I was a bit hesitant to read Tiger in the Smoke because it is usually described as very different from Allingham's other mysteries (although I have always found that there was much variation within the series). This is definitely a thriller as opposed to the usual detective novel, and fairly early on we know who the killer is. The only mystery is how (or if?) he will be stopped.
A brief summary:
A relative of Campion's, Meg Elginbrodde, is about to remarry five years after losing her first husband in World War II. She has been sent photos of her first husband which seem to indicate he is alive and in London. Campion and Inspector Charlie Luke look into this.The "tiger" threatening London is Jack Havoc, recently escaped from prison. The "smoke" is the fog/smog hanging over London throughout this story.
My thoughts:
I did like this mystery a lot, although it is not my favorite book by Allingham. What I like about Allingham's Albert Campion series is how she tells a story, her writing style, and her skill with characterization, especially with some of the unique secondary characters that don't show up in every book. All of that was there in this book, so I was very happy with it.Canon Avril is my favorite character in this story. He is Meg's father, "the priest in charge of the Anglican church of St Peter of the Gate in Portminster Row in London." (see Clerical Detectives) He becomes very involved in the investigation and ferrets out important details that might never have been discovered otherwise. And he is such a wise and wonderful person. The parts with Canon Avril alone made the book worthwhile for me.
Some reviewers note that Campion is not much involved in this story or the investigation but I don't see it that way at all. He was there when he needed to be and he played an important part.
See posts at Clothes in Books (here and here). At Past Offences there are multiple posts on this book, starting here.
-----------------------------
Publisher: Felony & Mayhem, 2010 (orig. pub. 1952)
Length: 290 pages
Format: Trade paperback
Setting: London, UK. France.
Genre: Thriller
Source: Purchased at the Planned Parenthood book sale, 2011.
21 comments:
This is my favourite Allingham, Tracy. Over the years, I have lost all interest in Allingham (The racism in Police at the Funeral left a very bad taste in my mouth) but this still remains a favourite. The character of Jack will always stay with me.
Neeru, sorry to hear that Police at the Funeral had elements of racism. When I started re-reading the Allingham books, the first I reread was The Fear Sign (or Sweet Danger), so have not read Police at the Funeral or the books before it in decades. Tiger in the Smoke was an interesting reading experience.
I think I read this a long time ago, but I'm not sure. I don't recall the racism Neeru mentions, but then I am able to accept characters in books doing what they would have at the time in which the book is set, without trying to apply current standards. I'm behind on my Allingham reading.
Rick, I have been aiming towards Tiger in the Smoke for years, but I guess I will read the rest of the Albert Campion books after that one. I don't remember any of them. And I have the book of Christmas stories I got when you suggested it.
I just finished Boundary Waters in the Cork O'Connor series and I liked it almost as much as the first book in the series.
I read most of her books forty-fifty years ago and although she was not my favorite (Tey probably or Nicholas Blake) she was certainly readable and entertaining.
Patti, I like both Tey and Blake. I have most of Tey's books but only a few by Nicholas Blake. I enjoy re-reading them, since I don't remember much from when I read them years ago. I have enjoyed re-reading the Allingham books and I think I like them now for different reasons than when I read them the first time.
I don't understand why I've never read any of the books in this series, especially with my liking for vintage crime. When the lockdown is over will have to see what the library comes up with.
Cath, The library is a good way to go, to see if you like them. But the series is definitely worth trying.
Rick, usually I just laugh-off racism in books but Police at the Funeral has an under-vein of it running through out the text which I found pretty offensive. It destroyed the mystery for me which in itself is pretty good.
I'm glad you found a lot to like about this one, Tracy. That's always been one of Allingham's strengths in my opinion: the ability to write different sorts of stories and different sorts of plots. And, yes, she was good at characters.
Margot, Allingham is one of my favorite vintage mystery authors. Now that I have read a book by her and one by Wentworth recently, I need to turn to Agatha Christie.
I've enjoyed the Allingham adventures I've read--just several Campions--but I don't recall any racism in those. Maybe only in Police at the Funeral? You and Neeru have sold me on Tiger in the Smoke, which will be my long overdue next Allingham.
Mathew, you definitely should read Tiger in the Smoke. I was afraid my expectation were too high and I would not like it so much. And I would love to hear your opinion of it.
My plan with Allingham's books is to continue reading the last five or so books after Tiger in the Smoke. and maybe then cycle back to the early ones. Also I skipped The Case of the Late Pig so I have to read that sometime too.
It is my favourite Allingham, Tracy - in fact, one of my favourite crime novels. It is hard to make a saintly character interesting, but she pulls it off triumphantly with Canon Avril.
Christine, I am sure I must have read this when I was younger, but it was totally fresh and new to me and I was so glad I finally read it. I could reread it again just for the parts featuring Canon Avril.
I remember being a wee bit disappointed by this one, probably just because everyone else seemed to love it, so I expected more of it.
Katrina, I have that problem with books sometimes. My expectations lead me to disappointment. Fortunately that did not happen this time. I would put this book in my top four by Allingham; the others would be Pearls before Swine, Traitor's Purse, and Flowers for the Judge.
I almost think of this one as a standalone, as Campion's part is so small: it is the fight between Jack Havoc and the Canon which is so important. What a memorable character the Canon is. I remember so much about this book, it is stuck in my mind.
Is Pearls Before Swine the same book as Coroner's Pidgin? (Have we had this discussion before ;)) I think my favourite is The Fashion in Shrouds. (And not just because it is about a fashion house!)
Moira, yes, Pearls Before Swine = Coroner's Pidgin but I always have to check to make sure. Fashion in Shrouds is also a favorite. I like all the female characters and any book with Amanda in it.
This is the one of hers that sits on the pile. I wonder if I will ever get around to reading it.
This one is very good, Col, but still may not be your type of mystery.
Post a Comment