What do You think about Flowers For The Judge (2006)?
Another Campion mystery. I think of the ones I have read so far, this is my favorite. It has some wonderfully quirky characters, plenty of Lugg appearances, and a most creative plot. I read most of it in one sitting, on a day I was feeling a bit under the weather, and it really cheered me up. I believe this book was made into a film for the PBS Mystery series. I must watch it some time. If you have not discovered Margery Allingham, try her out, but start at the beginning. If you have, but haven't discovered this book, what are you waiting for?
—Babette
Paul Brande is found dead in his publishing firm's strong room under puzzling circumstances. At the inquest, this death is ruled to be murder and his cousin, Mike, is arrested for the crime. Certain his young friend is innocent and asked to investigate by Brande's neglected widow, Gina, Albert Campion tries to discover what really happened. I found as I read my way through this that, despite what I initially believed, I hadn't read it before. I didn't really miss anything. Others on the mailing list finished it before me and their verdicts weren't particularly effusive. I have to agree. There is a flatness to Flowers for the Judge that hasn't been present in the other Campion books I've reread lately. In this one, Allingham seems to have put so much work into the Coroner's Court and the Old Bailey trial that she forgot about characterisation. This is a book about courts and trials, not a book about people. As such, if fails in its attempt to capture the reader's concern for the characters. Instead, it all becomes a very academic exercise. Mike and Gina, who are supposed to be the thwarted hero and heroine are instead cardboard cutouts. We never even meet the victim, Paul, so our sympathy for him is non-existent. The murderer is pompous and annoying but never particularly sinister. Even Campion and Lugg are poorly defined here, compared to other novels. The only characters that really appealed to me were Uncle Ritchie, who was a delight, and poor Teddie Dell, who appeared briefly and swiftly disappeared. Flowers for the Judge felt like a sleight of hand trick with a very long and somewhat boring set-up that was only revealed as a trick right at the very, very end. This is a solid book, but not a particularly inspiring one.[Copied across from Library Thing; 25 September 2012]
—Kerry
I LOVE Albert Campion! This character is smooth, unassuming, a little bit of a geek, but surprisingly tough and doesn't mind getting his feet wet when it comes to saving the day. While Campion himself is not particularly funny, there is comic relief in Campion's "sidekick" Lugg. While I don't remember the exact plot of this story, the mysteries themselves are intelligent and generally difficult to figure out until the end when you say, "of course!" Allingham has created a really great detective in Albert Campion.
—Sara
