Mr Campion's Christmas is the newest (and reportedly last) book in a worthy homage to Margery Allingham's Albert Campion. Released 5th Nov, 2024 by Severn House, it's 272 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in July 2025 from the same publisher. It's
worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of
contents as well as interactive links.
Author Mike Ripley
has written several books featuring Campion (this is the 12th) as well as other fiction and nonfiction. He's an
experienced and capable author and this series has been an absolute joy to read. According to the author's afterword, it is sad that this will be the last outing for the characters under his pen. Mr. Ripley has done a truly creditable job with the series and treated the characters and settings respectfully. I've been a fan of golden age mystery
(especially British) as long as I've been reading, more or less, and I'm
always on the lookout for more golden age fiction since the original
authors are sadly long gone.
This installment sees Campion (the elder), Campion (the younger), Lugg, and an ensemble cast of characters trying to untangle a devious cold war espionage plot without getting murdered themselves. Lugg is, as always, wonderful, and Campion (the elder) is self-deprecatingly and devastatingly brilliant.
The book honestly surprised some laughs out of me, which is no mean feat. The clues are fair-play, and the climax and denouement are wonderfully twisty and satisfying. I really love this series. For readers who are not already fans of Mr. Ripley's Campion, but who are fans of Ms. Allingham's, will find much to love here. Ripley treats the canon with the respect (and humour) it deserves. Despite being the last entry, it works well as a standalone.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
No comments:
Post a Comment