Look to the Lady

An Albert Campion Mystery

By: Margery Allingham

Narrated by: David Thorpe

A sacred chalice leads to murder,

The Gyrth family had guarded the Chalice for hundreds of years. It was held by them for the Crown. Its antiquity, its beauty, the extraordinary legends that were connected with it, all combined to make it unique of its kind. It was irreplaceable. No thief could hope to dispose of it in the ordinary way. And indeed no ordinary thief would dream of trying. But there are others besides those who make their living by robbery, others whose immense wealth and passion for collecting render them less immune to the practical considerations that must guide even the less honestly minded citizens. These people cherish a desire to possess for their own private pleasure treasure that cannot be bought. And it was by this sort of person that the Chalice, and the lives and happiness of its guardians, were now threatened.

Margery Allingham was born in London in 1904. Her first novel was published when she was 17. In 1929 she published The Crime at Black Dudley and introduced the character who was to become the hallmark of her writing - Albert Campion

©1960 Margery Allingham (P)2013 Audible Ltd

Love the start to this one, like the reader

What did you love best about Look to the Lady?

I like David Thorpe as reader for these books much better than Frances Matthews. I wrote a small novel about why in my review of, "The Crime at Black Dudley" and I will just add to it by saying that I think he's even better here than he was there, and that he reads Campion AS ALLINGHAM WROTE HIM which is what I like in a reader. Allingham was finding her range with this story, and it's got some splendid scenes in it, a great story line, and a lovely supernatural element as well. Plus, it introduces Lugg, Campions right hand man and one of my favorite characters in fiction. I highly recommend this both for the story and the fact that is is well read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Look to the Lady?

I'm fond of the relationship between Lugg and the butler at the Gyrth estate. I also enjoy the way this one starts,with the homeless man mysteriously summoned to Campions flat in an….unusual… way

Which character – as performed by David Thorpe – was your favorite?

Always very fond of Lugg.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It didn't make me cry, but the dialog made me laugh more than once. It's witty and sharp and has the inimitable dry British wit that I love.

Any additional comments?

If you love Golden Age mysteries, you will probably enjoy this.

Enjoyable

Another Albert Campion story, well-written, amusing, interesting, and will reward a second listen. Definitely Recommended.

Best in the series so far...

The best of the Campions so far. Campion is not really a detective, more an adventurer for hire. Here he's protecting a family and their big secret, a chalice of great historical value. There's rumors of a ghost in a clearing, shady characters all around, and a room in the castle tower with seemingly no way in. It's fun nonsense, and Campion is beginning to really come into his own in this 3rd outing.

Everything but the detective!

I appreciated the story, and narration, with one glaring exception: voice of Campion himself was read as so incredibly effete, shall we say, as to be over-the-top. Had that been reined-in, the production would have been excellent.

The narrator’s falsetto voice makes listening impossible

I don’t know if this is a good book or not - the narrator is impossible when he goes into the main character’s voice. This is not evidenced in the sample, so be warned.

Delightful Romp!

I enjoyed the mystery very much. One just has to be on the lookout for the occasional noun or adjective that is not commonly used any more, or would be considered offensive today.

Great Writing and Narration

Markedly better story than the first Albert Campion book + equally great narration = many of my Audible credits being spent on the entire series if it continues to be this well written. David Thorpe has joined the small group of male narrators I truly love listening to. In fact, he's jumped to #2 on my list. An utterly enjoyable experience that really takes you back to another time without feeling in the least bit dated as far as the humanity and depth of the characters, plus a VERY satisfying ending.

gripping, exciting and thrilling.

may need to read it again to make sure I didn't miss anything. What a thrill.

A classic detective mystery marvellously narrated

Look to the Lady, An Albert Campion Mystery
by Margery Allingham

I love these classic mysteries by Margery Allingham that are a window into an era past: a time between the wars when crimes were solved by finding clues, interrogation, introspection, intuition and courage. Margery Allingham published her first novel in 1929 when aged 17 years. Albert Campion was her creation.

Albert Campion works under an assumed name and persona. Albert's irrepressible wit, foppishness and fatuousness is a smoke screen causing many to underestimate his intellect and capability. A member of the British upper class, Albert has connections and a conduit to inside information. With his man servant, Lugg, Albert takes commissions from private persons for special tasks. Helping the Gyrth family protect the Chalice is one such adventure. Look to the Lady has elements of the supernatural, a strong female and an abundance of dry British humour.

David Thorpe's interpretation of Campion was excellent and just as I imagined Albert would speak. The other characters were nicely portrayed and I loved Lugg. A totally enjoyable listen. Highly recommended.

Great tale well told

Lovely and precise writing and fine narration combine to make this a delightful listening experience. The mystery holds suspense but the story's appeal lies as much in the countryside and the characters as in the treasured chalice and its whereabouts. Campion is a hoot. The American accents are not great, and certainly not of New England, but it matters not. The professor saves the day. I'll say no more.