Mr Campion's War

Mr Campion #5

by Mike Ripley

“Pop has never talked about what he did in the war … Whatever he did, it was pretty secret stuff”: the intriguing new Albert Campion mystery. Campion's young and old, extended family members and loyal friends are gathered at the Dorchester Hotel to celebrate Albert Campion’s seventieth birthday – along with some intriguing, unrecognizable guests. Who exactly are the mysterious, aristocratic, scar-faced German, Freiherr Robert von Ringer, and the elegantly chic Madame Thibus – and what is their connection to Mr Campion?Campion has decided the time has come to enthral his guests with his account of his wartime experiences in Vichy France more than twenty-five years before, but in doing so he unveils a series of extraordinary events. Why here, and why now? Not least as Campion’s shocking revelations have repercussions which reverberate to the present day, putting one of his guests in deadly danger . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Fiction

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Mike Ripley is the author of the award-winning 'Angel' series of comedy thrillers which have twice won the CWA Last Laugh Award. It has been said that he 'paints a picture of London Dickens would recognise' and that 'he writes like the young Len Deighton, wierd and wonderful information and very, very funny'. Described as 'England's funniest crime writer' (The Times), he is also a respected critic of crime fiction, writing for the Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Times and the Birmingham Post among others.

Reviews

[Martie Nees Record · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre:         Historical Mystery
Publisher:    Severn House
Pub. Date:   December 1, 2018

“Pop has never talked about what he did in the war.”  But at his 70th birthday party, the Englishman Albert Campion (Pop) entertains his guests with his account of his wartime experiences in Vichy France during WWII.  The story is also very much a mystery since, besides family members, the guest list includes a scar-faced German (spoiler: who during the war attempted to kill his host at least twice), and other unknown guests.  The English author, Mike Ripley, is known for writing comedy thrillers and can indeed write in a playful manner.  But let me start off by admitting that I was grateful to be reading this tale on a Kindle where I only needed to tap on a word to learn its meaning.  For example, in one paragraph you will read about the German military intelligence units such as Abwehr, Sicherheitsdients/SD, and Himmler’s SS.  On the English side, there are the military agencies M15 & 1I6.  Okay, I am obviously familiar with the last two.  We all have heard of the evil SS, and who hasn’t seen a Bond movie to not know what “M” stands for. 

Let me also say, that in researching this novel, I learned that the author Margery Allingham (1904-1966) wrote a mystery series (24 novels) revolving around Mr. Albert Campion.  Nor is this the first time Ripley has picked up where Allingham left off.   So for me, the protagonist is read with fresh eyes.  However, it might explain why there is so much alphabet soup (military acronyms) without any previous explanations on their existence in the story.  In alternating chapters, the story goes back and forth in time.  In the present day (at the party) it is told in the third person.  During the war, the tale is told in the first person with Albert Campion’s voice— a clever way to write the story as both a mystery and a historical fiction.  All chapters have a propensity for humor.  As a spy in the war, our protagonist is assaulted by two men in an alley.  He is just about to lose consciousness when he is rescued by a policeman.  But do policemen usually have silencers on their weapons?   He thanks his savior and says, he was just about to teach them a lesson, “Once I got my breath back.”  In the present, the whole party is like a game of “Clue.”   I found the humor to be especially funny in those chapters.  Campion’s wife is every bit as witty as her husband.   “It’s amazing we wartime mothers survived at all, what with absentee husbands, the air raids and rationing, not to mention the ingratitude of one’s offspring.”  This fun novel is stuffed with historical facts.  The story could drag for those of us who were never much of a “Clue fan.”   And, if I didn’t really find all the characters believable, that did not interfere with the tale.  “Campion” is written as a tongue and cheek read.

I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

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[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mike Ripley completed a left unfinished manuscript by Margery Allingham 's widower ,Pip Youngman so going solo on Campion is the next thing, if anybody except MA knows about Albert it is him.
I loved the Peter Davison & Brian Glover series because so to the book. After hanging up his Tardis key & going on to playing 'Lord' snotty.
This starts with Albert's 70th birthday bash in 1970 but 99% of it is set in France in 1942. WWII what did Albert do against Germany , lots of twists

[Gram · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1970 and Albert Campion's 70th birthday, which he clebrates with a party at London's prestigious Dorchester Hotel.

As his family & friends enjoy a sumptious meal, Campion recounts details of his wartime experiences in Vichy France more than twenty-five years before. A handful of his guests - from France, Spain and Germany - are unknown to most of those in attendance and those closest to him are intrigued since Campion has never talked about the war before.

The action switches between the present, at the birthday party and 1942 when Campion goes to Vichy France - the area of the country run by French collaborators who surrendered to the Germans in June 1940.

As the story unfolds, the guests discover more about two of the guests - the mysterious German, Robert von Ringer, and the enigmatic & beautiful French lawyer Madame Thibus.
It turns out that both were involved in Campion's mission, but on opposite sides!
Ringer worked for the Abwehr, Germany's intelligence network while Madame Thibus was a teenage member of the French Resistance.

Even more surprising is the revelation that Campion went to France at Ringer's request in order to free a Jewish accountant from a French concentration camp and escort him - and his pregnant French wife - over the border to Spain. There, the accountant would hand over important documents detailing major corruption involving senior Nazis, Vichy collaborators and French gangsters. In the hands of the Allies, such information could lead to death sentences for all involved. Most of the action takes place in the port of Marseille, in southern France, just as "Operation Torch" - the Allied invasion of French North Africa - is about to take place, leading the Nazis to occupy Vichy France.

But, as the past collides with the present, Campion's amazing revelations lead to deadly danger for one of his birthday party guests.

This is the 5th in the series of Campion novels written by Mike Ripley, with the approval and agreement of the Margery Allingham Society. (The crime writer Margery Allingham, who died in 1966, was the original author of more than 20 books about Albert Campion, the upper class Englishman who was involved with police investigations as well as intrigue with Britain's intelligence services). It's an old style mystery thriller laced with well researched historical facts about England and France in the 1940's, bringing those times and places vividly to life, capturing the atmosphere of Nazi-occupied Europe and the dangerous streets of wartime Marseille.

My thanks go to Severn House Publishers and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adventurer Albert Campion is celebrating his 70th birthday, surrounded by family, friends and other notable characters -many of whom have varying connections with his work during WWII. Campion decides to recount some of his wartime experiences, which proves to be perilous to one of the guests...

I've always enjoyed the mysteries featuring Albert Campion (created by Margery Allingham, one of the four 'Queens of the Golden Era' mystery writers - the others being Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh), though Allingham's stories are more adventures with a dash of crime than conventional murder mysteries. Campion has a clever way of portraying the fool to lull his adversaries into a false sense of security, only to outwit them in the end.

The story unfolds as a dual timeline narrative (the present day told in third person, and the flashbacks in first person), with historical facts interwoven into the flashback narrative. Ripley does a fine job of capturing Allingham's voice, depicting Campion has a jovial storyteller, dampened only by his war; this story answers questions raise about his activities during WWII, which resulted in a shift in his otherwise usual happy-go-lucky self.

It's a welcome addition to the Campion canon.

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The character of Albert Campion was originally created by Margery Allingham during that wonderful time now referred to as the Golden Age of Mystery. There are many novels featuring this highly educated man who used an alias while solving crimes to keep any scandal from attaching to his highly placed family. The Allingham character uses intelligence along with a light side dish of humor to make the books positively addictive. I was highly skeptical of anyone being able to approximate the tone of the Albert Campion character but have been very pleased by the novels Mike Ripley has written. Now Ripley has decided to go where Allingham wouldn't - he has drawn aside the curtain which has hidden a mission Campion went on as an agent for the British government from August to November, 1942. You see, Albert Campion was that most honored of men, a gentleman spy.

The book alternates between an evening in May 1970 during a birthday party to celebrate Campion's 70th birthday and August to November 1942 when Campion is in France working to carry out his mission before that area is invaded by the German army. The charming aspect is that Albert is giving the birthday party for himself while the devious part is that almost everyone invited had something to do with that mission from 1942. It turns out Ripley conceived a very good plot and the switches from the past to the present are done very well. All the favorite characters from the books are present, some even bring a present.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishing for a digital galley of this novel.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

MR. CAMPION'S WAR gives dedicated Marjorie Allingham fans the opportunity to discover lots of bits and pieces about Mr. Campion's past. The allusive details of his "service to the country" receive top billing in Mike Ripley's contemporary addition to the Campion tales.

Allingham's books are among my very favorite classic mysteries of the 30's and 40's and Ripley gives her fans the opportunity to spend some additional time with Campion and his family. As a character, the Campion of Ripley's book rings true. He and his man, Lugg, are spot on in temperament and behavior. Particularly, Lugg. Campion's speech patterns and vocabulary don't feel quite right, nor does Mr. Ripley's writing mirror Mrs. Allingham's---but that is a quibble, not a criticism. The book is an enjoyable addition to the Campion stories and it is rewarding to know that at age seventy, our beloved Alfred is still bright, engaged, and alertly solving mysteries.

Ripley's Nazi protagonist is complex, engaging, and serves as a perfect foil to Mr. Campion. The other characters who enrich the story are equally well drawn, adding to the success of the story.

[Melissa Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly of me. I was worried that with the celebration of Albert Campion’s 70th birthday, he might be sidelined from his most active crime-fighting, puzzle solving activities. Instead, Mike Ripley takes us back to Campion’s war-time exploits and plunges his then middle-aged self back into the war in the Southern France and the Pyrenees. Another enjoyable novel that Allingham would be proud to claim.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[jeff popple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in Mike Ripley's marvellous continuance of the Albert Campion novels by Margery Allingham. Set in 1970 it finds Campion and his family and friends, and some odd foreigners, gathered together for his seventieth birthday party at the distinguished Dorchester Hotel in London. There is interest amongst his family and close friends over the attendance of some of the foreigners, about whom they know very little. In typical fashion, Campion distracts attention by recounting details of his wartime experiences in Vichy France, a topic which he has never talked about before.
In smooth fashion, the story switches between 1970, told in the third person, and 1942 and Campion’s secret mission to Vichy France, told in the first person. It is an effective device with the suspense of the wartime mission carrying the 1970 storyline along at a good pace. As the details of Campion’s mission gradually unfold, the relationships between the various guests at the party becomes clearer and there is a growing suspicion that there is more to the gathering than just a birthday celebration. In Ripley’s capable hands the suspense mounts in both storylines and the book builds to a tense, reflective ending.
Central to the novel is Campion’s mission to Marseille, which is essentially a clever and surprising spy story that provides some fresh twists to the traditional wartime thriller plot. It involves a scheme to rescue a Jewish accountant who has incriminating details about some senior Nazi figures and illicit bank accounts and also involves gangsters and spies. It is an interesting concept and Ripley makes good use of the Vichy France setting to bring it alive.
As usual, Ripley’s charming narrative style and dollops of wry humour keeps the reader happily engaged throughout the book. Campion’s reflections are especially amusing, particularly those from 1970:
“The BBC, Campion was sure, was bound to be accepted sooner or later as a cultural institution, despite its diversification into television, a popular drug which really ought to be available only on prescription.”
The pacing is good and there is a nice thoughtful feel to the story, as the characters reflect on their wartime experiences and the effect of the war on them and others. Ripley also seamlessly weaves in interesting historical detail to give some flesh to the two historical periods, and does a particularly good job of capturing the small details that make his recreation of 1970 convincing, and amusing.
In all, this is a very entertaining read and is highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for a free copy of this book for review

[John Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mr. Campion's War" eBook was published in 2018 (December) and was written by Mike Ripley (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ri...). Mr. Ripley has published nearly twenty-five novels. The Campion stories were originally written by Margery Allingham, then her husband Philip Youngman Carter. Mr. Ripley was engaged to complete an unfinished manuscript. Since then he has written four more Campion novels. 

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is mostly in World War II era France. The main character is Albert Campion. 

Campion is celebrating his seventieth birthday in current time and has called together several people from his past. Close friends and family know little about some of Camion's escapades when he was younger. In particular, they have no idea of his exploits in occupied France during World War II.

Campion is sent to Vichy France to make contact with Freiherr Robert von Ringer, a German intelligence officer. Ringer is no traitor but wants to stop substantial currency transfers being made to smuggle funds out of occupied Europe. Campion, though not a trained spy, must help free a Jewish banker and his family before he can get the information needed to stop the transfer of funds. Not only must he be cautious of the German secret police, but also of the French underworld gangs. 

The past comes back to haunt Campion when one of his birthday party guests is attacked.  A plot initiated in the 1940s plays out today. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the 8+ hours I spent reading this 280-page WWII thriller. I enjoyed this novel and, frankly, would like to read more in this series. While this novel has many prior books in the series, it reads well on its own. I like the cover art. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/. 

[BrianC75 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book or should I say I enjoyed half of it. Mike Ripley takes up the baton for Marjerie Allingham and continues to write stories ostensibly in her style and with her main character Albert Camion, gentleman detective. I have read several of Allingham's books and really enjoyed them. This was the first time I had encountered Mike Ripley's interpretation.
This book moves between two scenarios - the story of Campion's exploits in France during World War 11 and a celebration of his 7oth birthday at the Dorchester Hotel in London at which the main characters in that story are reunited. The storyline, if somewhat overcomplicated, holds up and keeps you interested.
The interaction of the guests at the Dorchester celebration falls woefully short. Allingham has a deft, gentle touch with dialogue, characterisation and description and creates the world in which Campion operates very well. Ripley does not. The dialogue, humour and social interaction is like PG Wodehouse on speed - completely unconvincing.

[Bev Hitchins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a little while to get into. Several characters were introduced in the beginning with little compelling me to get attached to them. It took me awhile to figure out who was who and what relevance they had to the story. I stuck with it, although I questioned whether it was worth it for the first half of the book. I found the story got more compelling near the end. It gave me insight on some of the darker aspects of World War II. I am sure Mr. Ripley did a fair amount of research to write this book. I appreciate the work it took to present it in an interesting format--part of the story taking place during the war and another part at a birthday party in London in 1970. If you are a World War II buff, I recommend this book--as it gives another insight on how a few people make a huge difference in saving a life during a horrid time.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mr. Campion's War: Mike Ripley
😕

Well, this was certainly boooring! So much so, that I skimmed a good portion. Too often I find Ripley's writing self gratuitous & Campion to be erudite & smug.

Albert Campion is celebrating his 70th birthday w family, friends, & dubious acquaintances. During dinner, Albert relates his wartime exploits in relation to W16. Listening in is his daughter-in-law and a former German Intelligence Officer.... Most everyone present at the dinner party involved in the story.

After dinner the German is found out on the terrace stabbed, thankfully only a flesh wound, but leaving a cryptic clue for campion, who swiftly deduces who-done-it and why.... forcing the truth of a past murder to come to light.

[S.Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author claims that this is a narrative experiment. Not terribly successful in my opinion. Mr. Ripley needs to get off his hobby horse about smoking particularly since it does not conform to the time periods he purports to be writing about i.e. WWII and 1970. Both Albert Campion and his wife smoked. He has also turned Amanda Campion into a nag - way out of character!!

I appreciate that he may want to move Allingham's characters forward (not sure why??) but at least he should keep it realistic. It is perhaps time for Mr. Ripley to leave these well loved characters alone and move on to creating his own instead of leaching someone else's.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some unexpected faces at Campion's seventieth birthday party, including that of Robert Ringer, an old college chum who also worked for the German secret police during the War. Ringer managed to get a message to Campion, and--in flashbacks--worked with him in Marseille just before the invasion of Africa by the Allied forces. When someone tries to stab Ringer outside of the hotel where the party is taking place, Campion and the police must decide whether a violent robber was in the neighborhood, or whether the attempt on Ringer's life is related to the War.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Margery Allingham's Campion books and was impressed with Mike Ripley's version of Campion in "Mr Campion's Christmas" so I am trying to read his other books.

The story is told in two parts. Firstly at Campion's seventieth birthday birthday in a hotel in London in May 1970. Secondly Campion's first person account of his experiences in 1942. Naturally a crime is committed at the birthday party but there is not much of a mystery about it and the main story concerns what Campion did during World War Two.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albert Campion has reached his seventieth birthday and is having a celebration dinner at the Dorchester Hotel. Apart from friends and family, there are a crowd of unrecognibale foreigners.
During dinner Campion decides its time to tell of his wartime experiences in Vichy France during World War II, and introduce his family to the unknown guests. People he had met during the war. This is his, and their story.
An enjoyable historical read and mystery story.
A NetGalley Book

[Cindy Ladensack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the narrative structure—the ‘current day’ party and the reminiscing about WWII intrigue. And of course I love the Campions; if only I were that witty and self-assured. Minus a half star though for far too brief character bios on the guest list.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing dialogue but the story didn’t grab me at all. Far too slow and an unlikely amount of detail in what is supposed to be a tale related at a dinner party. From what other reviewers have said, maybe it’s better in the tv series.

[Mary J. Dondanville · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Campion I've read

If you enjoy crisp dialogue and WW2 stories, this book is made for you. Characters are well written and very few loose ends are left untied. A really enjoyable read

[Laurena Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this, but I thought the structure was clever, relating Albert Campion's wartime adventures through the dialogue at his 70th birthday party, at which some of the protagonists from the stories are present.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and wonderful. Not the ending I expected.

[Jane Brierley · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a slow start I really enjoyed this book. It was a very different tone, but still felt like this he authentic Campion

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good WWII read.

[Elizabeth Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Campion Lives On

The character and persona of AC is creditably preserved by Ripley. The flashback format works well. I always wanted to know what AC did during the war.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying Ripley's take on Campion. Ripley is giving Allingham a run for the money.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Campion celebrates his 70th birthday in London and recounts for family and friends one of his missions during WWII.

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different, enjoyable, and the author kept it true to Allingham's original style and characters. Great story.

[Sue Blanchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Severn House Publishing and the author, Mike Ripley, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Mr Champion's War in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
I thought this book offered a good, quick read. I thought the characters were engaging and well described. The storyline was well written.

[Cynthia]

Didn’t read it.