From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Tiger in the Smoke (Albert Campion Mystery, #14)

Margery Allingham

Start date: October 17, 2020

Finish date: November 10, 2020

Discussion: Archive: Albert Campion reads

Why we're reading this: Our next Albert Campion buddy read - one of the most famous in the series.
[close] Our next Albert Campion buddy read - one of the most famous in the series.

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Archive: Albert Campion reads

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What Members Thought

Apr 30, 2014 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is the fourteenth novel in the Albert Campion series and was published in 1952. The book begins with Meg Elginbrodde and Geoffrey Levett in a taxi. Levett is a wealthy businessman, used to getting what he wants and he is desperately in love with Meg and intends to marry her. The problem is that since their engagement was announced, Meg has been receiving photographs from her husband - who she believed had died in the war. She has turned to Campion and Detective Chief Inspector Charles Luke This is the fourteenth novel in the Albert Campion series and was published in 1952. The book begins with Meg Elginbrodde and Geoffrey Levett in a taxi. Levett is a wealthy businessman, used to getting what he wants and he is desperately in love with Meg and intends to marry her. The problem is that since their engagement was announced, Meg has been receiving photographs from her husband - who she believed had died in the war. She has turned to Campion and Detective Chief Inspector Charles Luke for advice, when a meeting is proposed between her and her former husband. The man she glimpses across the fog bound platform of a station is certainly not her husband, but the mystery deepens after he is questioned and released.

What follows is an extremely atmospheric mystery; set in a post-war, weary London in a middle of a pea souper fog. As events escalate, Levett goes missing and witnesses are killed. A convict called Jack Havoc has escaped from prison – he is hunting a “treasure”, while Luke and Campion search for him in the “Smoke,” which is the fog bound city of London. There are some wonderful characters, such as the saintly Canon Avril, the brilliantly named Tiddy Doll and the elusive Havoc himself – the Tiger of the story.

I had only read one Campion novel before and I found myself a little lost so far into the series, as obviously you were meant to know some familiar characters. However, Campion himself did not feature strongly in the book, meaning that it worked quite well as a stand-alone story. London itself – battered, weary, down at heel – is almost a character in itself. Everyone stumbles around, unable to see and events are revealed slowly, almost as glimpses through the fog. If you are interested in London shortly after the war, then this novel gives you a great view of the City at that time and is worth reading just for the historical aspect of the book.

Rated 3.5

Having re-read this, I did find it a little more understandable. I don't think the series will ever be a favourite - I am not overly fond of the gangs and deadly secrets type of novel and prefer the drawing room type mystery, rather than haring about the country looking for treasure. However, I do like Campion as a character and I will continue to complete the series. However, my rating would probably stay the same. ...more

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Aug 07, 2017 Frances rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-series

This is my second time reading this book-probably one of the best of Allingham's mysteries, although certainly not a typical Golden Age Whodunnit. This is a very atmospheric, character-driven novel about crime and manipulation, set in London in the post-second WW era, and her detective, Albert Campion, has certainly matured and improved over time. ...more

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Apr 24, 2021 ShanDizzy rated it really liked it

Well, the title certainly sets the tone for this Campion story. The fog is its own character that lends itself to this pervasive, edgy tension that permeates the story. One of the characters is a truly evil sociopath who sucks all of the oxygen from any space he's in. It was a thrilling story. I enjoyed seeing Amanda & Campion's progeny as well. ...more

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Oct 03, 2020 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: margery-allingham

I enjoyed this read, the disappointment being that the main character was Charles Luke and not so much of Campion. I liked the theme of the ruthless killer, and inclusion of the squad of down and outs. I did however find the uncle and Meg pretty well unbelievably stupid.

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May 15, 2020 Cricket Muse rated it really liked it

The problem with starting a character driven novel that is well into the series is that there is the inability to really understand all the nuances of the plot. Not knowing character names, habits, and peculiarities is truly like walking into the theatre and missing the first 15 minutes of the show.
Creative plot, and more mystery/thriller than detective novel, The Tiger in the Smoke is a quick and mostly satisfying read if one can keep the characters straightened out.

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