The Fashion in Shrouds

Rating:
Summary: brilliant classical mystery
Review: Fashion in Shrouds, an Albert Campion mystery, is an exceedingly well-written mystery novel that functions equally well as whodunnit and character study. While many mysteries focus around theater and theater people, Allingham's look at their characters lacks either sentimentality or malice, and provides one of the most focused and accurate portrayals that I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Complex, disturbing
Review: I almost prefer the abridged audiobook, as it speeds up the action by leaving out many baroque flourishes like Val's office in a kind of Regency bird-cage and Ferdy Paul's flat at the top of an old theatre. It also hones down Georgia's character - in the real book she's much nastier. In fact she is really quite nasty, a beautiful woman who makes slaves of men and women, including her dear, dear, best friend Val whose fiance she tries to steal. What else is disturbing? Campion sneering at Lugg for trying to educate himself with a book of aphorisms (though one of them turns out to be the clue to the killer), the upper classes use of the word 'rape' to mean 'seduce', and their laughing at Africans for being impressed by a gold aeroplane. What's endearing? Campion's befriending of Georgia's son, and the way the boy, Lugg, Campion and Amanda form an ill-assorted but happy gang. Campion and Amanda's romance. Peripheral characters like Madame Papendiek, Rex and Mrs Fitch. What's funny? The banter, including the suggestion that Amanda keeps up her stockings with a couple of magnets and a dry battery. What's fascinating? A glimpse into a world that has weathered wars and socialist governments and can still be found in London's western half.

Rating:
Summary: Style Never Goes Out of Fashion
Review: One of the author's most accomplished novels. At once an elegant and deftly-observed social satire in the manner of Thackeray and an ingeniously complicated detective story, the book is virtually flawless. Campion is in superb form throughout, both as detective pitting his wits against a superhuman Nemesis of a murderer, and as a lover (even going to the extent of throwing his fiancée in the lake during a quarrel); Lugg is as amusing as ever; and there is much interest in the character and methods of the villain, "who can set the murderous Machiavel to school," weaving webs of a subtlety and diabolical ingenuity matched only by his creator.

Rating:
Summary: Style Never Goes Out of Fashion
Review: One of the author's most accomplished novels. At once an elegant and deftly-observed social satire in the manner of Thackeray and an ingeniously complicated detective story, the book is virtually flawless. Campion is in superb form throughout, both as detective pitting his wits against a superhuman Nemesis of a murderer, and as a lover (even going to the extent of throwing his fiancée in the lake during a quarrel); Lugg is as amusing as ever; and there is much interest in the character and methods of the villain, "who can set the murderous Machiavel to school," weaving webs of a subtlety and diabolical ingenuity matched only by his creator.

Rating:
Summary: How to Dress for Murder
Review: The delightful tale finds Albert Campion working his way through a Chinese puzzle of fashion designers, theatrical and entertainment people trying to solve the disappearance and death of the son of a friend. Richard Portland-Smith, a successful attorney, engaged to the beautiful actress Georgia Wells, disappeared without a trace several years ago, and his remains have finally been found by Campion, apparently having committed suicide. Campion gets the help of his sister, Val, a well-known designer, in meeting the actress, hoping to unravel the reason for Richard's death.

Instead, Campion is drawn into the glittery world of high fashion and theater, where appearances are often confused with reality. When Georgia's husband Sir Raymond Ramillies dies under suspicious circumstances Val is implicated and Albert goes into high gear. He uncovers one ugly secret after another, but the pieces never seem to quite fit together. Motives such as blackmail, greed, drugs and jealousy all abound but Campion is unable to pinpoint a suspect who has both means and opportunity.

This is one of Allingham's longest novels, and certainly is the most complex. It provides glimpses into London's fashion and theatrical world as well as some shattering demonstrations of the prejudices and flaws of the Great Britain's rich and famous. Written in 1938, the book reflects the morality of the times. A sensitive reader may find some statements that are, to put it mildly, politically incorrect. These are unfortunate, and provide an insight into the thinking of the upper classes on either side of the Atlantic, but should not be permitted to detract from the overall quality of the novel.

One of the special delights of this novel is the reappearance of Amanda Fitton, heroine of the "The Gyrth Chalice Mystery." She comes to Albert, seeking help, after a hiatus of six years, and manages to become engaged to him in the space of one evening. She becomes Campion's loyal, if irreverent, assistant and very nearly steals the whole novel. Lugg also gets in his share of grumping and grousing. "The Fashion in Shrouds" is one of Allingham's best, serving up mystery, humor, suspense and social commentary in great big, heaping doses.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best mystery novels I have ever read.
Review: The Fashion in Shrouds is a wonderful novel and one of Margery Allingham's best Campion mysteries. One of the things that distinguishes it from your run-of-the-mill mystery is that it focuses clearly (and sometimes brutally) on the main characters and subtly draws the reader into their world. The author also provides some stunningly honest viewpoints on relationships between men and women that are relevant and insightful even today. A great book.