The Crime At Black Dudley (Albert Campion Book One) by Margery Allingham (Audio Book)

 

The Crime at Black Dudley (Albert Campion Book One).

Narrated by David Thorpe.

Released 14th February 2013 by Audible Studios. Originally published in 1929.

From the cover:

When George Abbershaw is invited to Black Dudley Manor for the weekend, he has only one thing on his mind - proposing to Meggie Oliphant. Unfortunately for George, things don't quite go according to plan. A harmless game turns decidedly deadly and suspicions of murder take precedence over matrimony. Trapped in a remote country house with a murderer, George can see no way out. But Albert Campion can.

About the author: Margery Allingham was born in London in 1904. Her first novel was published when she was 17. In 1929 she published The Crime at Black Dudley and introduced the character who was to become the hallmark of her writing - Albert Campion.

********************

When doctor and forensic expert George Abbershaw is invited to Black Dudley Manor for the weekend, he is looking forward to a relaxing time in the company of friends - especially the beguiling Meggie Oliphant, who has captured his heart. Unfortunately for George, things go serious awry when a harmless game takes a deadly turn.

The plot thickens when it appears that one of their number is a notorious crime boss, who is determined to get his hands on a mystery item that has gone missing, and he and his hired goons won't let anyone leave this remote country house until it is found.

The weekend visitors have become trapped here - one of them is certainly a murderer, and they are all under the threat of harm from a seriously dodgy gang of cut-throats who may or may not be behind the killing. George can see no way out, but eccentric fellow guest Albert Campion, who no one can remember inviting, might just have a plan...

I love Golden Age crime, but have never read Margery Allingham, so when this book, the first in the Albert Campion series, came up in an Audible sale I had to have a listen.

This has all the menacing, locked room murder-mystery elements I love, but it is rather quirky as it is pitched somewhere between a classic crime tale and a humourous P.G. Wodehouse-esque caper - with flashes of adventure tales like The 39 Steps. I think the most unusual thing about it is the fact that Albert Campion is actually a bit-part player for most of the story, although he is the key to solving the mystery.

I really enjoyed this tale, especially as it was narrated by one of my favourite voice actors David Thorpe, but I am not sure if I am quite sold on Campion himself yet, and suspect he might be something of an acquired taste. I have book two, Mystery Mile, lined up to listen to in the new year so time will tell!

The Crime at Back Dudley is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats from your favourite book retailer.

About the author:

Margery Allingham is ranked among the most distinguished and beloved detective fiction writers of the Golden Age alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh. Allingham is J.K. Rowling's favourite Golden Age author and Agatha Christie said of Allingham that out of all the detective stories she remembers, Margery Allingham 'stands out like a shining light'.