From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Crime at Black Dudley (Albert Campion Mystery, #1)

Margery Allingham

Start date: May 1, 2017

Finish date: May 31, 2017

Discussion: Group reads

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 330 topics — 11,893 comments total

Group reads

* November 2025 group read - Winner!
By Judy · 20 posts · 32 views

last updated Sep 17, 2025 08:43AM

* Sept 25: Lonesome Road (#3 Miss Silver Mysteries) by Patricia Wentworth
By Susan · 16 posts · 16 views

last updated Sep 19, 2025 01:03PM

showing 9 of 9 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Apr 11, 2017 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Published in 1929, this is the first Albert Campion mystery. My introduction to Campion came through a later book and, disliking reading books out of order, I found that a confusing and difficult read. However, as I enjoy Golden Age detective fiction, I determined to give Margery Allingham another try and to read the first in the series – even though I know that the book has mixed reactions. In a way, that is because this is not a traditional mystery; it has a story set in a traditional country Published in 1929, this is the first Albert Campion mystery. My introduction to Campion came through a later book and, disliking reading books out of order, I found that a confusing and difficult read. However, as I enjoy Golden Age detective fiction, I determined to give Margery Allingham another try and to read the first in the series – even though I know that the book has mixed reactions. In a way, that is because this is not a traditional mystery; it has a story set in a traditional country weekend, but then descends into something of a romp concerning criminal gangs, secret passages and only has Albert Campion as a minor character.

Indeed, much of the action is told from the point of view of Dr George Abbershaw, one of the guests of a weekend party at the house of Colonel Gordon Coombe, whose nephew, Wyatt Petrie, organises groups of young people to visit and amuse his uncle. The house is a somewhat forbidding setting for a party, but Abbershaw is more interested in a young lady called Margaret Oliphant than the location. Still, romantic considerations aside, there are a mix of guests, including a keen Cambridge rugger blue, a young doctor, a couple of rather sinister guests of the Colonel and a ‘silly ass’ called Albert Campion, who nobody seems to have invited…

When Petrie tells of a family ritual involving the fifteenth century ‘Black Dudley Dagger,’ the guests agree to play along and, when the lights come back on, it seems that there has been a tragedy. Worst still, the Colonel’s rather unpleasant, and unfriendly, guests, claim to have lost something of great importance and, if it is not returned, there will be consequences. Despite appearing as a rather inoffensive, unintelligent character, Campion turns out to be very useful in the following crisis, as the guests find themselves prisoners in the isolated house, unable to escape. However, this actually turns out to be a murder mystery, wrapped in a tale of criminal gangs. Overall, I am glad I read this first book and would certainly like to read on and discover more about Albert Campion.
...more

28 likes · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2017 Christine PNW rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I read this one for Country House Murder, and it is a good example of that particular type of mystery. It would also work for Murder Most Foul and Amateur Sleuth.

The Crime at the Black Dudley is designated as the first of the Albert Campion mysteries, but as others have noted, his appearance is pretty minimal. The main character is Dr. George Abbershaw, who seems to be at Black Dudley primarily to cement his relationship with the adorable Meggie.

Shades of The Big Four, Abbershaw and his frie ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 15, 2012 Neer rated it did not like it

Shelves: mysteries, women-writers, reads-12, libraries, countryhouse

Didn't enjoy it. Read it only because it's the first Campion.

Full review here:
http://inkquilletc.blogspot.in/2012/0...

...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 22, 2018 ShanDizzy rated it really liked it

By far the most striking thing in the whole room was an enormous trophy which hung over the fireplace farthest from the door. It was a vast affair composed of some twenty or thirty lances arranged in a circle, heads to the centre and surmounted by a feathered helm and a banner resplendent with the arms of the Petries. Yet it was the actual centre-piece which commanded immediate interest. Mounted on a crimson plaque at the point where the lance heads made a narrow circle, was a long, fifteenth-ce ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 12, 2016 Frances rated it it was ok

Shelves: mystery-series

I read this primarily as it is the book in which Allingham introduces her sleuth Albert Campion. Unfortunately it feels dated with ludicrous gender stereotyping and class distinctions ( and I understand the original had a character referred to as "The Jew" who is thankfully simply referred to by name in my edition) and the mystery itself is confused and ultimately solved using information not available to the reader. I am pressing on with the series as I understands it improves with time and I h ...more

1 like · Like · see review