Two Mysteries by Allingham

Traitor's Purse

Margery Allingham

1941

4/5 stars

In the early days of World War II, Campion wakes up in the hospital with no idea of who he is, but with a sense of impending doom having to do with the number fifteen.  For various reasons, he doesn't wish to let anyone know of his amnesia and so he struggles to discover what his mission is and how to stop the unknown disaster.

Allingham does a fantastic job of creating an atmosphere of anxiety and distress as Campion bungles relationships and situations, trying to find his mental footing.  The plot is a complex one, interesting and engrossing.  The climax happens in too short a time, in light of the slow build-up, but the scheme unearthed shows Allingham's strong imagination and skill.  Overall, I found this well-written wartime  mystery/adventure of home-front espionage to be well-worth reading, even a second time.

Coroner's Pidgin

(also published as Pearls Before Swine)

Margery Allingham 

1945

4/5 stars

Campion has been doing secret work during World War II, and returns to England for the first time in several years.  All he wants is a hot bath in his London flat before taking the train home to the country.  Unfortunately, while said bath is taking place, Lugg and an aristocrat decide to store a dead woman in Campion's bedroom.  This sets off a chain of events that involves Campion in a case of murder, theft, and treason -- and causes him to miss his train.

This engaging mystery has Allingham's signature intelligence, wit, and creativity.  The plot was twisty and surprising, the characters generally convincing, and the final line a delight.  The war-weariness of the enlisted men is well-portrayed, as is the general feeling of disillusion by all.     This was my second time reading this well-written and engrossing novel, and I certainly recommend it.