The Red House Mystery in Around the World in 80 Books

Nov 15, 2010 Tony rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-loanable, novels, crime

The so-called "Golden Age of Detective Fiction" was a largely British phenomenon that took place in the 1920s and 1930s and its masters are among the most well-known names in the mystery genre (Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, etc.). The stories of this time had a number of conventions (which they did not invent, but certainly popularized), and they were so prevalent that several essays were written codifying them. These will be familiar to anyone with a passing familiarity with old The so-called "Golden Age of Detective Fiction" was a largely British phenomenon that took place in the 1920s and 1930s and its masters are among the most well-known names in the mystery genre (Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, etc.). The stories of this time had a number of conventions (which they did not invent, but certainly popularized), and they were so prevalent that several essays were written codifying them. These will be familiar to anyone with a passing familiarity with older mysteries: the amateur detective, the country house, a murder, a cast of suspects staying at the house, all clues revealed to the reader and sleuth at the same time, hints of romance, etc. Apparently, the man who later gave the world "Winnie the Pooh" was interested enough in the detective genre that he decided to have a stab at it himself. The resulting book, which, while anemically titled, has to be considered a very entertaining example of the "Golden Age" novel.

The protagonist is Andrew Gillingham, a young man receiving a fine inheritance who, rather than gadding about (a la Bertie Wooster), finds it interesting to try out different professions for a year or so. One day, while out in the country, he realizes that a good friend is a guest a nearby manor house. He heads out for a brisk walk to pay a surprise call on his friend, only to stumble into the immediate aftermath of a murder (in the office, with a revolver). It doesn't take long for him to realize that instead of being a supporting player in the police investigation, he can, instead, try out a new profession -- that of detective.

And so the game is afoot, as the sharp young man uses his powers of logic and deduction to try and reason out the murder (with the typically plodding help of his sidekick friend). If you've read many of these kinds of stories, you'll probably be able to figure it out reasonably easily (although I didn't), but the real charm of the book is in the light, witty prose, which carries the reader along effortlessly. It's a style likely to appeal to fans of P.G. Wodehouse, though obviously not as farcical as that. It's well worth reading if you've got a taste for the world of Britain between the wars. Had Milne not made his fortune with Pooh Bear, this book demonstrates that he certainly could have done well as a mystery writer and he did write several other mystery plays and stories, just not novels.

The real mystery is why this particular novel has never been made into a film! ...more

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Oct 12, 2010 Pam rated it really liked it

Shelves: uk-mystery

AUTHOR: MILNE, A.A.
TITLE: The Red House Mystery
DATE READ: 10/09/10
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS: Mystery/1922/EP Dutton & Co./239 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand-Alone
TIME/PLACE: 1920's, England
CHARACTERS: Antony Gillingham & Bill Beverly/ young men investigating the crime
FIRST LINES: In the drowsy heat of the summer afternoon the Red House was taking its siesta
COMMENTS: Mark Ablett, a bachelor, has inherited some money & takes a younger cousin in to groom him & bascially have him ...more

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Jan 11, 2024 Kent Winward rated it really liked it

Winnie the Pooh author doing Winnie the Who? Detective novel.

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Jan 05, 2010 Jayme Pendergraft rated it liked it

Shelves: 2010

A mystery by none other than the author of Winnie the Pooh. Until I stumbled across this book, I was not aware that he had written anything else and I'm glad I was able to find this.

As I was reading this mystery, I thought I had everything figured out, but boy was I wrong. Mr. Milne had me tricked almost up until he revealed the secret. While this felt long at times, I'm happy I didn't give it up. It does seem to poke fun at the classic British mystery story, even dubbing one of the characters W ...more

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Jan 22, 2017 Astrid Lim rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classic, british, cozy-mistery, puzzle, audiobook, popsugar-2017

A confession: this is the first time I tried an audiobook - and turned out I liked it so much! I think I chose the right story for my first experience listening to audiobook, the mystery reminds me a lot with Agatha Christie's or Sherlock Holmes's classics. The setting, plot, characters and twist feel so right and satisfying. The narrator itself is very nice, she read the book really well and can easily be understood. I would try another audiobook again, for sure! ...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Windy rated it liked it

This author's only foray into detective fiction. A good story with characters and situations typical of the 1920s but I'm afraid I guessed the outcome half way through and spent the second half frustrated that the seemingly bright sleuth was taking so long to realise it. ...more

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May 16, 2020 Julie rated it really liked it

Good, quick, solid mystery. Loved the setting and amateur detective. Read this one to prep for the book Eight Perfect Murders which discusses several famous mysteries.

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