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lejoy's review against another edition
3.0
I am really conflicted over whether to give this three or four stars. It's much better written that The Crime At Black Dudley, which I gave three, but now that I've finished I'm not sure I'd say this was a really good book, which is what four means. I did enjoy it a lot while I was reading it, but towards the end a few strands seemed rather loose and have left me a little unsatisfied.
This is the third Campion novel and we finally move slightly away from organised crime and into a crime syndicate, coz that's a different thing maybe. The plot is simple: rich people hire a thief to steal priceless not-available-to-the-public art and historical artefacts. Once they set their intentions on something, the only way to stop them is to kill the hired thief. They have set their eyes on some historical chalice and Campion is being paid to protect it, i.e. be the executioner. Although the plot is different to the last two books (unfortunately in a kind of less interesting way because I really don't care if someone steals a cup), there are some awkward similarities to the previous book Mystery Mile. Again the story is set in an old house belonging to an upper class brother and sister (fairly interchangeable with the siblings from the last book), a family that once ruled the surrounding village but now has no money yet still thinks of themselves as benefactors to the yokels. Also again we have a visiting American family, and the English and American children fall in love. I'm kind of getting pretty bored of the main characters always being upper class nobs.
As I said, I did really enjoy the book while I was reading it. It's witty, exciting and mysterious, so far so good. But it is increasingly unclear how much Campion knows about the villain. At first it seems to be a complete revelation when we find out who is behind it, but later he claims that he already suspected them, hence how he had organised backup. He deliberately lets himself get captured in order to learn more about the bad guys, but doesn't appear to actually learn anything by doing this. Meanwhile, everything seems so obvious for the bad guys that I don't understand how Campion has a last minute revelation about how they plan to steal the dumb cup. Isn't all this immediately patently obvious? I don't understand why it is handled like a twist.
I didn't like Professor Cairey very much. He came across as omnipotent and therefore unbelievable as a character. And I could have done without the mysticism. On and on everyone in the book goes about Val's 25th birthday and the secret room and the disturbing ceremony and the important cup, but it all just comes across as utter tosh. Who cares what a bunch of silly rich people do in a tower with an old chalice? It doesn't really mean anything. Lots of pomp over nothing. It all just seems to be there to make Campion feel slightly on edge at the end of the book and throw in a random kind of ghost story aspect that isn't supported by the style of the novel.
So, kind of a good read, but didn't convince me at the end.
This is the third Campion novel and we finally move slightly away from organised crime and into a crime syndicate, coz that's a different thing maybe. The plot is simple: rich people hire a thief to steal priceless not-available-to-the-public art and historical artefacts. Once they set their intentions on something, the only way to stop them is to kill the hired thief. They have set their eyes on some historical chalice and Campion is being paid to protect it, i.e. be the executioner. Although the plot is different to the last two books (unfortunately in a kind of less interesting way because I really don't care if someone steals a cup), there are some awkward similarities to the previous book Mystery Mile. Again the story is set in an old house belonging to an upper class brother and sister (fairly interchangeable with the siblings from the last book), a family that once ruled the surrounding village but now has no money yet still thinks of themselves as benefactors to the yokels. Also again we have a visiting American family, and the English and American children fall in love. I'm kind of getting pretty bored of the main characters always being upper class nobs.
As I said, I did really enjoy the book while I was reading it. It's witty, exciting and mysterious, so far so good. But it is increasingly unclear how much Campion knows about the villain. At first it seems to be a complete revelation when we find out who is behind it, but later he claims that he already suspected them, hence how he had organised backup. He deliberately lets himself get captured in order to learn more about the bad guys, but doesn't appear to actually learn anything by doing this.
Spoiler
I think it all comes down to he is really worried that the bad guy is a woman because he doesn't want to have to murder a woman, so he wants to be absolutely doubly sure he is right and is holding out hope that the boss is a guy.Spoiler
I mean, of course the treasure is hidden in the secret room everyone knows about for some reason so of course they are going to try to break in there, and if the only entrance is through the window, then of course that is how they will try to get in.I didn't like Professor Cairey very much. He came across as omnipotent and therefore unbelievable as a character. And I could have done without the mysticism. On and on everyone in the book goes about Val's 25th birthday and the secret room and the disturbing ceremony and the important cup, but it all just comes across as utter tosh. Who cares what a bunch of silly rich people do in a tower with an old chalice? It doesn't really mean anything. Lots of pomp over nothing. It all just seems to be there to make Campion feel slightly on edge at the end of the book and throw in a random kind of ghost story aspect that isn't supported by the style of the novel.
So, kind of a good read, but didn't convince me at the end.
karen_unabridged's review against another edition
3.0
Allingham is fun, but her characters and plots do not survive the passage of time as well as Sayers' or Christies'. If you're looking for a good ensemble running around a country house with secrets (and secret passages) to spare while a gang of international thieves better connected than any Masons you've ever heard of tries to steal precious things while causing general mayhem (and if you like some gypsies pitching in), this is the story you've been looking for.
ltfitch's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting as a time capsule from 1930s England. More caper than mystery which wasn't what I was hoping for.
oandthefoxes's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous & didn’t disappoint. I feel certain it’s one to reread in the future.
kellyjreads's review against another edition
5.0
(Note to self when you can't find this book: My copy was the American title "The Gyrth Chalice Mystery.")
I'm totally in love with Albert Campion. No more stuffed-shirt, Golden Aged armchair detectives. I want reckless young men with shady pasts and big hearts who know literally everyone and also do this for money. I also love Mr. Lugg. A mother hen/convict servant -- the best combo in the book. Another rip-roaring adventure out in the country. I loved the supernatural elements of this one and there is not a better quote than:
"...we must find out the man employed by this society, and murder him?"
Mr. Campion surveyed his visitor with the utmost gravity.
"Shall we say 'dispose of him'?"
I'm totally in love with Albert Campion. No more stuffed-shirt, Golden Aged armchair detectives. I want reckless young men with shady pasts and big hearts who know literally everyone and also do this for money. I also love Mr. Lugg. A mother hen/convict servant -- the best combo in the book. Another rip-roaring adventure out in the country. I loved the supernatural elements of this one and there is not a better quote than:
"...we must find out the man employed by this society, and murder him?"
Mr. Campion surveyed his visitor with the utmost gravity.
"Shall we say 'dispose of him'?"
chris_of_mercia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
destrier's review against another edition
2.0
Campion is a total ass, but the book around him is enjoyable.
kiwikathleen's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this as much as I enjoyed #1, #2 and #8 - it took a bit of time to get into the story. But from about halfway through it went well. I liked the bit-characters more than the secondary characters, and of course Campion is great.
greenmtgirl's review against another edition
2.0
The simplistic parody of Dorothy Sayers's Peter Whimsey was grating and ultimately overdone, and the novel was not helped by its utterly ridiculous plot. Think I'll stick to the later Campion books from here on out . . .
scaaveiro's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75