Not whodunnit but why, 17 Nov 2008
My first thought was that this would make a cracking good film. (Well, apparently there was a 1950s film version but I've never seen it. And if there's been a TV version, I've missed that, too.)
'The fog was like a saffron blanket soaked in ice-water.' Margery Allingham's descriptions of an old-fashioned London pea-souper and the disenfranchised characters inhabiting its underworld are worthy of Dickens. A jolly good read, highly recommended.

The Tiger in the Smoke, 09 Mar 2006
I have been reading all the Campion novels in order and having just finished this one I can safely say this is not Allingham or Campion at their best. The plot seemed thin, the characters not very interesting and crucially the villan of the piece just fails to come across as frightening as he should. I know this is considered to be a classic but Allingham has written better adventures than this one, in my opinion. Disappointingly Campion is hardly in this one, a shame as he is one of the more interesting period detectives around.

genuinely thrilling, 19 Jan 2006
it is sad that so much of margery allingham's oeuvre is currently out of print; vintage are to be commended for (slowly) rectifying this. the success of poirot and wimsey has relegated campion to a thoroughly undeserved third place in the canon of golden age crime-busters. although campion is not the central character of 'tiger', this gives the reader the chance to savour allingham's evocative prose style. in this london, former soldiers who found a home in the army are now misfits, cut off from normal society. voices from the past can be heard through the fog. oates, luke and campion seem powerless to apprehend a magnificently ruthless enemy. do yourself a favour and read...

Tiger tiger, burning bright, in the fogbound London night, 29 Jun 2005
A thriller rather than a mystery. If you are new to Allingham's Campion stories this is not a good place to start, partly because it is so atypical of the series and also because the array of minor characters that flit through the pages, and which will be familiar to readers of previous Campion books, can be rather bewildering for the newcomer.

Written in 1952, the story is interesting for its insight into aspects of life in post-war London. Some of the references, and much of the slang, will be lost on young, and non-British, readers. It will also perpetuate the myth of London being permanently fogbound. Present-day London hardly ever experiences fog, but in the fifties, when it was still an industrial city and suffered heavy smogs, it was commonly known as "The Smoke", hence the book's title.

In truth, the author's grasp of underworld culture is somewhat shaky. She doesn't get the language or the behaviour quite right. She was from the rural English midlands and from a different social class, so this is very much an outsider's view.

The intriguing story and the intense drama are what make this book worthwhile. It is well written and one episode, Lugg's driving through the fog, is hilarious. He wonders aloud at one stage whether he is approaching a roundabout or the side of a bank building. The villain, Havoc, is memorable. Oddly, there is no one, central hero. That role is shared between three or four characters. Campion himself is incidental.

My one complaint about the plot is that it relies on a very remarkable coincidence, which is something that always undermines credibility. But if you are willing to accept it (and remarkable coincidences do occur in real life) then you can relax and enjoy this first-rate thriller.

If you do enjoy "Tiger in the Smoke", you might also like Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock", which features the razor gangs of pre-war Brighton, and which has an equally memorable villain.

Allingham's finest, 19 Mar 2004
Tiger in the Smoke is Marjory Allingham's finest novel, and the pinnacle of the Inspector Campion series. A comparison with the first Campion, 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' reveals just how far she had taken her art from rather flat stereotypes and set pieces to a dark, memorable and perfectly drawn thriller.

Interestingly, Campion is only an incidental figure in Tiger in the Smoke. It is really a novel about the anti-hero Jack Havoc, a knife-murderer following a religion he has created himself 'the science of luck'. The chilling encounter which sets the seal on this novel is not murderer-meets-detective, but when the murderer meets a clergyman who has the power to transfix him. Havoc tells the clergyman about his 'science of luck', and the clergyman tells him that he already knows this philosophy, but it is called the 'science of death'.

From here in the demise of Havoc is artistically certain. The plot accelerates, through to the final, chillingly ambiguous 'His body was never recovered.'

If you have seen Allingham as a lesser figure, after Sayers and Christie, this book should set you straight. It belongs with Conan Doyle's 'Valley of Fear' and Sayers' 'Murder must advertise' at the top of the list of British crime thrillers.

Not whodunnit but why, 17 Nov 2008
My first thought was that this would make a cracking good film. (Well, apparently there was a 1950s film version but I've never seen it. And if there's been a TV version, I've missed that, too.)
'The fog was like a saffron blanket soaked in ice-water.' Margery Allingham's descriptions of an old-fashioned London pea-souper and the disenfranchised characters inhabiting its underworld are worthy of Dickens. A jolly good read, highly recommended.

The Tiger in the Smoke, 09 Mar 2006
I have been reading all the Campion novels in order and having just finished this one I can safely say this is not Allingham or Campion at their best. The plot seemed thin, the characters not very interesting and crucially the villan of the piece just fails to come across as frightening as he should. I know this is considered to be a classic but Allingham has written better adventures than this one, in my opinion. Disappointingly Campion is hardly in this one, a shame as he is one of the more interesting period detectives around.

genuinely thrilling, 19 Jan 2006
it is sad that so much of margery allingham's oeuvre is currently out of print; vintage are to be commended for (slowly) rectifying this. the success of poirot and wimsey has relegated campion to a thoroughly undeserved third place in the canon of golden age crime-busters. although campion is not the central character of 'tiger', this gives the reader the chance to savour allingham's evocative prose style. in this london, former soldiers who found a home in the army are now misfits, cut off from normal society. voices from the past can be heard through the fog. oates, luke and campion seem powerless to apprehend a magnificently ruthless enemy. do yourself a favour and read...

Tiger tiger, burning bright, in the fogbound London night, 29 Jun 2005
A thriller rather than a mystery. If you are new to Allingham's Campion stories this is not a good place to start, partly because it is so atypical of the series and also because the array of minor characters that flit through the pages, and which will be familiar to readers of previous Campion books, can be rather bewildering for the newcomer.

Written in 1952, the story is interesting for its insight into aspects of life in post-war London. Some of the references, and much of the slang, will be lost on young, and non-British, readers. It will also perpetuate the myth of London being permanently fogbound. Present-day London hardly ever experiences fog, but in the fifties, when it was still an industrial city and suffered heavy smogs, it was commonly known as "The Smoke", hence the book's title.

In truth, the author's grasp of underworld culture is somewhat shaky. She doesn't get the language or the behaviour quite right. She was from the rural English midlands and from a different social class, so this is very much an outsider's view.

The intriguing story and the intense drama are what make this book worthwhile. It is well written and one episode, Lugg's driving through the fog, is hilarious. He wonders aloud at one stage whether he is approaching a roundabout or the side of a bank building. The villain, Havoc, is memorable. Oddly, there is no one, central hero. That role is shared between three or four characters. Campion himself is incidental.

My one complaint about the plot is that it relies on a very remarkable coincidence, which is something that always undermines credibility. But if you are willing to accept it (and remarkable coincidences do occur in real life) then you can relax and enjoy this first-rate thriller.

If you do enjoy "Tiger in the Smoke", you might also like Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock", which features the razor gangs of pre-war Brighton, and which has an equally memorable villain.

Allingham's finest, 19 Mar 2004
Tiger in the Smoke is Marjory Allingham's finest novel, and the pinnacle of the Inspector Campion series. A comparison with the first Campion, 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' reveals just how far she had taken her art from rather flat stereotypes and set pieces to a dark, memorable and perfectly drawn thriller.

Interestingly, Campion is only an incidental figure in Tiger in the Smoke. It is really a novel about the anti-hero Jack Havoc, a knife-murderer following a religion he has created himself 'the science of luck'. The chilling encounter which sets the seal on this novel is not murderer-meets-detective, but when the murderer meets a clergyman who has the power to transfix him. Havoc tells the clergyman about his 'science of luck', and the clergyman tells him that he already knows this philosophy, but it is called the 'science of death'.

From here in the demise of Havoc is artistically certain. The plot accelerates, through to the final, chillingly ambiguous 'His body was never recovered.'

If you have seen Allingham as a lesser figure, after Sayers and Christie, this book should set you straight. It belongs with Conan Doyle's 'Valley of Fear' and Sayers' 'Murder must advertise' at the top of the list of British crime thrillers.

Disappointing, 06 Nov 2008
Very disappointing. Slow, boring, it lacks incisiveness, rythm and humour. Generally poor dialogue. The crime was interesting but after so much useless writing I was so tired that I almost didnt care who had "done it".
I still give 3 stars for the vintage feel and because some of the characters are lively and strongly defined (Val, Georgia,Sir Ramillies)but this book is a world away from M. Allingham true masterpieces like "Police at the Funeral" or the remarkable "The Case of the Late Pig".

"It's an honest, done-on-purpose killing for a reason.", 29 Dec 2006
As talented and popular in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now, inexplicably, almost forgotten, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress and seductress who married someone else just six months after his disappearance. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. Mary Whipple

"Murder: I think it's unethical and ungentlemanly and unkind.", 25 Jun 2006
As talented and popular a mystery writer in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now almost unknown, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress who married just six months after his disappearance, a seductress who flirts with every man she meets. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. n Mary Whipple


Style Never Goes Out of Fashion, 23 Sep 2003
One of the author’s most accomplished novels. At once an elegant and deftly-observed social satire in the manner of Thackeray and an ingeniously complicated detective story, the book is virtually flawless. Campion is in superb form throughout, both as detective pitting his wits against a superhuman Nemesis of a murderer, and as a lover (even going to the extent of throwing his fiancée in the lake during a quarrel); Lugg is as amusing as ever; and there is much interest in the character and methods of the villain, “who can set the murderous Machiavel to school,” weaving webs of a subtlety and diabolical ingenuity matched only by his creator.

Wonderful period piece, and an intriguing mystery, 11 Oct 2000
One of Albert Campion's most intriguing cases, this is a book which is more than just a crime caper. The style of writing makes it a book that flows along without feeling superficial, and the characters are well drawn; the twist added by one of the possible suspects being Campion's sister merely adds to the tension as the reader is left wondering what will happen if she indeed turns out to be the murderess.

There are a couple of things that really do date this book though. For starters, virtually all of the characters smoke; a no-no in contemporary literature. Mainly though, it's the attitude towards women, and the attitudes of many of the female characters. While they are strong in their own way, their expectations make this book very much a product of the inter-war period.

I've read most of the Campion books now, and this is one of the best without doubt; the story, characters and general writing quality combine to create a book that is a gem, deserving of being read by a wider audience than Crime Afficionados.

Not whodunnit but why, 17 Nov 2008
My first thought was that this would make a cracking good film. (Well, apparently there was a 1950s film version but I've never seen it. And if there's been a TV version, I've missed that, too.)
'The fog was like a saffron blanket soaked in ice-water.' Margery Allingham's descriptions of an old-fashioned London pea-souper and the disenfranchised characters inhabiting its underworld are worthy of Dickens. A jolly good read, highly recommended.

The Tiger in the Smoke, 09 Mar 2006
I have been reading all the Campion novels in order and having just finished this one I can safely say this is not Allingham or Campion at their best. The plot seemed thin, the characters not very interesting and crucially the villan of the piece just fails to come across as frightening as he should. I know this is considered to be a classic but Allingham has written better adventures than this one, in my opinion. Disappointingly Campion is hardly in this one, a shame as he is one of the more interesting period detectives around.

genuinely thrilling, 19 Jan 2006
it is sad that so much of margery allingham's oeuvre is currently out of print; vintage are to be commended for (slowly) rectifying this. the success of poirot and wimsey has relegated campion to a thoroughly undeserved third place in the canon of golden age crime-busters. although campion is not the central character of 'tiger', this gives the reader the chance to savour allingham's evocative prose style. in this london, former soldiers who found a home in the army are now misfits, cut off from normal society. voices from the past can be heard through the fog. oates, luke and campion seem powerless to apprehend a magnificently ruthless enemy. do yourself a favour and read...

Tiger tiger, burning bright, in the fogbound London night, 29 Jun 2005
A thriller rather than a mystery. If you are new to Allingham's Campion stories this is not a good place to start, partly because it is so atypical of the series and also because the array of minor characters that flit through the pages, and which will be familiar to readers of previous Campion books, can be rather bewildering for the newcomer.

Written in 1952, the story is interesting for its insight into aspects of life in post-war London. Some of the references, and much of the slang, will be lost on young, and non-British, readers. It will also perpetuate the myth of London being permanently fogbound. Present-day London hardly ever experiences fog, but in the fifties, when it was still an industrial city and suffered heavy smogs, it was commonly known as "The Smoke", hence the book's title.

In truth, the author's grasp of underworld culture is somewhat shaky. She doesn't get the language or the behaviour quite right. She was from the rural English midlands and from a different social class, so this is very much an outsider's view.

The intriguing story and the intense drama are what make this book worthwhile. It is well written and one episode, Lugg's driving through the fog, is hilarious. He wonders aloud at one stage whether he is approaching a roundabout or the side of a bank building. The villain, Havoc, is memorable. Oddly, there is no one, central hero. That role is shared between three or four characters. Campion himself is incidental.

My one complaint about the plot is that it relies on a very remarkable coincidence, which is something that always undermines credibility. But if you are willing to accept it (and remarkable coincidences do occur in real life) then you can relax and enjoy this first-rate thriller.

If you do enjoy "Tiger in the Smoke", you might also like Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock", which features the razor gangs of pre-war Brighton, and which has an equally memorable villain.

Allingham's finest, 19 Mar 2004
Tiger in the Smoke is Marjory Allingham's finest novel, and the pinnacle of the Inspector Campion series. A comparison with the first Campion, 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' reveals just how far she had taken her art from rather flat stereotypes and set pieces to a dark, memorable and perfectly drawn thriller.

Interestingly, Campion is only an incidental figure in Tiger in the Smoke. It is really a novel about the anti-hero Jack Havoc, a knife-murderer following a religion he has created himself 'the science of luck'. The chilling encounter which sets the seal on this novel is not murderer-meets-detective, but when the murderer meets a clergyman who has the power to transfix him. Havoc tells the clergyman about his 'science of luck', and the clergyman tells him that he already knows this philosophy, but it is called the 'science of death'.

From here in the demise of Havoc is artistically certain. The plot accelerates, through to the final, chillingly ambiguous 'His body was never recovered.'

If you have seen Allingham as a lesser figure, after Sayers and Christie, this book should set you straight. It belongs with Conan Doyle's 'Valley of Fear' and Sayers' 'Murder must advertise' at the top of the list of British crime thrillers.

Disappointing, 06 Nov 2008
Very disappointing. Slow, boring, it lacks incisiveness, rythm and humour. Generally poor dialogue. The crime was interesting but after so much useless writing I was so tired that I almost didnt care who had "done it".
I still give 3 stars for the vintage feel and because some of the characters are lively and strongly defined (Val, Georgia,Sir Ramillies)but this book is a world away from M. Allingham true masterpieces like "Police at the Funeral" or the remarkable "The Case of the Late Pig".

"It's an honest, done-on-purpose killing for a reason.", 29 Dec 2006
As talented and popular in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now, inexplicably, almost forgotten, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress and seductress who married someone else just six months after his disappearance. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. Mary Whipple

"Murder: I think it's unethical and ungentlemanly and unkind.", 25 Jun 2006
As talented and popular a mystery writer in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now almost unknown, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress who married just six months after his disappearance, a seductress who flirts with every man she meets. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. n Mary Whipple


Style Never Goes Out of Fashion, 23 Sep 2003
One of the author’s most accomplished novels. At once an elegant and deftly-observed social satire in the manner of Thackeray and an ingeniously complicated detective story, the book is virtually flawless. Campion is in superb form throughout, both as detective pitting his wits against a superhuman Nemesis of a murderer, and as a lover (even going to the extent of throwing his fiancée in the lake during a quarrel); Lugg is as amusing as ever; and there is much interest in the character and methods of the villain, “who can set the murderous Machiavel to school,” weaving webs of a subtlety and diabolical ingenuity matched only by his creator.

Wonderful period piece, and an intriguing mystery, 11 Oct 2000
One of Albert Campion's most intriguing cases, this is a book which is more than just a crime caper. The style of writing makes it a book that flows along without feeling superficial, and the characters are well drawn; the twist added by one of the possible suspects being Campion's sister merely adds to the tension as the reader is left wondering what will happen if she indeed turns out to be the murderess.

There are a couple of things that really do date this book though. For starters, virtually all of the characters smoke; a no-no in contemporary literature. Mainly though, it's the attitude towards women, and the attitudes of many of the female characters. While they are strong in their own way, their expectations make this book very much a product of the inter-war period.

I've read most of the Campion books now, and this is one of the best without doubt; the story, characters and general writing quality combine to create a book that is a gem, deserving of being read by a wider audience than Crime Afficionados.

Different but compelling Allingham, 17 Oct 2007
Lugg is absent, Mr Campion is somewhat subdued, and Allingham herself seems uncertain about his standing with the police (she solved this problem in later books), but this "different" Allingham is as enjoyable as her best. It's main attraction is the depiction of an artists' colony in Little Venice that clusters about the Lafcadio household. The inhabitants of the house are living in the shadow of a great man's reputation, and the reflected glory they once had. They cope with this in different ways: Belle and Lisa by robustly being themselves, the younger generation by doing their own thing, Beatrice by becoming more and more fey as her beauty fades. (Haven't we all met a Beatrice trying to prolong her heyday?) It's the tragic Potters who really tug at the heartstrings, though. They moved into a studio at the bottom of the garden and 20 years on are still there. When Alligham describes their bohemian decor as "affected" she nails a whole lifestyle. To carry off bohemianism you either need youth or money. A lesson for us all who have failed to move with the times, grow up or feng shui our homes!

Not whodunnit but why, 17 Nov 2008
My first thought was that this would make a cracking good film. (Well, apparently there was a 1950s film version but I've never seen it. And if there's been a TV version, I've missed that, too.)
'The fog was like a saffron blanket soaked in ice-water.' Margery Allingham's descriptions of an old-fashioned London pea-souper and the disenfranchised characters inhabiting its underworld are worthy of Dickens. A jolly good read, highly recommended.

The Tiger in the Smoke, 09 Mar 2006
I have been reading all the Campion novels in order and having just finished this one I can safely say this is not Allingham or Campion at their best. The plot seemed thin, the characters not very interesting and crucially the villan of the piece just fails to come across as frightening as he should. I know this is considered to be a classic but Allingham has written better adventures than this one, in my opinion. Disappointingly Campion is hardly in this one, a shame as he is one of the more interesting period detectives around.

genuinely thrilling, 19 Jan 2006
it is sad that so much of margery allingham's oeuvre is currently out of print; vintage are to be commended for (slowly) rectifying this. the success of poirot and wimsey has relegated campion to a thoroughly undeserved third place in the canon of golden age crime-busters. although campion is not the central character of 'tiger', this gives the reader the chance to savour allingham's evocative prose style. in this london, former soldiers who found a home in the army are now misfits, cut off from normal society. voices from the past can be heard through the fog. oates, luke and campion seem powerless to apprehend a magnificently ruthless enemy. do yourself a favour and read...

Tiger tiger, burning bright, in the fogbound London night, 29 Jun 2005
A thriller rather than a mystery. If you are new to Allingham's Campion stories this is not a good place to start, partly because it is so atypical of the series and also because the array of minor characters that flit through the pages, and which will be familiar to readers of previous Campion books, can be rather bewildering for the newcomer.

Written in 1952, the story is interesting for its insight into aspects of life in post-war London. Some of the references, and much of the slang, will be lost on young, and non-British, readers. It will also perpetuate the myth of London being permanently fogbound. Present-day London hardly ever experiences fog, but in the fifties, when it was still an industrial city and suffered heavy smogs, it was commonly known as "The Smoke", hence the book's title.

In truth, the author's grasp of underworld culture is somewhat shaky. She doesn't get the language or the behaviour quite right. She was from the rural English midlands and from a different social class, so this is very much an outsider's view.

The intriguing story and the intense drama are what make this book worthwhile. It is well written and one episode, Lugg's driving through the fog, is hilarious. He wonders aloud at one stage whether he is approaching a roundabout or the side of a bank building. The villain, Havoc, is memorable. Oddly, there is no one, central hero. That role is shared between three or four characters. Campion himself is incidental.

My one complaint about the plot is that it relies on a very remarkable coincidence, which is something that always undermines credibility. But if you are willing to accept it (and remarkable coincidences do occur in real life) then you can relax and enjoy this first-rate thriller.

If you do enjoy "Tiger in the Smoke", you might also like Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock", which features the razor gangs of pre-war Brighton, and which has an equally memorable villain.

Allingham's finest, 19 Mar 2004
Tiger in the Smoke is Marjory Allingham's finest novel, and the pinnacle of the Inspector Campion series. A comparison with the first Campion, 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' reveals just how far she had taken her art from rather flat stereotypes and set pieces to a dark, memorable and perfectly drawn thriller.

Interestingly, Campion is only an incidental figure in Tiger in the Smoke. It is really a novel about the anti-hero Jack Havoc, a knife-murderer following a religion he has created himself 'the science of luck'. The chilling encounter which sets the seal on this novel is not murderer-meets-detective, but when the murderer meets a clergyman who has the power to transfix him. Havoc tells the clergyman about his 'science of luck', and the clergyman tells him that he already knows this philosophy, but it is called the 'science of death'.

From here in the demise of Havoc is artistically certain. The plot accelerates, through to the final, chillingly ambiguous 'His body was never recovered.'

If you have seen Allingham as a lesser figure, after Sayers and Christie, this book should set you straight. It belongs with Conan Doyle's 'Valley of Fear' and Sayers' 'Murder must advertise' at the top of the list of British crime thrillers.

Disappointing, 06 Nov 2008
Very disappointing. Slow, boring, it lacks incisiveness, rythm and humour. Generally poor dialogue. The crime was interesting but after so much useless writing I was so tired that I almost didnt care who had "done it".
I still give 3 stars for the vintage feel and because some of the characters are lively and strongly defined (Val, Georgia,Sir Ramillies)but this book is a world away from M. Allingham true masterpieces like "Police at the Funeral" or the remarkable "The Case of the Late Pig".

"It's an honest, done-on-purpose killing for a reason.", 29 Dec 2006
As talented and popular in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now, inexplicably, almost forgotten, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress and seductress who married someone else just six months after his disappearance. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. Mary Whipple

"Murder: I think it's unethical and ungentlemanly and unkind.", 25 Jun 2006
As talented and popular a mystery writer in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now almost unknown, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress who married just six months after his disappearance, a seductress who flirts with every man she meets. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. n Mary Whipple


Style Never Goes Out of Fashion, 23 Sep 2003
One of the author’s most accomplished novels. At once an elegant and deftly-observed social satire in the manner of Thackeray and an ingeniously complicated detective story, the book is virtually flawless. Campion is in superb form throughout, both as detective pitting his wits against a superhuman Nemesis of a murderer, and as a lover (even going to the extent of throwing his fiancée in the lake during a quarrel); Lugg is as amusing as ever; and there is much interest in the character and methods of the villain, “who can set the murderous Machiavel to school,” weaving webs of a subtlety and diabolical ingenuity matched only by his creator.

Wonderful period piece, and an intriguing mystery, 11 Oct 2000
One of Albert Campion's most intriguing cases, this is a book which is more than just a crime caper. The style of writing makes it a book that flows along without feeling superficial, and the characters are well drawn; the twist added by one of the possible suspects being Campion's sister merely adds to the tension as the reader is left wondering what will happen if she indeed turns out to be the murderess.

There are a couple of things that really do date this book though. For starters, virtually all of the characters smoke; a no-no in contemporary literature. Mainly though, it's the attitude towards women, and the attitudes of many of the female characters. While they are strong in their own way, their expectations make this book very much a product of the inter-war period.

I've read most of the Campion books now, and this is one of the best without doubt; the story, characters and general writing quality combine to create a book that is a gem, deserving of being read by a wider audience than Crime Afficionados.

Different but compelling Allingham, 17 Oct 2007
Lugg is absent, Mr Campion is somewhat subdued, and Allingham herself seems uncertain about his standing with the police (she solved this problem in later books), but this "different" Allingham is as enjoyable as her best. It's main attraction is the depiction of an artists' colony in Little Venice that clusters about the Lafcadio household. The inhabitants of the house are living in the shadow of a great man's reputation, and the reflected glory they once had. They cope with this in different ways: Belle and Lisa by robustly being themselves, the younger generation by doing their own thing, Beatrice by becoming more and more fey as her beauty fades. (Haven't we all met a Beatrice trying to prolong her heyday?) It's the tragic Potters who really tug at the heartstrings, though. They moved into a studio at the bottom of the garden and 20 years on are still there. When Alligham describes their bohemian decor as "affected" she nails a whole lifestyle. To carry off bohemianism you either need youth or money. A lesson for us all who have failed to move with the times, grow up or feng shui our homes!

May be the best Allingham, 24 Nov 2008
For me this one and "Police at the Funeral" are the best Allinghams.
Which one is best is a moot point. I believe the "Pig" has still
more originality, pace and fine irony.It's a delightfully "lean" book,
everything she put in it is important for the story (and for the fun).
She manages to create a story and an ambience that are both surreal (the odd aproach) and plausible at the same time.
This was also the Allingham where I found Lugg to be genuinely
amusing.

Well done Vintage, 09 Sep 2006
Thank you Vintage (Random House) for bringing Margery back to the masses. This I believe her shortest Campion novel may not be the best of the series but it is indubitably of its time and as ever thoroughly enjoyable. If you want the best then Police At The Funeral (not yet republished) is the best as this introduces the ubiquitous but comical Uncle William. Margery The Magnificent I say.

Allingham's odd approach, 18 Apr 2006
Early Albert Campion adventures are a lot of fun. _Look to the Lady_, _Mystery Mile_ and _Sweet Danger_ are all great reads. They are not mysteries in the sense of Christie or Carr, and combine all sorts of elements, including touches of Wodehouse and Buchan.

Most of them are told from someone else's viewpoint, but _Pig_, while a great mystery story, is told first-person by Campion himself.

There is a reason Dr. Watson characters tell stories about great detectives. The detective is half-prestidigiator (cf. the great detectives of John Dickson Carr). When clues come the detective's way they make the case clearer to him, but when they are presented to the reader through Dr. Watson characters, they tend to mystify the reader further. It is considered "fair play" to present the reader with all the clues as they become available, although it's fair for the author to misconstrue what they may mean via the interpretation of the detective's less astute assistants.

Since Campion is telling the story himself, he has to mystify the reader by not fully describing clues or neglecting to explain to the reader how these clues fit into his overall reasoning. This sometimes makes it seem like Campion is playing a trick on the reader. The story would have been done much better through the eyes of another character.

Nevertheless, the (very short, perhaps too short) novella is solid and a lot of fun, with intriguing characters like Hayhoe, Gilbert Whippet, the officious Reverend Bathwick, and R. I. ("Pig") Peters, who simply refuses to remain dead.

Not for Newcomers to the Campion Series, 29 May 2003
First published over 65 years ago, this entry in Allingham's long-running Campion series didn't do much to enthuse me to investigate other of Campion's adventures. It starts with the detective attending the funeral of an old schoolmate, who was rather widely despised. Several months later, Campion is called to the country to investigate a suspicious death, and the victim appears to be the same schoolmate. Wacky antics and murky mystery ensue. A kind of unsatisfying blend of P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie which is unlikely to interest those who aren't already fans of the series. The one bright spot is Campion's valet, who is kind of a rough "anti-Jeeves".

Not whodunnit but why, 17 Nov 2008
My first thought was that this would make a cracking good film. (Well, apparently there was a 1950s film version but I've never seen it. And if there's been a TV version, I've missed that, too.)
'The fog was like a saffron blanket soaked in ice-water.' Margery Allingham's descriptions of an old-fashioned London pea-souper and the disenfranchised characters inhabiting its underworld are worthy of Dickens. A jolly good read, highly recommended.

The Tiger in the Smoke, 09 Mar 2006
I have been reading all the Campion novels in order and having just finished this one I can safely say this is not Allingham or Campion at their best. The plot seemed thin, the characters not very interesting and crucially the villan of the piece just fails to come across as frightening as he should. I know this is considered to be a classic but Allingham has written better adventures than this one, in my opinion. Disappointingly Campion is hardly in this one, a shame as he is one of the more interesting period detectives around.

genuinely thrilling, 19 Jan 2006
it is sad that so much of margery allingham's oeuvre is currently out of print; vintage are to be commended for (slowly) rectifying this. the success of poirot and wimsey has relegated campion to a thoroughly undeserved third place in the canon of golden age crime-busters. although campion is not the central character of 'tiger', this gives the reader the chance to savour allingham's evocative prose style. in this london, former soldiers who found a home in the army are now misfits, cut off from normal society. voices from the past can be heard through the fog. oates, luke and campion seem powerless to apprehend a magnificently ruthless enemy. do yourself a favour and read...

Tiger tiger, burning bright, in the fogbound London night, 29 Jun 2005
A thriller rather than a mystery. If you are new to Allingham's Campion stories this is not a good place to start, partly because it is so atypical of the series and also because the array of minor characters that flit through the pages, and which will be familiar to readers of previous Campion books, can be rather bewildering for the newcomer.

Written in 1952, the story is interesting for its insight into aspects of life in post-war London. Some of the references, and much of the slang, will be lost on young, and non-British, readers. It will also perpetuate the myth of London being permanently fogbound. Present-day London hardly ever experiences fog, but in the fifties, when it was still an industrial city and suffered heavy smogs, it was commonly known as "The Smoke", hence the book's title.

In truth, the author's grasp of underworld culture is somewhat shaky. She doesn't get the language or the behaviour quite right. She was from the rural English midlands and from a different social class, so this is very much an outsider's view.

The intriguing story and the intense drama are what make this book worthwhile. It is well written and one episode, Lugg's driving through the fog, is hilarious. He wonders aloud at one stage whether he is approaching a roundabout or the side of a bank building. The villain, Havoc, is memorable. Oddly, there is no one, central hero. That role is shared between three or four characters. Campion himself is incidental.

My one complaint about the plot is that it relies on a very remarkable coincidence, which is something that always undermines credibility. But if you are willing to accept it (and remarkable coincidences do occur in real life) then you can relax and enjoy this first-rate thriller.

If you do enjoy "Tiger in the Smoke", you might also like Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock", which features the razor gangs of pre-war Brighton, and which has an equally memorable villain.

Allingham's finest, 19 Mar 2004
Tiger in the Smoke is Marjory Allingham's finest novel, and the pinnacle of the Inspector Campion series. A comparison with the first Campion, 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' reveals just how far she had taken her art from rather flat stereotypes and set pieces to a dark, memorable and perfectly drawn thriller.

Interestingly, Campion is only an incidental figure in Tiger in the Smoke. It is really a novel about the anti-hero Jack Havoc, a knife-murderer following a religion he has created himself 'the science of luck'. The chilling encounter which sets the seal on this novel is not murderer-meets-detective, but when the murderer meets a clergyman who has the power to transfix him. Havoc tells the clergyman about his 'science of luck', and the clergyman tells him that he already knows this philosophy, but it is called the 'science of death'.

From here in the demise of Havoc is artistically certain. The plot accelerates, through to the final, chillingly ambiguous 'His body was never recovered.'

If you have seen Allingham as a lesser figure, after Sayers and Christie, this book should set you straight. It belongs with Conan Doyle's 'Valley of Fear' and Sayers' 'Murder must advertise' at the top of the list of British crime thrillers.

Disappointing, 06 Nov 2008
Very disappointing. Slow, boring, it lacks incisiveness, rythm and humour. Generally poor dialogue. The crime was interesting but after so much useless writing I was so tired that I almost didnt care who had "done it".
I still give 3 stars for the vintage feel and because some of the characters are lively and strongly defined (Val, Georgia,Sir Ramillies)but this book is a world away from M. Allingham true masterpieces like "Police at the Funeral" or the remarkable "The Case of the Late Pig".

"It's an honest, done-on-purpose killing for a reason.", 29 Dec 2006
As talented and popular in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now, inexplicably, almost forgotten, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress and seductress who married someone else just six months after his disappearance. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. Mary Whipple

"Murder: I think it's unethical and ungentlemanly and unkind.", 25 Jun 2006
As talented and popular a mystery writer in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now almost unknown, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress who married just six months after his disappearance, a seductress who flirts with every man she meets. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. n Mary Whipple


Style Never Goes Out of Fashion, 23 Sep 2003
One of the author’s most accomplished novels. At once an elegant and deftly-observed social satire in the manner of Thackeray and an ingeniously complicated detective story, the book is virtually flawless. Campion is in superb form throughout, both as detective pitting his wits against a superhuman Nemesis of a murderer, and as a lover (even going to the extent of throwing his fiancée in the lake during a quarrel); Lugg is as amusing as ever; and there is much interest in the character and methods of the villain, “who can set the murderous Machiavel to school,” weaving webs of a subtlety and diabolical ingenuity matched only by his creator.

Wonderful period piece, and an intriguing mystery, 11 Oct 2000
One of Albert Campion's most intriguing cases, this is a book which is more than just a crime caper. The style of writing makes it a book that flows along without feeling superficial, and the characters are well drawn; the twist added by one of the possible suspects being Campion's sister merely adds to the tension as the reader is left wondering what will happen if she indeed turns out to be the murderess.

There are a couple of things that really do date this book though. For starters, virtually all of the characters smoke; a no-no in contemporary literature. Mainly though, it's the attitude towards women, and the attitudes of many of the female characters. While they are strong in their own way, their expectations make this book very much a product of the inter-war period.

I've read most of the Campion books now, and this is one of the best without doubt; the story, characters and general writing quality combine to create a book that is a gem, deserving of being read by a wider audience than Crime Afficionados.

Different but compelling Allingham, 17 Oct 2007
Lugg is absent, Mr Campion is somewhat subdued, and Allingham herself seems uncertain about his standing with the police (she solved this problem in later books), but this "different" Allingham is as enjoyable as her best. It's main attraction is the depiction of an artists' colony in Little Venice that clusters about the Lafcadio household. The inhabitants of the house are living in the shadow of a great man's reputation, and the reflected glory they once had. They cope with this in different ways: Belle and Lisa by robustly being themselves, the younger generation by doing their own thing, Beatrice by becoming more and more fey as her beauty fades. (Haven't we all met a Beatrice trying to prolong her heyday?) It's the tragic Potters who really tug at the heartstrings, though. They moved into a studio at the bottom of the garden and 20 years on are still there. When Alligham describes their bohemian decor as "affected" she nails a whole lifestyle. To carry off bohemianism you either need youth or money. A lesson for us all who have failed to move with the times, grow up or feng shui our homes!

May be the best Allingham, 24 Nov 2008
For me this one and "Police at the Funeral" are the best Allinghams.
Which one is best is a moot point. I believe the "Pig" has still
more originality, pace and fine irony.It's a delightfully "lean" book,
everything she put in it is important for the story (and for the fun).
She manages to create a story and an ambience that are both surreal (the odd aproach) and plausible at the same time.
This was also the Allingham where I found Lugg to be genuinely
amusing.

Well done Vintage, 09 Sep 2006
Thank you Vintage (Random House) for bringing Margery back to the masses. This I believe her shortest Campion novel may not be the best of the series but it is indubitably of its time and as ever thoroughly enjoyable. If you want the best then Police At The Funeral (not yet republished) is the best as this introduces the ubiquitous but comical Uncle William. Margery The Magnificent I say.

Allingham's odd approach, 18 Apr 2006
Early Albert Campion adventures are a lot of fun. _Look to the Lady_, _Mystery Mile_ and _Sweet Danger_ are all great reads. They are not mysteries in the sense of Christie or Carr, and combine all sorts of elements, including touches of Wodehouse and Buchan.

Most of them are told from someone else's viewpoint, but _Pig_, while a great mystery story, is told first-person by Campion himself.

There is a reason Dr. Watson characters tell stories about great detectives. The detective is half-prestidigiator (cf. the great detectives of John Dickson Carr). When clues come the detective's way they make the case clearer to him, but when they are presented to the reader through Dr. Watson characters, they tend to mystify the reader further. It is considered "fair play" to present the reader with all the clues as they become available, although it's fair for the author to misconstrue what they may mean via the interpretation of the detective's less astute assistants.

Since Campion is telling the story himself, he has to mystify the reader by not fully describing clues or neglecting to explain to the reader how these clues fit into his overall reasoning. This sometimes makes it seem like Campion is playing a trick on the reader. The story would have been done much better through the eyes of another character.

Nevertheless, the (very short, perhaps too short) novella is solid and a lot of fun, with intriguing characters like Hayhoe, Gilbert Whippet, the officious Reverend Bathwick, and R. I. ("Pig") Peters, who simply refuses to remain dead.

Not for Newcomers to the Campion Series, 29 May 2003
First published over 65 years ago, this entry in Allingham's long-running Campion series didn't do much to enthuse me to investigate other of Campion's adventures. It starts with the detective attending the funeral of an old schoolmate, who was rather widely despised. Several months later, Campion is called to the country to investigate a suspicious death, and the victim appears to be the same schoolmate. Wacky antics and murky mystery ensue. A kind of unsatisfying blend of P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie which is unlikely to interest those who aren't already fans of the series. The one bright spot is Campion's valet, who is kind of a rough "anti-Jeeves".

Well performed potboiler, 10 Sep 2008
This rattles along and keeps your interest as long as you don't stop to think although only one element was really a mystery to me (the reason behind St Swithin's seemingly motiveless act). Its central conceit is similar to Conan Doyle's Moriarty and frankly no more convincing. Campion could be a really irritating hero, but the narrator infuses him with a certain charm and also makes much of the other characters particularly Thos and Lug.

another classic, 31 Aug 2008
Mystery Mile is another great book from Margery Allingham. This is because although you meet the villan at the beginning you, do not know he is you simply think he is an art historian.

but when it does come to light that he is, that is where all the tension is, particular when he is facing off with Campion.

Once again Philip Franks gives his all. Get it and enjoy it.

The Art Deco Detective story, 04 Nov 2007
Intrepid hero with attitude takes on subtle forces of darkness with the doubtful help of the comic, the profane and the reassuringly stupid character supporting cast. The plot rackets along with the total assurance of a Mistress of the genre. The characters are always interestingly original and Albert Campion is a triumph of the art deco period. Margery Allingham cannot be said to be underated but she is certainly under celebrated.


Simister is deeply sinister, 22 Mar 2001
Quite frankly anyone who could come up with a gang called after a man named 'Simister' and then describe it as 'sinister' has got it coming. That aside, this is probably one of the best Campion stories with lots of action and a good twist at the end. There are also lots of local yokels, two love stories and a bit of dodgy fortune telling. Not to mention a mysterious suicide and some very important quicksand. What more could you want?

Period crime piece with lively events and characterisation, 26 Oct 2000
The second of Allingham's "Campion" books, which begins the development of his character from the fop of "The Crime at Black Dudley" to the serious amateur of the later novels. It starts off with the electrification of a mouse that leads to Campion being called upon to provide a safe haven for an American Judge Lobett from the sinister Simister gang. Local colour and atmosphere, intriguing characters: a good place to start getting to know and love Allingham's insights viewed through Campion's "Everyman". Not overly well paced but nevertheless a good period read, with hints of the wonders to come in "Tiger in the Smoke", especially the darker side of humanity as well as the eccentricities.

Not whodunnit but why, 17 Nov 2008
My first thought was that this would make a cracking good film. (Well, apparently there was a 1950s film version but I've never seen it. And if there's been a TV version, I've missed that, too.)
'The fog was like a saffron blanket soaked in ice-water.' Margery Allingham's descriptions of an old-fashioned London pea-souper and the disenfranchised characters inhabiting its underworld are worthy of Dickens. A jolly good read, highly recommended.

The Tiger in the Smoke, 09 Mar 2006
I have been reading all the Campion novels in order and having just finished this one I can safely say this is not Allingham or Campion at their best. The plot seemed thin, the characters not very interesting and crucially the villan of the piece just fails to come across as frightening as he should. I know this is considered to be a classic but Allingham has written better adventures than this one, in my opinion. Disappointingly Campion is hardly in this one, a shame as he is one of the more interesting period detectives around.

genuinely thrilling, 19 Jan 2006
it is sad that so much of margery allingham's oeuvre is currently out of print; vintage are to be commended for (slowly) rectifying this. the success of poirot and wimsey has relegated campion to a thoroughly undeserved third place in the canon of golden age crime-busters. although campion is not the central character of 'tiger', this gives the reader the chance to savour allingham's evocative prose style. in this london, former soldiers who found a home in the army are now misfits, cut off from normal society. voices from the past can be heard through the fog. oates, luke and campion seem powerless to apprehend a magnificently ruthless enemy. do yourself a favour and read...

Tiger tiger, burning bright, in the fogbound London night, 29 Jun 2005
A thriller rather than a mystery. If you are new to Allingham's Campion stories this is not a good place to start, partly because it is so atypical of the series and also because the array of minor characters that flit through the pages, and which will be familiar to readers of previous Campion books, can be rather bewildering for the newcomer.

Written in 1952, the story is interesting for its insight into aspects of life in post-war London. Some of the references, and much of the slang, will be lost on young, and non-British, readers. It will also perpetuate the myth of London being permanently fogbound. Present-day London hardly ever experiences fog, but in the fifties, when it was still an industrial city and suffered heavy smogs, it was commonly known as "The Smoke", hence the book's title.

In truth, the author's grasp of underworld culture is somewhat shaky. She doesn't get the language or the behaviour quite right. She was from the rural English midlands and from a different social class, so this is very much an outsider's view.

The intriguing story and the intense drama are what make this book worthwhile. It is well written and one episode, Lugg's driving through the fog, is hilarious. He wonders aloud at one stage whether he is approaching a roundabout or the side of a bank building. The villain, Havoc, is memorable. Oddly, there is no one, central hero. That role is shared between three or four characters. Campion himself is incidental.

My one complaint about the plot is that it relies on a very remarkable coincidence, which is something that always undermines credibility. But if you are willing to accept it (and remarkable coincidences do occur in real life) then you can relax and enjoy this first-rate thriller.

If you do enjoy "Tiger in the Smoke", you might also like Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock", which features the razor gangs of pre-war Brighton, and which has an equally memorable villain.

Allingham's finest, 19 Mar 2004
Tiger in the Smoke is Marjory Allingham's finest novel, and the pinnacle of the Inspector Campion series. A comparison with the first Campion, 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' reveals just how far she had taken her art from rather flat stereotypes and set pieces to a dark, memorable and perfectly drawn thriller.

Interestingly, Campion is only an incidental figure in Tiger in the Smoke. It is really a novel about the anti-hero Jack Havoc, a knife-murderer following a religion he has created himself 'the science of luck'. The chilling encounter which sets the seal on this novel is not murderer-meets-detective, but when the murderer meets a clergyman who has the power to transfix him. Havoc tells the clergyman about his 'science of luck', and the clergyman tells him that he already knows this philosophy, but it is called the 'science of death'.

From here in the demise of Havoc is artistically certain. The plot accelerates, through to the final, chillingly ambiguous 'His body was never recovered.'

If you have seen Allingham as a lesser figure, after Sayers and Christie, this book should set you straight. It belongs with Conan Doyle's 'Valley of Fear' and Sayers' 'Murder must advertise' at the top of the list of British crime thrillers.

Disappointing, 06 Nov 2008
Very disappointing. Slow, boring, it lacks incisiveness, rythm and humour. Generally poor dialogue. The crime was interesting but after so much useless writing I was so tired that I almost didnt care who had "done it".
I still give 3 stars for the vintage feel and because some of the characters are lively and strongly defined (Val, Georgia,Sir Ramillies)but this book is a world away from M. Allingham true masterpieces like "Police at the Funeral" or the remarkable "The Case of the Late Pig".

"It's an honest, done-on-purpose killing for a reason.", 29 Dec 2006
As talented and popular in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now, inexplicably, almost forgotten, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress and seductress who married someone else just six months after his disappearance. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. Mary Whipple

"Murder: I think it's unethical and ungentlemanly and unkind.", 25 Jun 2006
As talented and popular a mystery writer in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now almost unknown, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years before. A lawyer hoping for a judgeship, the deceased was the fiancé of Georgia Wells, a stage actress who married just six months after his disappearance, a seductress who flirts with every man she meets. Campion's sister Val, who runs a high fashion design house, is also involved in the mystery, as are the man she loves, who runs an aircraft company trying to sell planes to a foreign country, and Georgia's present husband, a self-important snob who works for the government. The mystery is unusually intricate, and when two more deaths occur, Campion must investigate questions of blackmail, secret relationships, drug shipments, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and characters who look like other characters. He must also deal with a former acquaintance, Lady Amanda Fitton, who has returned--and unexpectedly announced her engagement to him.

Highly entertaining and very fast paced, the novel is cleverly written and full of intrigue, populated with characters who have more substance than the cardboard characters one finds in most mysteries. Allingham's ability to incorporate details of time and place--and class--give this novel a lively sense of the atmosphere of prewar England and the attitudes of its population, not all of them admirable. Elitism, bigotry, and class prejudice are all given voice in this novel, and play a part in the mystery.

Far more literary in style than Agatha Christie, Allingham employs a good deal of humor and irony, though Albert Campion is more phlegmatic than Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayer's detective) and less exaggerated than Christie's Hercule Poirot. Allingham, a fine writer, creates well developed plots and memorable characters, and one hopes that her work will be reprinted for a new audience. n Mary Whipple


Style Never Goes Out of Fashion, 23 Sep 2003
One of the author’s most accomplished novels. At once an elegant and deftly-observed social satire in the manner of Thackeray and an ingeniously complicated detective story, the book is virtually flawless. Campion is in superb form throughout, both as detective pitting his wits against a superhuman Nemesis of a murderer, and as a lover (even going to the extent of throwing his fiancée in the lake during a quarrel); Lugg is as amusing as ever; and there is much interest in the character and methods of the villain, “who can set the murderous Machiavel to school,” weaving webs of a subtlety and diabolical ingenuity matched only by his creator.

Wonderful period piece, and an intriguing mystery, 11 Oct 2000
One of Albert Campion's most intriguing cases, this is a book which is more than just a crime caper. The style of writing makes it a book that flows along without feeling superficial, and the characters are well drawn; the twist added by one of the possible suspects being Campion's sister merely adds to the tension as the reader is left wondering what will happen if she indeed turns out to be the murderess.

There are a couple of things that really do date this book though. For starters, virtually all of the characters smoke; a no-no in contemporary literature. Mainly though, it's the attitude towards women, and the attitudes of many of the female characters. While they are strong in their own way, their expectations make this book very much a product of the inter-war period.

I've read most of the Campion books now, and this is one of the best without doubt; the story, characters and general writing quality combine to create a book that is a gem, deserving of being read by a wider audience than Crime Afficionados.

Different but compelling Allingham, 17 Oct 2007
Lugg is absent, Mr Campion is somewhat subdued, and Allingham herself seems uncertain about his standing with the police (she solved this problem in later books), but this "different" Allingham is as enjoyable as her best. It's main attraction is the depiction of an artists' colony in Little Venice that clusters about the Lafcadio household. The inhabitants of the house are living in the shadow of a great man's reputation, and the reflected glory they once had. They cope with this in different ways: Belle and Lisa by robustly being themselves, the younger generation by doing their own thing, Beatrice by becoming more and more fey as her beauty fades. (Haven't we all met a Beatrice trying to prolong her heyday?) It's the tragic Potters who really tug at the heartstrings, though. They moved into a studio at the bottom of the garden and 20 years on are still there. When Alligham describes their bohemian decor as "affected" she nails a whole lifestyle. To carry off bohemianism you either need youth or money. A lesson for us all who have failed to move with the times, grow up or feng shui our homes!

May be the best Allingham, 24 Nov 2008
For me this one and "Police at the Funeral" are the best Allinghams.
Which one is best is a moot point. I believe the "Pig" has still
more originality, pace and fine irony.It's a delightfully "lean" book,
everything she put in it is important for the story (and for the fun).
She manages to create a story and an ambience that are both surreal (the odd aproach) and plausible at the same time.
This was also the Allingham where I found Lugg to be genuinely
amusing.

Well done Vintage, 09 Sep 2006
Thank you Vintage (Random House) for bringing Margery back to the masses. This I believe her shortest Campion novel may not be the best of the series but it is indubitably of its time and as ever thoroughly enjoyable. If you want the best then Police At The Funeral (not yet republished) is the best as this introduces the ubiquitous but comical Uncle William. Margery The Magnificent I say.

Allingham's odd approach, 18 Apr 2006
Early Albert Campion adventures are a lot of fun. _Look to the Lady_, _Mystery Mile_ and _Sweet Danger_ are all great reads. They are not mysteries in the sense of Christie or Carr, and combine all sorts of elements, including touches of Wodehouse and Buchan.

Most of them are told from someone else's viewpoint, but _Pig_, while a great mystery story, is told first-person by Campion himself.

There is a reason Dr. Watson characters tell stories about great detectives. The detective is half-prestidigiator (cf. the great detectives of John Dickson Carr). When clues come the detective's way they make the case clearer to him, but when they are presented to the reader through Dr. Watson characters, they tend to mystify the reader further. It is considered "fair play" to present the reader with all the clues as they become available, although it's fair for the author to misconstrue what they may mean via the interpretation of the detective's less astute assistants.

Since Campion is telling the story himself, he has to mystify the reader by not fully describing clues or neglecting to explain to the reader how these clues fit into his overall reasoning. This sometimes makes it seem like Campion is playing a trick on the reader. The story would have been done much better through the eyes of another character.

Nevertheless, the (very short, perhaps too short) novella is solid and a lot of fun, with intriguing characters like Hayhoe, Gilbert Whippet, the officious Reverend Bathwick, and R. I. ("Pig") Peters, who simply refuses to remain dead.

Not for Newcomers to the Campion Series, 29 May 2003
First published over 65 years ago, this entry in Allingham's long-running Campion series didn't do much to enthuse me to investigate other of Campion's adventures. It starts with the detective attending the funeral of an old schoolmate, who was rather widely despised. Several months later, Campion is called to the country to investigate a suspicious death, and the victim appears to be the same schoolmate. Wacky antics and murky mystery ensue. A kind of unsatisfying blend of P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie which is unlikely to interest those who aren't already fans of the series. The one bright spot is Campion's valet, who is kind of a rough "anti-Jeeves".

Well performed potboiler, 10 Sep 2008
This rattles along and keeps your interest as long as you don't stop to think although only one element was really a mystery to me (the reason behind St Swithin's seemingly motiveless act). Its central conceit is similar to Conan Doyle's Moriarty and frankly no more convincing. Campion could be a really irritating hero, but the narrator infuses him with a certain charm and also makes much of the other characters particularly Thos and Lug.

another classic, 31 Aug 2008
Mystery Mile is another great book from Margery Allingham. This is because although you meet the villan at the beginning you, do not know he is you simply think he is an art historian.

but when it does come to light that he is, that is where all the tension is, particular when he is facing off with Campion.

Once again Philip Franks gives his all. Get it and enjoy it.

The Art Deco Detective story, 04 Nov 2007
Intrepid hero with attitude takes on subtle forces of darkness with the doubtful help of the comic, the profane and the reassuringly stupid character supporting cast. The plot rackets along with the total assurance of a Mistress of the genre. The characters are always interestingly original and Albert Campion is a triumph of the art deco period. Margery Allingham cannot be said to be underated but she is certainly under celebrated.


Simister is deeply sinister, 22 Mar 2001
Quite frankly anyone who could come up with a gang called after a man named 'Simister' and then describe it as 'sinister' has got it coming. That aside, this is probably one of the best Campion stories with lots of action and a good twist at the end. There are also lots of local yokels, two love stories and a bit of dodgy fortune telling. Not to mention a mysterious suicide and some very important quicksand. What more could you want?

Period crime piece with lively events and characterisation, 26 Oct 2000
The second of Allingham's "Campion" books, which begins the development of his character from the fop of "The Crime at Black Dudley" to the serious amateur of the later novels. It starts off with the electrification of a mouse that leads to Campion being called upon to provide a safe haven for an American Judge Lobett from the sinister Simister gang. Local colour and atmosphere, intriguing characters: a good place to start getting to know and love Allingham's insights viewed through Campion's "Everyman". Not overly well paced but nevertheless a good period read, with hints of the wonders to come in "Tiger in the Smoke", especially the darker side of humanity as well as the eccentricities.

Exciting, 09 Mar 2007
This is the best Allingham I have ever read. It kept my attention throughout. It was incredibly exciting and the ending was nail-biting.
Anyone who has not read this book does not know what they are missing.
An absolute cracker well worth 5 stars which I reserve only for the elite.

Not whodunnit but why, 17 Nov 2008
My first thought was that this would make a cracking good film. (Well, apparently there was a 1950s film version but I've never seen it. And if there's been a TV version, I've missed that, too.)
'The fog was like a saffron blanket soaked in ice-water.' Margery Allingham's descriptions of an old-fashioned London pea-souper and the disenfranchised characters inhabiting its underworld are worthy of Dickens. A jolly good read, highly recommended.

The Tiger in the Smoke, 09 Mar 2006
I have been reading all the Campion novels in order and having just finished this one I can safely say this is not Allingham or Campion at their best. The plot seemed thin, the characters not very interesting and crucially the villan of the piece just fails to come across as frightening as he should. I know this is considered to be a classic but Allingham has written better adventures than this one, in my opinion. Disappointingly Campion is hardly in this one, a shame as he is one of the more interesting period detectives around.

genuinely thrilling, 19 Jan 2006
it is sad that so much of margery allingham's oeuvre is currently out of print; vintage are to be commended for (slowly) rectifying this. the success of poirot and wimsey has relegated campion to a thoroughly undeserved third place in the canon of golden age crime-busters. although campion is not the central character of 'tiger', this gives the reader the chance to savour allingham's evocative prose style. in this london, former soldiers who found a home in the army are now misfits, cut off from normal society. voices from the past can be heard through the fog. oates, luke and campion seem powerless to apprehend a magnificently ruthless enemy. do yourself a favour and read...

Tiger tiger, burning bright, in the fogbound London night, 29 Jun 2005
A thriller rather than a mystery. If you are new to Allingham's Campion stories this is not a good place to start, partly because it is so atypical of the series and also because the array of minor characters that flit through the pages, and which will be familiar to readers of previous Campion books, can be rather bewildering for the newcomer.

Written in 1952, the story is interesting for its insight into aspects of life in post-war London. Some of the references, and much of the slang, will be lost on young, and non-British, readers. It will also perpetuate the myth of London being permanently fogbound. Present-day London hardly ever experiences fog, but in the fifties, when it was still an industrial city and suffered heavy smogs, it was commonly known as "The Smoke", hence the book's title.

In truth, the author's grasp of underworld culture is somewhat shaky. She doesn't get the language or the behaviour quite right. She was from the rural English midlands and from a different social class, so this is very much an outsider's view.

The intriguing story and the intense drama are what make this book worthwhile. It is well written and one episode, Lugg's driving through the fog, is hilarious. He wonders aloud at one stage whether he is approaching a roundabout or the side of a bank building. The villain, Havoc, is memorable. Oddly, there is no one, central hero. That role is shared between three or four characters. Campion himself is incidental.

My one complaint about the plot is that it relies on a very remarkable coincidence, which is something that always undermines credibility. But if you are willing to accept it (and remarkable coincidences do occur in real life) then you can relax and enjoy this first-rate thriller.

If you do enjoy "Tiger in the Smoke", you might also like Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock", which features the razor gangs of pre-war Brighton, and which has an equally memorable villain.

Allingham's finest, 19 Mar 2004
Tiger in the Smoke is Marjory Allingham's finest novel, and the pinnacle of the Inspector Campion series. A comparison with the first Campion, 'The Gyrth Chalice Mystery' reveals just how far she had taken her art from rather flat stereotypes and set pieces to a dark, memorable and perfectly drawn thriller.

Interestingly, Campion is only an incidental figure in Tiger in the Smoke. It is really a novel about the anti-hero Jack Havoc, a knife-murderer following a religion he has created himself 'the science of luck'. The chilling encounter which sets the seal on this novel is not murderer-meets-detective, but when the murderer meets a clergyman who has the power to transfix him. Havoc tells the clergyman about his 'science of luck', and the clergyman tells him that he already knows this philosophy, but it is called the 'science of death'.

From here in the demise of Havoc is artistically certain. The plot accelerates, through to the final, chillingly ambiguous 'His body was never recovered.'

If you have seen Allingham as a lesser figure, after Sayers and Christie, this book should set you straight. It belongs with Conan Doyle's 'Valley of Fear' and Sayers' 'Murder must advertise' at the top of the list of British crime thrillers.

Disappointing, 06 Nov 2008
Very disappointing. Slow, boring, it lacks incisiveness, rythm and humour. Generally poor dialogue. The crime was interesting but after so much useless writing I was so tired that I almost didnt care who had "done it".
I still give 3 stars for the vintage feel and because some of the characters are lively and strongly defined (Val, Georgia,Sir Ramillies)but this book is a world away from M. Allingham true masterpieces like "Police at the Funeral" or the remarkable "The Case of the Late Pig".

"It's an honest, done-on-purpose killing for a reason.", 29 Dec 2006
As talented and popular in the 1930s and 1940s as fellow mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham is now, inexplicably, almost forgotten, except by mystery aficionados. Writing a series of novels featuring Albert Campion, a man of mysterious background who moves comfortably both in aristocratic circles and in the seedy underworld of thugs and criminals, Allingham sets up elaborate plots that cross class lines and entertain the reader with their cleverness. Campion, often aided by Lugg, a former burglar, manages to remain friendly with local police inspectors while operating as a private detective, often hired by the titled nobility with whom he associates.

This novel, written in 1938, opens with the discovery of the fully clothed skeleton of a man who disappeared three years