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melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Needed good short story mysteries - this worked for me. Some are Campion shorts; some are one-offs -- all are interesting and not run-of-the-mill. Enjoyed it.
tracey_stewart's review
5.0
Honestly, there's not a tremendous amount to say about this collection. I've been fond of Margery Allingham's writing for a very long time, and of Albert Campion; not all these stories are about him, but I like the Campions best, of course. Some I remembered; some felt new to me – and they're all very enjoyable, and very clever.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
blockofsoy's review
3.0
This was a collection of very old-fashioned mystery stories which were entertaining to read for the most part, but certain stories became repetitive after a while. The story I enjoyed reading the most was the Brownrigg story because of how different it was to the others, which seemed just like excerpts taken from her other books. I personally was not a fan of the Campion stories because of how out-of-context they were and weren’t at all interesting. The overall feel I had while reading this novel was like eating a piece of white bread and coming across the occasional sprinkle of bland jam.
Coming into this, I had not previously read any of Allingham’s actual novels, but hearing how she was one of four crime queen novelists, my expectations were quite high. I don’t believe that this compilation did her justice, and based on the Brownrigg story, I believe her to be a well-equipped writer - I think the stories of choice were just so bland.
Coming into this, I had not previously read any of Allingham’s actual novels, but hearing how she was one of four crime queen novelists, my expectations were quite high. I don’t believe that this compilation did her justice, and based on the Brownrigg story, I believe her to be a well-equipped writer - I think the stories of choice were just so bland.
sheeprustler's review
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stagasaurus's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this. A smattering of Campion and other crime stories from interesting angles. Lots of variety. This is what short story collections should be like.
fernandie's review against another edition
2.0
I like the novels featuring Campion better than this collection of short stories. I thought several of these were confusing, or strange, or not explained well enough.
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
vsbedford's review
4.0
Allingham, for me, is one of the more elusive Golden Age authors - both in the ability to find her books and in enjoyment of her Campion series. She knows how to spin a murder and she doesn't overly rely on the same types of characters (I'm looking at you, Agatha) BUT Campion has never rung the bell in my mind. As such, this short story collection really opens up the vistas of her writing. The plots are tight, although she hides the ball quite a bit but that's probably a function of the short story form rather than her writing, the characters well drawn, and there seems to be a wink behind most of the stories. In one especially fine psychological study, They Never Get Caught, the reader can draw a straight line between Allingham and Ruth Rendell and Joyce Carol Oates. A strong 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.
cindyann62's review against another edition
3.0
Ebook
Enjoyable set of short British mystery stories. Some I understood, some I did not. There were more than a few times I had to re-read sentences to understand what was going on, because a) British wording, b) British customs and c) the date. That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable and reminded me how slack our English has become. I would definitely read more of her writing.
Enjoyable set of short British mystery stories. Some I understood, some I did not. There were more than a few times I had to re-read sentences to understand what was going on, because a) British wording, b) British customs and c) the date. That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable and reminded me how slack our English has become. I would definitely read more of her writing.
lilcoppertop's review against another edition
4.0
Top 5 Favourite Stories:
5. Joke Over
4. Three is a Lucky Number
3. The Pro and the Con
2. One Morning They'll Hang Him
1. The Villa 'Marie Celeste'
5. Joke Over
4. Three is a Lucky Number
3. The Pro and the Con
2. One Morning They'll Hang Him
1. The Villa 'Marie Celeste'
balancinghistorybooks's review against another edition
3.0
The Allingham Casebook consists of eighteen mystery- and crime-based stories. I was really looking forward to dipping in; Allingham is a great author, just as good as Agatha Christie, I feel, and she deserves to be read more widely. I found some of the inclusions in this collection to be far more clever and surprising than others. It is certainly a varied collection, in spite of its common theme. Some of the stories here did not really grab my attention, but others proved gripping and memorable. Whilst The Allingham Casebook was an interesting read on many levels, it did not quite have the wit and consistency which I was expecting. Allingham really flourishes in her full-length work, where she has more space and time in which to craft characters and create more intricate plots.