Margery Allingham Books In Order

Publication Order of Albert Campion Books

Publication Order of Albert Campion Collections

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Margery Allingham

Margery Allingham was a celebrated English author of mystery tales. She worked during a period known as the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Experts group her with three other major female writers of that time. These four authors are often called the Queens of Crime.

Her most famous creation is the detective Albert Campion. In his first appearances, this character seemed to be a lighthearted imitation of another fictional sleuth. Over many books, Campion developed into a much deeper and more unique person. He became a memorable figure who was both a solver of puzzles and a man of action.

Readers find Allingham’s books enjoyable for their well-built stories. She had a special talent for creating interesting people and gripping plots. Her narratives pull the audience along from start to finish. This skill in character and story design is a central strength of her writing.

Allingham’s stories reached a global audience, providing entertainment across different cultures. Her work felt authentic because she wrote with a clear, consistent voice. Readers everywhere could recognize a story as uniquely hers. This genuine quality made her books a reliable source of enjoyment for many people.

She crafted tales that felt both personal and widely appealing. The writer did not follow fleeting trends but remained faithful to her own creative vision. This approach gave her novels a timeless and sincere feeling. People found this consistency engaging and comforting in equal measure.

Her ability to stay true to herself was key to her broad, lasting appeal. Allingham created a fictional world that was entirely her own. International readers found pleasure and a sense of familiarity within these pages. Her authentic storytelling continues to connect with audiences long after the books were first published.

Margery Allingham’s literary legacy remains firmly established today. Her contributions to the mystery genre continue to receive acknowledgment from scholars and fans. The enduring presence of her detective, Albert Campion, secures her place in literary history. New readers still find enjoyment and discovery within the pages of her classic novels.

Early and Personal Life

Margery Louise Allingham was born in Ealing, London, on 20 May 1904. Her parents, Herbert and Emily Jane Allingham, were both professional writers, immersing her in a world of stories from her earliest days. Soon after her birth, the family relocated to an old house in the village of Layer Breton, Essex. She attended a local school and later the Perse School for Girls in Cambridge, writing stories and plays throughout her youth.

Her literary career began remarkably early; she earned her first fee for a story at just eight years old. In 1920, she returned to London to study drama and speech training at Regent Street Polytechnic. It was during this period that she first met Philip Youngman Carter, whom she married in 1927. He became a key collaborator, helping plot her stories and designing the jackets for many of her books.

Allingham passed away on 30 June 1966, at the age of 62. Her final Albert Campion novel, Cargo of Eagles, was completed posthumously by her husband at her request and published in 1968. Compilations of her work continued to be released for new audiences, ensuring her stories remained in print for years to come.

Writing Career

Margery Allingham’s writing career began with a verse play performed in London and her first novel, Blackkerchief Dick, published in 1923. This early work was well received but not a financial success, leading her to find her place in the mystery genre. Her breakthrough arrived in 1929 with The Crime at Black Dudley, a novel that first featured Albert Campion.

Campion evolved from a minor character into the hero of a long-running series. Allingham ultimately wrote eighteen novels and many short stories centered on this gentleman sleuth. Her work also expanded beyond fiction to include The Oaken Heart, a 1941 nonfiction book describing her community’s experiences during the war.

Death of a Ghost

Margery Allingham’s mystery novel Death of a Ghost was published in the year 1934. The book was released in the United Kingdom by the publisher Heinemann. In the United States, the publishing house Doubleday Doran was responsible for its release. This work is the sixth story in the series featuring the character Albert Campion.

A famous artist arranged for twelve of his paintings to be sold after his death, intending to annoy a rival. Each year, one new painting is unveiled to begin the London art season. During the party for this event, a power outage occurs, and when light is restored a man is discovered stabbed. The artist’s granddaughter becomes the primary suspect, but Albert Campion, who is present, believes she is innocent and works to identify the true killer without any immediate proof.

Many found the setup of an annual art reveal provided a clever and engaging structure for the story. The unexpected murder at the party created a compelling puzzle that immediately captures attention. The investigation is enjoyable to follow as it cleverly challenges initial assumptions about the crime. This book offers a very satisfying and entertaining experience for those who appreciate classic mystery novels.

Cargo of Eagles

Margery Allingham’s mystery novel Cargo of Eagles was published in 1968. The book was released by the publisher Chatto & Windus. This work is the nineteenth and final novel in the series featuring the character Albert Campion, finished posthumously by her husband.

The story itself is set in the coastal village of Saltey, a place with a long history as a refuge for criminals. In the early 1960s, the area experiences trouble with teenage gangs, though this is not Albert Campion’s reason for visiting. He and his companion Lugg take up residence there, their interest partly drawn by a recently released thief hiding in the village. Campion’s primary focus, however, is on investigating the newly resurfaced local legend known as the Saltey Demon.

This novel’s coastal setting provides a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop for its mystery. The plot weaves together modern gang troubles with a much older, eerie local legend. Following the investigation into these intertwined elements is a genuinely engaging experience for the reader. It offers a satisfying conclusion to a beloved character’s long-running series.

2 Responses to “Margery Allingham”

1. Joan Crowe: 6 months ago

   More than 30 years ago I read her works, three decades later it was all new and wonderful again! What a lot of wisdom and true character she showed us.

   Reply
2. Wanda Keilig: 4 years ago

   I so enjoy her books. I want to read them all!

   Reply