Mr Campion's Coven

Mr Campion #8

by Mike Ripley

Albert Campion is in the bleak, remote and very muddy village of Wicken on the Essex coast on a mission to rescue Dame Jocasta's dog, but soon finds himself sinking into something far more dangerous.

East coast of England, 1971. Harvard student Mason Clay is writing a thesis on a group of settlers who travelled to America from the remote Essex coastal village of Wicken-juxta-Mare 300 years ago. Clay plans to visit Wicken as part of his research, and who better assist him with all things Essex than Albert Campion?

But Wicken is already firmly on Campion's radar thanks to Dame Jocasta Upcott's luxury yacht found beached on a mudbank close to the village, its captain very stuck - and very dead - in the mud. Was it a bizarre accident or something more sinister? Agreeing to Dame Jocasta's request to recover her beloved pet pooch, Robespierre, Campion finds himself in Wicken, surrounded by suspicious locals and tales of witchcraft, and soon discovers its past is linked to a number of current disturbing events . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2021

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

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Campion—always a pleasure!

Fascinating British murder mystery with a twist. Alfred Campion starring of course, having not lost any of his panache and policely intuition with retirement.
A story that leads from an island off from the North Carolina coast. Harkers Island had been settled by a group of religious dissidents who left England during the 1692/3, only to land in Salem, Massachusetts, and from thence sailed to Harkers Island. It seems some of their number returned to Essex.
Into this background comes Mason Lowell Clay writing a PhD thesis about the genealogy of the inhabitants of Harkers Island in relation to those who returned to Wicken-juxta-Mare. A place featuring dangerous mudflats. A place frequented by few except for bird watchers.
When Alfred obliges a famous actress to search for her dog lost in the area. When her yacht is found stuck on the mudflats, and the Captain facedown in the treacherous ooze, the story takes on more severe overtones.
This is one of those novels featuring that wonderful British understated sense of humor and conversation. Just so enjoyable! I loved Campion’s ruminations when talking to the local doctor who’d just carried out a brief look at the dead Captain’s body. He noted that the Doctor sported a “bow tie, which was obligatory, in Campions experience, for professions where a dangling tie might be an inconvenience if not a hazard: doctors, surgeons and snooker players, to name but three.” Now I think this is rather a wonderful segue worthy of Ratty and Mole, if not Winnie the Pooh.
How can one not enjoy a murder mystery peppered with such sublimely satisfying observations?

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Campion's Coven is a continuation of Margery Allingham's original Albert Campion mystery series that was taken over by Mike Ripley a few years ago.

Set in the isolated coastal Essex village of Wicken-juxta-Mare, Campion becomes involved in the search for a missing dog on the mudbanks near the remote village. The dog got lost following the beaching of a luxury yacht owned by British actress Dame Jocasta Upcott, who is anxious to get him back. The beaching of the yacht happened because of the suspicious death of the captain, Francis Jarrold. Although Campion has no reason to be involved in the subsequent investigation he is playing host to Harvard student, Mason Clay who is writing a thesis on a group of settlers who travelled to America from Wicken 300 years ago. A very well written and plotted tale with some charming touches of wit and humour. I am looking forward to reading the instalments I've missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Canongate Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eighth book in the Albert Campion series continuation by Mike Ripley was quite good and I enjoyed it. Mr. Ripley has sort of written himself into a corner by picking up the cases with Albert at the age he was when Margery Allingham wrote the final of the original series. Now Ripley has to come up with ways for an older Campion to deal with situations and even landscapes in unique ways, sometime even by proxy. This story is one where the landscape makes it difficult for Albert to participate in some of the investigations. He was there when it mattered so it's all well I suppose. Set along the coast of Essex in 1971, this story has tentacles reaching back to the outer banks of North Carolina around 1693 when a group of settlers decided not to remain at their original destination - Salem, Massachusetts but to move on down the coast. Some even returned to England. And the reason for that is behind everything that happens in this story.

There was a really well written atmosphere of spookiness, woo-woo, creepiness, whatever you like to call it in this story. The Essex coastline of mud flats definitely contributed to the overall feeling of strangeness. The village of Wicken-juxta-Mare is just a dot on the map, even less now that it's just Wicken because the mud flats keep it away from the sea. There is a whole lot of strangeness in Wicken and it's a lot of fun finding out what it's all about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Canongate Books for an e-galley of this novel.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

256 pages

4 and 1 / 2 stars

Very erudite...

I enjoy Mike Ripley's forays into whimsical police investigations. The interplay between Campion and his wife are priceless.

In this episode Campion gets drawn into an investigation, albeit somewhat reluctantly, into Dame Jocasta's missing dog and her beached yacht. Oh, and the dead captain of the boat.

At the same time, Campion is burdened with an American student who is writing a thesis on a group of immigrants to America from Wicken some three hundred years earlier. The student thinks that Campion is just the man to help him out.

When Campion travels to what is now called Wicken, he is confronted by strange happenings, including tales of witchcraft and unfriendly locals.

As usual, the tale is very well written and plotted with a charming touch of humor. Mr. Riley pens Campion so well, what's not to love? The character called Campion brings his unique sense of style and brand of investigation to any puzzle.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Gail C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review from MysteryandSuspense.com in April:
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Enter Mike Ripley who has revived Campion, aged him, and taken him in a new and delightful direction, while at the same time retaining the intellect and dry wit that made the original such a success. Mr. Campion’s Coven is the eighth in the Ripley series, and is filled with dry humor, a delightfully urbane Campion, and includes some lovely cameos from Rupert, Campion’s actor son, Perdita, his actor daughter-in-law, Lady Amanda, his wife, and finally Mason Lowell Clay an American student researching the connection between residents on Hawker’s Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with Wicken, a remote hamlet of England that used to be at the sea and now because of shifting seas, is located on a combination of marshland and mud flats.

The main story begins with the discovery of a body on the mud flats and a missing dog belonging to a celebrated acting diva, Dame Jocasta Upcott. Dame Jocasta has asked Campion to find her missing dog and offered to help his son Rupert’s acting career in exchange. With many misgivings, Campion travels to Wicken where he immediately becomes embroiled in the death of the man who turns out to be the former captain of Dame Jocasta’s yacht. His death is somewhat of a puzzle, although everyone is inclined to put it down to having been too much “under the influence” to successfully navigate the extremely small navigable waterway through the mud flats and marshes.

As Campion begins to delve into the death and the interesting nature of the reclusive residents of Wicken, he begins to suspect the death was actually murder. The doctor called to do the post mortem finds evidence of bruising that can’t be explained with the widely accepted accident verdict favored by the local police and he shares his opinion with Campion, who becomes more intrigued. While Campion is doing his own investigation and enlisting the aid of a bright young policeman and a police dog; Rupert, Perdita, and Mason are involved in their own investigation by trying to question the residents of Wicken. The trio is promptly repelled by the Wicken residents, although without real threat of violence.

As the two separate investigations are happening, Dame Jocasta’s agent, Timmy Timms is murdered. He had recently offered Rupert an audition in an upcoming television drama being directed by one of England’s elite directors, if Rupert can find the agent’s dog. When Rupert goes to Timms’ office to discuss all the issues surrounding the missing dog, he is knocked out by the group of men who are apparently responsible for Timms’ murder. While Rupert is never seriously considered a suspect, Campion does get more involved at the threat to his son.

The entire book weaves together witchcraft and wicken beliefs along with crimes such as murder. Through it all Campion appears, occasionally in his own disguise of a somewhat foppish old man who is completely harmless, and always with a bit of tongue in cheek, almost erudite humor. It is easy to develop a mental image of him as a rather elegant senior citizen who wouldn’t pose any type of danger to another human being. For anyone meeting him for a first time,it would be easy to assume if he were asking questions about a crime he was doing so out of idle curiosity and not because he had any type of understanding of what might be happening. In short, he excels in developing a persona that encourages others to underestimate him, much to their disadvantage if they are criminals, and surprise if they are unaware of his rather celebrated status among the law enforcement community.

One word of caution, set aside some time to read if possible, before you open the book. Ripley has written a book that flows seamlessly from one chapter into the next, with such engaging prose you will want to continue reading for the sheer pleasure of doing so. Mr. Campion’s Coven is the epitome of the type of book which allows the reader to have all the clues in front of them and to “match wits” with the book’s protagonist. It can also engage the reader so completely they might not mind being without other forms of entertainment for at least as long as the book lasts.

My thanks to Canongate Books, Severn House, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[jeff popple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Campion’s Coven is the eighth book in Mike Ripley's seamless and enjoyable continuance of the Albert Campion novels by Margery Allingham, and once more features Ripley’s marvellous sense of humour and his love for archaeology and history.

After a brief interlude in 1963, the book moves to 1971 and finds the ageing, but still active, Campion involved in the search for a missing dog on the mudbanks near the remote Essex coastal village of Wicken-juxta-Mare. The dog had become lost following the beaching of a luxury yacht owned by the famous British actress Dame Jocasta Upcott, who is anxious to get him back. Campion finds the dog, but also becomes caught up in the suspicious death of the yacht’s captain. Campion has no reason to become involved in the investigation, but his interest is piqued, and he soon has a new excuse to look into the strange activities of the very small village, when he plays host to a visiting Harvard student, who is writing a thesis on a group of settlers who travelled to America from Wicken 300 years ago.

Mr Campion’s Coven is a well plotted and enjoyable murder mystery, but as usual the real pleasure comes from Campion’s amusing asides and the fascinating background information on the fictional village of Wicken and the local environs. You get the sense that Ripley has enjoyed himself in creating the local history of Wicken, and the detail of the ship voyage to America in the late 1690s, and this historical detail adds great texture to the story. His description of present day Wicken and the local area is also enjoyable and relevant to the unfolding of the plot.

The pacing is leisurely, but is aided by lots of wry humour, obscure cultural references and the occasional nod to British crime writing and reviewing in the 1960s and 70s, including a possible meeting between Campion and Inspector Morse. Propelling the story along is a clever and original mystery plot, and the book builds to a good climax on the Essex mudbanks.

In all, an enjoyable read that will be much appreciated by fans, both new and old, of the original Campion stories by Allingham and the more recent ones by Ripley.

Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

See my full review here: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/m...

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a yacht runs aground on the mudflats of Essex, a titled actress asks Albert Campion to find her dog, who was on board. At the same time, a friend-of-a-friend American graduate student wants to visit a remote Essex village to investigate some villagers who went to the Colonies and then returned to their home. Campion, along with his son and daughter-in-law, finds himself investigating what happened to the ship's captain (nothing good), why the villagers are so unfriendly, and the fate of the second dog.

[Jim Napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the only thing worse than an author ending a much-loved series of novels is having someone else take up the project after their death. All too often the second author is simply not up to the task, and scores of readers are left disappointed and, one might say, dispirited. Happily that is not the case with the resurrection of Albert Campion, as imagined by his twenty-first century expositor, the redoubtable British crime writer Mike Ripley, whose engaging series of Albert Campion novels fully live up to the series originally created nearly a century ago by the legendary Margery Allingham.

In his latest outing – the eighth in Campion’s resurrection at Ripley’s hand – we are treated to a typically over-the-top adventure involving suspicions of sorcery dating back to the days of the Salem witch trials, and forward to nefarious deeds and cryptic cover-ups during the 1970s. Along the way we are introduced to an array of oddballs and eccentrics who would feel right at home in a reunion of bit-players from RADA, or perhaps a gathering at London’s notorious Bedlam.

The tale unfolds on the East Coast of America in 1963: Albert Campion’s son, Rupert, now a student at Harvard University, finds himself at a cocktail party, not under the influence of any alcoholic concoction but rather under the equally intoxicating influence of professor of anthropology Kathern Luger. Over the course of the evening she persuades him to accompany her to a place called Hawkers Island, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where he is charged with listening to local resident Nathaniel Whybrow in order to determine his origins from his way of speaking. It proves to be no small task, given that Whybrow is extremely parsimonious with words. But eventually, after repeated overtures, he does utter enough for Rupert to place the man as having speech patterns in common with the denizens of East Anglia, a specific region of England – a surprising revelation, given that Whybrow was born and bred on the island on which they are standing.

That Englishmen should migrate to America is not in itself especially noteworthy, however; after all, many people who felt themselves oppressed or persecuted for their beliefs left England, and were among the first settlers in what was then a wild and sometimes savage land known as America. However, professor Luger informs Rupert that this particular group had originally landed in Salem Massachusetts during the 1690s, and shortly thereafter moved further south to the Outer Banks -- which raises the possibility that their journey had perhaps been influenced by the Salem witchcraft trials currently taking place.

So unfolds the eighth episode of the renewed adventures of Albert Campion. Before it has ended this latest flight of fancy will find Campion, his wife Amanda, son Rupert and his own good lady, Perdita, together with Campion’s inimitable manservant Magersfontein Lugg, on a mission to recover an aging London actress’s missing pet poodle, Robespierre. Along the way Campion considers the mystery of why her experienced yacht captain should run his craft aground in a narrow channel near the very embarkation point of those original settlers who wound up on Hawkers Island so long ago, and then, apparently, drowned trying to walk ashore in the treacherous mud. It’s all deliciously madcap fun, and will leave Allingham’s many fans, and indeed all who appreciate the writings of England’s Golden Age of crime fiction, calling for more. Highly recommended as a much-needed antidote for our depressingly mundane times.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Mr Campion's Coven is the newest book in an homage to Margery Allingham's Albert Campion. Released 1st June by Severn House, it's 256 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Author Mike Ripley has written several books featuring Campion (this is the 8th) as well as other fiction and nonfiction. He's an experienced and capable author and this series has been an absolute joy to read. I've been a fan of golden age mystery (especially British) as long as I've been reading, more or less, and I'm always on the lookout for more golden age fiction since the original authors are sadly long gone.

This installment sees Campion (the elder), Campion (the younger), Lugg, and an ensemble cast of characters trying to untangle history, genealogy, some murders, and a whiff of the supernatural without getting murdered themselves. Lugg is, as always, wonderful, and Campion (the elder) is self-deprecatingly and devastatingly brilliant.

The book honestly surprised some laughs out of me, which is no mean feat. The clues are fair-play, and the climax and denouement are wonderfully twisty and satisfying. I really love this series. For readers who are not already fans of Mr. Ripley's Campion, but who are fans of Ms. Allingham's, will find much to love here. Ripley treats the canon with the respect (and humour) it deserves. Although it's the 8th book in this series (may there be many more), it works well as a standalone.

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Who do we know in Georgia, darling?’

Back in 1692, a group of villagers from Wicken-juxta-Mare signed the Billericay Covenant, set sail for Salem, Massachusetts on the Abigail. Some of them ended up, further south on Harkers Island, where some of their descendants still speak with an Essex accent. Rupert Campion, son of Albert, met Harvard anthropologist Kathryn Luger in 1963. Professor Luger knows Albert Campion as well, so she suggests that her PhD student Mason Lowell Clay write to him, in 1971, for assistance. Mason Clay wants to learn more about the Billericay Covenanters, and is planning to travel to Essex.

While Albert Campion is happy to assist, he is a little preoccupied. A yacht belonging to veteran actor Dame Jocasta Upcott has been found beached near Wicken-juxta-Mare and while Dame Jocasta does not seem too concerned about Francis Jarrold, the missing captain, she insists that Albert Campion find her beloved dog, Robespierre. Add the wonderfully named Magersfontein Lugg (‘His relationship with Mr Campion had baffled many an onlooker over the years’) to the mix and we have the ingredients of an engrossing and at times humorous mystery.

While Rupert Campion (son of Albert) finds Robespierre, Captain Francis Jarrold is found dead in the mud. Hmm. Mason Lowell Clay’s investigations take some interesting turns, and Albert Campion (with help) solves a mystery or two despite the suspicious locals of Wicken-juxta-Mare.

This is the eighth book in Mr Ripley’s continuation of Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion novels. I enjoyed this mystery and laughed out loud at both appropriate (and some inappropriate) moments. Albert Campion may be ageing, but he has not lost either his sense of humour or his keen observational skills.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of Marjery Allingham's original Albert Campion mystery series that was taken over by Mike Ripley several years ago. I did not realize this book was part of a series when I requested it, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of it. Set in the isolated coastal Essex village of Wicken-juxta-Mare, a young Harvard student has come to work on his thesis revolving around a group settlers who left Wicken for the new world. Upon arrival at their planned landing site of Salem, Massachusettes they mysteriously change course and head to the Outer banks. The events surrounding these events make up the mystery that this novel revolves around.

Strange and mysterious events are happening in modern day Wicken and soon the graduate student and Albert Campion's paths collide and things really zip along at a nice pace. The character of Albert Campion is elderly by this point in the series and his mobility is limited, but his sardonic wit and intelligence carry the day and make him a fully engaging and intriguing character that I look forward to getting to know better in previous entries in this series. As someone with a love of history this mystery really appealed to me. I love that it combined both American and British elements. And the witchcraft element was a great addition and added a fun and eerie touch of atmosphere. This may have been my first introduction to Mr. Campion but I am sure we will meet again. A fun and entertaining mystery! Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for this advance copy in exchange for an honest and fair

[Melissa Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always feel privileged when I can recommend the original Albert Campion books by Margery Allingham to a new reader. I anticipate the fun discussions to be add about Albert, Lugg and Amanda. And then when, with sadness, the reader reaches the end of the series, it is even more of a delight to recommend Mike Ripley’s revival of the series, which takes the family and friends into the next generation.

Mr Campion’s Coven is set in the witchcraft haunted mudflats of the Essex coast. Campion is asked as a favor to investigate the beaching of a leisure yacht, and the death of its captain. A series of coincidences links the investigation up with the research of an American student in the area.

Another well-written, entertaining addition to the series.

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

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witchcraft and things witchcrafty, outrageous thespian attitudes, quarantine shenanigans and lots of treacherous mud are on the menu of this very entertaining new addition to the Margery Allingham's Albert Campion Mysteries written by Mike Ripley. A delightful whodunit full of refreshingly amusing slapstick and hilarious dialogues vividly brought to life by a colorful and often zany cast of characters that daftly brings mayhem and much needed laughter to the rather bleak and desolate landscape of coastal Essex. A delicious fictional treat to be enjoyed without moderation.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good stories featuring Albert Campion.
It's a highly entertaining and engrossing story that mixes long lost stories with murders taking place at the time of the story.
I was happy to catch up with the characters, loved the humour and the complex plot that kept me hooked.
The descriptions of East Anglia, the tradition and the mix of past and present are fascinating and the complex mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read another story in this series, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1971 A yacht belonging to Dame Jocasta Upcott has been abandoned on the Essex coast and her dog and the Captain are missing. A PhD American student, Mason Powell Clay, is trying to trace the descendants of the members of the Billericay Coventers who left in 1692, and then returned to Wicken on the Essex coast. Campion is asked to find the dog as a favour but then a body is discovered.
An entertaining and well-written mystery story with its cast of likeable and interesting characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Robin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Campion may be white-haired now but he has not lost his sense of humour or his charm, and Magersfontein Lugg is still very much alive, even if he's rumoured to be ninety-three.
Margery Allingham maintained that her first novel - Blackkerchief Dick - was dictated to her during family seances on Mersea Island. It is fitting that Mike Ripley returns Campion, and his son Rupert, to the Dengie Peninsula where some near-geriatric yokels are up to no good on the Essex marshes and mudflats, and it could be witchcraft.
I'm pretty sure Margery's ghost must approve and is sharing in the fun.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 2 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 set in 1971 (so Campion is 71 years old) mainly in a small hamlet on the Essex coast. The plot is a bit convoluted involving members of a cult and I was not sure I really understood why one of the characters was murdered. Having said that, some of Margery Allingham's plots were as far-fetched as this one. A decent read which I finished in one sitting.

[Cindy Ladensack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly think I like these books better than some of the original Allingham ones — Campion still has the deceptive and self-deprecating wit, but without the more over-the-top-ness that the Golden Agers sometimes dipped into. And a genealogical mystery as well as a dog plot line—what’s not to like?

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly entertaining read. I like the location of rural coastal England and the characters. The book was a very different mystery/ action story that moved along well. Not too plausible but a fun read with bits of humor.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plus minus--a little too obvious with a town called Wicken. Never heard of the Basenji dog before--so cool! Enjoyable read, however, and great characters, as always.

[Lindsey Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Ripley has done Margery Allingham fans a great service, allowing us to read new Mr Campion books that are true to the originals. A casual reader may think the plot far fetched, but just consult those from Mr Campion's early days - this follows their lead perfectly. The characters are the usual collection of rural rarities and big smoke baddies and all the old favourites - Luke Lugg and the children feature.. Recommended