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My Friend Mr Campion and other mysteries
Margery Allingham was a prolific writer who sold her first story at age eight and published her first novel before turning 20. Allingham went on to become one of the preeminent writers who helped bring the detective story to maturity in the 1920s and 1930s.
255 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Margery Allingham
247 books606 followersAka 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 11, 2022
Jolly good fun. Quite like the chap, you know, Campion. Bit vague at times. But a good man to have about when the chips are down. Prefer him to that other blithering wallah, whatshisname, Wimpy? Whimsy, that's the cove. Campion has a fine 'man' with him too, Luggs. Possibly murky past, Luggs, but useful with tea trays and takes no nonsense, By Jove. What's that? The stories? Oh, topper stories. Assure you. Dashed if I could work out Who Dun It. Gave me a good run for the money. Must look up Campion again one day. Fine chap.
November 6, 2025
'Ada Watkins’s getting diamonds, twelve thousand pounds worth, all to hang round a neck that would disgrace a crocodile.’ (p18-19) – Mr Campion’s rather catty friend Sheila anticipating a display from a nouveau riche and unrefined guest at Pharoah’s Court at Christmas
Authors have their time, except Austen, Dickens or Shakespeare who live on forever. An author’s popularity waxes and wanes, the emphasis on waning. I have recently started reading W Somerset Maugham, at one time extravagantly popular, but no longer. Fashions change, as do social mores and issues of the day.
Some authors have a long after life through visual media: Arthur Conan Doyle, H G Wells, even Graham Greene, George Orwell, and of course Agatha Christie. By way of a complete tangent, I recall the most popular posters for sticking on your wall when I was a student in the seventies, apart from the Klimt and the Escher, were Humphery Boagart, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean- all dead.
In the ‘gentleman detective’ sub-genre, the name Margery Allingham hardly raises a flicker now, but her creation Mr Campion has considerable charm, well worth making an acquaintance. Mr Campion inhabits a privileged 1930s world of private schools, reading at Cambridge, dinner parties, country houses and not just one gentleman’s club, but two: Puffins and Junior Greys. It is not too clear what Mr Campion does to sustain his comfortable lifestyle, but he is never short and is able to retain a gentleman’s gentleman.
Accordingly, with his memory of past criminal encounters, Mr Campion solves the mystery of Mrs Welkin’s diamonds, missing from her crocodile neck, during the Christmas break he spends with friends at Pharaoh’s Court.
Stolen jewellery features in these stories as does the question of just who is who? There’s a case of mistaken identity, cum subterfuge, in the window seat of the Junior Grey’s Club, upon the resolution of which hangs a fortune and the shattered reputation of a young physician. In the novella length The Case of the Late Pig a certain Pig Peters has died but actually meets his end five months later; a sticky puzzlement for our amateur sleuth.
Margery Allingham died in 1966, but her name lived on, for a time, with a television series Campion (1989-90), adapting four of her novels and starring Peter Davison in the title role.
Authors have their time, except Austen, Dickens or Shakespeare who live on forever. An author’s popularity waxes and wanes, the emphasis on waning. I have recently started reading W Somerset Maugham, at one time extravagantly popular, but no longer. Fashions change, as do social mores and issues of the day.
Some authors have a long after life through visual media: Arthur Conan Doyle, H G Wells, even Graham Greene, George Orwell, and of course Agatha Christie. By way of a complete tangent, I recall the most popular posters for sticking on your wall when I was a student in the seventies, apart from the Klimt and the Escher, were Humphery Boagart, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean- all dead.
In the ‘gentleman detective’ sub-genre, the name Margery Allingham hardly raises a flicker now, but her creation Mr Campion has considerable charm, well worth making an acquaintance. Mr Campion inhabits a privileged 1930s world of private schools, reading at Cambridge, dinner parties, country houses and not just one gentleman’s club, but two: Puffins and Junior Greys. It is not too clear what Mr Campion does to sustain his comfortable lifestyle, but he is never short and is able to retain a gentleman’s gentleman.
Accordingly, with his memory of past criminal encounters, Mr Campion solves the mystery of Mrs Welkin’s diamonds, missing from her crocodile neck, during the Christmas break he spends with friends at Pharaoh’s Court.
Stolen jewellery features in these stories as does the question of just who is who? There’s a case of mistaken identity, cum subterfuge, in the window seat of the Junior Grey’s Club, upon the resolution of which hangs a fortune and the shattered reputation of a young physician. In the novella length The Case of the Late Pig a certain Pig Peters has died but actually meets his end five months later; a sticky puzzlement for our amateur sleuth.
Margery Allingham died in 1966, but her name lived on, for a time, with a television series Campion (1989-90), adapting four of her novels and starring Peter Davison in the title role.
July 11, 2024
Great collection of Campion mysteries, very well written. Terribly British don’t you know. Upper class gently humorous tales from the 1930’s. Somewhat similar to the Jeeves and Wooster stories but nowhere near so madcap.
I enjoyed the Campion TV series with Peter Davidson many years ago. These have the same clever sleuthing as that but the main character seems more intelligent and more serious to than the TV version.
I enjoyed the Campion TV series with Peter Davidson many years ago. These have the same clever sleuthing as that but the main character seems more intelligent and more serious to than the TV version.
February 16, 2018
Margery Allingham is my go-to author when I need to escape and get lost in a book. This is a book of short stories: I think really I prefer her novels, as they give her time to build up more of an atmosphere, but any of Margery Allingham's books are lovely to cuddle up with in bed on a cold evening with a hot water bottle!
April 2, 2025
Probably too generous a rating but it is important that readers need to be aware that there were other crime writers in the Golden Age of Crime Fiction. I would love to see some of ECR Lorac's books re-issued too. As an aside, Agatha Christie was a near neighbour in my childhood and Margery Allingham's home is just around the corner from me in later life.
August 1, 2018
very good classic mysteries from golden age.
January 31, 2024
Just brilliant - and such fun. Albert Campion is almost as likeable as Lord Peter and Lugg is a perfect counter foil.
February 25, 2018
My first experience with Campion in print after watching a number of episodes of the Peter Davison show from the 1980s. Allingham is very good at inventing ingenious conceits for her murderers and tricksters, and one story pleasingly reminded me of a Father Brown mystery.
March 9, 2017
Very much a mixed bag of a collection of stories. The good - The Case of the Late Pig - are very good. Others, such as The Man With a Sack, are rather weak.
Overall, enjoyable short mysteries for anyone with a taste for improbable between the wars detectives with an air of Woosterishness about them.
Overall, enjoyable short mysteries for anyone with a taste for improbable between the wars detectives with an air of Woosterishness about them.
July 4, 2019
This novel contained five Albert Campion stories.
The Stories.
The Case of the Man with the Sack. ‘Twould appear young Sheila Turrett is in some distress. She’s written Campion a letter begging him to come down for Christmas because they’re having the Welkins over, and Mother’s afraid Mrs. Welkins’ diamonds will be stolen. So, Campion goes down, happy to soothe the girl’s silly fears. Of course, when the diamonds are stolen, that’s another thing altogether…
The Case of the White Elephant. There’s been a rash of jewel thefts in London, and neither Campion nor the police has a bloody clue who the perpetuator is. The jewels certainly aren’t being sold in London, but it seems impossible that they’ve all been smuggled out of the country, what with the customs office in cooperation with the police. But there is a way that it might be managed…
The Case of the Old Man in the Window. He’s become a positive landmark, Sir Charles Rosemary, the way he sits in the club window. He’s done it every day from eleven to six thirty for the last twenty years. Quite the record, that. But one day, he’s taken ill. Fielding, fellow club member and physician, sees him home, but before they arrive, the poor chap dies. The club duly mourns. But imagine their shock when just hours later, the old man totters back into the club, fit as a fiddle! What can be the meaning of this!?!
The Case of the Late Pig. He was a horror, R. I. Peters was. Back in school, they all hated him – called him ‘Pig’ and cowered before his bullying. And now he’s dead – so says the paper. So also says an anonymous letter, sent to Campion, inviting him to attend the funeral. It all seemed a bit strange at the time, but now, five months later, it is far more sinister. For while investigating a current murder case, Campion discovers that the victim is none other than Pig! But he was buried five months ago! How came he to be biffed on the head with a flower pot in current time? Campion must bend all of his powers to meet the test!
The Definite Article. Scotland Yard wants Campion’s help. There’s a blackmailer on the loose, and the Yard has barely a clue on him – only that one poor girl has already committed suicide as a result of his heinous profession. Can Campion seek him out, and save his current victim?
Discussion.
In the opening chapter of My Friend Mr Campion, Margery Allingham describes by what process Mr Campion came into being. She claims that it was quite by accident – that he butted into a story that she was writing and refused to go away. She tried time and again to shove him out of the plot, but he was obstinate. So, she let him remain, and thus was born Mr. Albert Campion, detective.
He is widely considered to be a parody of Dorothy Sayers’ foppish detective, Lord Peter Wimsey, and there was some resemblance. Campion is easy going and his manner of expression is along the same lines as Wimsey’s blithering, but he has none of the jump-up-and-go of Lord Peter. He is much more subdued, an unusual trait in a parody, which is usually over exaggerated. Perhaps this is because it’s impossible to exaggerate Wimsey’s character past its original bounds!
Conclusion. Excellent – I can’t wait to find more books about Albert Campion!
The Stories.
The Case of the Man with the Sack. ‘Twould appear young Sheila Turrett is in some distress. She’s written Campion a letter begging him to come down for Christmas because they’re having the Welkins over, and Mother’s afraid Mrs. Welkins’ diamonds will be stolen. So, Campion goes down, happy to soothe the girl’s silly fears. Of course, when the diamonds are stolen, that’s another thing altogether…
The Case of the White Elephant. There’s been a rash of jewel thefts in London, and neither Campion nor the police has a bloody clue who the perpetuator is. The jewels certainly aren’t being sold in London, but it seems impossible that they’ve all been smuggled out of the country, what with the customs office in cooperation with the police. But there is a way that it might be managed…
The Case of the Old Man in the Window. He’s become a positive landmark, Sir Charles Rosemary, the way he sits in the club window. He’s done it every day from eleven to six thirty for the last twenty years. Quite the record, that. But one day, he’s taken ill. Fielding, fellow club member and physician, sees him home, but before they arrive, the poor chap dies. The club duly mourns. But imagine their shock when just hours later, the old man totters back into the club, fit as a fiddle! What can be the meaning of this!?!
The Case of the Late Pig. He was a horror, R. I. Peters was. Back in school, they all hated him – called him ‘Pig’ and cowered before his bullying. And now he’s dead – so says the paper. So also says an anonymous letter, sent to Campion, inviting him to attend the funeral. It all seemed a bit strange at the time, but now, five months later, it is far more sinister. For while investigating a current murder case, Campion discovers that the victim is none other than Pig! But he was buried five months ago! How came he to be biffed on the head with a flower pot in current time? Campion must bend all of his powers to meet the test!
The Definite Article. Scotland Yard wants Campion’s help. There’s a blackmailer on the loose, and the Yard has barely a clue on him – only that one poor girl has already committed suicide as a result of his heinous profession. Can Campion seek him out, and save his current victim?
Discussion.
In the opening chapter of My Friend Mr Campion, Margery Allingham describes by what process Mr Campion came into being. She claims that it was quite by accident – that he butted into a story that she was writing and refused to go away. She tried time and again to shove him out of the plot, but he was obstinate. So, she let him remain, and thus was born Mr. Albert Campion, detective.
He is widely considered to be a parody of Dorothy Sayers’ foppish detective, Lord Peter Wimsey, and there was some resemblance. Campion is easy going and his manner of expression is along the same lines as Wimsey’s blithering, but he has none of the jump-up-and-go of Lord Peter. He is much more subdued, an unusual trait in a parody, which is usually over exaggerated. Perhaps this is because it’s impossible to exaggerate Wimsey’s character past its original bounds!
Conclusion. Excellent – I can’t wait to find more books about Albert Campion!
August 21, 2012
I love a good detective story, but only if its one where you can work out the culprit if you're paying attention. Allingham is a master of wrongfooting, throwing in obscure references, but its nearly always possible to work out whodunnit. The other thing about the Campion stories is how they act like a satire on class structure of the day. The satire may have lost its edge due to time, but it still works as a Herbed and Wooster style comedy. I was frequently looked at for bellowing on the train.
A very good collection, with a good mix of stories, short, longer funny and serious, in fact The Case of the Late Pig is quite gruesome. Recommended.for the first time Campion reader wanting to dip their toe. I'm of to dig out some of my full length novels now....
A very good collection, with a good mix of stories, short, longer funny and serious, in fact The Case of the Late Pig is quite gruesome. Recommended.for the first time Campion reader wanting to dip their toe. I'm of to dig out some of my full length novels now....
July 9, 2020
I think I have read this in the past, but it's not memorable enough for me to remember the details of the stories. I love Margery Allingham, and adore Albert Campion, her far from conventional detective, but this is not one of her best works.
I enjoyed "The Case of the Late Pig", although the first person point of view jarred with me a little at first. I think my favourite story in the collection was "The Man in the Window", which I did dimly remember from a previous read.
The other stories were enjoyable, but not memorable.
I enjoyed "The Case of the Late Pig", although the first person point of view jarred with me a little at first. I think my favourite story in the collection was "The Man in the Window", which I did dimly remember from a previous read.
The other stories were enjoyable, but not memorable.
November 20, 2012
My first glimpse of Marge Allingham and while she could write and write brilliantly at that, I couldn't really fall in love with Campion.
Perhaps, I've had enough of the writers from the "Classic Detective Era".
Perhaps, I've had enough of the writers from the "Classic Detective Era".
January 22, 2016
Quirky clever stories. Jam packed with little details and iñteresting charàcters. Plus i now know what a newgate fringe is! Allingham is a lot of fun andand I must try out one of her full length novels.
January 25, 2013
Great escapist reading. Good to read when your partner is watching the tennis (or even the cricket). Just love Mr Campion and Lugg.
August 1, 2014
A nice collection of short detective stories plus "The Case of the Late Pig," which is always a treat.
August 9, 2016
This was the perfect thing to read while nursing a terrible hangover.
December 19, 2013
Margery Allingham mixes humor and character observation with crime in these five stories and a short essay on her detective lead, Mr Campion.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews