Mystery Mile

Excellent. A great page turner.

Thank you Net Galley.  This is a book I read a very long time ago and have enjoyed reading it again. A classic Campion novel, written in Allingham's typical style.  This is the first novel with Lugg. I enjoyed reading the book on my kindle.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloomsbury for an advance copy of Mystery Mile, the second outing for her protagonist Albert Campion.

We first meet Campion in the novel when he saves an American judge from certain death by electrocution when a magician's trick on their cruise liner is sabotaged. Fast forward to London and Campion is engaged by said judge's son to keep him safe from shadowy master criminal, Simister. It turns out that the judge has a line on Simister's real identity and he doesn't like it.

I am essentially new to Ms Allingham's Albert Campion series (a couple of novels 40 years ago don't count) but having recently read Mike Ripley's updated version, Mr Campion's Fault, I was keen to read the original work.

Originally written in 1930 the novel is full of the prejudices of the time, mostly racism and sexism, but it is interesting to see how attitudes have evolved (or not in the current political climate!). I think also that the idea of a fiendishly clever master criminal is dated but it held my attention throughout, is great fun and just the tonic for those with time on their hands.

Albert Campion is an annoying creation - full of juvenile humour and secrets but I note that another reviewer has commented that he matures in future novels. The other characters are mostly sketches as Mystery Mile (the name refers to the Suffolk village where most of the novel is set) is very much a plot driven novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mystery Mile and its old fashionedness. It is an easy way to while away a few hours in a different era.

ARC honest review for Bloomsbury USA books via NetGalley.

It is always a pleasure to revisit with old friends.  And to be able to go back to the early days of Mr Albert Campion career is always a delight.

If you like country houses, mazes, murder, mystery and adventure...there is no better place to find them, than at Mystery Mile on the Suffolk coast!

Swithin (St Swithin) Cush final message to Campion is a Red Knight and....Danger!

Ms Allingham's Albert Campion books are classics!

Mystery Mile is a wonderful romp! We have an American judge visiting the UK in an effort to avoid determined assassins who have made multiple attempts on his life. A remote country house where our hero, Albert Campion, tries to hide the judge. A cast of Suffolk rustics whose speech is nearly unintelligible. An assortment of London underworld figures whose elocution also leaves much be desired. A damsel in distress who requires a daring rescue. In the background is a mysterious crime lord whom no one has ever seen.

Campion is both brave and foolish, and his nonsensical ramblings remind one of Bertie Wooster at his most ridiculous. Of course, those are the ramblings of an acute mind at work, and with the assistance of some worthy friends and the inestimable Lugg, a satisfactory denouement is reached, though at a cost.

Part thriller, part classic mystery, and part P.G. Wodehouse, Mystery Mile is a delightful read.

Again a very entertaining Allingham book. This one features Campion and is full of adventures,  twist and turns which keeps one guessing all the way through. The ending was excellent and a little sad in one aspect, but Campion will fight again. They just don't write entertaining books like this anymore - mores the pity.

I had forgotten how hilarious Albert Campion was. Such a delightful era back in the late 1920s. People led simpler lives without today's tech-toys. The Villains were equally amusing in their ridiculous guises. This is truly an enjoyable trip back in time that will "captivate" you.

Wonderful story from the mistress of the Golden Age. Well plotted with fabulously eccentric characters and a mastermind villain. Settle dow with this book, a cat on you lap and a cup of tea and enjoy.

This is a very enjoyable golden age mystery to read. A judge has evidence as to who might be behind the notorious Simister gang. This makes Judge Crowdy Lobbett a marked man targetted by the ruthless gang. On hearing about the dangers faced by the family, Campion takes action. He takes them to a small place in Suffolk, the eponymous Mystery Mile, to protect them. However, danger comes calling. An absorbing and fun read. Thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC.

We have four attempts on the life of Judge Lobbett - all unsuccessful and in the process someone else dies. This creates a pall amongst his family as well as they feel that a sense of doom is following them doggedly. The quirky investigator Campion adds to the interest of the story and after a convoluted story, the villain is apprehended and dies in rather horrific circumstances. 

This is a classic crime series and the language and descriptiveness is part of its attraction. A rather old fashionedly told tale, I liked it very much. Not quite Agatha Christie but very much lik

This is my first foray into Margery Allingham, and what an excited journey it was. Considered one of a select group of  mystery writers who make up the Golden Age, Margery gives full life to the character of Albert Campion, and his pursuit of protecting a  judge and finding the man who wants him dead. Alber Campioon is a bit ecentric, and the book  is a glorious romp over hill and dale, full of wittisms, twists and turns. Written concisely, there are no subplots or characters  that do not contribute to forwarding the story. This is mystery writing at its finest.

After Campion dramatically saves an old American judge from death on a cruise ship, his children engage his detective services.  Campion decides to arrange for the judge and his children to stay in an old Suffolk house near his country home so that he can protect him from the dangerous Simister gang.  This gang has already murdered all of the judge's servants!  The poor judge's troubles continue in the eerie Suffolk countryside.  Soon after he arrives, an old minister commits suicide,  and other mysterious events start occurring.

Albert Campion is a disarming detective with a liking for frivolity and a pet jackdaw called Autolycus.  The other characters are not nearly as interesting but the intricacies of the tension-filled plot and the spooky descriptions of Suffolk make up for this.  It is an extremely English vintage detective story in which the characters live in luxury, no one worries about money too much, and people use words like 'ducky'. I really enjoy these 'Golden Age' detective tales, but they are not for everyone!

I can see why it was called.the Golden age of mysteries, this book was classy and kept you guessing. It also had likeable, quirky characters. A good read.

Another author popular in her day Allingham is more than worthy of a reprint. The character of Albert Campion is intriguing, dashing, self deprecating and actually rather sweet. He is also a brave and stalwart type and is put through the mill in this book with so much happening and some vivid dramatic locations. If anyone wants to put a new period detective on the TV Albert Campion must be in the running-the screenplay will write themselves.
I've yet another author to add to my increasingly long list of detective/thrillers.