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ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
She's a marvelous find. For anyone who appreciates Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, well-plotted Golden Age mysteries, not too violent/gritty/disturbing, eccentric characters, unusual situations, a bit of wit (well, a lot, in Sayer's case), Allingham is their slightly-younger near literary cousin, and luckily she was prolific.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
vstewart76's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bookpossum's review against another edition
3.0
Good fun. Allingham gets better and better as she goes on and this was satisfyingly complex.
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
Another really good Albert Campion mystery. This is in the detective part of the Campion series, rather than the adventure-y end. He's getting a bit older by this point, so there's less running around and obvious danger, but he's not slowing down at all. He starts this book seemingly having been offered the governorship of an unnamed island but is still quite happy (in fact probably happier) moving into a boarding house to investigate a poisoning. The street surrounding the boarding house is full of eccentrics, and dubious characters and it's totally engrossing. It's probably not the best book to pick for your first Campion though - as there's very little explanation of his background and the reoccurring characters so I imagine if this was your first encouter with Albert, it might be a little baffling.
cmbohn's review against another edition
5.0
Apron Street is a quiet little thoroughfare in west London — and yet Albert Campion is called in to investigate a death, and he finds himself surrounded by as strange a family as he has ever encountered.
I remember this one as being a little creepy and very scary at the end.
I remember this one as being a little creepy and very scary at the end.
clockless's review against another edition
2.0
I can't say I liked this. I had the hardest time figuring out what was going on, and not just in the sections with heavy accents (which were mostly decipherable). For me, there were simply too many characters, they were introduced too quickly, and the names were either too hard to keep separate, or just plain uncomfortable for my mouth to pronounce. Plus, I found the mystery itself unsatisfying, but for reasons too spoilery and tedious to write out.
fleurette's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read too many detective stories from that period. This is also my first book by this author. All in all, this is a very nice book.
It may not be a story that I will remember for years or the best detective story I have read but it is certainly a fast and good story with which I had a good time. The criminal intrigue is interesting, and although I had some suspicions from the beginning, I was not able to figure out the whole plot myself. And that's always a good sign. Although, I admit that the clue of the whole story is a bit unrealistic.
Another strong point is the group of remarkable heroes including Albert Campion himself. He and his servant are interesting enough for me to read another book in which they appear. I am also very curious about Campion's wife, who is only mentioned in this book. Her letter to Campion reveals that she can be a fascinating woman. I wonder if there is a book in which Campion and his wife solve the case together, I really would like to read something like this. This idea needs some further research.
Summing up, it’s a very nice and fast read worth your time.
It may not be a story that I will remember for years or the best detective story I have read but it is certainly a fast and good story with which I had a good time. The criminal intrigue is interesting, and although I had some suspicions from the beginning, I was not able to figure out the whole plot myself. And that's always a good sign. Although, I admit that the clue of the whole story is a bit unrealistic.
Another strong point is the group of remarkable heroes including Albert Campion himself. He and his servant are interesting enough for me to read another book in which they appear. I am also very curious about Campion's wife, who is only mentioned in this book. Her letter to Campion reveals that she can be a fascinating woman. I wonder if there is a book in which Campion and his wife solve the case together, I really would like to read something like this. This idea needs some further research.
Summing up, it’s a very nice and fast read worth your time.
robinwalter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lilcoppertop's review against another edition
I forgot I'd already read this book.
katrinamiddelburg's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable, though her telegraph-rapid writing style took some getting used to. Would definitely read another.