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The Introductory Allingham Box Set: Look to the Lady, Police at the Funeral, Sweet Danger
Look to the Lady
Finding himself the victim of a botched kidnapping attempt, Val Gyrth suspects that he might be in a spot of trouble. Unexpected news to him – but not to the mysterious Mr Campion, who reveals that the ancient Chalice entrusted to Val’s family is being targeted by a ruthless ring of thieves.
Fleeing London for the supposed safety of Suffolk, Val and Campion come face to face with events of a perilous and puzzling nature – Campion might be accustomed to outwitting criminal minds, but can he foil supernatural forces?
Police at the Funeral
The tranquility of Cambridge is punctured when Cousin Andrew of the illustrious Faraday family disappears without a trace. No time is wasted in summoning Albert Campion and his sleuthing skills away from the bustle of Piccadilly to investigate – but little does he expect to be greeted by a band of eccentric relatives all at daggers with each other.
Soon there are as many dead bodies as there are red herrings, and Campion must uncover the secrets of the Faraday dynasty before another victim falls…
Sweet Danger
Nestled along the Adriatic coastline, the kingdom of Averna has suddenly – and suspiciously – become the hottest property in Europe, and Albert Campion is given the task of recovering the long-missing proofs of ownership.
His mission takes him from the French Riviera to the sleepy village of Pontisbright, where he meets the flame-haired Amanda Fitton. Her family claim to be the rightful heirs to the principality, and insist on joining Campion’s quest. Unfortunately for them, a criminal financier and his heavies are also on the trail – the clock is ticking for Campion and his cohorts to outwit the thugs and solve the mystery of Averna.
“Don’t start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction.” The Independent
Finding himself the victim of a botched kidnapping attempt, Val Gyrth suspects that he might be in a spot of trouble. Unexpected news to him – but not to the mysterious Mr Campion, who reveals that the ancient Chalice entrusted to Val’s family is being targeted by a ruthless ring of thieves.
Fleeing London for the supposed safety of Suffolk, Val and Campion come face to face with events of a perilous and puzzling nature – Campion might be accustomed to outwitting criminal minds, but can he foil supernatural forces?
Police at the Funeral
The tranquility of Cambridge is punctured when Cousin Andrew of the illustrious Faraday family disappears without a trace. No time is wasted in summoning Albert Campion and his sleuthing skills away from the bustle of Piccadilly to investigate – but little does he expect to be greeted by a band of eccentric relatives all at daggers with each other.
Soon there are as many dead bodies as there are red herrings, and Campion must uncover the secrets of the Faraday dynasty before another victim falls…
Sweet Danger
Nestled along the Adriatic coastline, the kingdom of Averna has suddenly – and suspiciously – become the hottest property in Europe, and Albert Campion is given the task of recovering the long-missing proofs of ownership.
His mission takes him from the French Riviera to the sleepy village of Pontisbright, where he meets the flame-haired Amanda Fitton. Her family claim to be the rightful heirs to the principality, and insist on joining Campion’s quest. Unfortunately for them, a criminal financier and his heavies are also on the trail – the clock is ticking for Campion and his cohorts to outwit the thugs and solve the mystery of Averna.
“Don’t start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction.” The Independent
828 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2017
439 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Margery Allingham
271 books603 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 20, 2021
This is three books in one from the Campion Mysteries. The books were written in the 1930s. The pace is generally slower than in more modern mysteries. The main character, Albert Campion, is private investigator - sort of. He often aids friends who have gotten into sticky situations, or aids the government when they need someone not directly employed by the government. Some of the stories involve a murder, some don't. Campion himself is a loveable character who presents himself as innocuous and somewhat dim, hiding a quick mind that is often several steps ahead of everyone else. His roots in the aristocracy are hinted at but not revealed. His man/butler is from the criminal element and although fiercely loyal is not what anyone expects in a posh butler. The stories are wonderfully entertaining, containing moments of humor and wit, and very much of the era. Although there are bad guys and danger and murder there is not nastiness and gore. These stories are the perfect escape. If you enjoy them you may also in enjoy the two season series made for British TV starring Peter Davidson.
January 25, 2021
Finally read the 3 books my daughter bought me a couple of years ago and they were a delightful surprise, if u like Agatha Christie these mystery books will be for you.
The plot unfolds apace, the characters are very well written and believable, I wonder if there have been any films made of these books, Albert campion is as good a detective as Poirot or Miss Marple.
Forgot to add, this book was Look to the Lady, I couldn’t find an individual one to add so had to make do with the box set notation.
The plot unfolds apace, the characters are very well written and believable, I wonder if there have been any films made of these books, Albert campion is as good a detective as Poirot or Miss Marple.
Forgot to add, this book was Look to the Lady, I couldn’t find an individual one to add so had to make do with the box set notation.
February 13, 2020
3 novels in one volume. The reader gets to know Albert Campion better as he weaves through 3 separate mysteries. A little knowledge of the chronology with respect to Campion's life would been helpful but not having it did not detract much from enjoying the stories. I continue to enjoy Allingham's creation Campion thoroughly.
March 16, 2023
old fashioned ways
I have been an Allingham fan for many years. I have the green penguin copies which I bought in the ‘60’s on my shelves. Here is all her best storytelling of lost treasure, a family without their inheritance and solid old fashioned villains tempered by a courtesy whose passing I regret. Well worth reading.
I have been an Allingham fan for many years. I have the green penguin copies which I bought in the ‘60’s on my shelves. Here is all her best storytelling of lost treasure, a family without their inheritance and solid old fashioned villains tempered by a courtesy whose passing I regret. Well worth reading.
February 20, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed these characters!
Albert Campion is a modern day Scarlet Pimpernel and a lot like Lord Peter Wimsey. Stories are fun, interesting, and keep you guessing. Great characters, particular.y his "general factotum" Lugg.
Albert Campion is a modern day Scarlet Pimpernel and a lot like Lord Peter Wimsey. Stories are fun, interesting, and keep you guessing. Great characters, particular.y his "general factotum" Lugg.
October 23, 2018
The trilogy of old favorites
I find myself rereading every few years. Such fun stories. Campion at his silly best with hidden depth. And the origin of his later partnership and marriage to a woman easily his equal.
I find myself rereading every few years. Such fun stories. Campion at his silly best with hidden depth. And the origin of his later partnership and marriage to a woman easily his equal.
September 16, 2018
Love these books
Each one is so different, can’t guess what will happen next. Great descriptions and vocabulary. Looking forward to more books in the future.
Each one is so different, can’t guess what will happen next. Great descriptions and vocabulary. Looking forward to more books in the future.
July 4, 2019
BP on Campion
Always entertaining. She was born about a year after my dad. Too bad she didn’t last as long. What stories we have missed.
Always entertaining. She was born about a year after my dad. Too bad she didn’t last as long. What stories we have missed.
July 27, 2019
I'm a big fan of Margery Allingham. Her style is different than the other great British mystery writers, her characters are a little odd, even so, she tells a good story.
October 28, 2022
More, More, More
After reading four of her books I now have the task of reading all of them. I liked them the more I read.
After reading four of her books I now have the task of reading all of them. I liked them the more I read.
Read
March 5, 2017Finished book 1, Look to the Lady. Couldn't ask for better for fans of Classic British Mystery between the Wars, the age of Christie and Tey and Sayers. Starting with the pair of sleuths, is-he-aristocrat-or-not Albert Campion and his man Lugg, whose name describes his externals without another word. The pace is fast, the plot reaching a surprising twist that could have been the finale within the first third of the book. And yes, it's dated. But I can't wait to enjoy the remaining books in this set. Then I may go back and read the stories again where we meet Amanda Fitton. 1
The identity of the murder in Police at the Funeral came as complete surprise. Well done, Margery! However, I can't get into Sweet Danger, political intrigue between the wars, so I will count two complete mysteries as a book read for March's reading commitment.
The identity of the murder in Police at the Funeral came as complete surprise. Well done, Margery! However, I can't get into Sweet Danger, political intrigue between the wars, so I will count two complete mysteries as a book read for March's reading commitment.
September 12, 2016
Classic of British mystery writing
Novels that are witty rather than violent, gently poke at stereotypes rather taking them seriously, where love is romantic instead of carnal: if you have a taste for this, you will enjoy the gentleman detective, Albert Campion. The stories are set in Britain between the wars; some language is racist, sexist and classist. If this bothers, there are expurgated versions. My particular enjoyment was when one of the fluttery, hysterical characters named Kitty, is admonished by her mother to get a grip, by use of her proper name, Catherine Berry. My name, point taken.
Novels that are witty rather than violent, gently poke at stereotypes rather taking them seriously, where love is romantic instead of carnal: if you have a taste for this, you will enjoy the gentleman detective, Albert Campion. The stories are set in Britain between the wars; some language is racist, sexist and classist. If this bothers, there are expurgated versions. My particular enjoyment was when one of the fluttery, hysterical characters named Kitty, is admonished by her mother to get a grip, by use of her proper name, Catherine Berry. My name, point taken.
July 25, 2016
Allingham, born 1904, published her first novel at age 19. This set is a good introduction to her work, end especially her mysterious detective, Albert Campion (whose name isn't really Albert Campion).
March 1, 2020
Wonderful,exciting,extremely satisfying.
Margery Allinghams portrayal of characters is so right on. Her hero, Albert Campion, is very bright and very English. It's a pleasure to read her stories.
Margery Allinghams portrayal of characters is so right on. Her hero, Albert Campion, is very bright and very English. It's a pleasure to read her stories.
August 3, 2016
Allingham is great.
Loved her books years ago and more so now. Fun rediscovering all those characters and their quirks. Good reads all.
Loved her books years ago and more so now. Fun rediscovering all those characters and their quirks. Good reads all.
October 27, 2016
Fun read. Good mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews