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1mpossiblealice's review against another edition
3.75
This was my first Allingham and I was recommended to start here rather than book 1 which doesn't feature Campion as much. It was a really enjoyable read and I'll definitely be reading more of the series.
naluju's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
johnw613's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
affiknittyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
jbleyle63's review against another edition
4.0
My second read in the Albert Campion series and my enthusiasm continues to grow for this Golden Age mystery series. Just the tonic for the reader who has completed Dorothy L. Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey series!
cleheny's review against another edition
3.0
I had never read any of the Albert Campion mysteries, or watched any of the dramatizations, so I was a bit unprepared for the superficial similarities between Campion and Lord Peter Wimsey--a seemingly-fatuous aristocrat with a genius for quick thinking and crime-solving. But the differences are significant. Wimsey's "piffle" is usually to the point, whereas Campion's frequently makes no sense (perhaps he would have to a 1920s/1930s reader). Dorothy Sayers gave Wimsey a clearly-defined family and place within the aristocratic hierarchy, whereas Allingham does her best to obfuscate Campion's background. The greatest difference is that Sayers wrote mysteries, while Allingham (at least in the early stories, I haven't read all of them) wrote tales of suspense/thrillers with a veneer of mystery. I prefer Wimsey to Campion, but there's no question that Allingham is an engaging writer and created some fine characters.
Mystery Mile benefits from some strong characterization, particularly Thos Knapp and Lugg. But I still find Campion to be something of an empty suit. We're supposed to feel badly for him at the end because of a development in his personal life, but I just found myself annoyed. Basically, he wants something but does almost nothing to secure it, and then we're supposed to feel badly for him that he doesn't get it. I'm hoping that he becomes more interesting as the series develops.
Mystery Mile benefits from some strong characterization, particularly Thos Knapp and Lugg. But I still find Campion to be something of an empty suit. We're supposed to feel badly for him at the end because of a development in his personal life, but I just found myself annoyed. Basically, he wants something but does almost nothing to secure it, and then we're supposed to feel badly for him that he doesn't get it. I'm hoping that he becomes more interesting as the series develops.
majkia's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best mystery, but then she's still forming Albert Campion
katymaryreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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