From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Mind Readers (Albert Campion Mystery, #18)

Margery Allingham

Start date: August 14, 2021

Finish date: September 8, 2021

Discussion: Archive: Albert Campion reads

Why we're reading this: The 18th in the Albert Campion series, continuing our buddy reads.
[close] The 18th in the Albert Campion series, continuing our buddy reads.

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Archive: Albert Campion reads

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What Members Thought

Aug 04, 2021 Susan rated it it was ok · review of another edition

As I get to the end of the Campion books, I am gradually wondering whether it it me or her writing is just generally confusing. Of all the four major Queens of Crime, I definitely put Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers at the top, with Ngaio Marsh and Allingham last. Although I like Campion as a character, she tends, to my mind, to have too many characters in storylines in her mysteries.

Although this is not really a mystery, but more an odd attempt at a spy story/thriller. It revolves around H ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Aug 17, 2008 Tracey rated it really liked it

Shelves: england, mystery, hist-myst

I was dubious about The Mind-Readers; I didn't remember much about it. I apparently read through the Allinghams years ago (ten?) and never since – I hadn't thought it to be so long. My impression of MR was of an improbable, not to say idiotic, premise, and a slight reluctance to read it. Happily, I was mostly wrong. It was an improbable premise – but it was handled very nicely. This was written in the 60's, which I happily missed entirely but for four short oblivious months - 1965 to be exact. T ...more

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Feb 25, 2008 Nancy Oakes rated it really liked it

Shelves: classic-mystery-fiction, crime-fiction, crime-fiction-uk

The Mind Readers is the last book completely written by Margery Allingham; her husband finished up Cargo of Eagles (next in the series). So basically I've come to the end of the original Allinghams and it's a sad day. However, the good news is that I have each and every Campion story on my British reading room shelves (and all of the PBS dvds!) that I can read again if I so choose.

Although this particular edition was published in 1990, the original was written in 1965 -- during the Cold War, an The Mind Readers is the last book completely written by Margery Allingham; her husband finished up Cargo of Eagles (next in the series). So basically I've come to the end of the original Allinghams and it's a sad day. However, the good news is that I have each and every Campion story on my British reading room shelves (and all of the PBS dvds!) that I can read again if I so choose.

Although this particular edition was published in 1990, the original was written in 1965 -- during the Cold War, and the book's subject matter reflects the angst of the time. There are numerous references to postwar science, spying and ultimately, the biggest concern of all -- someone hitting the button without any warning to the other side. Although it was not received well at its original publication (and if you look on Amazon, by some of its modern-day readers), I liked it. I thought it was a fine story, and unlike the last few books in the series, Campion is not on the sidelines but in the thick of the action like when he first began.

The basic plot: Helena Ferris is the wife of scientist Martin Ferris, mother to young Sam, and a relative of Amanda Fitton (Mrs. Campion). As the story opens, she is supposed to picking up Sam and his cousin from the train, since they are due home at their half-term break. However, at the last minute, Martin's boss decides that no one will leave the island where the scientists are working. As a result, when the train stops, the boys are met by a woman who claims that she's been sent to pick them up. They walk with her until they notice a policeman, and start yelling that the woman is a spy and that she's trying to kidnap them. Later, when asked how they knew, they produce a device that they claim can read thoughts and feelings. Then, when Sam's cousin disappears, a series of events brings Campion into the picture in his role as an agent for British security.

The book is a fun read and yes, it's a bit far-fetched, but consider that in real life the CIA was experimenting with psychic abilities, and then it doesn't seem so crazy. Allingham has done a fine job not only with the plot, but with her characters (her forte) as well. There are bits of humor interjected throughout the novel, and a Campion that I haven't seen in a while -- no sending him off to the sidelines in this book!

Those readers who have been following the series will most likely enjoy this one; others who enjoy classic British mystery will definitely like it. Others who may find it interesting are readers who are interested in the Cold War era research programs in ESP and psychic abilities.

Overall, a very good, fun read. ...more

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Aug 16, 2021 Sandy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-detective-grp, mystery-classic, rread-2021

If I were to rate this book on plot alone, it would be very low. The premise of enhancing ESP with tiny transistors might have been feasible in the 1960's (when this was written) but not today. Like Christie, Allingham writes detective stories better than she writes spy thrillers.

However, for a visit with Campion and his extended family, this book was fine. Campion is showing his age, as he should, but his mind works as well as it ever did. Amanda and the Canon are always treats. Sadly Lugg does ...more

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Aug 16, 2021 Frances rated it it was ok

Shelves: mystery-series

I'm giving this one 2 stars mainly because I've really liked a lot of earlier Campion's, but this one was a bit of a mess plot-wise without much of a mystery. I think this was an attempt to add a scientific component to a mystery and the science ended up being completely out to lunch-I'd suggest giving this one a pass. ...more

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Jun 24, 2022 Nanosynergy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: british, mysteries-thrillers-espionage, fiction-1960s, fiction, series, 2022read

A clunker in the series....

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Aug 01, 2021 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: margery-allingham

This was so different from the author's previous books, that I was not sure how I felt about it at the start. I did in fact feel at bit lost at the beginning, but reading on it all became clear. In this story Campion is moved on to electronic devices, where two young schoolboys have found a way of being able to communicate, but not through the usual methods. We are then moved on to espionage and all that includes.
I enjoyed the characters, and the pace kept moving, making it compelling reading. ...more

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