Two More by Oppenheim

the Parkers and Walmsely
illustrated by Will Grefé

I introduce E. Phillips Oppenheim in this previous post. 

An Amiable Charlatan (U.S. title)
(Original UK title: The Game of Liberty)

1915

4/5 stars

An English gentleman, Paul Walmsley, becomes infatuated with a young American woman that he sees regularly at a restaurant.  One evening, her father -- Joseph H. Parker, the amiable charlatan of the title -- abruptly enters the restaurant, suddenly sits at Walmsley's table, begins eating his food, and asks Walmsley to play along.  After this unusual introduction, Walmsley meets Miss Eve Parker, and falls deeply in love with her, despite learning that she and her father are "adventurers".  When these adventures seem to be only cons, Walmsley's desire to marry Eve allows him to turn a blind eye.  When theft becomes an issue, though, Walmsley finds it hard to balance his morals with the apparent amorality of the Parkers.  

This is a funny and charming set of stories with likable characters, a good twist, and solid prose.  The various plots are amusing, with Walmsley watching (and sometimes helping) his prospective father-in-law get in and out of scrapes with Scotland Yard, professional criminals, and even designing young women.  My only complaint is that Eve doesn't figure enough as the book progresses, and is a less dynamic character than the two men.  In general, though, An Amiable Charlatan  is a truly entertaining experience and I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy the light and innocent style of popular Edwardian novels.

Dominey and von Ragenstein,
illustrated  by Nana French Bickford 

The Great Impersonation

1920

4/5 stars

Sir Everard Dominey left England in disgrace eleven years ago, went to Africa, and continued his profligate lifestyle there.  Now, in 1913, he runs across an old acquaintance from his school days, the German nobleman Leopold von Ragenstein .  Their similarity in looks had always been commented on, but now, Dominey's dissipation has left him just a shadow of what von Ragenstein has become.

Von Ragenstein, a thorough patriot, was undertaking work for the government as a Commandant in German East Africa, but has now been instructed to find a way to insinuate himself in English high society.  The opportunity is too good to be missed, and he takes on the identity of his doppelganger and goes to London, certain that Dominey's decade-long absence will make his task easy.

This serious adventure-espionage-drama is a darn fine yarn.  I enjoyed it completely, from compelling start to thrilling finish.  Oppenheim writes well enough that I cared for the characters, was surprised several times, and thought about the plot when I wasn't reading.  I can't rate it a full five stars, but I undoubtedly got five stars-worth of enjoyment from it.