Albert Campion Mysteries

The first novel in Margery Allingham's renowned series introducing the legendary aristocratic sleuth Albert Campion. Pathologist George Abbershaw is on holiday in Suffolk attending a social weekend at the remote Black Dudley manor. His friend Wyatt Petrie has organized a party to provide some diversion for his elderly uncle. With charming young Meggie Oliphant in attendance, George hopes to win her affections. But the lighthearted gathering soon takes a dark turn as the guests are caught in a deadly game. The group soon discovers that the house is under the control of hardened criminals, and there is a killer among them. Now trapped, George must find a way to thwart their plans while getting himself and Meggie out alive. Luckily, one of the guests is Albert Campion-a notorious party crasher with a surprisingly good knack for solving mysteries.

"Wonderfully plotted . . . A marvelous mixture of witchcraft, sacred relics and ancient oaths. {Allingham was a} rare and precious talent." -The Washington Post Estranged from his father, young Percival St. John Wykes Gyrth wanders the streets of London, penniless and homeless, until he's lured to the house of gentleman sleuth Albert Campion. An underground ring of the most powerful and wealthy art collectors in the world have turned their attention to the Gyrth Chalice, a state treasure guarded by the family for centuries. To stop its theft, Campion and Val head back to the family seat in Suffolk, where folklore and ancient superstitions abound-and where, in its supposedly haunted woods, Val's aunt is found literally scared to death. With Val's coming-of-age ritual approaching-in which he is initiated into the secret of the Chalice-Campion must sort through new religion followers, landed gentry, suspicious villagers, and a cast of London's ne'er-do-wells for suspects, all while putting his own life on the line. Praise for Margery Allingham "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light." -Agatha Christie "The best of mystery writers." -The New Yorker "Don't start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction." -The Independent "One of the finest Golden-Age crime novelists." -The Sunday Telegraph "Spending an evening with Campion is one of life's pure pleasures." -The Sunday Times

From the Golden Age mystery author comes "a richly detailed and entertaining romp, with a fascinating resolution and an unconventional and winning sleuth" (Chicago Tribune). Albert Campion heads to Cambridge as a favor to a friend, whose fiancée is employed by the elderly Faraday family, to investigate the disappearance of her uncle Andrew. What the self-proclaimed "Deputy-Adventurer" finds is foul play of the most heinous kind: murder. Andrew is found floating in a river, bound and shot in the head. Needless to say, in a household of unlikable characters-presided over by an authoritarian widow-he's not sorely missed. But fear has pervaded the dour family, bringing up decades of suppressed hatreds, petty jealousies, and nasty impulses-all of which lead to a second shocking killing. As the number of Faradays dwindle, so should the number of suspects. But Campion discovers that in a family this dysfunctional, it's hard to stop what hatred has set in motion. Praise for Margery Allingham "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light." -Agatha Christie "The best of mystery writers." -The New Yorker "Allingham was a rare and precious talent." -The Washington Post "Margery Allingham deserves to be rediscovered." -P. D. James, New York Times–bestselling author "Don't start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction." -The Independent From the Golden Age mystery author comes "a richly detailed and entertaining romp, with a fascinating resolution and an unconventional and winning sleuth" (Chicago Tribune). Albert Campion heads to Cambridge as a favor to a friend, whose fiancée is employed by the elderly Faraday family, to investigate the disappearance of her uncle Andrew. What the self-proclaimed "Deputy-Adventurer" finds is foul play of the most heinous kind: murder. Andrew is found floating in a river, bound and shot in the head. Needless to say, in a household of unlikable characters-presided over by an authoritarian widow-he's not sorely missed. But fear has pervaded the dour family, bringing up decades of suppressed hatreds, petty jealousies, and nasty impulses-all of which lead to a second shocking killing. As the number of Faradays dwindle, so should the number of suspects. But Campion discovers that in a family this dysfunctional, it's hard to stop what hatred has set in motion. Praise for Margery Allingham "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light." -Agatha Christie "The best of mystery writers." -The New Yorker "Allingham was a rare and precious talent." -The Washington Post "Margery Allingham deserves to be rediscovered." -P. D. James, New York Times–bestselling author "Don't start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction." -The Independent

With gentleman sleuth Albert Campion on the case and plenty of European intrigue, "Sweet Danger is for the connoisseur of detective fiction" (Sunday Times). Nestled along the Adriatic coastline, the kingdom of Averna has suddenly-and suspiciously-become the hottest property in Europe, and Albert Campion is given the task of recovering the long-missing proofs of ownership. His mission takes him from the French Riviera to the sleepy village of Pontisbright, where he meets the flame-haired Amanda Fitton. Her family claim to be the rightful heirs to the principality, and insist on joining Campion's quest. Unfortunately for them, a criminal financier and his heavies are also on the trail. The clock is ticking for Campion and his cohorts to outwit the thugs and solve the mystery of Averna. "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light. And she has another quality, not usually associated with crime stories, elegance." -Agatha Christie "The best of mystery writers." -The New Yorker

An artist's legacy lives on-through murder in this Albert Campion mystery masterpiece from "one of the finest Golden-Age crime novelists" (The Sunday Telegraph). To vex his rival from the grave, a famous artist has left twelve paintings to be sold after his death. Each year, one painting is revealed to kick off London's art season. But this release party-bringing family, friends, critics, and collectors together-devolves into scandal. A power outage leaves everyone in the dark, and when the lights come back on, a man lies dead-stabbed through the heart with bejeweled scissors. Family friend Albert Campion is present during the deadly crime. The too obvious suspect is the artist's granddaughter, Linda Lafcadio, who was engaged to the victim until he brought back a model from Italy and married her. Linda didn't take his suggestion of a ménage à trois well, to say the least. But was she angry enough to kill him? Campion thinks not. He's actually quite sure he knows who did the dastardly deed, but there's no evidence to prove it. And though he's one step behind a diabolical killer, Campion just might be next on the list of victims . . . "Uncommon merit in every direction . . . honestly, you can't go wrong with Death of a Ghost." -Boston Evening Transcript Praise for Margery Allingham "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light." -Agatha Christie "The best of mystery writers." -The New Yorker "Allingham was a rare and precious talent." -The Washington Post "Don't start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction." -The Independent

Gentleman sleuth Albert Campion tries to solve the murder of a prominent publisher in this "vivid and witty" British mystery (The New York Times). Scandal hits the prestigious publishing house of Barnabas when one of the directors is found dead in a locked cellar. All eyes are on the other partners at the firm-cousins of the dead man with much to gain from his demise-and all rumors hint at a connection to the disappearance of another director decades earlier. Desperate to salvage their reputation, the cousins turn to Albert Campion-but will his investigations clear the Barnabas family name, or besmirch it forever? "My very favourite of the four Queens of Crime is Allingham." -J. K. Rowling "Ms. Allingham has a strong, controlled sense of humour and is never dull." -Times Literary Supplement

A man is killed five months after his funeral, in a tale by "one of the greatest mid-20th-century practitioners of the detective novel" (Alexander McCall Smith). Private detective Albert Campion is summoned to the village of Kepesake to investigate a particularly distasteful death. The body turns out to be that of Pig Peters, freshly killed five months after his own funeral. Soon other corpses start to turn up, just as Peters's body goes missing. It takes all Campion's coolly incisive powers of detection to unravel the crime. The Case of the Late Pig is, uniquely, narrated by Campion himself. In Allingham's inimitable style, high drama sits neatly beside pitch-perfect black comedy. A heady mix of murder, romance, and the urbane detective's own unglamorous past make this an Allingham mystery not to be missed. "My very favourite of the four Queens of Crime is Allingham."-J. K. Rowling "Margery Allingham deserves to be rediscovered."-P.D. James

Murder takes center stage when a song-and-dance man is targeted, in an Albert Campion whodunit from "the best of mystery writers" (The New Yorker). When entertainer Jimmy Sutane falls victim to a string of malicious practical jokes, there's only one man who can get to the bottom of the apparent vendetta against the music hall darling-gentleman sleuth Albert Campion. Soon, however, the backstage pranks escalate, and an aging starlet is killed. Under pressure to uncover the culprit and plagued by his growing feelings for Sutane's wife, Campion finds himself uncomfortably embroiled in an investigation which tests his ingenuity-and integrity-to the limit. "Allingham's work is always of the first rank." -The New York Times

A custom-made killer shocks the fashionable London set in "one of the finest murder books ever written" featuring gentleman sleuth Albert Campion (The New Yorker). Albert Campion's sister is a success in her own right. A top fashion designer, she works for a legendary couturier and dresses Georgia Wells, the best-dressed actress in the world. Albert also has a connection to Georgia, but his is based on failure, not success. Georgia's former fiancé disappeared nearly three years ago, and Campion has never been able to find him. Until now . . . The victim's remains-discovered by Campion in a deserted country house-point to suicide. But the man's father assumes it was foul play. In a rarified world of wealth and privilege where silence and secrets can be bought, the investigation won't be easy, especially when another death takes center stage. This time, the victim is Georgia's current husband-and starring in the role of prime suspect: Albert's sister. "Top ranking whodunit in Dorothy Sayers tradition . . . Plus sale for non-mysteryites as first rate novel of fashionable London. Suspense-humor-well planned, well written." -Kirkus Reviews Praise for Margery Allingham "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light." -Agatha Christie "The best of mystery writers." -The New Yorker "Allingham was a rare and precious talent." -The Washington Post "Don't start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction." -The Independent

"If I had to vote for the single best detective story, this would be it." -A.S. Byatt Celebrated amateur detective Albert Campion awakes in hospital, accused of attacking a police officer and suffering from acute amnesia. All he can remember is that he was on a mission of vital importance to His Majesty's government before his accident. On the run from the police and unable to recognize even his faithful servant or his beloved fiancée, Campion struggles desperately to put the pieces together-while World War II rages and the very fate of England is at stake. Published in 1941, Traitor's Purse is "a wartime masterpiece" (The Guardian). "Uncommonly exciting stuff, replete with Allingham's skill in story-building and the plausible characters that make her as much a fine novelist as a mystery writer." -The New Republic "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light. And she has another quality, not usually associated with crime stories, elegance." -Agatha Christie

"Allingham has that rare gift in a novelist, the creation of characters so rich and so real that they stay with the reader forever." -Sara Paretsky World War II is limping to a close and private detective Albert Campion has just returned from years abroad on a secret mission. Relaxing in his bath before rushing back to the country, and to the arms of his wife, Amanda, Campion is disturbed when his servant, Lugg, and a lady of unmistakably aristocratic bearing appear in his flat carrying the corpse of a woman. The reluctant Campion is forced to put his powers of detection to work as he is drawn deeper into the case, and into the eccentric Caradocs household, dealing with murder, treason, grand larceny, and the mysterious disappearance of some very valuable art. "Margery Allingham deserves to be rediscovered." -P.D. James "Margery Allingham was one of the greatest mid-20th-century practitioners of the detective novel." -Alexander McCall Smith

"A top-notch mystery full of keen characterization, humor, old English atmosphere, a charmingly decadent family, and a few sudden deaths." -The New York Times A beggarwoman on a bench arouses Albert Campion's curiosity-and helps Scotland Yard lure him into a case of family dysfunction. The seemingly destitute woman is none other than a member of the eccentric Palinode family, which has recently lost two of its members. The police suspect a poisoner is on the loose, which is why Campion is willing to go undercover as a lodger in the boardinghouse where they live. As the recently deceased are exhumed, Campion becomes acquainted with the old-fashioned, out-of-the-ordinary family members, who talk in crossword puzzle clues, sneak out at night, and cook vats of stinky food in the basement to save money. And if that's not enough to keep Campion on his toes, the local undertaker seems to be digging himself into a hole . . . Praise for Margery Allingham "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light." -Agatha Christie "The best of mystery writers." -The New Yorker "Don't start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction." -The Independent "One of the finest Golden-Age crime novelists." -The Sunday Telegraph "Spending an evening with Campion is one of life's pure pleasures." -The Sunday Times

"The Tiger in the Smoke is a phenomenal novel." -J. K. Rowling A fog is creeping through the weary streets of London-so too are whispers that the Tiger is back in town, undetected by the law, untroubled by morals. And the rumors are true: Jack Havoc, charismatic outlaw, knife-wielding killer, and ingenious jail-breaker, is on the loose once again. As Havoc stalks the smog-cloaked alleyways of the city, it falls to Albert Campion to hunt down the fugitive and put a stop to his rampage-before it's too late . . . "Allingham's work is always of the first rank." -The New York Times

Murder darkens the bright days of summer in an idyllic Suffolk village, in an Albert Campion mystery that is simply "unforgettable" (A.S. Byatt). Private detective Albert Campion's glorious summer in Pontisbright is blighted by death. Amidst the preparations for Minnie and Tonker Cassand's fabulous summer party, a murder is discovered-and it falls to Campion to unravel the intricate web of motives, suspicion and deception. Danger is hardly unknown in this idyllic rural village, but it is a less romantic peril than Campion faced on his first visit, more than twenty years ago . . . "My very favourite of the four Queens of Crime is Allingham." -J. K. Rowling "Margery Allingham has precious few peers and no superiors." -The Sunday Times "Allingham has that rare gift in a novelist, the creation of characters so rich and so real that they stay with the reader forever." -Sara Paretsky

Private detective Albert Campion hunts a serial killer in London's theatre district, in this crime novel from "the best of mystery writers" (The New Yorker). A spate of murders leaves Campion with only two baffling clues: a left-hand glove and a lizard-skin letter-case. These minimal leads, and a series of peculiar events, set the gentleman sleuth on a race against time that takes him from an odd museum of curiosities hidden in a quiet corner of London to a scrapyard in the East End. Margery Allingham shows her dark edge in Hide My Eyes and evokes the sights, sounds, and inimitable atmosphere of 1950s London, once again proving herself "one of the finest 'golden age' crime novelists" (Sunday Telegraph). "Allingham has that rare gift in a novelist, the creation of characters so rich and so real that they stay with the reader forever." -Sara Paretsky "Allingham's characters are three-dimensional flesh and blood, especially her villains." -Times Literary Supplement

"Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light. And she has another quality, not usually associated with crime stories, elegance." -Agatha Christie Timothy Kinnit is rich, handsome, and successful, but his past is a mystery to him. When he learns, on the eve of his elopement, that he is adopted, he must question everything he thought he knew. In desperate search of answers, Kinnit calls on private detective Albert Campion to shed some light on his past, and how it connects him to the notorious Turk Street Mile slum. Meanwhile, his illustrious adopted family has a sinister secret of its own-involving a murderous nineteenth-century governess-that must also be brought to light by Campion's investigations. "Allingham is very, very good and those who are not familiar with her have a discovery awaiting them."-Los Angeles Times

A mysterious invention causes mayhem in a coastal English village-from "my very favourite of the four Queens of Crime" (J. K. Rowling). The ancient hamlet of Saltey, once the haunt of smugglers, now hides a secret rich and mysterious enough to trap all who enter . . . and someone in town is willing to terrorize, murder, and raise the very devil to keep that secret to themselves. When a transistor thought to be the key to telepathic communication is found, Albert Campion is called to sort fact from fiction. But the device at the center of the mystery is in the possession of two schoolboys, and whether they stole it or invented it, there are others who will kill to get hold of it. "Allingham has a strong, well controlled sense of humour, a power of suggesting character with a few touches and an excellent English style. She has a sense of the fantastic, and is never dull" -Times Literary Supplement

A lively British mystery from "one of the greatest mid-20th-century practitioners of the detective novel" (Alexander McCall Smith). Strange things are happening in Saltey. The little village on the Essex coast is invaded by bikers and a parade of peculiar visitors, a newly released prisoner is rumored to be in the area, Mr. Lugg has bought a bungalow there, the Saltey Demon is on the loose again . . . and Albert Campion is looking for the disappearance of thousands of pounds of gold coinage. This is Margery Allingham's final novel featuring her famous gentleman sleuth, overflowing with evil arch-villains and classic thuggery against the atmospheric backdrop of postwar England. "Allingham has that rare gift in a novelist, the creation of characters so rich and so real that they stay with the reader forever." -Sara Paretsky "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light." -Agatha Christie

In The Meaning of the Act, Margery Allingham crafts a clever and suspenseful short mystery featuring the ever-charming and sharp-witted detective Albert Campion. What starts as an ordinary social engagement soon turns into a puzzling case of crime, deception, and hidden motives. When a seemingly harmless act during a gathering takes on a sinister significance, Campion is called upon to decipher the true meaning behind it. As he digs deeper, he uncovers secrets that threaten to expose long-buried truths. With his signature intelligence and keen observational skills, Campion must unravel the mystery before it's too late. Filled with Allingham's signature intrigue, subtle humor, and a touch of the unexpected, The Meaning of the Act is a brilliant example of Golden Age detective fiction. Fans of classic mysteries and Albert Campion's adventures won't be disappointed by this intriguing and masterfully plotted tale.

In The Name on the Wrapper, Margery Allingham delivers another brilliant short mystery featuring the enigmatic detective Albert Campion. When a seemingly insignificant piece of packaging is discovered at the scene of a crime, it becomes the key to unraveling a much deeper and more sinister mystery. Campion, with his usual blend of charm, intelligence, and keen observational skills, is drawn into a case that involves deception, hidden identities, and a trail of unexpected clues. As he pieces together the significance of the mysterious wrapper, he uncovers a secret that could change everything. A masterfully crafted tale filled with intrigue, wit, and Allingham's signature storytelling, The Name on the Wrapper is a must-read for fans of classic detective fiction and the inimitable Albert Campion.

In The Hat Trick, Margery Allingham crafts a clever and suspenseful short story featuring her beloved detective, Albert Campion. When a harmless parlor trick at a high-society gathering turns into a baffling mystery, Campion finds himself unraveling a case of deception, hidden identities, and unexpected danger. What begins as an evening of lighthearted entertainment quickly takes a sinister turn when an item of great value vanishes without a trace. As suspicions rise and secrets come to light, Campion must rely on his sharp intellect and unorthodox methods to uncover the truth before the trick becomes a trap. Filled with Allingham's signature wit, engaging characters, and a tightly woven plot, The Hat Trick is a delightful mystery that showcases the brilliance of Albert Campion and the timeless appeal of classic detective fiction.

In Safe as Houses, Margery Allingham delivers a gripping short mystery featuring her beloved detective, Albert Campion. When a seemingly straightforward real estate transaction takes a sinister turn, Campion finds himself drawn into a web of deception, greed, and unexpected danger. A wealthy family's estate is at the center of a curious dispute, but what appears to be a routine legal matter soon escalates into a case of fraud, betrayal, and even murder. With his trademark wit, intelligence, and charm, Campion must unravel the hidden motives of those involved before more lives are at stake. Blending classic detective fiction with Allingham's sharp storytelling and well-crafted suspense, Safe as Houses is a must-read for fans of the Golden Age of Mystery and those who appreciate a masterfully plotted whodunit.

When a priceless artifact known as "The White Elephant" mysteriously vanishes, Albert Campion is called upon to unravel the peculiar case. What seems like a straightforward theft soon reveals layers of deception, hidden motives, and unexpected dangers. As Campion navigates the twists and turns of high society and the criminal underworld, he must determine who stands to gain from the disappearance-and whether the legendary artifact holds secrets beyond its material worth. With his keen intuition and unconventional approach to crime-solving, Campion follows a trail of clues that lead him deep into a world of treachery and illusion. But can he solve the mystery before the White Elephant is lost forever? Filled with intrigue, wit, and classic detective storytelling, The White Elephant is a compelling entry in the Albert Campion series, perfect for fans of Golden Age mysteries.

A collection of thirteen short stories brings back an acclaimed Golden Age mystery author's beloved sleuth, as well as a host of fresh characters and genres. Margery Allingham fans will delight at being reunited with the Queen of Crime's most thrilling detective, Albert Campion. From capers and traditional mysteries to slice-of-life stories, romantic tales, and even a Christmas story, this anthology is a must-have for Allingham enthusiasts, as well as readers who have yet to discover the esteemed English author. Praise for Margery Allingham "Margery Allingham stands out like a shining knight." -Agatha Christie "My very favourite of the four Queens of crime is Allingham." -J.K. Rowling "Margery Allingham deserves to be rediscovered." -P.D. James "Spending an evening with Campion is one of life's pure pleasures." -The Sunday Times "Startlingly good." -The Guardian "At once exciting and amusing." -The New York Times