Surprisingly good and very enjoyable

Well, I am surprised how good good this was and I was very sceptical. I do not know how much is Allingham and how is much Ripley but it sounds just like an Allingham Campion story. A quirky mix of crime, deaths, a touch of the Medieval, a secret society, strange characters and lots of words about wool all mixed into a tasty confection. The story-line flows most smoothly. I was a little concerned about the narrator as he is not my absolute favourite. However, I always find with David Thorpe that after a chapter, to adjust to his style, things progress OK. His characterisations are distinct and appropriate without being OTT, so important in an audiobook. On reflection his voice for Campion works as he, Campion, is now much older and his once light tenor voice should be darker and a little tremulous. (Frances Matthews' voicing was probably the definitive one and so hard to do without).
The book captured my attention, drew me in and carried me along and was great fun.

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1 person found this helpful

Good successor to Margery Allingham

Well contrived plot albeit a little predictable.My only reservation is that the reader's interpretation of Albert Campion smacks more of Bertie Wooster than appropriate . I much prefer that of Philip Franks on the audio CDs.

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3 people found this helpful

Very enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book. Mike Ripley has captured Albert Campion's character brilliantly and the book is very funny. The plot is less important here - it is the characters and their interactions, that are the stars and make the book. The narration is perfect as usual.

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1 person found this helpful

Campion Revisited

Over the years, I've read nearly all of Margery Allingham's Campion books and was interested to see this on offer. I have to admit I put off buying this as books by other authors are not always up to the original writer's standards. However, from what I understand, this is a book written partially by Margery Allingham (or at least from work sketched out previously).

It's actually hard to tell which bits are Allingham and which are Ripley's. The style is total Campion and enjoyable. It was nice to see cameos from characters in previous books, although Lugg is retired. The book reminded me somewhat of Traitor's Purse (not sure why, maybe the secret passages and the village being owned by a secret society). The book labours a bit but then some of Allingham's work tended to. She always filled some characters out very fully.

As for narration … well, I'm sorry but I detest David Thorpe's voice. That's probably part personal idiosyncrasy and partly due to have listened to stunning renditions of Allingham's books by Francis Matthews and Philip Franks. David Thorpe just doesn't do the job as far as I'm concerned.

Overall, very good and I'll watch for more from Mike Ripley to see what he can do on his own.

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9 people found this helpful

Always a great entertainment.

A great performance portraying an aging but ever charming Campion. The story has all the elements and is very entertaining. I feel MA would have approved of it.

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excellent listen

this is the first mike riply involvment and i would never have noticed really enjoyed the story line and new characters

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Wow

Thank you for completing this story in such a sensitive, authentic and fulfilling way.

The inclusion of so many of our beloved characters, all with a believable part to play in the story, made this extra special.

The plot held all the familiar 'chapters' that I have loved with Margery Allingham's unique story telling. We always remain with the story but find ourselves following different characters as they play out their part in the overall plot and this was so very well done in this completion of her unfinished work.

The narration however, has truly made my experience of these books and I am so glad it was the same narrator to complete the story. Each character has been wonderfully brought to life for me and I can now look forward to the next publication that we were teased with right at the end.

If this will be published by the same team (authored, narrated and produced) I will look forward to it with bated breath

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An excellent whodunnit

an interesting, complex story in the usual Margery Allingham style. I enjoyed it very much.

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Very good

Not quite up to Allingham - but not bad at all and I heard the authentic Campion voice.

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Difficult to hear over the sound of Margery Allingham spinning in her grave.

A mildly interesting story, but nowhere near a Margery Allingham. Disappointing as I read reviews before purchasing and wished I hadn’t bought it.

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1 person found this helpful