The White Cottage Mystery

by Margery Allingham

Eric Crowther knew everybody's secrets, so there was no shortage of suspects when he was found shot at the White Cottage. Chief Inspector Challenor and his son Jerry had to look deep into everyone's past - including the dead man's - before they could be sure who had pulled the trigger.

With a country house, blackmail and murder, The White Cottage Mystery has all the making for a classic cozy mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, British Literature, Classics, Cozy Mystery, Detective

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Aka Maxwell March.

Margery Louise Allingham was born in Ealing, London in 1904 to a family of writers. Her father, Herbert John Allingham, was editor of The Christian Globe and The New London Journal, while her mother wrote stories for women's magazines as Emmie Allingham. Margery's aunt, Maud Hughes, also ran a magazine. Margery earned her first fee at the age of eight, for a story printed in her aunt's magazine.

Soon after Margery's birth, the family left London for Essex. She returned to London in 1920 to attend the Regent Street Polytechnic (now the University of Westminster), and met her future husband, Philip Youngman Carter. They married in 1928. He was her collaborator and designed the cover jackets for many of her books.

Margery's breakthrough came 1929 with the publication of her second novel, The Crime at Black Dudley . The novel introduced Albert Campion, although only as a minor character. After pressure from her American publishers, Margery brought Campion back for Mystery Mile and continued to use Campion as a character throughout her career.

After a battle with breast cancer, Margery died in 1966. Her husband finished her last novel, A Cargo of Eagles at her request, and published it in 1968.

Also wrote as: Maxwell March

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eric Crowther lived in the mansion next door to White Cottage. When Crowther is shot dead in the cottage, it turns out that everyone living in the cottage or mansion had a good reason to want to kill him. However, as Detective Chief Inspector W.T. Challoner investigates it doesn’t appear that any of the suspects actually had the opportunity to kill Crowther.

I read a book by this author a very long time ago and my tastes have changed a lot since then. I no longer like cozy mysteries, but if you like them this one is certainly a decent representative of the genre. The detective just plods from place to place questioning people and voila, it’s solved. At least the suspects had pretty interesting motives. I couldn’t get past the fact that Challoner takes his adult son Jerry along in his investigation (apparently the concept of proper police procedure did not exist in the 1920s). My eyes also rolled at the instalove between Jerry and one of the suspects.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this mystery! I truly did! Margery Allingham’s The White Cottage Mystery, written in 1927, was highly admired by Agatha Christie, P. D. James and is J. K. Rowlings favorite ‘Golden Age author’.
There are quite a collection of characters, and each one plays an important role in this mystery. Of course, figuring just what each character is ‘up to’ is not only Chief Inspector W. T. Challoner’s job but the reader’s also! The descriptions of the Chief Inspector truly enabled me ‘to see him in action’ as well as understand his methods, and that is quite enjoyable! The murder at The White Cottage is solved cleverly by CI Challoner, and I did not see the twist at the end coming, and it was not for want of trying! Definitely recommended! 4 stars.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like reading some of the mystery fiction from the so-called Golden Age of Detective Novels. This was a fun read with a neat twist at the end. There are no smartphones. Lots of dialogue and unearthed clues help to propel the plot. All in all, it's a nice change of pace.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCERPT: 'I'll get to the bottom of this mystery if it's the last thing I do. Hang it all, Jerry, it happened- someone must have done it.'
Jerry shrugged his shoulders.
'Taking the fellow's temperament and habits into consideration, I should call it an act of God and leave it at that,' he said.
W.T. shook his head.
'I won't be beaten,' he said. 'Everything that happens in this world has a natural, simple, logical explanation. I'm not a believer in magic, Jerry. In this case there doesn't seem to be any proof except that everyone is innocent. . . Everyone wanted to kill Crowther - everyone admitted that they entertained the idea - everyone had an opportunity, and yet nobody did it. It's an incredible situation.'

ABOUT 'THE WHITE COTTAGE MYSTERY': The mysterious recluse Eric Crowther was murdered, he lived in the gaunt house whose shadow fell across the White Cottage, much as the man himself overshadowed the lives of the occupants of the little white house. Indeed, as Detective Chief Inspector W.T. Challoner soon discovered, seven people had good cause to murder him. Everyone ought to have done it, but by the evidence nobody had. The seven suspects, all with excellent motives for killing the hateful Eric Crowther.
So it was not lack of evidence but rather a surfeit of it which sent Challoner and his son Jerry half across Europe in pursuit of the trail. He collected their secrets. And he used them. But which of these long-time sufferers had found the courage to pull the trigger? And should this benefactor really be prosecuted?

MY THOUGHTS: This is one of the best Golden Age Mysteries that I have read.

It is quite a short read at 120 pages - short story? novella? - but kept me absorbed and entertained throughout.

Matters are complicated by the detective's son, Jerry, falling in love with one of the suspects, which makes for some quite awkward moments. Secrets are revealed, as is the true identity of one of the suspects, but the solution to the case remains stubbornly elusive.

The eventual unmasking of the murderer's identity came as quite a surprise to me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.2

#TheWhiteCottageMystery #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Margery Louise Allingham was born in Ealing, London in 1904 to a family of writers and earned her first fee at the age of eight, for a story printed in her aunt's magazine.
She married her husband, Phillip Youngman Carter, in 1928. He was her collaborator and designed the cover jackets for many of her books.
After a battle with breast cancer, Margery died in 1966.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for providing a digital ARC of The White Cottage Mystery by Marjory Allingham for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

White Cottage Mystery was Allingham's first mystery, published as newspaper serial 1927; first published in book form 1975.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCsbX7qTW...

[Peiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

در کلبه ی سپید مردی به قتل میرسه و کارآگاه و.ت همراه پسرش جری در تلاش برای پیدا کردن قاتل هستن. تمام افراد حاضر در کلبه و اطرافیان مقتول به نوعی انگیزه ی قتل رو داشتن و هر کدوم به رازی دارن. کارآگاه کم کم این رازها رو متوجه میشه تا در نهایت گره از ماجرای این قتل باز کنه. در مورد خود داستان بگم که نسبتا جذاب بود و قابل حدس نبود تا حدودی. در مورد ترجمه و ویراستاری اما زیاد جالب نبود مخصوصا نیمه ی اول کتاب که به نظر سردرگم و گنگ میومد. به هر حال خود کتاب 4 ولی ترجمه 3 ستاره با ارفاق هر دو

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4 STARS

When Jerry Challenor drops a young woman off at the White Cottage all he can think about is going back to the pretty girl. Moments later there is a scream and the body of Eric Crowther is found murdered and the lists of suspects is long. It seems like everyone that met Eric Crowther hated him as he would use their secrets for his own purposes. As Detective Chief Inspector Challenor, Jerry's father, sifts through the suspects he finds himself siding with the suspects' motives. With Jerry in love with one of the suspects DCI Challenor finds more resistance than any other case!

This novel in 1927 was presented as a serial for the Daily Express, and was published into book format the following year. Now, almost 90 years later, The White Cottage Mystery is available in eBook format.

This is a short, novella-sized, book and I was able to read it in one sitting. If you enjoy Agatha Christie, Patricia Wentworth, etc you must read The White Cottage Mystery. This is my first book by Margery Allingham so I can't say I yet recommend her books in general. I will definitely be reading more of her novels as they bring the golden age of mystery fun. The mystery is cute, fun and keeps you reading even if you figure it all out. It's more about enjoying the characters discover the truth.

***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***

My Novelesque Blog

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written in 1927 as a series for the Daily Express and then printed in book format in 1928.

Jerry Challenor drops for a young woman at the White Cottage. Moments later he hears a scream and the body of Eric Crowther has been found. Everyone who had met Eric did not like him.

Detective Chief Inspector Challenor, Jerry's father has the task of finding out who did it from a long list of suspects.

This is a well written novella. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie this novella is for you.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bloomsbury USA and the author Margery Allingham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jo Berry ☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, compact cosy crime novella. It moves at a fast pace - there’s a body by the end of chapter one - and doesn’t have time for any character development, but it’s a fun whodunnit. It is a bit dated in it’s language and it’s portrayal of female characters, but if you like 1920s fiction with all its flaws, than it’s a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. I imagine some readers might not find the ending very satisfying, but it is what it is.

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story by Margery Allingham that features Inspector Challenor accompanied by his son, Jerry. Jerry drops off Norah Bayliss at White Cottage, when a loud gunshot is heard. The dead man turns out to be a neighbour, Eric Crowther, a nasty piece of work. Crowther liked watching people suffer by using their secrets against them. Not for blackmail mind, just the sheer pleasure of torturing people. A smitten Jerry joins his father on his hunt for the killer. Everyone is a suspect until they are eliminated. An absorbing mystery for readers who enjoy reading from the golden age of detective fiction. Thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC via netgalley.

[Yibbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many leads, but no clues. So many possibilities, but no facts. So many motives, but no opportunities. Does this web lead anywhere? Who can track the guilty through it all? Ahha! The famed W.T. will surely clear away the tangle! There are mysteries lurking behind mysteries. Can you see through all the subterfuge? Will W.T.?
Well, now I’ll try to share my thoughts without giving it away. First off, there were a number of unnecessary words. It got to be a bit much towards the end. If it was a movie, it would have been PG for language. It would have been much more enjoyable without them.
Next, probably because it was a serial before becoming a novel, it has an odd way of moving between chapters. The new chapter has a tendency to pick up in the middle of a conversation anywhere from 5 minutes to days after the last one finished and then fill you in on what you’ve missed. That made it a bit hard to follow sometimes.
Finally, the plot was intriguing enough, though the major subplot was rather obvious. I guessed it anyway. She did befuddle me with the solution though. I had it all wrong, so she did a good job with all the red herrings.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the chance to read this book for free and review it.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks to the author, her publisher and Netgalley.

I think I just don’t care for Margery Allingham’s books. The only other book of hers that I had read was ‘The Crime at Black Dudley’, and I loathed Albert Campion so much that I have no desire to read any more of that series. I was hoping that I would like one of her standalone books much better. Sad to say, I didn’t.

I found out on a Bloomsbury site that this was Ms. Allingham’s first detective story and that it was serialized in the daily Express in 1927. The site also went on to say that Margery Louise Allingham is ranked among the most distinguished and beloved detective fiction writers of the Golden Age alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh. Allingham is J.K. Rowling's favourite Golden Age author and Agatha Christie said of Allingham that out of all the detective stories she remembers, Margery Allingham 'stands out like a shining light'. .

Quite frankly, I don’t see the appeal. I am a big fan of the Golden Age of Detective Novels, but this won’t be one of the authors I will turn to.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I've read most of the Campions over the years, I've tended to forget about Allingham's other novels. This one was mentioned a while ago on one of the crime-fiction blogs I follow, and so along to the library I hied me with a request slip in my hand . . .

Young Jerry Challenor is motoring in the country when he's afforded the chance to give pretty Norah Bayliss a lift. He's not long dropped her at her home, the White Cottage, and is fiddling with the roof of his convertible when a shotgun blast booms out from the house. The dead man is neighbor Eric Crowther, a psychological sadist who has been tormenting everyone in sight, using his knowledge of their dirty little secrets not to blackmail them but simply to make them squirm. Jerry's father, Inspector W.T. Challenor of the Yard, is the cop called in on the case; having succumbed to Norah's allure, Jerry tags along on the investigation, which eventually takes the two Challenors to the south of France.

Everyone associated with the White Cottage (except the servants, probably) and with Crowther's own home, the Dene, seems to have a motive and perhaps the opportunity to have blown the monster away, but one by one W.T. satisfies himself that they're innocent, until . . .

This is all very breezily told in Allingham's usual engaging style, although that style is still a bit of a diamond in the rough. I deduced the culprit fairly early on, but that didn't mar my enjoyment. The White Cottage Mystery is to be sure a slight piece, but it offers an interesting insight into the early work of arguably the best of the Crime Queens.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margery Allingham wrote 'The White Cottage Mystery', her first detective novel, as a fascicle for the Daily Express and it was first published in 1928. Her sister Joyce Allingham has edited this edition by removing the re-empathising of certain vital elements of the plot that the author had to put in the newspaper serial in order for the casual reader to be able to keep pace with the plot. It is seamlessly done, although, knowing that it was a newspaper serial, one can quite easily see where one episode ended and another began ... but this takes nothing away from the finished product.

Jerry Challenor meets up with a young lady as she alights from the bus and offers her a lift to her home, which turns out to be White Cottage. After he drops her off, events suddenly take a dramatic turn. He had seen a chap walking towards the cottage as he was about to depart but before he had got going, another young lady runs out of the cottage screaming that there had been a murder. From that moment on the seven people who lived in the cottage were all under suspicion of having done the foul deed.

And to find out who had done it, Detective Chief Inspector Challenor, Jerry's father, was called in to investigate. The murdered man was a certain Eric Crowther who lived next door to the cottage in a house named Dene. The problem was that he was regularly making a nuisance of himself and nobody liked him for he was an intrusive and somewhat disreputable soul, so most of the inhabitants of White Cottage could have had good reason to commit the crime.

Challenor has to find out more about Crowther's past and this is difficult for nobody really wants to talk about it. However, he does manage to find enough detail for him to consider all the possibilities but there is a problem for his thoughts were, 'Everyone ought to have done it, but by the evidence nobody had.' But there was no doubting that Crowther had been murdered.

His investigations, and he was helped by his son, took him all over Europe as he desperately tried to unravel the mystery and with extreme diligence, and a certain amount of intuition, he eventually comes up with the answer. And that answer is the most surprising one of all which makes the denouement of the book very unusual and, rather mildly paced throughout, the mystery suddenly comes very much to life at the end.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had heard about Margery Allingham before so when one of her novels became available on NetGalley I seized the opportunity. Whilst I love Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie, heck I even enjoy Georgette Heyer's detective stories, this felt a little too contrived.

Eric Crowther has been murdered with a shot gun in a crowded house, everyone is a suspect, everyone has a reason to hate him, and everyone is hiding something.

Although I didn't love this novel I thought it was incredibly accomplished for a first novel and it included many of the devices I have read elsewhere in Golden Age novels such as secret societies, war heroes, plucky younger sisters, slightly manic elderly servants, stilted dialogue, emotional foreigners and a phlegmatic detective.

I must say I will look out for other books by Margery Allingham, especially the Campion series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written initially as a magazine serial, this is a short, well-constructed mystery where the culprit is very much the last person you'd think of, but also the obvious person in the context of the facts of the crime.

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only a short story, but exceptionally good reading. Shame the Daily Express don't include such material in their paper today.

[Isabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

TW: harassment, blackmail & use of the word cripple

This arc was provided by Bloomsbury Publishing, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

There's nothing I particularly enjoyed in this book. The writing is quite lacking as there is no atmosphere surrounding the mystery and the characters, I never felt fully immersed in the story. The characters are bland and lack complexity. I could see that Allingham wanted me to care about them, especially the main detective, but they had no personality traits only their main motivation for the mystery.

And I despised how Roger, the only disabled character was treated and talked about. He was almost never called by his name but by "invalid" or "crippled." Yes, this was written in the 20s, and "times were different" but that's no excuse to keep quiet about it. This is abhorrent behavior.

Overall, not too interested in anything else by this author.

[Pallavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 star

I wouldn't say it was the most intelligent murder mystery, but it was a fine read. Chief Inspector W. T. Challoner is investigating the murder of Eric Crowther, who was found dead by a gun shot at his Neighbour's house, the white cottage. Challoner's son Jerry is also involved in the investigation as he was present around the venue when the gun shot was heard and also, he is attracted to one of the suspects.
The murder is solved purely but witness/suspect statements and reflection. As this is set in 1920's or 30's, there is no forensics, DNA, CCTV, Internet, GPS blah, blah but pure puzzle solving. As soon as Challoner abandoned the case, I knew who was the murderer! Overall a good read!
Happy Reading!!

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vintage mystery originally published 1927. Lots of human interest involving Inspector and his detective son as investigation moves from Kent to Paris and the Cote d'Azur keeping me speculating on interference in the solution...

#MarchMysteryMadness
#BritishRoadTrip

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great mystery! I didn’t see the end coming. I loved the coziness of it.

[Sue K H · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was 3 stars for most of it but the ending made me so mad that it gets one.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am an Allingham admirer - The Crime at Black Dudley is a fantastic book - but this one is not groundbreaking. It’s only her debut; she certainly got better! This is quite formulaic and very backstory-heavy, and there are hardly buckets of depth to the characters - but it’s still a fun, quick, easy read.

However, this book does have some real strengths! There are hints of the great writer that Allingham would go on to become. I like the premise of a detective sidekick being in love with a suspect. Eric Crowther is a good villain who blackmails the characters for their (very uninteresting) secrets. And, most importantly - Allingham didn’t half take some risks with that ending! It is bold - and won’t be to everyone’s taste - but it went down well with me. I admire Allingham’s courage. The last line is amusing as well.

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genuine golden oldie hailing from the golden age of mystery, this was the author's first venture into the genre originally serialized back in 1927, but now, of course, we can read it all at once and digitally. Still no robots, but technology does impress now and again. Anyway...back to the book, it's quite short, novella length really, and very enjoyable, albeit in a dated (primarily having to do with the attitudes toward women, despite being written by one it is after all a product of its time) way. Nowadays this classic locked cottage mystery would probably be termed a cozy, since it's so well mannered and quaint, but the plot itself was good and surprising and certainly worth a read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley offered me this book in exchange of a comment.
I can’t say how happy I am as I never read a book of Margery Allingham but wanted to do so since a long time. I now realise that it has been a huge mistake, and that I should have started to read her novels ages ago!
I am so impressed by the quality of her writing.
In this book, you’ll be immersed in an incredible adventure full of mysteries and with many developments.
I really understand now why she is amongst the queens of detective stories writers.
My best advice : run to the closest bookshop, buy it, and start to read it immediately!

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this small mystery book, but when I saw how much other readers enjoyed it and loved Ms. Allingham's books I decided to keep going. This is a "whodunnit " book. I couldn't keep up with all the names and motives. It became frustrating and daunting. About halfway through I settled in and after finishing the story had to go back and reread some sections. It took me awhile to acclimate my brain to all the characters and goings on. However, after finding my footing I did enjoy the latter half of the book. It wasn't what I was expecting and I'm not sure I'll read another.

I was provided an eArc by Bloomsbury USA via Netgalley.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book couldn't have been more awesome for me, at this time. Margery Allingham's writing somewhat resembles Agatha Christie's but with some differences that manage to make reading The White Cottage Mystery even more enjoyable. I have nothing but good things to say about this novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to have read such an amazing mystery! (also published on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble)

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The White Cottage is my first Allingham book, and one I really enjoyed. I'm fairly new to the Golden Age-era detective novel, and this felt like a great introduction. The story was originally published as a newspaper serial, which for me meant the chapters felt like the perfect snapshots. It's also fairly short, and I easily breezed through it during a vacation day at the beach. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a short but satisfying detective novel with a vintage twist.

[Gillian Kevern · Rating 4 out of 5]

If anyone is really impressed by the amount of books I'm reading all of a sudden, don't be. This is a combination of cold and realising these are all due tomorrow.

Despite being first published in book form in the 70s, this is actually Allingham's first story and predates Campion.

[Tuesdayschild · Rating 3 out of 5]

narrated by William Gaminara (4h 14m) 3* for the audiobook.
I downloaded this on a whim thinking I hadn’t read it – pays to check which books you’ve read before doing that, as my first read through of the book didn’t really leave me wanting to do a rinse and repeat with this particular mystery.
As I was familiar with the story this time through, and knowing whom the author had chosen to select as the murderer – I did better with the rest of the story and am giving three stars to those portions of the mystery.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Margery Allingham, and I look forward to reading more.