The White Cottage Mystery

By: Margery Allingham

Narrated by: William Gaminara

Seven people might have murdered Eric Crowther, the mysterious recluse who lived in the gaunt house whose shadow fell across the White Cottage. Seven people had good cause. It was not lack of evidence that sent Detective Chief Inspector Challenor and his son Jerry half across Europe to unravel a chaos of clues.

The White Cottage Mystery was Margery Allingham's first detective story, published initially as a newspaper serial.

Margery Allingham was born in Ealing, London in 1904 to a family immersed in literature. Her first novel, Blackkerchief Dick, was published in 1923 when she was 19. Her first work of detective fiction was a serialized story published by the Daily Express in 1927. Entitled The White Cottage Mystery, it contained atypical themes for a woman writer of the era. Her breakthrough occurred in 1929 with the publication of The Crime at Black Dudley. This introduced Albert Campion, albeit originally as a minor character. He returned in Mystery Mile, thanks in part to pressure from her American publishers, much taken with the character. Campion proved so successful that Allingham made him the centrepiece of another 17 novels and over 20 short stories, continuing into the 1960s.

©2013 Margery Allingham (P)2013 Audible Ltd

fine

Not an Albert champion mystery but it is fine in its own right. less detail because it is short in comparison to the longer works. The attitude towards women might annoy but that's the way it was.

(Not Albert Campion) But Still Fun!

Allingham's first mystery, and frankly, not her best, but still worth listening to / reading for all those who love her work!

Interesting mystery

Not outstanding but an interesting old mystery story.. with a good twist at the end..just when it seems everyone had a motive and also an alibi

This is not an Albert Campion Mystery

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I always enjoy Margery Allingham, but this book is labeled on Audible as an Albert Campion Mystery and unless Campion used his most clever disguise ever, he does not appear in this book. Simply stated: This book is mislabeled. Relatively bland as Allingham books go. The police legwork without the delightful twists the Campion books are known for.

Great Story!

Although not an Albert Campion book, The White Cottage Mystery is an enjoyable listen! A good mystery without much of the silliness and non sequiturs of the Campion stories.

Great Read!!

Mor complicated and much, much less predictable- her best work from my choices, yet!! Well -written and execution of the subplots was much better and not written for any age in particular. I am 62 & enjoyed it throughly! I can see an 8th or 9th grader doing the same!0

Lovely to hear William Gaminara

This isn't a Campion mystery, but an enjoyable one. I became aware of William Gaminara as an actor in Silent Witness and was pleased to discover he narrates too. Excellent performance and a good mystery.

Mystery

Most enjoyable. Did not pick the outcome for quite awhile. Held my interest and I will now try other Margery Allingham books. I liked the character of WT. The narrator was excellent and I would listen to him again.

Not read by David Thorpe

Great story. Performer was very good. But sorry it wasn't David Thorpe who stands at the top.

Loved this story

This author & narrator are new to me and this is the first I've listened to that didn't feature the character Campion (who I like). What an extraordinary ending! I really love this author and narrator