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cestsibon's review against another edition
3.0
it really feels good to be done with this but in a mixed feelings sort of way. this was the book i read in bed almost every night until i fell asleep. i do have to say when compared with the old mysteries written around the time this was, it was way more entertaining and kept hitting you with fun plot twists. however, the only caveat is that the mystery took a backseat to some of the crazy things that were happening so it felt more like a thriller sometimes.
i did enjoy this but i wish the mystery had been centered more. the way it was handled especially at the end pissed me off. ALSO for a series that has Albert Campion as the main character of the series, his role in this was so small and it also pissed me off further because i loved his eccentric character and wanted to see more of him or at least see him being the one to solve the murder but that was also given to another character and i didn’t understand why.
albert campion was not the main character here and it felt a bit deceiving. i will continue the series so i can find out how the author develops campion from the first book.
i did enjoy this but i wish the mystery had been centered more. the way it was handled especially at the end pissed me off. ALSO for a series that has Albert Campion as the main character of the series, his role in this was so small and it also pissed me off further because i loved his eccentric character and wanted to see more of him or at least see him being the one to solve the murder but that was also given to another character and i didn’t understand why.
albert campion was not the main character here and it felt a bit deceiving. i will continue the series so i can find out how the author develops campion from the first book.
aclarehoman's review against another edition
2.0
What a waste of a perfectly good manor house mystery! A champagne fever dream of a Golden Age mystery where upper class people still whip commoners with their riding crops, and deus ex mysterina saves the day. *sigh*
karen_unabridged's review against another edition
4.0
Manor house, ancient towers, house guests, Nazis, spies, murder, intrigue, secret passages, fools (and fellows pretending to be fools), brave young women, Bright Young Things, and a mystery that's not quite as it seems: something for everyone in this book.
Recommended for: fans of classic mysteries, people who are running out of Sayers, Christie or Marsh stories to read.
Recommended for: fans of classic mysteries, people who are running out of Sayers, Christie or Marsh stories to read.
sandralaurentino's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Xenophobia, and Classism
oandthefoxes's review against another edition
4.0
Hugely enjoyed this clever who done it. Great characters & thoughtful insights on criminality.
ccxo's review against another edition
2.0
This is my first Margery Allingham and I had high expectations, but this didn't live up to them.
It starts silly and gets sillier. However, it was also Allingham's first outing with Albert Campion, so let's hope she improved. The basic outline of the plot is not bad (I'm being rather generous here) and with more believable characters, less melodrama and fewer secret passages it could have made a good mystery.
As it is, it reads rather like an unfunny spoof of a mystery novel. At the end of chapter 11 we are told that one of the prime suspects is 'the most dangerous and notorious criminal of modern times' but he simply doesn't live up to his reputation, being distinctly half-witted, as far as I can see. The love interest on the side amounts to nothing, as the delightful red-head instantly drops into the hero's arms as soon as he declares his passion for her; where's the suspense - or the point?
Review: https://clife.blog/2022/10/18/book-review-the-crime-at-black-dudley-by-margery-allingham/
It starts silly and gets sillier. However, it was also Allingham's first outing with Albert Campion, so let's hope she improved. The basic outline of the plot is not bad (I'm being rather generous here) and with more believable characters, less melodrama and fewer secret passages it could have made a good mystery.
As it is, it reads rather like an unfunny spoof of a mystery novel. At the end of chapter 11 we are told that one of the prime suspects is 'the most dangerous and notorious criminal of modern times' but he simply doesn't live up to his reputation, being distinctly half-witted, as far as I can see. The love interest on the side amounts to nothing, as the delightful red-head instantly drops into the hero's arms as soon as he declares his passion for her; where's the suspense - or the point?
Review: https://clife.blog/2022/10/18/book-review-the-crime-at-black-dudley-by-margery-allingham/
telerit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kellyj2025's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun read!! it’s your typical golden age, mystery, but with way more action and excitement. Hostages! A criminal gang! Gunfire! A murder, of course!
This is my first foray in Allingham’s mysteries and I don’t think it will be my last. I thought the story itself was quite interesting, I liked the cast of characters, and it was a pretty quick read.
The ending was perhaps a little bit random , and seriously did I miss something — where’d Chris go?? — and melodramatic, but I really enjoyed it. I wonder what Albert Campion will get into next. Also, he’s very much like Lord Peter Wimsey and it cracks me up.
This is my first foray in Allingham’s mysteries and I don’t think it will be my last. I thought the story itself was quite interesting, I liked the cast of characters, and it was a pretty quick read.
The ending was perhaps a little bit random , and seriously did I miss something — where’d Chris go?? — and melodramatic, but I really enjoyed it. I wonder what Albert Campion will get into next. Also, he’s very much like Lord Peter Wimsey and it cracks me up.
cinnaberries's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Perhaps I only noticed because I was listening, but one of the characters is consistently described as "the girl" (she has a name, which is used about as often as calling her the girl) and having "narrow brown eyes". Other than a few pet peeves on specific writing ticks, this was a favorite and only docked 0.25 stars. I predicted who the murderer would be, but it didn't detract from the enjoyment for me. However, be aware if you've read many mysteries that the foreshadowing might be a little heavy-handed. Still, the motivation is remarkable and totally compelling and it's worth reading even for veterans of the mystery genre.