Customer Reviews

The Return of Mr. Campion

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This collection of thirteen short stories is misleading, only six actually feature Albert Campion, and not all are even short stories.

The volume opens with two forwards, one a biography of Allingham and the other, entitled 'Margery Allingham - A Tribute' is by Agatha Christie and are two of the most interesting parts of the book.

The thirteen selections by Allingham are:

'The Case Is Altered' - 1938 adventure concerning Campion and mistaken identity.

'My Friend Mr. Campion' - 1935 broacast transcript of Allingham speculating on Campion's background.

'The Dog Day' - 1939 adventure concerning Campion on holiday at a resort.

'The Wind Glass' - very early (1923) fantasy without Campion.

'The Beauty King' - non-Campion romance in the beauty trade from the late 1930's.

'The Black Tent' - Campion unmasks a fortunetelling blackmail scheme in 1939.

'Sweet and Low' - 1936 non-Campion romance in the horsie set.

'Once in a Lifetime' - previously non-published non-Campion tale of old loves and regret.

'The Kernel of Truth' - 1953 recipe for romance without Campion.

'Happy Christmas' - non-Campion holiday story from 1961.

'The Wisdom of Esdras' - 1924 non-Campion ghost story.

'The Curious Affair in Nut Row' - Campion reminisces about an old case in this 1955 story.

'What to Do With an Ageing Detective' - a 1958 interview between Margery Allingham and Lugg.

Each story is followed by some background information, including when and where it first appeared.

Overall this book is disappointing. Few of the stories feature Campion and those are nothing extraordinary. The majority of the stories are a mixed group of fantasy romances that are of interest only to the most advid Allingham fan.

Either get this one from the library or skip it all together.

I appreciate the Campion Mysteries. They are well written books that have great casts of charactors and have wonderful plots. I have also seen the Campion Mysteries on televsion when it was shown on the public chanel. I like how determined the charactor of Mr. Campion is when he is solving mysteries, but he is always the gentleman and never forgets his manners. I find the idea of Mr. Campion having a friend, sidekick and butler named Lug amusing. Lug used to be a thief until Mr. Campion aided in his capture and they became friends. I have a hard time setting the books down when I get started. I recommend the Campion books for anyone who likes mysteries.