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Cargo of Eagles by Margery Allingham
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Cargo of Eagles (original 1968; edition 1973)

by Margery Allingham

Series: Albert Campion (20)

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447355,309 (3.53)20
A lively British mystery from “one of the greatest mid-20th-century practitioners of the detective novel” (Alexander McCall Smith). Strange things are happening in Saltey. The little village on the Essex coast is invaded by bikers and a parade of peculiar visitors, a newly released prisoner is rumored to be in the area, Mr. Lugg has bought a bungalow there, the Saltey Demon is on the loose again . . . and Albert Campion is looking for the disappearance of thousands of pounds of gold coinage. This is Margery Allingham’s final novel featuring her famous gentleman sleuth, overflowing with evil arch-villains and classic thuggery against the atmospheric backdrop of postwar England. “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 “Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light.” —Agatha Christie.… (more)
Member:dlreece
Title:Cargo of Eagles
Authors:Margery Allingham
Info:Manor Book (1973), Paperback
Collections:Read but unowned
Rating:
Tags:british, mystery, albert campion

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Cargo of Eagles by Margery Allingham (1968)

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This is the final book in the Albert Campion series; it was actually completed by Allingham's husband after her death. The book features Campion at the end of his career, and unlike earlier books he takes a backseat in the investigation of this case. Campion acts more as an adviser to a young American, Morty Kelsey, and his love interest, an attractive young doctor who has just inherited a country house in a seaside town. The town has quite a history of ghosts and pirates, among other things.

I enjoyed seeing Campion late in his career. He is world-weary in this book, happy to leave the actual investigating to younger associates. The end brings a surprising twist, and finally reveals to the reader the meaning of the title. As with other Campion books this one relies heavily on space and time- who was where when. Also like other books in the series this can get overwhelming. Still, it's interesting to see the gentleman sleuth in old age, and the books makes for a satisfying mystery. ( )
  lahochstetler | May 11, 2013 |
Enjoyable read. Finished post mortem by the author's husband this book brings Campion into the sixties (more successfully than Allingham's contemporaries!). One for the fans. ( )
  Figgles | Feb 7, 2011 |
Cargo of Eagles was finished after Margery Allingham's death by her husband Youngman Carter, who apparently completed it based on notes that Allingham left behind. Sadly, the last of the original series (if you count this one because Allingham started it) leaves a lot to be desired. I think it suffers from too many tangents leading to a bit of tedium for the reader. I found myself wanting to just get through it (which is really sad, if you think about it for a minute). The basic plot was good, but it took SO long to get to a resolution that at the end I actually didn't care about it.

Brief decription, no spoilers: The small village of Saltey captures the interest of quite a few characters: a doctor who has recently inherited a house from a near stranger; an American historian who is spending a year in Britain doing research on approaches to London in the 17th and 18th centuries; several motorcycle gangs, and some unsavory characters as well. Saltey used to be home to smugglers and pirates, and at one time was "visited by a demon." Now it seems it is also home to a murderer who has a secret to keep -- but it's one that Campion must figure out to help solve his own secret mission.

I would recommend it probably to people who are working on finishing the series, but likely not to others. It normally doesn't take me long to finish one of these novels, but this one was just not up to par with most of the other books in the series. ( )
  bcquinnsmom | Mar 2, 2008 |
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Allingham, Margeryprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Carter, Philip Youngmanmain authorall editionsconfirmed
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The rain was falling in a sweet relentless fashion as it does in spring in London and it was all very peaceful and pleasant, if uncompromisingly wet.
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A lively British mystery from “one of the greatest mid-20th-century practitioners of the detective novel” (Alexander McCall Smith). Strange things are happening in Saltey. The little village on the Essex coast is invaded by bikers and a parade of peculiar visitors, a newly released prisoner is rumored to be in the area, Mr. Lugg has bought a bungalow there, the Saltey Demon is on the loose again . . . and Albert Campion is looking for the disappearance of thousands of pounds of gold coinage. This is Margery Allingham’s final novel featuring her famous gentleman sleuth, overflowing with evil arch-villains and classic thuggery against the atmospheric backdrop of postwar England. “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 “Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light.” —Agatha Christie.

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Once the gather ing place of pirates and smugglers, the town of Saltey has now been overrun by motorcycle gangs, ex-convicts and a nasty collection of contemporary cutthroats. But a missing treasure and a resurrected local demon entice Albert Campion to the quaint, if troubled, seacoast community - and a mysterious murder that sets the intrepid sleuth sailing toward disaster.
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