Series
Publication
Audible Studios (2013)
Original publication date
1958-09
Collections
Genres
Subjects
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 1958)
Description
Private detective Albert Campion hunts a serial killer in London's theatre district, in this crime novel from "the best of mystery writers" (The New Yorker). A spate of murders leaves Campion with only two baffling clues: a left-hand glove and a lizard-skin letter-case. These minimal leads, and a series of peculiar events, set the gentleman sleuth on a race against time that takes him from an odd museum of curiosities hidden in a quiet corner of London to a scrapyard in the East End. Margery Allingham shows her dark edge in Hide My Eyes and evokes the sights, sounds, and inimitable atmosphere of 1950s London, once again proving herself "one of the finest 'golden age' crime novelists" (Sunday Telegraph). "Allingham has that rare gift in a novelist, the creation of characters so rich and so real that they stay with the reader forever." -Sara Paretsky "Allingham's characters are three-dimensional flesh and blood, especially her villains." -Times Literary Supplement.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
Definitely one of Allingham's best (of the works that I've read), the action starts as a man pulls up in a bus into a cul-de-sac in London called Goff Place. The bus is carrying two elderly people, fast asleep, who stay that way throughout the bus being stopped, the driver getting off the bus and
Some time later, a young woman and young man ask a policeman where they might find a certain address. He remembers that it is a home at which there is a bizarre museum of curiousities, and then a thought strikes him. It is this thought which sparks an investigation into a most curious series of crimes by Campion and Scotland Yard.
The reader already knows what's happened, whodunit, and is privy to witnessing the perpetrator at work during the course of a day. The suspense comes in trying to understand the mind of this criminal and in watching how events play out so that Scotland Yard can not only figure things out, but capture this guy as well.
In truth, Campion does not play a very active role as he has in most of Allingham's previous series where he is usually the main character, but it is a chance question that he asks which sets the climax of the story into motion. I won't say any more, but if you were only going to read one Campion, this one might be it. Most excellent; highly recommended.
Even if you don't follow the Campion series, you won't be lost reading this one, even though it's quite late in the series. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good suspense novel, and to readers of British mystery and mystery in general.
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making a phone call, and the murder of a pawnbroker whose body was still missing. Even though there was no corpse, a long trail of blood led back to where the bus had been parked. Some time later, a young woman and young man ask a policeman where they might find a certain address. He remembers that it is a home at which there is a bizarre museum of curiousities, and then a thought strikes him. It is this thought which sparks an investigation into a most curious series of crimes by Campion and Scotland Yard.
The reader already knows what's happened, whodunit, and is privy to witnessing the perpetrator at work during the course of a day. The suspense comes in trying to understand the mind of this criminal and in watching how events play out so that Scotland Yard can not only figure things out, but capture this guy as well.
In truth, Campion does not play a very active role as he has in most of Allingham's previous series where he is usually the main character, but it is a chance question that he asks which sets the climax of the story into motion. I won't say any more, but if you were only going to read one Campion, this one might be it. Most excellent; highly recommended.
Even if you don't follow the Campion series, you won't be lost reading this one, even though it's quite late in the series. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good suspense novel, and to readers of British mystery and mystery in general.
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LibraryThing member cmbohn
I enjoyed this one. Good and scary. Campion is in this book, but as a supporting character. The police are the ones who solve this one.
LibraryThing member elliezann
Another Albert Campion mystery that keeps the reader involved.This is an interesting story since we know who the murderer is right away. The question is whether Campion and his sidekick, Scotland Yard Superintendent Charles Luke, can solve the murders. The art of detection at its best.
LibraryThing member charlie68
Another surprisingly good book, with little mystery but quite a lot of suspense, and something under the surface a moral perhaps. Unlike most stories with Mr. Campion though, he plays more of a supporting role in this one.
LibraryThing member benfulton
Top flight. Not a whodunit, but fascinating to watch the story unfold alongside the murderer's character. Campion's role is minimal as the story revolves around the murderer and the young man who, almost at random, takes an interest in him. My only complaint is that there's no explanation of how
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the precise, calculating villain decided to use his talents in crime rather than rising high in the banks, as I suspect anyone else with his background would do. But the pathos of the final scene is quite remarkable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Stewartry
Poor "little Albert", dragged in kicking (literally) and screaming (or at least complaining loudly) to assist the remarkable newly Superintendent Charlie Luke in the investigation of a number of killings. He only wanted to go on vacation – and shortly found himself left unsure whether he was more
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likely to be kidnapped by the bad guys or the good guys. The plot was handled nicely; since the reader pretty much knows the villain is the villain it's more a matter of suspense – is he going to hurt the old lady or the girl, or the girl's beau? How are Campion and co. going to find him? Not "whether", of course. And what exactly is he up to? Allingham's greatest gift was with rounded, real, believable characters, which is why her books are so enjoyable to go back to again. I liked this one a lot. Show Less
LibraryThing member adeeba_zamaan
I don't believe this is really Allingham, but her husband, because the novel is plot-centric rather than Campion-centric. I enjoyed it, and the plot kept me intrigued, but I could have done with more Campion, because after all, what readers want is more of the characters we love most.
LibraryThing member antiquary
Charles Luke, now a new superintendent in Scotland Yard, is convinced a little London square called Garden Green is linked to a whole series of crimes. His superiors think he is crazy, but Campion takes the idea seriously. The reader knows it is true, because there are alternating sections from the
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criminal's point of view --something I intensely dislike, but forgive in this case for the setting -- a museum of bizarre Victorian curiosities --and the involvement of an attractive young couple. Show Less
LibraryThing member joel
A not-very-suspenseful suspense novel with very little Campion. The characterizations are good, but the plot is weak.
LibraryThing member dmturner
Well plotted and genuinely scary
Thought Campion appears in this novel, it’s really about the mind of a murderer, and what happens as his plans unravel. A really fine suspense novella.
Thought Campion appears in this novel, it’s really about the mind of a murderer, and what happens as his plans unravel. A really fine suspense novella.
Language
Original language
English