Malice in Wonderland in Reading the Detectives

Sep 30, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Published in 1940 (in the US it was titled, “The Summer Camp Mystery”/”The Malice With Murder”) this is the sixth in the Nigel Strangeways mysteries, following on from: A Question of Proof, Thou Shell of Death, There’s Trouble Brewing, The Beast Must Die and The Smiler with the Knife. The novel is set in a British holiday camp, named Wonderland, and begins with the introduction of some of the central characters. There are the visitors; notably Mr Paul Perry (a rather priggish young man), the Thi Published in 1940 (in the US it was titled, “The Summer Camp Mystery”/”The Malice With Murder”) this is the sixth in the Nigel Strangeways mysteries, following on from: A Question of Proof, Thou Shell of Death, There’s Trouble Brewing, The Beast Must Die and The Smiler with the Knife. The novel is set in a British holiday camp, named Wonderland, and begins with the introduction of some of the central characters. There are the visitors; notably Mr Paul Perry (a rather priggish young man), the Thistlewaite family, consisting of a couple and their teenage daughter, Sally, and the rather put upon Mr Albert Morley. Of the staff, there is the manager, Captain Wise, his brother Teddy – head of entertainment – and the capable secretary Esmerelda Jones. Lastly, there is a disgruntled hermit who lurks in the woods outside the camp, opposed to it encroaching on his lonely lifestyle and who is a prime suspect for causing trouble.

The holiday camp is obviously a whole new, and exciting, place in 1940 and it is fascinating to note how it is seen as the height of luxury – chalets with hot and cold running water, a pool, children’s fun rides and even ping pong are seen as innovative entertainment. So exciting is the idea of a self contained camp, with activities, shows and dances, that Perry muses on the fact that it might make those visiting dissatisfied with their lives when they return home. So, simply as a Golden Age detective novel, this has a really unique setting and is interesting if only from that point of view. However, of course this is a mystery novel and, before long there is trouble in the holiday camp. A practical joker, styling himself ‘The Mad Hatter’ is up to mischief and mayhem. At first this takes the form of tricks like treacle covered tennis balls, but gradually the ‘jokes’ turn nasty and causes the holiday camp bad publicity. Nigel Strangeways is called in to discover the culprit and try to save the camp from ruin. Also, although it remains virtually unstated, we are also aware of the impending war and, like the previous book in the series, the issue of espionage is touched on.

The next book in the series is “The Cast of the Abominable Snowman” (1941). Nicholas Blake – pen name of poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis, wrote many crime novels featuring Nigel Strangeways and this is, in my opinion, one of the most enjoyable. An unusual setting and good characters make this a fun read for anyone who enjoys Golden Age Detective Novels.

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Feb 15, 2014 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Published in 1940 (in the US it was titled, “The Summer Camp Mystery”/”The Malice With Murder”) this is the sixth in the Nigel Strangeways mysteries, following on from: A Question of Proof, Thou Shell of Death, There’s Trouble Brewing, The Beast Must Die and The Smiler with the Knife. The novel is set in a British holiday camp, named Wonderland, and begins with the introduction of some of the central characters. There are the visitors; notably Mr Paul Perry (a rather priggish young man), the Thi Published in 1940 (in the US it was titled, “The Summer Camp Mystery”/”The Malice With Murder”) this is the sixth in the Nigel Strangeways mysteries, following on from: A Question of Proof, Thou Shell of Death, There’s Trouble Brewing, The Beast Must Die and The Smiler with the Knife. The novel is set in a British holiday camp, named Wonderland, and begins with the introduction of some of the central characters. There are the visitors; notably Mr Paul Perry (a rather priggish young man), the Thistlewaite family, consisting of a couple and their teenage daughter, Sally, and the rather put upon Mr Albert Morley. Of the staff, there is the manager, Captain Wise, his brother Teddy – head of entertainment – and the capable secretary Esmerelda Jones. Lastly, there is a disgruntled hermit who lurks in the woods outside the camp, opposed to it encroaching on his lonely lifestyle and who is a prime suspect for causing trouble.

The holiday camp is obviously a whole new, and exciting, place in 1940 and it is fascinating to note how it is seen as the height of luxury – chalets with hot and cold running water, a pool, children’s fun rides and even ping pong are seen as innovative entertainment. So exciting is the idea of a self contained camp, with activities, shows and dances, that Perry muses on the fact that it might make those visiting dissatisfied with their lives when they return home. So, simply as a Golden Age detective novel, this has a really unique setting and is interesting if only from that point of view. However, of course this is a mystery novel and, before long there is trouble in the holiday camp. A practical joker, styling himself ‘The Mad Hatter’ is up to mischief and mayhem. At first this takes the form of tricks like treacle covered tennis balls, but gradually the ‘jokes’ turn nasty and causes the holiday camp bad publicity. Nigel Strangeways is called in to discover the culprit and try to save the camp from ruin. Also, although it remains virtually unstated, we are also aware of the impending war and, like the previous book in the series, the issue of espionage is touched on.

The next book in the series is “The Cast of the Abominable Snowman” (1941). Nicholas Blake – pen name of poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis, wrote many crime novels featuring Nigel Strangeways and this is, in my opinion, one of the most enjoyable. An unusual setting and good characters make this a fun read for anyone who enjoys Golden Age Detective Novels.
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Jul 17, 2016 Damaskcat rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Nigel Strangeways is asked to look into a series of practical jokes perpetrated at a holiday camp called Wonderland. The management are convinced it could be a rival company trying to put them out of business. The practical jokes are carried out by someone calling themselves 'The Mad Hatter' and at first glance there seem to be potentially five hundred suspects - the current guests at Wonderland plus the staff. But Nigel quickly narrows it down to just a handful of people.

The book focuses on a f ...more

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Jun 04, 2018 Leslie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, mysteries

Very good non-murder mystery.

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Jun 29, 2018 ShanDizzy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

A nice diversion, but how he wrote this no-frills story to follow the previous one where Nigel and Georgia were fighting a spy ring is interesting. There was no mention nor allusion to Georgia in this one.

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