Two Campions by Allingham

The Beckoning Lady by Margery Allingham (1955)  4/5 stars

Albert Campion series, Book 15

Campion returns to his wife's old home to attend a funeral and, later, a party, only to becomes involved in a murder investigation while he is there.

Unlike a good many of the Campion tales, The Beckoning Lady is a true mystery and not an adventure or thriller.  There are plenty of suspects, red herrings, and false scents.  The plot is engrossing, with many well-drawn characters (both old and new).  I found the solution to be most satisfying, and the build-up nicely done.  

(This one could be read without reading the previous Campion stories, but it may be confusing at times due to the recurring and returning characters)   

Hide my Eyes by Margery Allingham (1958)  5/5 stars

Albert Campion series, Book 16

An unsolved murder has gotten under the skin of Detective Superintendent Charlie Luke, to the concern of both his superiors and his friend Albert Campion.  When a surprise bit of evidence appears, it gives Luke the spark he needs to start another investigation, this time with the encouragement and help of Campion.  

In this psychological thriller, the reader knows who the murderer is early on, and waits in agony and suspense as he prepares to kill again, all the while watching Campion and Detective Superintendent Luke play a game of "hot and cold" trying to identify him.  This is one of Allingham's finest, to my mind.  It's extremely well written, deeply explores some of the characters, is emotional without being sentimental, and is quite memorable.  I had read it before, but was as impressed and moved as I was the first time.

(I generally advise reading these books in order, as many of the characters are recurring, but I think this one could stand alone.)    

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Susan May Warren

2011

5/5 Stars

It's December 22, 1949 in the small Midwest town of Frost where Dottie, the reclusive town librarian, finds the holiday season too much of a trigger for her grief. She plans to hunker down in her oversized house and not emerge until Christmas is over. A severe snowstorm drives four people into her home, however, and ruins her plans.  

Gordy is her lifelong neighbor, with whom Dottie shares an emotional past. Violet is Dottie's assistant at the library yet still a virtual stranger, who is still dealing with the reactions of her family and the town to her service during the war. Jake is a stranger to all three, and has come to Frost to give Violet some information that he dreads to share. Arnie is a local elementary school student, lost in the snow, who brings them all together into a sort of family as they wait out the storm.

The title and cover of this novel do it a disservice, making the book appear to be a light-hearted rom-com. This is far from the truth. Baby It's Cold Outside is a serious, Christian-based story of grieving, lost, and broken people, some of whom need to re-find Christ, and all of whom need to give and receive godly love.

I was surprised at just how good this book is. I cried often, and cared intensely for the characters and the outcome. Though Warren writes well, I did have to reread the first two chapters before I started the third, to make certain I knew everyone and their motives, as she revealed their pasts in such small, cryptic bits in the beginning. After that, it flowed smoothly, into a plot that was engrossing and moving. 

 In addition, Warren had obviously researched the World War II era, and was able to drop in details here and there that really added to the book, as well as giving it a realistic feel.  

Despite loving it as much as I do, I can't refer it universally, as I think  those readers not interested in historical fiction might find it hard to connect with the characters or time period.  To the rest though, I can't recommend this one enough!  I'm already looking forward to rereading it next Christmas.