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Albert Campion #11
Traitor's Purse
“If I had to vote for the single best detective story, this would be it.” —A.S. Byatt
Celebrated amateur detective Albert Campion awakes in hospital, accused of attacking a police officer and suffering from acute amnesia. All he can remember is that he was on a mission of vital importance to His Majesty’s government before his accident. On the run from the police and unable to recognize even his faithful servant or his beloved fiancée, Campion struggles desperately to put the pieces together—while World War II rages and the very fate of England is at stake.
Published in 1941, Traitor’s Purse is “a wartime masterpiece” (The Guardian).
“Uncommonly exciting stuff, replete with Allingham’s skill in story-building and the plausible characters that make her as much a fine novelist as a mystery writer.” —The New Republic
“Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light. And she has another quality, not usually associated with crime stories, elegance.” —Agatha Christie
Celebrated amateur detective Albert Campion awakes in hospital, accused of attacking a police officer and suffering from acute amnesia. All he can remember is that he was on a mission of vital importance to His Majesty’s government before his accident. On the run from the police and unable to recognize even his faithful servant or his beloved fiancée, Campion struggles desperately to put the pieces together—while World War II rages and the very fate of England is at stake.
Published in 1941, Traitor’s Purse is “a wartime masterpiece” (The Guardian).
“Uncommonly exciting stuff, replete with Allingham’s skill in story-building and the plausible characters that make her as much a fine novelist as a mystery writer.” —The New Republic
“Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light. And she has another quality, not usually associated with crime stories, elegance.” —Agatha Christie
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
401 people are currently reading
1091 people want to read
About the author
Margery Allingham
269 books599 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 - 30 of 232 reviews
August 6, 2009
I take it back. While I still adore Sweet Danger beyond belief, this book has completely and utterly stolen the crown of my favorite Campion book from it.
Amanda returns again (you'll probably notice I tend to adore the books with her in them) and this time Albert *finally* gets it, what the reader has seen all along, that she is the perfect partner for him in every sense of the word and he is head over heels in love with her. Naturally, it takes a bad case of traumatic amnesia to do it and his timing couldn't be worse: Amanda, weary of waiting for him to come around, has fallen under the spell of a charming other man and wants out of their engagement of convenience.
As if that weren't bad enough, some horrid Axis plan to undermine Britain's war effort--and its sovreignty--is under way and the only way to stop it is locked in Campion's very lost memory. Meaning he has to not only figure out a way to win back the girl of his dreams, but also to save the Empire while he's at it. For a man unaccustomed to being helpless in matters personal *or* professional, it's a humbling position to be in. And quite frankly, though I adore Campion just the way he is, it's a humbling he sorely needs. ;-)
Amanda returns again (you'll probably notice I tend to adore the books with her in them) and this time Albert *finally* gets it, what the reader has seen all along, that she is the perfect partner for him in every sense of the word and he is head over heels in love with her. Naturally, it takes a bad case of traumatic amnesia to do it and his timing couldn't be worse: Amanda, weary of waiting for him to come around, has fallen under the spell of a charming other man and wants out of their engagement of convenience.
As if that weren't bad enough, some horrid Axis plan to undermine Britain's war effort--and its sovreignty--is under way and the only way to stop it is locked in Campion's very lost memory. Meaning he has to not only figure out a way to win back the girl of his dreams, but also to save the Empire while he's at it. For a man unaccustomed to being helpless in matters personal *or* professional, it's a humbling position to be in. And quite frankly, though I adore Campion just the way he is, it's a humbling he sorely needs. ;-)
February 2, 2020
Published in 1941, this is the eleventh Albert Campion mystery. Campion awakes in hospital, suffering from amnesia, to find he has been accused of attacking a policeman. He is aware that he has a task to undertake of national importance, but he has no idea of what it is…
Escaping from the hospital, Campion is picked up by Lady Amanda Fitton and Mr Anscome, an elderly man who is Secretary to the Masters of Bridge. Later, he is introduced to Lee Aubrey, and academic and Principal of the Bridge Institute, involved in scientific research and war work. Struggling to discover what he is meant to know, what he should investigate and what the elusive ‘fifteen’ refers to, Campion is feeling his way in the dark.
This is an interesting addition to the series, as we get to learn a little more about Campion and he learns a little about himself. This is especially true in his relationship with Amanda, who is falling for Lee Aubrey and Campion realises what she means to him. There is also a nice meeting with Lugg, who is hurt that Campion does not know who he is.
However, there are more important issues to be dealt with, with England in danger and a plot which must be foiled. Will Campion succeed? Well, you will have to read this to see, but this is a really enjoyable addition to a series, which I am warming to more and more and look forward to reading on.
Escaping from the hospital, Campion is picked up by Lady Amanda Fitton and Mr Anscome, an elderly man who is Secretary to the Masters of Bridge. Later, he is introduced to Lee Aubrey, and academic and Principal of the Bridge Institute, involved in scientific research and war work. Struggling to discover what he is meant to know, what he should investigate and what the elusive ‘fifteen’ refers to, Campion is feeling his way in the dark.
This is an interesting addition to the series, as we get to learn a little more about Campion and he learns a little about himself. This is especially true in his relationship with Amanda, who is falling for Lee Aubrey and Campion realises what she means to him. There is also a nice meeting with Lugg, who is hurt that Campion does not know who he is.
However, there are more important issues to be dealt with, with England in danger and a plot which must be foiled. Will Campion succeed? Well, you will have to read this to see, but this is a really enjoyable addition to a series, which I am warming to more and more and look forward to reading on.
June 7, 2018
I picked this book up on a lark. I happened to be in a book store in Door County and saw this mystery on the cheap paperback shelf and thought "I haven't read a good mystery in a while. I'll give it a try."
Keep in mind that Traitor's Purse is one in a series of mystery novels about Albert Campion. I had no knowledge of the background of the character. I swore that if I got too lost and felt that I would need to back-read one of the preceding novels, I was going to lem the book. Thankfully, that didn't happen.
The reason is, the main character starts out waking up in a hospital bed with no memory of why he is there or even who he is (I've kind of experienced this myself, after my back surgery years ago). Tabula Rasa right from the get-go; we learn to know Albert Campion as he gets to know himself. And it sort of works.
I have to wonder, though, how much of the plot Allingham actually knew as she wrote the novel. It seems to meander, at times, with several oddly-placed sidenotes. Toward the end, things felt thrown-together. The reveal-ation of Campion's memories is very, very clumsy. It could have been much better had I felt that Allingham had a stronger auctorial voice. Strength of prose can carry an otherwise mediocre work to new heights, especially in a mystery novel (or, at least, it did in the few mystery novels I have read). I kept hoping that the novel would resolve itself more strongly and really come together, but it never really did.
I am, of course, lacking all context. Maybe if I had read a Campion novel or two before, or even one after, I might have a stronger connection with the plot. But maybe this is why I largely don't like reading series - give me what I need as a reader, please. In the words of Queen: "I want it all, and I want it now!"
I enjoyed the novel, but was often confused. More confused than I felt I ought to be. The most appropriate quote to describe how I felt is found in the book itself:
"He was trying to fit together a jigsaw puzzle without knowing what sort of picture the pieces were expected to make."
Keep in mind that Traitor's Purse is one in a series of mystery novels about Albert Campion. I had no knowledge of the background of the character. I swore that if I got too lost and felt that I would need to back-read one of the preceding novels, I was going to lem the book. Thankfully, that didn't happen.
The reason is, the main character starts out waking up in a hospital bed with no memory of why he is there or even who he is (I've kind of experienced this myself, after my back surgery years ago). Tabula Rasa right from the get-go; we learn to know Albert Campion as he gets to know himself. And it sort of works.
I have to wonder, though, how much of the plot Allingham actually knew as she wrote the novel. It seems to meander, at times, with several oddly-placed sidenotes. Toward the end, things felt thrown-together. The reveal-ation of Campion's memories is very, very clumsy. It could have been much better had I felt that Allingham had a stronger auctorial voice. Strength of prose can carry an otherwise mediocre work to new heights, especially in a mystery novel (or, at least, it did in the few mystery novels I have read). I kept hoping that the novel would resolve itself more strongly and really come together, but it never really did.
I am, of course, lacking all context. Maybe if I had read a Campion novel or two before, or even one after, I might have a stronger connection with the plot. But maybe this is why I largely don't like reading series - give me what I need as a reader, please. In the words of Queen: "I want it all, and I want it now!"
I enjoyed the novel, but was often confused. More confused than I felt I ought to be. The most appropriate quote to describe how I felt is found in the book itself:
"He was trying to fit together a jigsaw puzzle without knowing what sort of picture the pieces were expected to make."
April 24, 2018
This is one of the strongest of the Campion books - almost pure thriller, set during World War II. Campion wakes, not knowing anything, even himself, hears a discussion of coming murder charges, and escapes into a non-stop freefall of pretending he knows what the hell is going on, with every second person he meets expecting him to save the world from a threat he can't even remember.
Strongly recommended that both "Sweet Danger" and "The Fashion in Shrouds" be read before this, or you'll miss all the emotional impact of Campion's personal life.
Strongly recommended that both "Sweet Danger" and "The Fashion in Shrouds" be read before this, or you'll miss all the emotional impact of Campion's personal life.
January 25, 2020
Ξεκινώντας τη κριτική του συγκεκριμένου αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος, και για να είμαι αντικειμενικός, οφείλω να αναφέρω τα 3 βασικά στοιχεία που τονίζουν τη σημαντικότητα του στη Παγκόσμια Αστυνομική Λογοτεχνία:
1. Η Άλινγκχαμ το ολοκλήρωσε το 1940, εν μέσω των αεροπορικών βομβαρδισμών του Λονδίνου από τα γερμανικά πολεμικά αεροσκάφη.
2. Η 'αποτύπωση' του 'έκρυθμου' και πολεμικού κλίματος που επικρατεί αποτυπώνεται με πολύ εύστοχο και αληθοφανή τρόπο, προσδίδοντας στο βιβλίο ιστορική αξία.
3. Παραδόξως, η συγγραφέας, είτε είχε ακούσει κάποια παρόμοια ιστορία να φημολογείται είτε όχι, κατάφερε να γράψει ένα βιβλίο του οποίου η κεντρική ιστορία, τελικά, έγινε σχεδόν πραγματικότητα, λίγο καιρό μετά την έκδοση του μυθιστορήματος.
Πέρα από αυτό, οι φανς του ήρωα της Άλινγκχαμ, Άλμπερτ Κάμπιον θα μείνουν παραπάνω από ευχαριστημένοι, όταν διαβάσουν ότι είναι και ο βασικός ήρωας της ιστορίας, κάτι το οποίο δεν ίσχυε για το πιο γνωστό της βιβλίο, ' Ένας τίγρης στην αιθαλομίχλη', όπου εκεί ήταν δευτερεύοντας χαρακτήρας.
Η αμνησία του Κάμπιον, έπειτα από μια συμπλοκή, αποτελεί και τον βασικό άξονα των γεγονότων του 1ου μέρους του βιβλίου, όπου ο ήρωας προσπαθεί να αντιμετωπίσει τις εσωτερικές συγκρούσεις που τού δημιουργούν η λήθη και τα γεγονότα που διαδραματίζονται - παρατηρούνται έντονα στοιχεία ψυχολογικού θρίλερ, ειδικά, στα σημεία που ο βασικός ήρωας αμφισβητεί τον ίδιο του τον εαυτό. Εδώ, να τονίσω ότι υπάρχουν κάποιες επαναλήψεις, μακρόσυρτη στατικότητα και ασάφεια στη ροή της πλοκής λόγω της πνευματικής κατάστασης του Κάμπιον, η οποία δεν αντιμετωπίζεται εντελώς επιτυχημένα από την συγγραφέα - υπάρχει πιθανότητα να κουράσει και να μπερδέψει τους αναγνώστες η πλοκή.
Το 2ο μέρος είναι πιο γρήγορο, γεμάτο μυστηριώδεις διαδρομές και μυστικά, ενώ εντυπωσιάζουν τα 'νουάρ' στοιχεία, αλλά και η ατμόσφαιρα πολιτικού και κατασκοπικού θρίλερ που δημιουργείται μέσα από το κρεσέντο της αγωνίας για το αν οι ήρωες της ιστορίας έχουν έρθει αντιμέτωποι με μια επικίνδυνη θεωρία συνωμοσίας ή με κάποιο ύπουλο 'παιχνίδι' του μυαλού - ωστόσο, η απάντηση που δίνεται στο τέλος του βιβλίου, ίσως, θεωρηθεί από κάποιους 'απότομη' ή, ακόμα, και μετέωρη.
Ανεξάρτητα από αυτό, πάντως, η ιστορία της Μεγάλης Βρετανίας απέδειξε ότι διέθετε ρεαλιστικότατη βάση.
Συνολική βαθμολογία: 4,2/5 ή 8,4/10.
Βαθμολογία ιστορικής αξίας του βιβλίου: 4,5/5 ή 9/10.
1. Η Άλινγκχαμ το ολοκλήρωσε το 1940, εν μέσω των αεροπορικών βομβαρδισμών του Λονδίνου από τα γερμανικά πολεμικά αεροσκάφη.
2. Η 'αποτύπωση' του 'έκρυθμου' και πολεμικού κλίματος που επικρατεί αποτυπώνεται με πολύ εύστοχο και αληθοφανή τρόπο, προσδίδοντας στο βιβλίο ιστορική αξία.
3. Παραδόξως, η συγγραφέας, είτε είχε ακούσει κάποια παρόμοια ιστορία να φημολογείται είτε όχι, κατάφερε να γράψει ένα βιβλίο του οποίου η κεντρική ιστορία, τελικά, έγινε σχεδόν πραγματικότητα, λίγο καιρό μετά την έκδοση του μυθιστορήματος.
Πέρα από αυτό, οι φανς του ήρωα της Άλινγκχαμ, Άλμπερτ Κάμπιον θα μείνουν παραπάνω από ευχαριστημένοι, όταν διαβάσουν ότι είναι και ο βασικός ήρωας της ιστορίας, κάτι το οποίο δεν ίσχυε για το πιο γνωστό της βιβλίο, ' Ένας τίγρης στην αιθαλομίχλη', όπου εκεί ήταν δευτερεύοντας χαρακτήρας.
Η αμνησία του Κάμπιον, έπειτα από μια συμπλοκή, αποτελεί και τον βασικό άξονα των γεγονότων του 1ου μέρους του βιβλίου, όπου ο ήρωας προσπαθεί να αντιμετωπίσει τις εσωτερικές συγκρούσεις που τού δημιουργούν η λήθη και τα γεγονότα που διαδραματίζονται - παρατηρούνται έντονα στοιχεία ψυχολογικού θρίλερ, ειδικά, στα σημεία που ο βασικός ήρωας αμφισβητεί τον ίδιο του τον εαυτό. Εδώ, να τονίσω ότι υπάρχουν κάποιες επαναλήψεις, μακρόσυρτη στατικότητα και ασάφεια στη ροή της πλοκής λόγω της πνευματικής κατάστασης του Κάμπιον, η οποία δεν αντιμετωπίζεται εντελώς επιτυχημένα από την συγγραφέα - υπάρχει πιθανότητα να κουράσει και να μπερδέψει τους αναγνώστες η πλοκή.
Το 2ο μέρος είναι πιο γρήγορο, γεμάτο μυστηριώδεις διαδρομές και μυστικά, ενώ εντυπωσιάζουν τα 'νουάρ' στοιχεία, αλλά και η ατμόσφαιρα πολιτικού και κατασκοπικού θρίλερ που δημιουργείται μέσα από το κρεσέντο της αγωνίας για το αν οι ήρωες της ιστορίας έχουν έρθει αντιμέτωποι με μια επικίνδυνη θεωρία συνωμοσίας ή με κάποιο ύπουλο 'παιχνίδι' του μυαλού - ωστόσο, η απάντηση που δίνεται στο τέλος του βιβλίου, ίσως, θεωρηθεί από κάποιους 'απότομη' ή, ακόμα, και μετέωρη.
Ανεξάρτητα από αυτό, πάντως, η ιστορία της Μεγάλης Βρετανίας απέδειξε ότι διέθετε ρεαλιστικότατη βάση.
Συνολική βαθμολογία: 4,2/5 ή 8,4/10.
Βαθμολογία ιστορικής αξίας του βιβλίου: 4,5/5 ή 9/10.
September 16, 2016
After reading about her brother, Philip Allingham, in his excellent 'Cheapjack', I finally got round to sampling some Margery Allingham. ‘Traitor's Purse’, is a book I'd identified some time ago as a good entry point. Before reading it I'd enjoyed a radio adaptation.
‘Traitor's Purse’, was written in 1940 at the beginning of WW2 and has an ingenious war related plot that, whilst invented by Margery Allingham, was coincidentally something the Nazis had actively considered around the same time.
Her detective protagonist, Albert Campion, is another in the long line of gentlemen detectives so popular in the Golden Age era.
According to Wikipedia ‘Traitor's Purse’ is the 13th book in the series...
…so the character was already very well established.
Despite not reading any of the previous books, I found no difficulty in just leaping straight into the middle of the series.
I am not sure how typical this book is compared with others in the series. I suspect not very. In ‘Traitor's Purse’, and after a bang on the head, Campion awakes in hospital accused of attacking a police officer, and suffering from acute amnesia. All he can remember is that he was on a critical mission of national importance before his accident. The amnesia is a clever plot device but not one that bares too much scrutiny. A subsequent bang to the head restores his memory, but only up as far as the previous bang on the head. That said there's plenty of period interest in Margery Allingham's contemporaneous portrayal of wartime Britain with its blackouts, paranoia, and even a few fifth columnists. Like most Golden Age detective fiction, this is undemanding and, so long as you don’t dwell too much on the plausibility, good fun and quite exciting.
‘Traitor's Purse’, was written in 1940 at the beginning of WW2 and has an ingenious war related plot that, whilst invented by Margery Allingham, was coincidentally something the Nazis had actively considered around the same time.
Her detective protagonist, Albert Campion, is another in the long line of gentlemen detectives so popular in the Golden Age era.
According to Wikipedia ‘Traitor's Purse’ is the 13th book in the series...
Albert Campion series
The Crime at Black Dudley (1929) (US title: The Black Dudley Murder)
Mystery Mile (1930)
Look to the Lady (1931) (US title: The Gyrth Chalice Mystery)
Police at the Funeral (1931)
Sweet Danger (1933) (US title: Kingdom of Death/The Fear Sign)
Death of a Ghost (1934)
Flowers for the Judge (1936) (US title: Legacy in Blood)
Dancers in Mourning (1937) (US title: Who Killed Chloe?)
Mr. Campion: Criminologist (1937) (short stories)
The Case of the Late Pig (1937) (originally appeared in Mr Campion: Criminologist)
The Fashion in Shrouds (1938)
Mr. Campion and Others (1939) (short stories)
Traitor's Purse (1941) (US title: The Sabotage Murder Mystery)
Coroner's Pidgin (1945) (US title: Pearls Before Swine)
The Casebook of Mr Campion (1947) (short stories)
More Work for the Undertaker (1948)
The Tiger in the Smoke (1952)
The Beckoning Lady (1955) (US title: The Estate of the Beckoning Lady)
Hide My Eyes (1958) (US title: Tether's End/Ten Were Missing)
The China Governess (1963)
The Mind Readers (1965)
Cargo of Eagles (1968) (completed by Philip Youngman Carter)
Mr. Campion's Farthing (1969) (by Philip Youngman Carter)
Mr. Campion's Falcon (1970) (US title: Mr. Campion's Quarry) (by Philip Youngman Carter)
The Allingham Minibus (1973) (aka Mr. Campion's Lucky Day) (short stories)
The Return of Mr. Campion (1989) (short stories)
Mr Campion's Farewell (2014) (Begun by Philip Youngman Carter, completed by Mike Ripley)
…so the character was already very well established.
Despite not reading any of the previous books, I found no difficulty in just leaping straight into the middle of the series.
I am not sure how typical this book is compared with others in the series. I suspect not very. In ‘Traitor's Purse’, and after a bang on the head, Campion awakes in hospital accused of attacking a police officer, and suffering from acute amnesia. All he can remember is that he was on a critical mission of national importance before his accident. The amnesia is a clever plot device but not one that bares too much scrutiny. A subsequent bang to the head restores his memory, but only up as far as the previous bang on the head. That said there's plenty of period interest in Margery Allingham's contemporaneous portrayal of wartime Britain with its blackouts, paranoia, and even a few fifth columnists. Like most Golden Age detective fiction, this is undemanding and, so long as you don’t dwell too much on the plausibility, good fun and quite exciting.
February 9, 2020
I am a big fan of the whole Albert Campion series, but I think this war-time novel is probably my favourite, because we see another side of the previously enigmatic Campion. I've just read it almost straight through (after reading it several times before over the years) and loved every minute.
As with many of the series, it's more of an adventure than a straight mystery, and this one could have made a brilliant film noir. At the start Albert wakes up in hospital, having been hit over the head. He doesn't even know his own name, but he does have a vague memory that he has to do something vitally important to save the nation. If only he could remember precisely what.
Apart from the thrilling Buchan-style plot, though, there is also a strong romantic thread running through the book. In his vulnerable state, Campion suddenly realises how much long-time fiancee Amanda means to him - just when it seems as if he is about to lose her, since she has grown bored of his half-hearted courtship and is falling for another man. Is it really too late to win her back?
There is also a wonderful sequence where the wounded Campion fails to recognise his grumpily devoted sidekick, Lugg.
Publishers may try to claim that this is a good book to read even if you haven't read the previous novels, but I can't agree. I think a lot of its appeal lies in the contrast between the uncertain, fumbling Campion as he is here and the flippant, endlessly confident persona of the previous books.
As with many of the series, it's more of an adventure than a straight mystery, and this one could have made a brilliant film noir. At the start Albert wakes up in hospital, having been hit over the head. He doesn't even know his own name, but he does have a vague memory that he has to do something vitally important to save the nation. If only he could remember precisely what.
Apart from the thrilling Buchan-style plot, though, there is also a strong romantic thread running through the book. In his vulnerable state, Campion suddenly realises how much long-time fiancee Amanda means to him - just when it seems as if he is about to lose her, since she has grown bored of his half-hearted courtship and is falling for another man. Is it really too late to win her back?
There is also a wonderful sequence where the wounded Campion fails to recognise his grumpily devoted sidekick, Lugg.
Publishers may try to claim that this is a good book to read even if you haven't read the previous novels, but I can't agree. I think a lot of its appeal lies in the contrast between the uncertain, fumbling Campion as he is here and the flippant, endlessly confident persona of the previous books.
October 29, 2022
This is a good, solid Margery Allingham mystery – but there is a small stroke of genius in the writing.
Set in wartime, a discombobulated Albert Campion absconds from police guard in an Orwellian hospital. Suffering from amnesia, he does not even know his own identity. But he learns that some great intrigue is afoot that only he can thwart – the embattled nation’s survival is in his hands.
Unsure of who is friend and who is foe, he feels his way from frying pan to fire. Little by little, his wits return – but never quite fast or thoroughly enough to smooth his path. The clock is ticking, and we know not why – the author never reveals more than Campion discovers.
It is an audacious work in this respect, and pretty much hangs together. If there were plot holes, I missed them. More remarkable, still, is that the despicable scheme really was a Nazi plot – but this was only revealed after the war, long after the novel was conceived.
Set in wartime, a discombobulated Albert Campion absconds from police guard in an Orwellian hospital. Suffering from amnesia, he does not even know his own identity. But he learns that some great intrigue is afoot that only he can thwart – the embattled nation’s survival is in his hands.
Unsure of who is friend and who is foe, he feels his way from frying pan to fire. Little by little, his wits return – but never quite fast or thoroughly enough to smooth his path. The clock is ticking, and we know not why – the author never reveals more than Campion discovers.
It is an audacious work in this respect, and pretty much hangs together. If there were plot holes, I missed them. More remarkable, still, is that the despicable scheme really was a Nazi plot – but this was only revealed after the war, long after the novel was conceived.
March 14, 2023
Had only ever read snippets of Margery Allingham before, and always as part of 'O' Level test papers; so, had never thought I'd like her much. Saw a cheap copy of 'Traitor's Purse' in the local secondhand bookshop, so, in for a penny in for a pound (£2 in fact), bought it.
I thought all my ancient prejudices were going to be confirmed after 10 pages as I hadn't much of an idea what the hell was going on, but by covering the next 10 pages I got it: when your detective-protagonist has received a hell of a crack on the back of the head with a cosh (often referred to as a piece of lead piping, which made me think that the lead piping in Cluedo must be more realistic than I had imagined), it's unlikely he'll have much of a clue about what's going on. I found this an engaging conceit: a mystery story in which the protagonist is almost as much in the dark as the reader. And it was carried on until virtually the last few pages, by which time the reader is probably a couple of steps ahead of the detective and the tension - in this case the likelihood that wartime Britain will be sunk by (whoops - no more - spoiler alert).... The result of this device, on me at least, was to ratchet up the tension.
So much for the excellence of that aspect of the novel. And I did see it as a novel rather than a detective story. Why? - because the characterisation was just as good as a novelist's. Allingham also has a love story running through the narrative between Campion, her detective, and Amanda, his sidekick, and Campion's anxiety about not knowing what he is supposed to be doing is heightened by his anxiety that Amanda (whom he loves) has been sidetracked into feeling she prefers Lee Aubrey, one of The Masters of Bridge, Bridge being where the novel is set and which seems to be a quasi-autonomous 'polis' and hub of wealth and invention. The narrative unfurls slowly (which I enjoyed), and as much attention is given to moments of intense action as to the thoughts and responses of the leading characters. Gratifyingly, I never found myself, as I did with a James Patterson a few weeks ago, just skim-reading for story after the half-way mark: there's more to watch out for in Allingham's world.
I think I may have enjoyed the novel the more for knowing that it was the sort of thing my parents read during the war and for feeling, very strongly, the atmosphere of an older Britain in the writing as a window onto a past I never knew or paid much attention to - the baby-boomer taking the new world of the 60s and European peace for granted. In this respect, some of what I felt was hyperbole about the peril of the situation Campion is trying to avert needs reassessment: written in 1941, the circumstances the novel describes would have been felt to be, one imagines, just as terrifying as Allingham makes them.
Any reservations? perhaps a little hackneyed in some of its settings, and perhaps melodramatic. The villain is a megalomaniac, but I think he is kept within the bounds of credibility if one thinks of the kind of superiority generated by Oxford and Cambridge, by power and by an unanswerable and totally self-assured intelligence.
I'll be reading more. Might even try an Agatha Christie - yes, you read it here: I have never read an Agatha Christie.
I thought all my ancient prejudices were going to be confirmed after 10 pages as I hadn't much of an idea what the hell was going on, but by covering the next 10 pages I got it: when your detective-protagonist has received a hell of a crack on the back of the head with a cosh (often referred to as a piece of lead piping, which made me think that the lead piping in Cluedo must be more realistic than I had imagined), it's unlikely he'll have much of a clue about what's going on. I found this an engaging conceit: a mystery story in which the protagonist is almost as much in the dark as the reader. And it was carried on until virtually the last few pages, by which time the reader is probably a couple of steps ahead of the detective and the tension - in this case the likelihood that wartime Britain will be sunk by (whoops - no more - spoiler alert).... The result of this device, on me at least, was to ratchet up the tension.
So much for the excellence of that aspect of the novel. And I did see it as a novel rather than a detective story. Why? - because the characterisation was just as good as a novelist's. Allingham also has a love story running through the narrative between Campion, her detective, and Amanda, his sidekick, and Campion's anxiety about not knowing what he is supposed to be doing is heightened by his anxiety that Amanda (whom he loves) has been sidetracked into feeling she prefers Lee Aubrey, one of The Masters of Bridge, Bridge being where the novel is set and which seems to be a quasi-autonomous 'polis' and hub of wealth and invention. The narrative unfurls slowly (which I enjoyed), and as much attention is given to moments of intense action as to the thoughts and responses of the leading characters. Gratifyingly, I never found myself, as I did with a James Patterson a few weeks ago, just skim-reading for story after the half-way mark: there's more to watch out for in Allingham's world.
I think I may have enjoyed the novel the more for knowing that it was the sort of thing my parents read during the war and for feeling, very strongly, the atmosphere of an older Britain in the writing as a window onto a past I never knew or paid much attention to - the baby-boomer taking the new world of the 60s and European peace for granted. In this respect, some of what I felt was hyperbole about the peril of the situation Campion is trying to avert needs reassessment: written in 1941, the circumstances the novel describes would have been felt to be, one imagines, just as terrifying as Allingham makes them.
Any reservations? perhaps a little hackneyed in some of its settings, and perhaps melodramatic. The villain is a megalomaniac, but I think he is kept within the bounds of credibility if one thinks of the kind of superiority generated by Oxford and Cambridge, by power and by an unanswerable and totally self-assured intelligence.
I'll be reading more. Might even try an Agatha Christie - yes, you read it here: I have never read an Agatha Christie.
July 26, 2020
Ένα κλασσικό, αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα που γράφτηκε εν καιρώ του Β΄ παγκοσμίου πολέμου. Ο ντετέκτιβ Άλμπερτ Κάμπιον ξυπνά σε ένα νοσοκομείο πάσχοντας από αμνησία. Πρώτη φορά διαβάζω ένα βιβλίο που ο πρωταγωνιστής βρίσκεται σε αμνησία και θυμάται παρά ελάχιστα πράγματα. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι το βρίσκω πρωτότυπο. γιατί όσο ο πρωταγωνιστής δεν ξέρει τι γίνεται και τι προσπαθεί να ανακαλύψει, άλλο τόσο δεν μπορείς να καταλάβεις ούτε εσύ και κατά κάποιο τρόπο, προσπαθείτε ταυτόχρονα να ανακαλύψετε την αλήθεια, πριν να είναι πολύ αργά. Από τα πρώτα μου αστυνομικά μυθιστορήματα, που αξίζει κανείς να διαβάσει. Πολύ ατμοσφαιρικό που σε μεταφέρει στο κλίμα εκείνης της περιόδου.
November 25, 2020
The men who had trusted and admired him remained looking at him and the same thought was in all their eyes: ‘This is not even the stuff dictators are made of, but this is the kind of madness which is often not found out until it is too late.’
July 3, 2009
Best of the best-but it only makes sense if you have read the series in order. Very dependent on previous knowledge of characters and plots that came before.
Read
August 4, 2012Originally published on my blog here& in August 2000.
Traitor's Purse is one of my favourite Campion novels, notwithstanding the absurdities of the plot. Campion struggling with amnesia while trying to save the country from a sinister plot of some kind - though he can't remember what - is one of Allingham's most human creations, transcending the cold caricature of her early novels. (It is not that I don't enjoy the earlier novels, it's just that it's here that Campion becomes real.)
The novel's big problem is connected with the amnesia. It is hardly believable that Campion should refrain from telling the woman who appears to be his fiancée - whom he actually recognises as someone he knows well - that he cannot remember a thing from before he woke up in hospital. It adds to the poignancy of his situation, as he cannot remember the in jokes and shared experiences that are so important in a close relationship, yet it is an extremely unlikely situation.
There are other unlikely aspects to the novel, including the scheme that Campion is meant to be investigating. It is more a thriller than a detective story, because of the character of the investigation, yet it has a special place in the sequence of crime novels in which it falls.
Traitor's Purse is one of my favourite Campion novels, notwithstanding the absurdities of the plot. Campion struggling with amnesia while trying to save the country from a sinister plot of some kind - though he can't remember what - is one of Allingham's most human creations, transcending the cold caricature of her early novels. (It is not that I don't enjoy the earlier novels, it's just that it's here that Campion becomes real.)
The novel's big problem is connected with the amnesia. It is hardly believable that Campion should refrain from telling the woman who appears to be his fiancée - whom he actually recognises as someone he knows well - that he cannot remember a thing from before he woke up in hospital. It adds to the poignancy of his situation, as he cannot remember the in jokes and shared experiences that are so important in a close relationship, yet it is an extremely unlikely situation.
There are other unlikely aspects to the novel, including the scheme that Campion is meant to be investigating. It is more a thriller than a detective story, because of the character of the investigation, yet it has a special place in the sequence of crime novels in which it falls.
February 13, 2016
4 1/2 stars! The best of the Campion books, in my opinion. Allingham weaves the plot like a master and when it all comes together at the end, every small detail is in place.
May 28, 2016
Brilliant, intelligent and wonderfully plotted, one of my favourite Campions with some beautiful characterisations.
August 17, 2018
This little British mystery was not really my cup of tea; my mother loved it and passed it along to me. I think if I'd read others in the series, I would have enjoyed it more. The premise was interesting, though: a detective loses most of his memory yet knows that an impending event is about to change the course of the country and he must stop it. Most of the story focuses on how he puzzles it out -- but will he be on time to avert disaster? In the end, all is revealed. It's a clever story and has a few chuckles here and there, but it was written in the early 1940s, so the humor is both older and very British. Some words stumped me as well, and the cast of characters was rather long and somewhat mysterious -- again, since I jumped into the middle of the series. It was good enough to keep me reading 'til the end, but I confess to being glad when I turned that last page. Onto something more my cup of tea!
July 29, 2023
Campion always several steps ahead experiences amnesia. I don't recall reading this one before. Fascinating to glimpse his emotions and spirit in this. Nice to see how much he cares for Amanda, and the hurt eyes from Lugg.
A war time plot. Found it easy to solve yet still an entertaining adventure with Campion feeling his way. Amanda ever a practical soul.
Audio narration is really good except for the awful high voice given to Campion. Puts me off trying another, back to written word for me.
A war time plot. Found it easy to solve yet still an entertaining adventure with Campion feeling his way. Amanda ever a practical soul.
Audio narration is really good except for the awful high voice given to Campion. Puts me off trying another, back to written word for me.
January 6, 2025
Amnesia is a pain for Campion. He wakes up in hospital and hears he may have killed a policeman and doesn’t know who he is. He then escapes with the aid of his fiancee Amanda. We then have a murder, Campion slowly regaining his memory and the slow awakening of something he has to do associated with the number 15.
This story has plenty of action a mad mastermind and lots of chases and misunderstandings. Very entertaining.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Eventually after another conk to his head Campion’s memory returns. He realizes that there is a plot to destabilize the economy through counterfeit notes. Aubrey the Master of the Institute is behind the audacious scheme foiled by Campion. He also gets together with Amanda.
This story has plenty of action a mad mastermind and lots of chases and misunderstandings. Very entertaining.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Eventually after another conk to his head Campion’s memory returns. He realizes that there is a plot to destabilize the economy through counterfeit notes. Aubrey the Master of the Institute is behind the audacious scheme foiled by Campion. He also gets together with Amanda.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2018
A good adventure/mystery book to pass the time with. Not my favourite Campion. Allingham starts off strong with a new and very inventive twist to the usual plot structure. Unfortunately she doesn't seem to carry the tension through to the end. Still worth perusing!
July 29, 2021
The fate of war-torn England is in the hands of Albert Campion. And he has amnesia!
Every day this site tries to sell me “thrillers” that they promise will have me on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath. Never mind the fact that, at my age, gasping for breath probably means I’m having a medical emergency of some kind. Don't companies value loyal customers anymore?
I like a nice, leisurely domestic murder where some unpleasant person is poisoned and the detective shifts through the heirs to figure out who-dun-it. Sure, someone might stumble onto the identity of the killer before the detective does. And that someone might try a spot of blackmail and end up dead, too, but that’s life. Certainly nothing to have me sitting on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath about.
In all fairness, Allingham warned us. In her introduction to “Mr Campion: Criminologist” she says that once she realized she was stuck with writing Albert Campion mysteries, she decided to write as many different kinds of mysteries as possible to stave off boredom - hers and ours, I suppose. And she did just that - everything from murders in gloomy old mansions with ancient curses and secret rooms to lively, wise-cracking crime among sparkling London socialites to treason and enemy sabotage. Albert sees it all.
Take this book. Please! It’s like one of those over-wrought dramas where the clock is ticking in the upper corner of the screen and our hero (“with every man’s hand against him” as Allingham reminds us several times) races frantically to prevent mass disaster. Maybe you find this sort of thing stimulating, but to me it’s just exhausting and boring.
The book opens with an anonymous man in a hospital, with no idea of his identity or his past or how he got there. He conveniently overhears someone say that he’s killed a policeman - the one unforgivable crime in law-abiding England. All he knows is that he has a vital job to do and the clock is ticking. So he escapes and a beautiful woman rescues him and he ends up at a remote scientific institute and there’s a mysterious death. And everyone knows who he is (except him) and is trying to help him accomplish his goal of SAVING ENGLAND, but he’s one of only two men who know about the crisis and the other one has disappeared.
He could just TELL everyone that he has amnesia and tell them about the puzzling things he's discovered since he left the hospital and let them help him figure it out, but he doesn’t. I suppose it’s because he’s an English aristocratic and must stay calm so as not to panic mere mortals. And so, for one dreary, confusing chapter after another, he plunges on in the face of constant danger rather than reveal the details of the national crisis, which he can’t remember, anyway.
I like Albert in a mild kind of way and I admire Allingham’s superb writing, but I’m tired of all this mysterious aristocrat nonsense. I don’t know anything about English aristocrats and I suspect Allingham didn’t know any more than I do, but why should they behave irrationally? And why should it be a virtue?
There’s too little humor here and way too much romance. He and Lady Amanda are engaged, but now there’s a problem. There always is in Albert’s love life. And she's an aristocrat, too. When they get into a fist fight, he notices her delicate bones, a sure sign of noble birth. Like race horses, English aristocrats are bred for speed. And like calls to like, so Albert spends any time he isn’t running from the police and the internationally-financed gang of criminals (“the hand of every man raised against him”) agonizing over the lost love of the fragile, but hard-hitting Lady Amanda. Romance isn’t Allingham’s strong suit and I don’t want to read it, anyway.
This book reflects the national hysteria that held England in a tight grip in 1940 and with good reason. Hitler had spent a decade building his powerful army, navy, and air force and no one attempted to stop him. England spent the same time trying to forget WWI and pretending that another war was impossible. When war was finally declared, the German army cut through Europe like a sharp knife through hot butter. England was the only country left to fight and they were totally unprepared.
Furthermore, there were plenty of home-grown Nazis (including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor) who were ready to welcome Uncle Adolf with open arms. Sabotage wasn’t a joke. It was a real, horrible danger and the English knew it.
So I’m not making fun of Allingham for her panic. It was justified and patriotic. But this isn’t a good book. It’s repetitive and totally lacking in humor and sometimes quite silly. The only saving grace is the occasional presence of Albert’s servant/sidekick Lugg. He, as always, is canny, clear-thinking, fearless, and (Thank God) totally lacking in aristocratic nonsense. If it weren’t for him, I would have given up halfway through the book.
I’m reading this excellent series in order and I didn’t want to skip this one. But unless you LIKE having your guts wrenched, skip it.
Every day this site tries to sell me “thrillers” that they promise will have me on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath. Never mind the fact that, at my age, gasping for breath probably means I’m having a medical emergency of some kind. Don't companies value loyal customers anymore?
I like a nice, leisurely domestic murder where some unpleasant person is poisoned and the detective shifts through the heirs to figure out who-dun-it. Sure, someone might stumble onto the identity of the killer before the detective does. And that someone might try a spot of blackmail and end up dead, too, but that’s life. Certainly nothing to have me sitting on the edge of my seat, gasping for breath about.
In all fairness, Allingham warned us. In her introduction to “Mr Campion: Criminologist” she says that once she realized she was stuck with writing Albert Campion mysteries, she decided to write as many different kinds of mysteries as possible to stave off boredom - hers and ours, I suppose. And she did just that - everything from murders in gloomy old mansions with ancient curses and secret rooms to lively, wise-cracking crime among sparkling London socialites to treason and enemy sabotage. Albert sees it all.
Take this book. Please! It’s like one of those over-wrought dramas where the clock is ticking in the upper corner of the screen and our hero (“with every man’s hand against him” as Allingham reminds us several times) races frantically to prevent mass disaster. Maybe you find this sort of thing stimulating, but to me it’s just exhausting and boring.
The book opens with an anonymous man in a hospital, with no idea of his identity or his past or how he got there. He conveniently overhears someone say that he’s killed a policeman - the one unforgivable crime in law-abiding England. All he knows is that he has a vital job to do and the clock is ticking. So he escapes and a beautiful woman rescues him and he ends up at a remote scientific institute and there’s a mysterious death. And everyone knows who he is (except him) and is trying to help him accomplish his goal of SAVING ENGLAND, but he’s one of only two men who know about the crisis and the other one has disappeared.
He could just TELL everyone that he has amnesia and tell them about the puzzling things he's discovered since he left the hospital and let them help him figure it out, but he doesn’t. I suppose it’s because he’s an English aristocratic and must stay calm so as not to panic mere mortals. And so, for one dreary, confusing chapter after another, he plunges on in the face of constant danger rather than reveal the details of the national crisis, which he can’t remember, anyway.
I like Albert in a mild kind of way and I admire Allingham’s superb writing, but I’m tired of all this mysterious aristocrat nonsense. I don’t know anything about English aristocrats and I suspect Allingham didn’t know any more than I do, but why should they behave irrationally? And why should it be a virtue?
There’s too little humor here and way too much romance. He and Lady Amanda are engaged, but now there’s a problem. There always is in Albert’s love life. And she's an aristocrat, too. When they get into a fist fight, he notices her delicate bones, a sure sign of noble birth. Like race horses, English aristocrats are bred for speed. And like calls to like, so Albert spends any time he isn’t running from the police and the internationally-financed gang of criminals (“the hand of every man raised against him”) agonizing over the lost love of the fragile, but hard-hitting Lady Amanda. Romance isn’t Allingham’s strong suit and I don’t want to read it, anyway.
This book reflects the national hysteria that held England in a tight grip in 1940 and with good reason. Hitler had spent a decade building his powerful army, navy, and air force and no one attempted to stop him. England spent the same time trying to forget WWI and pretending that another war was impossible. When war was finally declared, the German army cut through Europe like a sharp knife through hot butter. England was the only country left to fight and they were totally unprepared.
Furthermore, there were plenty of home-grown Nazis (including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor) who were ready to welcome Uncle Adolf with open arms. Sabotage wasn’t a joke. It was a real, horrible danger and the English knew it.
So I’m not making fun of Allingham for her panic. It was justified and patriotic. But this isn’t a good book. It’s repetitive and totally lacking in humor and sometimes quite silly. The only saving grace is the occasional presence of Albert’s servant/sidekick Lugg. He, as always, is canny, clear-thinking, fearless, and (Thank God) totally lacking in aristocratic nonsense. If it weren’t for him, I would have given up halfway through the book.
I’m reading this excellent series in order and I didn’t want to skip this one. But unless you LIKE having your guts wrenched, skip it.
March 12, 2010
A very odd Albert Campion story that begins not with our hero his usual unflappable self but bewildered by amnesia in the midst of a supersecret mission for King and country during WWII. I always used to think of this hero-with-amnesia plot device as Roger Zelazny's, since he opens the Nine Princes in Amber series with it, but I see now that Zelazny was preceded by another. The device itself is not entirely satisfying, but Allingham commits herself to it, perseveres, and makes the best anyone could of the gimmick. But I mainly just want to hear about Campion and Amanda, and I welcome the sensitivity the author imparts to characters in full possession of their faculties, so I do like her writing better when she plays it straight. Nevertheless this is a romp of a story, a page-turner and a fun read.
March 30, 2021
I think this is the Allingham Book that I’ve enjoyed the most. It’s very definitely a second world war thriller, rather than a whodunnit. Campion wakes up following a bash to the head with no memory but knowing he has to do something urgently for the war effort - we explore what that something is along with him.
There are lots of reasons why I enjoyed this - it’s well written and very quick paced, but not lacking in the great setting she is known for in her books. Campion is probably at his most human of all the Allingham books I’ve read to date, which i suspect was probably her intention in giving him amnesia.
The amnesia could be a risky cliche, but Allingham uses it as a great plot device for keeping the reader guessing along with Campion. I found myself genuinely gripped.
I have a very mixed relationship with Allingham’s books - but this one was definitely a winner for me.
There are lots of reasons why I enjoyed this - it’s well written and very quick paced, but not lacking in the great setting she is known for in her books. Campion is probably at his most human of all the Allingham books I’ve read to date, which i suspect was probably her intention in giving him amnesia.
The amnesia could be a risky cliche, but Allingham uses it as a great plot device for keeping the reader guessing along with Campion. I found myself genuinely gripped.
I have a very mixed relationship with Allingham’s books - but this one was definitely a winner for me.
November 16, 2010
An unusual entry in the entertaining Albert Campion series. As the book opens, the detective has no idea who or where he is - he just knows there's a threat and he has to get away. The wartime plot is pedestrian, but Allingham's effortlessly literary style and the amnesiac hero's very slowly dawning consciousness of the crimes being committed and planned around him make this a gripping tale reminiscent of "The 39 Steps" or even "North by Northwest."
March 5, 2024
2024 Re-read: Campion has amnesia and grapples with his personal life and solving a case he doesn’t remember. I’ve read a few other Campion books but didn’t like them anywhere near as much as this tense (& a little romantic) thriller.
2011 Re-read: I was familiar with Campion from the 1989 TV series, but this is the first Allingham book I read (pre-Goodreads days) and it remains my favorite.
2011 Re-read: I was familiar with Campion from the 1989 TV series, but this is the first Allingham book I read (pre-Goodreads days) and it remains my favorite.
October 7, 2019
One of my favorite Allingham novels, so far. Campion wakes up completely unawares of where he is and who he is. He determines that he's in a hospital bed, overhears a conversation outside his door, learns that there's a man wanted for murdering a police officer, and makes a rapid fire decision to make a break for it. The entire novel unfolds with Campion in the dark, grasping at straws. The suspense and action are immense, definitely a one-sitting read if you can manage to devote the time, as the story will draw you in completely and won't let go.
This installment in the Campion series completely redeems our love story with Amanda and Albert, for only when he loses his sense of self, and sees thing remotely, objectively, with new perspective for the first time, does he realize the magnitude of his feelings for Amanda. She is his person, and he hers. The depth of feeling here obliterates the nonchalance of his lackluster proposal in the previous book. The trouble is, just as he has his lightning rod of understanding - that she is his one constant star in an ever shifting world - she reveals that she is calling off the engagement, as she has developed feelings for someone else. (And she's far too dignified to mention that Albert has dragged his feet so damn long to set a date and get her to the altar that it seems like he's indifferent at best.)
The only thing Albert can remember is the number 15 and something about the town of Bridge. Every single person he meets looks to Albert for answers, so he hedges his bets, giving away as little as possible and instead trying to gain as much information as he possibly can to assemble a muddled understanding of his task. He knows its a matter of national importance and everything depends upon him, but beyond that...
Another memorable appearance by Lugg along the way completes the cast of favorite characters. It's incredibly refreshing to watch Campion as he has flashes of self-awareness, each interaction sheds a little more light on his personality and he curses himself for keeping everything so closely held to the vest. The conclusion is not exactly surprising, given all the clues the reader gets along the way, but it's highly entertaining and Albert's eventual reunion with Amanda will have you breathing a sigh of relief that two characters so well created for one another eventually figure it out in the end!
This installment in the Campion series completely redeems our love story with Amanda and Albert, for only when he loses his sense of self, and sees thing remotely, objectively, with new perspective for the first time, does he realize the magnitude of his feelings for Amanda. She is his person, and he hers. The depth of feeling here obliterates the nonchalance of his lackluster proposal in the previous book. The trouble is, just as he has his lightning rod of understanding - that she is his one constant star in an ever shifting world - she reveals that she is calling off the engagement, as she has developed feelings for someone else. (And she's far too dignified to mention that Albert has dragged his feet so damn long to set a date and get her to the altar that it seems like he's indifferent at best.)
The only thing Albert can remember is the number 15 and something about the town of Bridge. Every single person he meets looks to Albert for answers, so he hedges his bets, giving away as little as possible and instead trying to gain as much information as he possibly can to assemble a muddled understanding of his task. He knows its a matter of national importance and everything depends upon him, but beyond that...
Another memorable appearance by Lugg along the way completes the cast of favorite characters. It's incredibly refreshing to watch Campion as he has flashes of self-awareness, each interaction sheds a little more light on his personality and he curses himself for keeping everything so closely held to the vest. The conclusion is not exactly surprising, given all the clues the reader gets along the way, but it's highly entertaining and Albert's eventual reunion with Amanda will have you breathing a sigh of relief that two characters so well created for one another eventually figure it out in the end!
September 1, 2020
Initial thoughts:
I couldn’t decide whether to give this 4 or 5 stars. As far as the actual mystery, Allingham isn’t as gifted as Agatha Christie at creating intricate plots, however I don’t tend to read her books for the mystery. I read them for the characters—their thoughts and observations. Campion has to be my favorite detective of all time. I absolutely adore him. Add in the delightful and spunky Amanda, and the lovable and tough Lugg and I feel blissful.
This book had an intriguing premise. Albert Campion is in the hospital with amnesia. He overhears a conversation and assumes he attacked a policeman and will be arrested. He makes a run for it and fortunately ends up in the company of Lady Amanda who begins to fill him in on the mystery he is supposed to solve—at least the little she knows of it.
Campion is seriously handicapped as he can’t remember what exactly he is supposed to stop, but knows it is something of National importance. His sharp powers of observation serve him well, and he begins to solve the mystery while at the same time realizing how much he loves Amanda and doesn’t want to lose her.
I couldn’t decide whether to give this 4 or 5 stars. As far as the actual mystery, Allingham isn’t as gifted as Agatha Christie at creating intricate plots, however I don’t tend to read her books for the mystery. I read them for the characters—their thoughts and observations. Campion has to be my favorite detective of all time. I absolutely adore him. Add in the delightful and spunky Amanda, and the lovable and tough Lugg and I feel blissful.
This book had an intriguing premise. Albert Campion is in the hospital with amnesia. He overhears a conversation and assumes he attacked a policeman and will be arrested. He makes a run for it and fortunately ends up in the company of Lady Amanda who begins to fill him in on the mystery he is supposed to solve—at least the little she knows of it.
Campion is seriously handicapped as he can’t remember what exactly he is supposed to stop, but knows it is something of National importance. His sharp powers of observation serve him well, and he begins to solve the mystery while at the same time realizing how much he loves Amanda and doesn’t want to lose her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2025
I’ve been working my way through the Albert Campion books all year and although I’ve enjoyed each as a standalone classic mystery, it’s in this and the previous book (The Fashion in Shrouds) that they’ve really transcended simple mystery for me and become a total package - mystery, Home Front noir, a will-they-won’t-they subplot fit to make you yell in frustration, exquisite writing and characterisation. Read in a day. Growing trepidation of reading the rest too quickly and running out!
August 12, 2024
I am participating in a read along of Campion mysteries by Margery Allingham. In this installment Campion wakes up in a hospital with amnesia. He senses danger and makes a dramatic escape. Throughout the book he knows there is an urgent task he has to complete. It’s World War II and clearly the nation is at great risk if he doesn’t manage to complete it.
June 25, 2024
I'm reading an Albert Campion novel every two weeks for 20 weeks as part of a sort-of-book club, and each one I love more. This book was racy, pacy, tense and romantic. If a modern author used some of the plot devices used here (amnesia anyone?) it might be a bit much, but here it works.
August 13, 2019
AR: 3.5
(Obligatory disclaimer that this is my first Albert Campion)
I'm very sure the concept of 'detective wakes up in the middle of plot with no memory' has been done before, but I haven't come across it, and it was a new experience to read. I partially enjoyed the sensation of discovering everything along with him and partially just found it stressful as he attempts to cope with A Lot with No Idea how to. Also, probably because of this, the plot seemed a little wandering at times. He's wandering around blind (and so not terribly effectively) for a lot of it. Yet it was still an engaging enough read and the conclusion satisfying enough, a good one-timey crime novel.
(Also, one separate crit: despite how well he thought of Amanda while he lacked memory, he seemed to revert completely to treating her like a child the instant he regains it? I don't know, the fact he never tells her he lost his memory for a spell seems very strange to me)
(Obligatory disclaimer that this is my first Albert Campion)
I'm very sure the concept of 'detective wakes up in the middle of plot with no memory' has been done before, but I haven't come across it, and it was a new experience to read. I partially enjoyed the sensation of discovering everything along with him and partially just found it stressful as he attempts to cope with A Lot with No Idea how to. Also, probably because of this, the plot seemed a little wandering at times. He's wandering around blind (and so not terribly effectively) for a lot of it. Yet it was still an engaging enough read and the conclusion satisfying enough, a good one-timey crime novel.
(Also, one separate crit: despite how well he thought of Amanda while he lacked memory, he seemed to revert completely to treating her like a child the instant he regains it? I don't know, the fact he never tells her he lost his memory for a spell seems very strange to me)
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