This collection brings together four short stories starring Albert Campion. Despite my deep and abiding love for all things Campion, this collection was disappointing. The stories were too short and lacked the real personality of Albert Campion, the Golden Age puzzle solver.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a treat to read four Christmas-themed short stories by Margery Allingham, creator of Albert Campion. Three of stories feature Campion: "On Christmas Day in the Morning," "The Case of the Man with the Sack," and "Word in Season." In the first, "On Christmas Day in the Morning," Campion is called out on Christmas to the scene of an accident where a postman has been hit by a car and killed. A tramp through the mud to a home so remote it's not accessible by a road is necessary as part of the investigation. The reader feels sorry for Albert until he meets the inhabitant of the cottage, who despite crushing hardships, displays joyous holiday spirit. "The Case of the Man with the Sack" finds Albert, along with several others, at a country house on Christmas. One guest, the son of a man in prison, dresses as Santa and distributes toys to the local children. Unfortunately, there's a robbery, diamonds are stolen, and the thief was wearing a Santa suit. Can Campion solve the crime and save the day? In "Word in Season," Albert and his wife, Amanda, are at odds on Christmas Eve because he shorted out the electricity by accidently putting a nail into the wiring. This story strikes a cord with any DIYer or holiday decorator that didn't have things go as planned. Thank goodness their faithful dog is on hand to work some Christmas magic. Lastly, "Happy Christmas" concerns a morose young family. Their friends aren't coming for Christmas dinner, so they reluctantly invite their elderly neighbor instead. It turns out better than any of them had hoped. All of the stories are short, so you can take a quick break and catch up with a favorite character, or meet some new ones.

Classic golden-age mystery stories that satisfy as well as delight. Christmas warmth and a distinctly British flavor make this collection perfect for the holiday season and a treat at any time of the year. Highly recommended!

Delightful! Four very short stories that reveal what.a beautiful and versatile writer she was, from writing in a Victorian style, to a classic mystery, to a warm-hearted and sweet bonbon for the season. No Allingham or Campion lover should miss these.

Here we have four short tales by Margery Allingham - three of which feature Albert Campion.

The first tale 'On Christmas Day in the Morning’ sees Albert Campion helping to solve an 'impossible' accident involving the local postman - it is a gentle and very seasonal tale but does also help to remind us that there are those who are lonely at Christmas with nothing but their memories for company.

The second story, ‘Happy Christmas’, does not feature Campion but is an amusing tale of a couple who's Christmas meal does not quite go as planned. Personally I found this the weakest of the four tales as it seemed to have little place in a detective anthology. It is interesting and well written but perhaps should be approached as an interlude between busier narratives.

Thirdly we have 'The Man With the Sack' - I had come across this story before in the British Library Crime Classics Anthology 'Crimson Snow' but it was just as enjoyable on a second reading. Albert Campion is persuaded to go to a country house party for Christmas and ends up foiling an theft involving a fake santa, some worthless ornaments and some valuable diamonds.

The anthology concludes with 'Word in Season' which is a truly lovely tale featuring Mr Campion's red setter. I was not aware of the legend that animals are given the power of speech on Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day depending on which version you read) but Margery Allingham clearly was as it is mentioned several times in this anthology. It is really in this last story however where she takes the idea and makes it the centre of the piece. Although this is not a crime tale it is a beautifully described scene which cannot help but put any animal lovers in the Festive Spirit. I am really wondering what our cat may come out with when he is able to talk in a couple of weeks time.

Overall this is a short but highly enjoyable anthology and well worth a couple of hours of Christmas Reading Time.

A collection of later Allingham Christmas stories - a very readable selection, including one story with no mystery element at all, but very readable. I really enjoyed these and liked how the Christmas themes were worked in. Anyone who enjoys Margery Allingham's writing will like these. Thanks to Agora Books and NetGalley for the review copy.

A highly enjoyable selection of four festive-infused short stories, three of which focus on the crime-cracking skills of Detective Campion. I had never heard of Margery Allingham prior to reading this, but was duly impressed by her engaging style, witty dialogue and enviable ability to create well-drawn characters. The first of the self-contained tales focuses on the mysterious death of a postman on Christmas morning and introduces the reader to Campion’s eye for detail in solving a crime which is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and Poirot.

Next, we are treated to the nostalgicVictorian-themed Christmas celebrations of the Robinson family, stressed by their enigmatic neighbour, Mrs Martingale. Following this, we revisit Campion as he prepares to celebrate Christmas in the bucolic setting of his friend’s country pile and solves a festive burglary.

From quaint villages to city flats, each tale is self-contained and successfully transports the reader into the setting. The collection is rounded off (in the manner of a charming bow on a Christmas present) with a story describing the magical effect of Christmas Eve on Poins, Campion’s beloved canine companion.

There are four enjoyable Allingham Christmas short stories. The first is"On Christmas Day in the Morning". Campion is eating with the Chief Constable when the superintendent arrives to say that the postman had been killed by a car. The postman was riding his bicycle. There were no skid marks, but a little further on a police car had stopped a stolen car with drunk occupants. The only problem was that mail had been delivered to an old woman about a quarter mile further along the road. Campion goes with the Constable to visit the woman and figures out what has happened.

In the second story, "Happy Christmas", and young couple find their friends weren't coming for Christmas at the last minute. They invite the elderly woman in the apartment upstairs to join them and end up having a lovely Victorian Christmas.

The third story is "The Case of the Man with the Sack". Campion is invited by his friend Sheila to come for Christmas. On his way, Campion sees a man he saw sent to prison for robbery. At the house party is a wealthy couple (she made a big point of her diamonds all the time) with their son who gets upset when Sheila's friend is given the job of Santa Claus. When Campion takes a break to go to his room, he sees Santa Claus with a big bag . When he asks Santa what's in his bag, the man runs. Campion finds a clock he had seen earlier in the bag and realizes it was the man on the train. He goes back to the party; and when the guest claims her insured diamonds have been stolen and blames Sheila's friend, Campion shows up the real culprit.

The last story is "Word in Season". Campion's wife, Amanda, was annoyed when he had put a nail through the house-wiring when hanging the mistletoe. He is kept company by his setter until his wife returns to the room, and all is happy again.

These four stories are a lot of fun. They are very short, beautifully crafted, amusing and clever. Each one hinges on a single concept - a tradition (or superstition if you prefer), a false assumption, or a con. While the tone is wry, sometimes cynical, it is never smug or cruel. Campion is kind, accepting of humanity’s absurdities, idiocy and self-seeking. He exposes it, sees through it - without drawing attention to it or asserting his own capabilities. The writing, like Campion, is self-effacing, making its point from creativity rather than didacticism.

Each story is what it should be - a gem, faceted, sparking and bringing joy.
A lovely Christmas read

Campion at Christmas is a re-format and re-release of a quartet of short stories by Margery Allingham. Originally published as The Mysterious Mr. Campion in 1963, this release published 23 Nov, 2018 by Agora is a trim 64 pages and would make a lovely stocking stuffer for any ebook fans on the holiday list.

The four included vignettes are sweetly nostalgic. I have read most (all?) of the Campion canon and was unfamiliar with these.
Three of the 4 included stories are Campion stories and the last is an ironic short story more or less in the style of O. Henry.

On Christmas Day in the Morning
Happy Christmas
The Case of the Man With the Sack
Word in Season

I especially enjoyed the last of the 4, "Word in Season" and for me it felt the most 'Campion-like' of the stories. Even though there was some magical realism tossed in, Campion reacted just as I would have imagined he would.

A lovely read and I enjoyed it very much!

Four bright holiday stars.

What a lovely Christmas treat! Three Campion stories and another Allingham special. If you aren’t feeling seasonal this will certainly help pudh you in the right direction. Allingham’s stories are always fair - the unpredicted twist but the clues are there if you are as astute as Albert Campion. Alas, I am not! This is a great gift for Allingham fans and a wonderful introduction to Campion for those who still have the joy of discovering Allingham’s great work. Enjoy!

I enjoyed reading these four short stories, but they were so lacking in the essential Campion personality that I don't feel I've added anything to my previous knowledge of "him". Coming in at less than 75 pages total, well, that's not going to give you any indication of who this character really is if you haven't met him already in a longer story.

On Christmas Day in the Morning
Copyright 1963
first published in Great Britain in The Mysterious Mr. Campion, 1963
features Albert Campion

Happy Christmas
Copyright 1962
first published in Great Britain in Woman's Own magazine, 1962
no Campion appearance

The Man With the Sack
Copyright 1937
first published in Great Britain in The Allingham Minibus, 1973
features Albert Campion

Word in Season: A Story for Christmas
Copyright 1965
first published in Great Britain in Mr. Campion's Lady, 1965
features Albert and Amanda Campion (plus Poins, the Red Setter)

If you consider yourself a fan of the writings of Margery Allingham, and I do, even the smallest nugget featuring Albert Campion will please you. I liked these stories for that very reason.

Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for an eGalley of this collection.

A collection of four charming short stories, all happening on Christmas or Christmas Eve. Three of the four are from the early 1960's, the last from 1937. Three of the four have Albert Campion as the main character, although only two of these have crimes.

Even though the book is quite short, it's always such a treat to read Allingham.

A sweet little collection for Campion fans - perfect stocking stuffer or house-gift for the Golden Age fan. The second story made absolutely no sense to me but, in true Allingham fashion, it evoked a mood crisply and efficiently. A definite recommend.

Margery Allingham is often compared to Agatha Christie and as someone who likes cosy mysteries more than the more violent contemporary crime novels, this sounded like the perfect thing to read this time of the year.

This is only 63 pages so each of the four stories, though particularly the last, were very short. However the last one was my favourite of the collection. One, it was the most warming and Christmassy, and secondly it felt like the perfect length for the story which cannot be said for the others.

Overall I will definitely be exploring more of this author’s work and I think that this is the perfect book for a cold winter’s evening.

Margery Allingham is one of the Queen of Mysteries and this collection of Christmas short stories was delightful.
Not all of them are mystery themed but they are all lovely and enjoyable.
I can say they aged well and are full of humour and Christmas spirit.
They made crave for more and wish to start one of her novel.
A wonderful Christmas treat.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Agora Books and Netgalley for this ARC

Campion at Christmas is a mini collection of Christmas-related stories by Margery Allingham, one of my favorite (and somewhat underrated) Golden Era mystery writers. Three of the four stories feature Albert Campion, gentleman detective, and are in the "cozy mystery" genre.

I enjoyed the gentle pace of the stories and the charm of a bygone era, and this mini collection serves as a welcome treat after the hustle and bustle of family, friends and food.

An excellent collection of four Christmas whodunits with this beloved sleuth.. This is a real classic mystery character. I highly recommend it.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I have not previously read any of Margery Allingham's Campion stories, although I believe that I have seen or heard an episode or two on television and on the radio. Therefore, as it was the third day of December, I began reading this collection of festive tales from the "golden age" of detective fiction with great anticipation. I was very much looking forward to this book.

Sadly, these four Christmas stories all left me very disappointed.

Only one of them, “The Case of the Man with the Sack”, has a worthwhile mystery element to it. While the other three are festive in theme, for me, they are poor examples of detective fiction. “Happy Christmas” being the most disappointing of them; unless I am mistaken and missed it, Campion does not even appear in this one.

Would this discourage me from reading further, and fuller, Albert Campion mysteries? I’d like to think not but, with so many other novels competing for attention, I’d have to be especially drawn to another Margery Allingham tale.

The first tale, “On Christmas Day in the Morning”, is taken from The Mysterious Mr Campion, first published in 1963.

“Happy Christmas” is from the 1962 Christmas Edition of Woman’s Own Magazine.

“The Case of the Man with the Sack” from The Allingham Minibus of 1973.

“Word in Season - A Story for Christmas” from 1965’s Mr Campion’s Lady.

What better way to revel in the Christmas spirit than a collection of festive short stories by the wonderful Margery Allingham. I am not as familiar with her work as some of our other first class female crime writers and so all four stories were new to me.

The cover 'speaks' of nostalgia and was what first drew me to this book and I wasn't disappointed. The stories range over murder, tradition and superstition with some wonderful quintessentially British characters aiding Albert Campion in two mysteries and one slightly mystical tale while the fourth offering is a visit to a Victorian Christmas in the modern era, which was the 1960's in this instance.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review and loved it. It is a very quick read unless you are disciplined enough to read one story a night, (I wasn't) but that was my only gripe. I recommend it highly as a treat for anyone who finds themselves with a quiet evening, a cosy chair and a drink of something warming over the coming holidays.