Mr Campion’s Farthing by Youngman Carter was published in 1969, three years after his wife Margery Allingham’s death. He had completed her unfinished book Cargo of Eagles and decided to write more books featuring Albert Campion, but he only wrote two before his own death. Apparently he had always helped out with the plots of Allingham’s books, I can easily believe that as this book is certainly not close to being the worst I’ve read. It’s very much of its time, featuring Russians and an attempt by one of the characters to defect during a trip to London. That sort of thing often seemed to be happening in the 1960s and 70s as I recall – back in the ‘good old days’!
Anyway – this book is fairly well written although a bit bizarre in parts, but it would have been better if Campion hadn’t been involved at all. He’s obviously used as a means of obtaining more sales. In this book though Campion has reverted to being the young Campion of the early days before he matured and actually developed a personality. It’s not enough just to describe a character as having large horn-rimmed spectacles, and more or less leave it at that. I’ll probably give this one a 3 on Goodreads but 2.5 would be nearer the mark.
Is this main character the same as the one featured in a series I have seen on TV with Peter Davidson playing the lead? It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen those, but I remember it being a little quirky, perhaps? I like him as an actor which is probably why I watched.
Paula,
Yes it is the same Campion. That series was years ago, Peter Davidson looks quite different now, I think he was good as Campion. He was also good as Doctor Who and his daughter is married to David Tennant who also played Doctor Who, although more recently. He’s a very good Scottish actor, Tennant I mean. If you like vintage crime you’ll probably enjoy Margery Allingham’s books.
How interesting! I had no idea those 2 actors were connected. I’ve seen David Tennant in several series and really like him as an actor. I also enjoyed Peter Davidson in The Last Detective but nothing very recent. I’ll have to check out. Allingham’s books. Thanks!