Friday, January 19, 2018

Mr. Campion’s Farthing by Philip Youngman Carter: A Review by Warren Bull





Mr. Campion’s Farthing by Philip Youngman Carter: A Review by Warren Bull

Originally published in 1969, Mr. Campion’s Farthing was written by Philip  Youngman Carter.  The author was the husband of Margery Allingham. He said the idea for the novel came from his deceased wife. He also reported that he had collaborated with her in many of her books written over forty years. And that may even have been true. At least his deceased wife did not rise from the grave in protest.

Mr. Campion’s Farthing is a well-written book that places Mr. Campion in the environment of the cold war and brings in a new character, Rupert Campion, his son. The social commentary is worthy of Margery Allingham. So is the humor and the imagery.

The plot is fair to readers. The beginning pulled me in. The characters are interesting. The novel fits with the style and sensibility of golden age mysteries in a later setting than most of them.

It’s a shame no other books about the Campion family were written. This should satisfy Allingham fans. It is definitely recommend this novel.

5 comments:

  1. Sounds like an interesting read. I had no idea that Margery Allingham's husband wrote as well. I loved her books growing up. Glad that he could carry off the book on his own, but a bit miffed to learn he took posthumous co-writer credit on her books. Always a suspicious statement.

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  2. I'm suspicious, too. But it sounds like a satisfying read.

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  3. It's another book to add to my list to look for and read.

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  4. Yes, that bit about co-writing was a bit fishy!

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  5. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. You've reviewed a number of excellent books that I was not familiar with.

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