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23rd out of 124 books
—
38 voters
The Crime at Black Dudley (Albert Campion #1)
A house-party with a glittering guest list. An imposing country estate with endless shadowy staircases and unused rooms. The breathless period between the two world wars. It’s the ideal setting for the classic English murder mystery, and bringing it to perfection is the introduction—in a supporting role for the first and last time—of Albert Campion, the consummate (if comp...more
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
1950
by Penguin Books
(first published 1929)
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77th out of 120 books
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84 voters
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This is a mystery on the lines of Christie's Tommy and Tuppence stories - part thriller, part adventure, part espionage, which its overblown international criminal organisations, guns, and and secret passages. A slightly pompous settled in his ways young pathologist finds himself caught up in first murder and then the schemes of overblown criminals during a visit to the country mansion. Very English old-chaps and threatening foreigners, with women mostly there to be protected and adored.
This is...more
This is...more
"Happy Birthday, Albert Campion!" For those of you who enjoy those Golden Age of English mysteries of the likes of Sayers, Christie, and Chesterton, Margery Allingham, widely regarded as one of the three queens of British Golden Age detective fiction, is worth adding to your reading. In "The Crime of Black Dudley," Allingham gives birth to one of those early detectives: Albert Campion. Although "Black Dudley" is marketed today as the first of the Campion mysteries, in this novel, Campion was sim...more
Enjoyable mystery/adventure from the early 20th century. I was a bit annoyed that the character of Albert Campion, the reason I started this book, kind of fades out part way through the book. I also find the 20s and 30s slang a strain on my patience. Over all, the action and some surprises were pleasant, and I even decided I liked having such heavy handed bad guys. They felt more like something from a superhero story, but hey, I went along with it.
I will add that the protagonists almost didn't s...more
I will add that the protagonists almost didn't s...more
This was my third try at reading an Allingham mystery - apparently the third time is the charm. I'm still not in love with her or her character of Campion, but he's much better as a side character than a main hero. His wit and humor really shine through in this first novel and he certainly brings in humor during very dark parts of the story. In many ways, this version of Campion reminded me a bit of Bertie Wooster. His less-than-serious take on life, his ability to get himself into (and out of)...more
this is the first in a series of books featuring Albert Campion as detective. Only it's almost as if this wasn't written with him in mind as the detective. The crime is solved by the doctor, Abbotshaw, and not actually by Campion (although it's possible he knows more than he lets on, but he certainly doesn't do the unveiling)
Set in a Gothic pile in the country, it's a tale of a house party, a grisly ritual with a dagger and a den of thieves. the murder is committed, covered up and then the hous...more
Set in a Gothic pile in the country, it's a tale of a house party, a grisly ritual with a dagger and a den of thieves. the murder is committed, covered up and then the hous...more
This is the first book by this author that I have read and it introduces the hero of the books, Albert Campion. This book was written in 1929 and reads like an early Agatha Christie. It seems so tame compared to todays mysteries.
Back Cover Blurb:
The Black Dudley dagger hung once more in its accustomed place over the vast fireplace at the end of the great hall, its Damascene blade shining like a mirror. Although 'The Dudley' had taken many lives over the past five hundred years, blood had never r...more
Back Cover Blurb:
The Black Dudley dagger hung once more in its accustomed place over the vast fireplace at the end of the great hall, its Damascene blade shining like a mirror. Although 'The Dudley' had taken many lives over the past five hundred years, blood had never r...more
May 23, 2011
Sue Smith
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-in-2011
Well, if you're looking for a quintessential murder mystery to read - look no further. A weekend gathering of people not known to each other in a dismal English castle/manor, an invalid uncle that wears a partial face mask (think phantom here), a very shady German patron (come on..this was written in 1929..in England...those damn Huns!) and his equally shady cronies, a bevy of half witted locals that serve - all playing a ritual ancestral family game of 'pass the dagger'.....last one holding it...more
I didn't realize this was the first book in the Albert Campion series, but I feel like that explains a lot. I had read a few of the books later on the series, and so I was a bit confused that he played a side role in this one. I do like his character. He doesn't take himself too seriously.
The book was enjoyable, although I was surprised at the amount of action involved in the book. I'm used to more slow character sketches, and deductive work, rather than stick 'em ups and car chases. It was an e...more
The book was enjoyable, although I was surprised at the amount of action involved in the book. I'm used to more slow character sketches, and deductive work, rather than stick 'em ups and car chases. It was an e...more
Being an Agatha Christie fan, I decided to branch out and find other detective books from the era. While it had the Christie vibe and the twist at the end and the big reveal, it wasn't as good.
However, I really enjoy reading books from this time frame (80+ years ago) because of the difference in people and behavior, as well as the chuckles I get over some of the phrases they use. People are straightforward, either totally good or totally evil, capable of only one way of thinking, and utterly pr...more
However, I really enjoy reading books from this time frame (80+ years ago) because of the difference in people and behavior, as well as the chuckles I get over some of the phrases they use. People are straightforward, either totally good or totally evil, capable of only one way of thinking, and utterly pr...more
In spite of the fact that I had read this book before, I decided to read it again. This time as the beginning of a character study of Albert Campion and a study of the styles of Allingham, Christie, and Ngaio Marsh. The most drmatic difference so far in the Campion mysteries is how little time he actually spends in the story line. In notes from the "Mystery Mile", it states that Alligham had introduced Campion as a secondary character in "The Crime at Black Dudley". She like him so much that she...more
Very disappointing, to me at least. This is the first appearance of Albert Campion but he appears only as a supporting character. That wouldn't be so bad except the book tries, unsuccessfully I think, to meld two different plots -- plots that could have each supported separate shorter works -- into a single book.
I suggest,though, that anyone who is interested in the development of the classic English mystery must read this book if for no other reason to get a sense of the development of one of t...more
I suggest,though, that anyone who is interested in the development of the classic English mystery must read this book if for no other reason to get a sense of the development of one of t...more
Being a HUGE fan of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels by Dorothy L. Sayers I was naturally intrigued by Margery Allingham's take on the tow-headed aristocratic sleuth. Then I watched the BBC films from the early 90s and fell in love.
The first book features Campion not as the main character and sleuth, but as another house guest (albeit a gate crashing one) at a house where a murder occurs.
Albert does sound a lot like Peter when seen through the eyes of Dr. Abbershaw. I look forward to seeing how he...more
The first book features Campion not as the main character and sleuth, but as another house guest (albeit a gate crashing one) at a house where a murder occurs.
Albert does sound a lot like Peter when seen through the eyes of Dr. Abbershaw. I look forward to seeing how he...more
Summary from Goodreads:
"Murder turns a weekend house party at Black Dudley Manor into a deadly affair when the host is discovered brutally slain. Nor do gruesome rituals, callous interrogations, and perilous traps add to the fun. Fatal mystification might win the day, if Albert Campion were not there to sift through the motives and clues as with brilliant detection and his signature charm he penetrates the heart of the crime."
My Thoughts:
This book was an absolute delight to read!! Reminiscent a...more
"Murder turns a weekend house party at Black Dudley Manor into a deadly affair when the host is discovered brutally slain. Nor do gruesome rituals, callous interrogations, and perilous traps add to the fun. Fatal mystification might win the day, if Albert Campion were not there to sift through the motives and clues as with brilliant detection and his signature charm he penetrates the heart of the crime."
My Thoughts:
This book was an absolute delight to read!! Reminiscent a...more
This was the first Albert Campion novel by Margery Allingham, and also the first that I have read. I vaguely remembered having seen a series on TV years ago, but I mistakenly thought that Campion worked for Scotland Yard. Instead, in this novel he is a mysterious character, obviously not connected to the law. He generally acts like a lunatic, but is really quite intelligent. He is not actually the main character here; that is Dr. George Abbershaw, a pathologist who has been invited to a house pa...more
This is the first book in the Albert Campion series. Although he doesn't play a big part in the story it is a good introduction to the character.
The main character of this tale is Dr.George Abbershaw, who is also a consultant for Scotland Yard. He is invited to Black Dudley for a house party, along with several others. The house belongs to Wyatt, an inheritance from his Aunt. His uncle by marraige actually lived in the home and enjoyed it when Wyatt invited friends for weekend visits.
During thi...more
The main character of this tale is Dr.George Abbershaw, who is also a consultant for Scotland Yard. He is invited to Black Dudley for a house party, along with several others. The house belongs to Wyatt, an inheritance from his Aunt. His uncle by marraige actually lived in the home and enjoyed it when Wyatt invited friends for weekend visits.
During thi...more
Alas, I did not enjoy this mystery. The pacing was awkward, the locale aggressively gothic, the romance element flat and stilted, and the setup for the crime absurdly over-the-top, with a level of emotional maturity and depth similar to what you'd find in a Scooby-Doo cartoon.
If you want to read The Crime at Black Dudley, please do so. Brace yourself for a story that feels remarkably like a transcription of the movie "Clue". Members of a random house party wander around a large isolated mansion...more
If you want to read The Crime at Black Dudley, please do so. Brace yourself for a story that feels remarkably like a transcription of the movie "Clue". Members of a random house party wander around a large isolated mansion...more
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While I found it interesting to read this book due to the part it played in Allingham’s success as a writer and as the birthing story of Albert Campion I found it otherwise to be an extremely dated and quite unfulfilling read. The datedness of the story lies not in the language or the gender roles nor the stereotypical treatment of anyone who wasn’t a member of the English upper class but rather in the author’s need to include, as was true in so many of the mystery books of that time, a massive...more
I enjoyed it. All the while I was readin it i was imaining it as a BBC Mystery series. Now I find it WAS a BBC series. Ran 2 seasons. The end of the mystery came out of left field.. It was a person I suspected all along but the motive was just dropped in at the end. Also it is the first ALBERT CAMPION MYSTERY. BUT... Albert didn't solve anything??? I kept expecting him to show up and put all the pieces together??? He does his thing while all are locked in the manor but then disapperars? Maybe th...more
The Crime at Black Dudley is the first Allingham mystery to include her series detective, Albert Campion, though his role in this book is secondary. Allingham supposedly created Campion as a spoof of Lord Peter Wimsey, but the character took on a life of his own and became beloved in his own right. Her books are more dated than Dorothy Sayers', and the character development is not always as complex, but many of them are still enjoyable examples of the "Golden Age" of mystery-writing.
In The Crime...more
In The Crime...more
As far as mysteries and plots go, this one is different. Even though it is set in an old English country home (my very favorite mysteries have this setting), the murder has a bit of a twist to it. I won't say what it is. But it all starts when young Wyatt Petrie has a few close friends to his ancestral home for a weekend. Well, a few close friends plus a stranger: Mr. Albert Campion, about whom no one knows anything, just that he seems to be a major bumbler (at first, anyway). After the first ni...more
I had seen Albert Campion mysteries on PBS but had never read any of the books written by Margaret Allingham. The Black Dudley Murder was the first in the series published in 1929. Albert Campion, a supposed aristocratic sleuth, actually plays a minor role but his strange personality is well established in this novel. This was quite a clever book and I really enjoyed it. There was a slow part in the early middle but if you keep at it, I believe you will also find this to be a fun read.
Knowing my interest in classic mysteries, a friend gave me the first five Albert Campion books. This is the first in the series and was originally published in 1920. In this outing, Albert Campion is little more than a major supporting character in a classic English country house murder. The reader can easily tell that the book was written between the two world wars because of the anti-German bias and attitudes. An interesting look at English society during the late 1920s.
I like British mysteries, and found this to be an inoffensive read. However, I thought there was a decided lack of intrigue, and motives seemed to be plucked from thin air with only pages to go in the book. Albert Campion was appealing, and apparently goes on to be a more central character in future mysteries by the author. I might try one of those before deciding, but at this point would be more prone to turn to Agatha Christie for an old-fashioned mystery fix.
This is the first in Allingham’s long-running Albert Campion series, although in this book Campion has only a bit part, I wasn’t impressed by the mystery, and was distracted by all the implausible secret rooms and passageways. In addition, I thought the writing was ‘loose’. Since this was Allingham’s first published effort, I’ll make allowances and I won’t say that I’ll never read another of hers. I’m just not in a hurry to do so. 2.5 stars
THE CRIME AT BLACK DUDLEY (aka The Black Dudley Murder) (Amateur Sleuth, Albert Campion, England, 1920s) – Good
Allingham, Margery – 1st in series (EBMRG Selection)
Penguin Books, 1929, US Paperback
First Sentence: The view from the narrow window was dreary and inexpressibly lonely.
What is supposed to be an entertaining weekend at a large country home in Suffolk, becomes the site of murder, kidnapping and suspense. Dr. George Abbershaw is forced to sign a death certificate, and foolish Albert Campi...more
Allingham, Margery – 1st in series (EBMRG Selection)
Penguin Books, 1929, US Paperback
First Sentence: The view from the narrow window was dreary and inexpressibly lonely.
What is supposed to be an entertaining weekend at a large country home in Suffolk, becomes the site of murder, kidnapping and suspense. Dr. George Abbershaw is forced to sign a death certificate, and foolish Albert Campi...more
Although Allingham is considered one of the greats of the golden age of crime fiction, I didn't really like Campion as much as Poirot or Marple. Perhaps I am well past the age when crime fiction would be appealing (and maybe why Marple feels like going back to a comfortable hug rather than an exciting mystery) but I couldn't really get hooked. It just all felt rather put-on and unreal to me. Maybe the next one will be better.
I would have to call this book "delightful". That's the only word I can think of to adequately describe it. It introduces Albert Campion, our unobtrusive hero who is quite good at appearing to be rather idiotic but of course is just the opposite. A weekend house party turns into a murder, hostage situation, and an international crime adventure. A very enjoyable read! I'm looking forward to reading others in the series.
Aug 14, 2012
Abbey
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
myst-cosies,
myst-pi,
series,
vintage,
favorites,
rte,
own,
myst-fems-project,
myst-set-andor-auth-uk
A nice middle-class doctor gets invited to an old school friend's family home for a weekend and finds an assorted guest list, including several very peculiar gentlemen. When the friend's ill uncle dies suddenly - and suspiciously - the doctor attempts to make sense out of the many plots and counter-plots that seem to be swirling below the genteel surface of the slightly odd gathering. And when a very important piece of paper goes missing, several people do quite unexpected - and deadly - things,...more
Early Allingham, the fourth of her mysteries I've read and by far the weakest of the lot. ("Tiger in the Smoke" was the best.) Most of the action here is peripheral to the murder, the solution comes out of the blue, and Campion is rarely to be seen. If you're on a long plane flight and someone has left it in the seat pocket, go for it; otherwise look elsewhere for your thrills & chills.
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Margery Allingham was born in Ealing, London in 1904 to a family of writers. Her father, Herbert John Allingham, was editor of The Christian Globe and The New London Journal, while her mother wrote stories for women's magazines. Margery's aunt, Maud Hughes, also ran a magazine. Margery earned her first fee at the age of eight, for a story printed in her aunt's magazine.
Soon after Margery's birth,...more
