuation of the series is pitch-perfect. His Campion has the deceptive befuddled air that covers a razor-sharp mind. Amanda Campion is the concerned but supportive wife who sees through his attempts to protect her, and is even one jump ahead of him. In “Abdication”, Campion is about to celebrate his seventieth birthday, a fact that fills me with some alarm, since I really, really don’t want him to get too old to continue his adventures!

Mr. Campion’s Abdication is an ambling, really ambling, mystery set in 1970 with flashbacks to the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936. The nice thing about the book is visiting 70-year-old Albert Campion, the faithful Lugg, and Albert’s actor son Rupert and clever daughter-in-law Perdita. Even Lady Amanda makes an appearance in the novel.

The premise is that Campion is paying for an Italian TV documentary about an archeological site at Heronhoe in Suffolk. The site was of a ship burial discovered in 1936 where no grave goods were found. However, the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson visited the Heronhoe excavation and, since then, rumors persisted that there actually was a treasure still hidden. Whether it was a golden hoard like nearby Sutton Hoo or a generous gift given by the Prince of Wales to one of the locals is fuzzy. Rupert and his actress wife are playing Edward and Wallis in the docudrama. The dig itself is being conducted by a group of three college kids and their young American director. Besides the slim plot, there is a problem here. If the site is too important to allow development, surely English Heritage would object to a bunch of amateurs mucking about with it.

The big disappointment, in my opinion, is presented in the cover of the book which features a very good portrait of Edward Prince of Wales. I expected something to do with the actual abdication or at least some real connection between the prince and Campion. There was nothing beyond a very, very slight thread. Campion was sent to Heronhoe before the prince’s arrival to check for nosy journalists and shoo them away. That’s it. The plot is more about improbable foreign gangsters and the secrets of pub owners. And the treasure storyline is almost too serendipitous.

This is a pleasant read, but does not live up to the suggested title.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC.

This is the first of Mike Ripley's Campion books I have read.

I am a huge fan of Margery Allingham and I am afraid this novel did not convince me at all.

It is well enough written but I just did not get the right feelings from it.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
This is a period piece of a period piece. The book is set in the 1970's but harkens back to events that happened in the 1930's. It is very English in both the humour and the atmosphere and it is a lot of fun.
Mr. Campion is an extradinary gentleman whose perspicacity is needed to solve two old murders and prevent another one. It is all tied up in a random dig in the mid 1930's that uncovered a buried ancient boat. Although the locals were disappointed that nothing of great value was discovered by the archeologists, rumours, stories and myths grew up around it until there were those who believed something a great value had been found but hidden away.
Italian mobsters and King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson are all mixed together. It is a complicated convergence of occurrences but as Mr. Campion unravels each string, bit by bit, it is highly entertaining.. The characters are sparkling and frothy. The story is engaging.
If you are a fan of period British mysteries, you will want to check this out. If you just want an enjoyable read, check it out too.
I give it four purrs and two paws up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for allowing me to review a digital copy of this novel.

I have read all of the previous novels by Mike Ripley as he has continued the adventures of an older Albert Campion. I was surprised to discover that I gladly allowed Mr. Ripley to put his own writing stamp on this favorite old series of mine; surprised because I can be very hard to please when it comes to a new author taking up the tales of a much beloved fictional character. So I began reading this title with every expectation of thoroughly enjoying it as well. Sadly I didn't, couldn't quite work myself up to complete enjoyment.

First, there is the fact that the author uses his notes at the beginning of the book to say that this story takes place in early 1970, but that fact isn't mentioned again anywhere in the actual novel. Yes, I had read the Author's Note, many readers will skip right over that bit. If you skip over, you will find yourself pretty much muddled about when the story is supposed to be taking place. I knew it was in 1970 and I still had to very, very often remind myself of that fact. Mentioning a lime green VW mini-bus just wasn't enough to place me within the historical time period.

Second, the history of previous events in 1935-1936 were oft repeated but still confusing and went on too long. Too many winks and nods and putting a finger aside a nose in this one. The story seemed to positively crawl until the final four chapters which is where practically everything happened.

For me, this one was just not as good as the previous Albert Campion novels by Mike Ripley. I do not count myself as discouraged, though. When the next book is hot off the presses I will be very willing to give the series another try.

This review was posted to Amazon UK
I would like to thank Netgallery and Severn House for a free copy of this book.

This is the fourth book in Mike Ripley's marvellous continuance of the Albert Campion novels by Margery Allingham. Set in 1970 it finds Campion in Suffolk ostensibly assisting an Italian company to film a documentary about an archaeological dig which took place in 1935 and which was visited by Prince Edward and Mrs Simpson before his brief ascent to the throne and abdication. Campion was briefly at the original dig just before the arrival of the future king and his presence at the filming is supposed to help with the accuracy of the documentary. Of course, nothing is quite as it seems, and even though Campion is supposed to be retired from chasing criminals and resolving diplomatic incidents you know that he has some scheme underway. Complicating matters further are the persistent rumours of a lost treasure either associated with the original archaeological dig or somehow linked to the visit by Edward.

The story readily unfolds at a good pace with Ripley regularly dropping hints and clues as to what is really going on. The charming narrative style and dollops of wry humour keeps the reader happily engaged through the opening stages of the book as the various strands of the plot are revealed. The pace picks up in the second half and the book concludes with a succession of clever twists and surprises, including an unexpected resolution as to the nature of the 'lost treasure'.

There is probably more subtle humour in Mr Campion's Abdication than in the original novels and Ripley's charming wit is evident from the amusing opening exchange of the novel:
'So where exactly did Albert Campion stand on the Abdication?'
'Behind the throne, slightly to the left?' suggested Luke.

Ripley also gets to show off his love of ancient history, and the book is full of interesting archaeological details and illuminating historical facts. He furthermore does a good job of capturing the small details that make his recreation of 1970 convincing, and amusing. Readers of the Allingham novels will also enjoy the references to characters and adventures from the original tales.

In all, this is a terrific fun read and is highly recommended.

108416
Nancy Cunningham's review Jul 17, 2017 · edit
liked it
bookshelves: netgalley, series

I am an avid fan of classic mystery stories from the 20's through the early 50's and Margery Allingham's Albert Campion novels are among my favorites.

Mike Ripley has taken off where Allingham left off and fans can reacquaint themselves with Campion and his man, Lugg, through these contemporary books. Ripley has deftly aged Mr. Campion, but this story refers back to his younger days when he worked as a sort of "advance man" for the Palace prior to a country escape the Duke of Windsor took in the company of Wallis Simpson.

It was fun to read about Campion in conjunction with the Windsors (before they were "THE Windsors) but the story dragged a bit for me. The charm of Mr. Campion is the combination of his sophistication, his silliness, and his acuity. Readers of this new novel would surely know from the start that things were not what they appeared to be, so some of the subterfuge was a bit tedious to this reader.

But, it was a meeting with an old friend--and, pleasant because of past associations.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House for a review copy of Mr Campion's Abdication, the fourth novel to feature Margery Allingham's Albert Campion as a pensioner.

It is 1970 and Campion is trying his hand at TV production in Suffolk, having been asked by an Italian company to get involved as a consultant in their documentary on an archaeological dig which took place in 1935 and was visited undercover by Edward and Mrs Simpson before his ascent to the throne and subsequent abdication. Obviously with Campion involved there is much more to it.

What a great read. Mr Campion's Abdication is the second novel I have read in this series and has made it a firm favourite with me. Clever is the first word that comes to mind and hugely entertaining are the next. Where to start? With Campion's track record as a sleuth you just know from the start that there's more to the scenario than meets the eye. The pacing is excellent with bits and pieces being revealed at the right time, leaving room for wild guesses and speculation which are gradually confirmed or dashed as the novel progresses. The plotting is equally as good. It's very clever with potential hidden treasure of unknown origin, either as a gift from Edward or grave goods from the excavation and potential secret assignations between the prince and Mrs Simpson. The reader just doesn't know what's fact and what's fiction in terms of these rumours until late in the novel and again is left to speculate. I particularly liked the resolution of the treasure issue as it's so unexpected and yet makes perfect sense.

The tone of the novel is also very appealing. It is ever so slightly knowing which adds a certain something to the wit and humour of the dialogue. This not a laugh out loud novel but it is very amusing and informative as I had to look up some of the more esoteric words used. I'm obviously not as smart at English as I thought!

Mr Ripley's Campion is a wonderful invention. I'm not overly familiar with Ms Allingham's version so I can't really compare but he is witty, smart, not above the occasional mistake and caring. There are a few in jokes about his age - almost 70 - but it doesn't seem to have dimmed his thought processes or zest. I really like the fact that the novel portrays older people as perfectly capable when so many think that being over 60 puts the characters either at death's door or too decrepit to be of much use.

Mr Campion's Abdication is an excellent read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

5 stars

Commander Charles Luke meets at the posh club of Lord Breeze. Breeze who is a little full of himself wants Commander Luke to assure Her Majesty’s government that Albert Campion will not be looking for the Abdication Treasure. It is said that in 1936 when the then Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and the infamous and twice-divorced Mrs. Wallis Simpson both stayed at his friend Gerald Weymyss-Grendle’s home called Heronhoe Hall near Pontisbright that a treasure was brought to the Hall and was later lost. Many believe it never existed.

Breeze purchased the hall from Gerald Wemyss-Grendle for a song and was going to convert it to a housing estate except his daughter (to whom he could deny nothing), and her husband wanted to live there.

A film crew is doing a reenactment of the then Prince and Mrs. Simpson’s visit to Heronhoe Hall using Campion’s son and daughter-in-law as actors. However, the Italian director, a woman named Donna Daniela Petraglia - well, something is more than a little off about her. Precious Aird is an American who was hired as the chief archeologist for the dig at Heronhoe. She also is a major character in this book.

Campion enlists the aid of Magersfontein Lugg his old friend, verbal sparring partner and all around nicer-than he-seems guy to aid him in what now the reader understands to be Campion’s covert operation. That is to spy on the Italians, for Campion feels that they are up to no good.

Then something startling occurs and all heck breaks loose. The diggers are shocked, Campion is cool and the Italians go crazy.

Of course Albert Campion finds the “Abdication Treasure.” Or, more correctly his son Rupert does.

This book is very well written and plotted. It is laid out in a direct line which makes sense and makes it easy for the reader to follow. The paragraph transitions are well constructed. I liked the characters and enjoyed their interactions. The characters were varied – and numerous. Mr. Ripley has inserted into his story some gentle humor which does not go amiss at all. I like the verbal sparring between Campion and Lugg. This is my first Mike Ripley novel, but it won’t be my last. I truly enjoyed this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this most wonderful book to read.

I am delighted that Mike Ripley is writing Margery Allingham’s Mr. Campion novels. They remind me a of a mash up of P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie.