The China Governess (Penguin Classic Crime S.) [Paperback]

Margery Allingham (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New Ed edition (March 4, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014016619X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140166194
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,252,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who am I?, April 23, 2004

By 

CMBohn "cmb" (Orem, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The China Governess (Paperback)

Young Timothy Kinnet is all set to marry the girl of his dreams, when he finds out that he's not who he thought he was. He had always believed that he was an illegitimate relation of the Kinnets, taken in when the Blitz destroyed east London. But he finds out that he was in fact, a foundling. So he sets off to uncover his true identity.

But Allingham's books are never that simple. When Timothy becomes the chief suspect in a housebreaking and later a suspicious death, his fiance enlists the help of Albert Campion. This is Allingham at her best. Nothing is ever quite as simple as it seems, but the gang is all here--Lugg, Charlie Luke,--only Amanda is missing. But the story goes at a fast pace and is a pleasure to read.

Highly recommended and worth searching for.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a bittersweet goodby for me anyway, December 17, 2005

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: China Governess (Paperback)

This was the last Margery Allingham book that I hadn't read, and it took a bit of trouble to find it, but it was worth the effort. I have loved Margery Allingham and her Albert Campion for years and this book did not disappoint, I am only sad now that I have finished reading her work. Miss. Allingham is truly one of my all-time favourites and her books never disappoint. I would highly recommend that if you love good mystery writing, then do not pass this author up. In this book Campion and his wonderful friend Charles Luke are on the trail or what looks to be a very evil person who pursues destruction with cold-hearted efficiency. We are also introduced to a bunch of wonderful new characters and Mrs. Broome is one of the best Allingham creations yet. We also have two appealing star-crossed lovers and a search for identity that lands these two into a heap of trouble. But Campion comes to the rescue and he unravels the many mysteries.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars sigh...coming to the end of the series.., August 24, 2008

By 

Nancy O (hobe sound fl) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The China Governess (Paperback)

Sadly, this is one of the last books of the Campion series; I'm going to really miss these books when I've finished. Sigh. Oh well, I suppose that's why I keep these things forever so that someday I can go back and reread them. In the prologue, a council flat is vandalized to such an extent that it gives one of its occupants a fatal stroke upon her discovery of the damage. Then on to the main part of the novel: Timothy Kinnit and Julia Laurell are a young couple engaged to be married. Both are from upper class families, and are happy as can be. However, Julia's father decides that the marriage will not happen, due to rumors that are being passed along about Tim's parentage. Although Julia does not care, Tim is determined to seek the truth about his identity, but as he investigates he runs up against several obstacles -- and needs the help of Albert Campion. Once again we find Campion in the background, not as active as in the earlier part of the series -- here lending his cool-headedness and deductive prowess. However, the story was quite good, but then at the end I got a bit confused and had to backtrack to figure out what it was I missed. I love these books, but sometimes they can get bogged down with dialogue that detracts from the main part of the story. I'd recommend it to classic mystery fans, those who like British mysteries and those who are considering the series. However, to the latter I say do NOT start with this one, but go back and start with the first one so you can watch the development of Campion's character. Personally, I liked him better in the older books.