jbleyle63's review
4.0
Very short collection [approximately 75 pages] of Holiday themed stories featuring Allingham's Albert Campion in only three of the four short stories so title is a bit deceptive. I was already familiar with two of the stories from previous anthologies and enjoyed rereading both, especially "The Case of the Man with the Sack" which was my introduction to Campion. The story "Happy Christmas" has nothing to do with crime but is a tale of a newly wedded couple obsessed with the Victorian era who celebrate a true Victorian Christmas by inviting an elderly widow to serve as advisor. The last story "Word in Season" stars Campion's dog Poins who provides just the tonic for his master to successfully navigate a little marital disharmony during Christmas Eve. Collection was good seasonal read with just the right amount of whimsy.
katypicken's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vsbedford's review
4.0
A sweet little collection for Campion fans - perfect stocking stuffer or house-gift for the Golden Age fan. The second story made absolutely no sense to me but, in true Allingham fashion, it evoked a mood crisply and efficiently. A definite recommend.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
verityw's review
3.0
****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
Four Margery Allingham Shorts - two of them with Albert Campion - and a nice Festive treat. If you haven't read any Campion before this probably isn't the best place to start, but if you have it's a lot of fun to drop in briefly on Albert. They're all quite cleverly put together too which makes them more satisfying than you'd expect given the length of them.
Four Margery Allingham Shorts - two of them with Albert Campion - and a nice Festive treat. If you haven't read any Campion before this probably isn't the best place to start, but if you have it's a lot of fun to drop in briefly on Albert. They're all quite cleverly put together too which makes them more satisfying than you'd expect given the length of them.
calypte's review
3.0
I loved the TV adaptation of the Campion books, back when I was a nipper, and finally got 'round to reading some of the novels. This collection of stories features 3 with Campion, and one weird other Christmas-themed one. I enjoyed the slice of ye-olde festivities, through 2 very slight mysteries and a piece of pure whimsy about a talking dog.
Full review is up on my blog.
Full review is up on my blog.
ssejig's review
3.0
Not all of the stories are about Campion and not all of the stories are mysteries. But all are set at Christmas and display the skill Allingham had in weaving a story, even a short one. A definite holiday classic to be re-read every year.
charlottejones952's review
3.0
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Margery Allingham is often compared to Agatha Christie and as someone who likes cosy mysteries more than the more violent contemporary crime novels, this sounded like the perfect thing to read this time of the year.
This is only 63 pages so each of the four stories, though particularly the last, were very short. However the last one was my favourite of the collection. One, it was the most warming and Christmassy, and secondly it felt like the perfect length for the story which cannot be said for the others.
Overall I will definitely be exploring more of this author's work and I think that this is the perfect book for a cold winter's evening.
Margery Allingham is often compared to Agatha Christie and as someone who likes cosy mysteries more than the more violent contemporary crime novels, this sounded like the perfect thing to read this time of the year.
This is only 63 pages so each of the four stories, though particularly the last, were very short. However the last one was my favourite of the collection. One, it was the most warming and Christmassy, and secondly it felt like the perfect length for the story which cannot be said for the others.
Overall I will definitely be exploring more of this author's work and I think that this is the perfect book for a cold winter's evening.
jbistheinitial's review
4.0
Margery Allingham was one of the four 'Queens of Crime' of the Golden Age, together with Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh and Dorothy L Sayers, and this short collection of four festive stories is a perfect introduction to her work. Three of the stories feature Campion, her most famous character, including a glimpse at his domestic life in Word In Season, while the fourth - Happy Christmas - is a delightful vignette featuring a couple trying to recreate a Victorian Christmas.
annarella's review
5.0
Margery Allingham is one of the Queen of Mysteries and this collection of Christmas short stories was delightful.
Not all of them are mystery themed but they are all lovely and enjoyable.
I can say they aged well and are full of humour and Christmas spirit.
They made crave for more and wish to start one of her novel.
A wonderful Christmas treat.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Agora Books and Netgalley for this ARC
Not all of them are mystery themed but they are all lovely and enjoyable.
I can say they aged well and are full of humour and Christmas spirit.
They made crave for more and wish to start one of her novel.
A wonderful Christmas treat.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Agora Books and Netgalley for this ARC