If you love the flavor of British mysteries (country estates, multiple secretive characters, surprises at every turn) then the Mr. Campion series is for you. Actually this is an old series with previous authors and Mike Ripley taking over the task of keeping Mr. Campion, his wife Amanda, son, and good friend Lugg afresh in mysterious happenings. Mr. Campion's Christmas is the first Ripley tale I've read, and I loved its blizzard setting. Nothing better than a bus load of strangers stranded at a country estate, leaving its owners (Campion and his wife) to provide warmth, food, and sleeping quarters. It is only when they discover the phone lines dead and the bus driver missing that they suspect all is not right among those who sought refuge within their walls. Grab a hot cocoa or perhaps a hot toddy or a sherry and enjoy a true Brit mystery.

This the first book I have read in the series and while it is also the last I didn't feel it affected my reading experience. It was a very easy to read cosy type mystery. Despite the cosy feel it is an intriguing mystery with interesting and likable characters. I enjoyed it very much and will need to check out the early books. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

1962 Charterers, the snowbound farmhouse home of the Campions in Norfolk is invaded over Christmas by seven travellers and the bus driver, some of which are pilgrims to the Shrine of our Lady in Walsingham. But are they who they say they are and what do they want.
An entertaining and well-written mystery and thriller with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Campions host an unexpected holiday house party. A van full of strangers is stranded by a storm at their front gate, and with their usual sang froid, Campion and family take them in and make them as comfortable as possible. But this group doesn't bring holiday cheer, they bring dangerous secrets and treasonous plots.

Mike Ripley has pulled off another great rendition of Margery Allingham's Campion series. The characters feel true to her golden age standard. Sadly, it appears that this is the end of the run. I'll greatly miss new episodes in the series.

A Christmas challenge!

Classic Ripley’s Albert Campion mayhem taking place over Christmas 1962 at their Norfolk farmhouse.
A lively description of Lugg as Santa driving an Arandel Works landrover made out to be Santa’s sled adds to the Christmas spirit.
However later on a blizzard envelopes the area.
A pilgrim’s bus enroute to the shrine of Walsingham crashes into their sturdy entrance pillars during in a blizzard. The stranded passengers, a very mixed and puzzling group, take sanctuary with the Campion’s.
Three young American servicemen help out. They’re heading to the RAF Markham base where Lady Amanda has her aeronautic works.
However things change when Campion and Lugg discover the missing bus driver. His dead body is on the coach.
A startling and unwelcome Christmas surprise for the Campion’s complete with treason and spies.
This is apparently the last Campion writings from Ripley. So sad!

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

There always was the sense of a spy work background in Campion's story and this is a good mix of mystery and spy thriller
A closed circle of people snowed in the country, a group of people who could not be who they are supposed to be.
A festive atmosphere that becomes tense because the killer must be in the closed circle.
I enjoyed this novel that kept me hook and I read it in two sitting.
The last Campion novel by Mike Ripley is an excellent and entertaining one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I don’t like to rush the holidays that come around in the last three months of the calendar year, but here I am reading a Christmas mystery in October. It feels so wrong! But Mike Ripley’s 12th and last, according to the author’s notes at the end of the book, story in the continuation of the Albert Campion series originated by Margery Allingham is due to be published in early November.

A clever piece of work, smoothly incorporating the components of the classic country house Christmas with assorted strangers, all snowed in by an unexpected blizzard, and adding some original bells and whistles to create a strong plot with some familiar characters and a few new ones.

Albert Campion and his wife Amanda have retired to the Norfolk countryside in December 1962 for the holidays, not far from the British military base where Amanda’s aircraft company Alandel has an office. Son Rupert is home from his first year at Harvard University. Magersfontein Lugg is in fine fettle, serving as the household major domo. They are expecting the usual quiet Christmas with a big Boxing Day celebration. No snow in the forecast until a gray sky gave way to snowflakes on December 27th. They didn’t realize how much snow would fall until the storm was in full swing. Amanda sent their cook and housekeeper Mrs. Thursby home to collect her father to bring him back where they both would be warmer and safer.

They are all settled around the fire when noises outside indicate the arrival of visitors. A touring bus has crashed into the stone pillars of the gate to the driveway and the passengers are desperately seeking shelter. An assorted group: a retired Episcopalian priest, a single lady on a pilgrimage, three American airmen heading to the British base, the frazzled bus driver, a Dutch national, and a pedantic middle-aged professor. The Campions scurry around and find sleeping space and warm food for the group.

Early the next morning Campion finds tracks in the deep snow, two sets leaving the house, and only one set returning. He follows them to find the body of the driver in the tour bus. The snow is so deep there is no hope of bringing law enforcement in for days so ferreting out the killer falls to Campion, Lugg, and some unexpected assistants.

A classic closed circle mystery that pays significant tribute to the original Campion series while pulling in contemporary details to invigorate the story and demonstrate the passage of time. Publishers Weekly starred review. Highly recommended.

Another well-crafted story of the continuing adventures of Albert Campion, quasi-retired detective / adventurer, though this time, the intrigue and danger are literally at his doorstep. As a massive snowstorm approaches and looms heavily over his home in Norfolk, a bus crashes (also literally) at his doorstep, and the eclectic passengers received as 'pilgrims' to take shelter from the storm, though some of the passengers are not who they seem...

The story unfolds at an even pace, with the stakes always at a high level, with the added touch of a snowstorm isolating everyone in one location. The characters are well developed, and it's a credit to the author to continue to capture the essence of Campion and his family and how they would be in the early 1960s.

A bit sad to know this will be Ripley's final Campion story, but it's an equally heartwarming and (at times) heart-stopping adventure.

Mike Ripley is the author of the Fitzroy Maclean Angel crime series featuring an enigmatic bandleader as its sleuth. Then about ten years ago he picked up where Margery Allingham left off and has written another twelve novels in her Albert Campion series. I feel as if I’m rather late to the party having never read any of the Campion books, which Allingham began way back in 1929, a kind of spoof, supposedly, of Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey novels.

Having just read Mr Campion’s Christmas I feel I have a bit of catching up to do. The story begins with a bus journey from London, leaving the Victoria Coach Station a couple of days after Christmas. It’s 1962, a year that went down in history not only for the Cuban Missile Crisis, but also a severe season of blizzards that particularly rocked East Anglia. The coach is heading for Walsingham, a Norfolk village famous for its shrines and as such a destination for pilgrims.

Walsingham is also near an RAF airbase, so there are three genial American airman on board, as well as a small collection of odd characters: Hereward Henderson, a history buff and general bore, Miss Pounder, a reserved middle-aged woman, Reverend Breck who is planning to retire in Walsingham, and Fred De Vries, a Dutch art dealer who guards his luggage with his life. It’s a nerve-wracking journey for Graham Fisk, the driver, as snow turns to blizzard, so he’s only too happy to hand over the driving to one of the airmen. But even Oscar can’t keep the bus straight in such horrific conditions and the coach collides with one of the gate posts of a country house named Carterers.

Yes, it’s the home of Albert Campion, his wife Lady Amanda and their son Rupert, just home from his first term at a University in America. The three are hunkering down as the snow falls, along with Campion’s side-kick Magersfontein Lugg, a large man with a few rough edges. The hot meals keep coming thanks to Mrs Thursby, the housekeeper, and the family have also rescued Lloyd Thursby, Mrs Thursby’s deaf father-in-law who has a passion for watching westerns on the TV.

Suddenly the Campions are playing hosts to the stranded coach party and sleeping arrangements have to be sorted. But what starts out as Yule-tide hospitality turns into a hostage situation plus a murder, and it’s a return to the old days for Campion and Lugg who must save the day. It’s a classic kind of thriller, made entertaining and fresh by the quirky characters of the household as well as those from the coach. Most of this group seem to be harbouring a secret, just to make things complicated.

"Mr Campion flung open the kitchen door, strode in and turned the light on as if he owned the place, which of course he did. He and Lugg were confronted by a scene of simple domesticity, if the detritus of catering for eight unexpected guests arriving in a snowstorm could be described as simple. Everything seemed to be in its place, or at least where Amanda and Mrs Thursby had left it.
‘If we ‘ad a burglar, he wasn’t peckish,’ said Lugg, indicating the tray of geometrically arranged mince pies Mrs Thursby had baked ‘just in case’ before she went to bed. As if moving chess pieces, he carefully picked out two which did not disturb the pattern unduly and began munching.
‘Can I get you the brandy butter and a pot of tea perhaps?’ hissed Campion. ‘Or can we get on?’ "

Of course the telephone loses connection so there’s no chance of rescue, and the Campions must rescue themselves, although help comes from an unexpected quarter. Lady Amanda is a modern woman, with a career in the aeronautical industry, and also gets to show her mettle. Just as all seems lost, Campion devises an oddball plan that is very entertaining as well as reasonably nail-biting. Campion hides his skill at handling tricky situations behind a facade of batty eccentricity, that’s a little P G Wodehouse, while his brain is in overdrive looking for windows of opportunity. There are codewords and his number one weapon, the size and heft of Lugg, is eventually deployed.

Bubbling through it all is a steady stream of wit, humorous incidents and smart writing that makes this update of an old favourite nicely readable for a modern audience. But you’re still happily in 1962 and the classic crime writing of this era – the perfect light, diverting escapade for Christmas. Mr Campion’s Christmas is a four-star read from me.

Some interesting facts turned up when I started reading this book as an ARC written by Mike Ripley. I have already read some books about Mr. Campion but those were written by Margery Allingham. Apparently she wrote a long series and Mr. Ripley has been continuing it. He does a good job!

Albert Campion and his wife, Lady Amanda, are living in a rather remote house in Norfolk. The setting is 1962 and the story references the Cold War and involves espionage. The author has a lot of historical knowledge and uses it well. Even the massive snow storm which he uses to trap all his characters in one house actually occurred that year.

This is a spy mystery written in the style of the Golden Age of mystery and crime. As such it is fairly light, almost cosy, and yet it does have real substance, interesting characters and an intriguing mystery. There is humour too in the dialogue and in some of the less than likely events which occur. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to anyone who reads mysteries. You do not need to have read the previous books to like this one.

I don't know how I missed this series- and this latest installment read just fine as a standalone. It's a funny, clever take on the snowed tale with a group of travelers who have secrets. Secrets that Albert and his pal Lugg tweeze out. This has great Cold War underpinnings, with Soviet spies in the mix. The characters are good as are the atmospherics. No spoilers from me! Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Sorry to see this continuation of the Allingham characters end.

Classic Campion with a Cold War twist.

The latest, and probably last of author Michael Ripley's Campion novels open in 1962, in Norfolk. Having enjoyed a smaller than usual family Christmas, and looking forward to a relaxing Boxing Day, the Campions find themselves snowed in at their remote farmhouse, until a bus full of pilgrims travelling from London to the Shrine of Our Lady in nearby Walsingham crashes onto their property. The family suddenly find themselves playing host to an unusual and eccentric bunch of travellers, and when the following morning a certain event reveals that some of the guests are not what they seem, they are plunged into a situation where they don't know who to trust or who to believe.

What follows is a tale which I'm sure Margery Allingham could have written today. This is a witty story, full of period detail, and just complex enough to satisfy modern readers. The 1962 setting fits the Cold War story perfectly, and fans will be delighted to meet again Campion, Lady Amanda, their son Rupert, their housekeeper and of course, the formidable Magersfontein Lugg. And then there's the bus passengers - a shady little man who won't let go of his briefcase, three loud Americans, and more.

The author manages to retain the feel of the original books, but adds his own flavour of menace and mystery. It will probably appeal most to fans of the Campion series, and of classic Golden Age thrillers - those looking for darker Le Carre stuff, or even Val McDermid might feel a bit short-changed, but would be advised to stick with it.

Heartily recommended.

‘Oh, you never know,‘ said Mr Campion. ‘We might be lucky and get a white Christmas.’

1962, Norfolk, England. The snow that was absent on Christmas Eve as Magersfontein Lugg stands in for Santa Claus, arrives with a vengeance, and the Campions are snowed in by Boxing Day. But any thought of a quiet interlude at their remote farmhouse, Carterers, evaporates when a ‘charabanc full of pilgrims’ crashes into their granite gateposts and need shelter.

Lady Amanda rises to the occasion, and the unexpected guests are made comfortable. The Campion’s housekeeper and her father-in-law are also part of the group joining Albert, Amanda and Rupert Campion together with the formidable Magersfontein Lugg.

The following day, a shocking discovery makes it clear that not all the unexpected guests are benign visitors. One of the guests seems obsessed with an item he is carrying, another is boring everyone within earshot, and an overheard conversation between some of the guests involving foreign language casts doubt about who they are. Hmm. Meanwhile, the snow continues, and the telephone is out of commission.

In this, Mike Ripley’s twelfth and final instalment of his continuation of Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion novels, the snowed-in Campions become caught up (both literally and figuratively) in the Cold War. While Lady Amanda has a particular part to play, every character is involved. And the reader has a wonderful time sorting red herrings from important clues. Another terrific blend of history and humour!

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Mr. Campion's Christmas is the last in the splendid Albert Campion series started by Margery Allingham in 1929. Allingham is a favourite writer of mine but Mike Ripley writes just as superbly with oodles of wit, clever red herrings, gorgeous vocabulary and vivid historical detail. We all know at least one of the characters in real life.

On Boxing Day in 1962, a blizzard blankets the rural Norfolk landscape including Carterers House (yes, there's a background story) with a thick layer of seclusion and atmosphere. But for some the deep snow becomes a nuisance. Campions' housekeeper and her father in law are inconvenienced and a charabanc gate crashes the festive spirit. Thankfully, there is food, hospitality and electricity. What could possibly go wrong amidst a motley crew of strangers and nationalities during a blizzard and no telephone service? Murder and mayhem, of course.

After settling in their guests, stoic Albert, aeronaut Amanda, their university son, and sidekick Ugg discover more than they had bargained for. Some of the group are tight lipped, others prone to drone. Suspicions quickly arise. Who are these people, exactly, and what are they hiding? Cold War underpinnings seep into nooks and crannies as the Campions investigate.

I absolutely adored Mr. Campion's Christmas. It has all the elements a reader seeks in a whodunit. The humour and witticisms are brilliant and frequent and caused me to chuckle many times. I stuck to the book like cling film and happily got utterly and completely lost in the delightful reading experience.

Look no further for a Golden Era Christmas Mystery which will warm the cockles of your heart and put a twinkle in your eye.

My sincere thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this enchanting novel.

I loved Marjorie Allingham’s Campion books and Mike Ridley has continued them flawlessly. This is his twelfth Campion story and a great Christmassy read.
Albert Campion is now 60 and living in Norfolk with his family, it is 1962 and the Cold War is ongoing. This is a tale of spying and espionage, full of humour with a cast of characters who are not all what they seem.
I really enjoyed reading this book, Mike really does do justice to Allingham’s characters and it is so good to be able to read more about Campion and Lugg.

Campion is now 62 and enjoying the holidays at his remote home with his wife, son and reliable #2, Lugg. It is 1962 and the cold war is going strong. What could possibly disturb the tranquility of the season? First a blizzard, then 7 stranded bus passengers come seeking shelter. There is more here than meets the eye. The three soldiers in the group are awfully interested in Campion's brilliant aeronautical expert wife and the nearby airbase. Another won't let go of his precious briefcase. Hmmm?

Mr Campion’s Christmas sadly brings to an end Mike Ripley’s enjoyable continuation of the Albert Campion novels by Margery Allingham. The books have become a regular feature of the British crime scene, and they conclude in good style with this twelfth volume in the series. As usual, the latest book features Ripley’s marvellous sense of humour, deep historical knowledge and his love for British thriller writing of the 1960s.

Set in in the days following Christmas 1962, Mr Campion’s Christmas opens with Boxing Day looking like being a quiet affair for the Campions who are snowed in at their remote Norfolk farmhouse, Carterers. That changes when a charabanc full of ‘pilgrims’ travelling from London to the Shrine of Our Lady in nearby Walsingham crashes into their imposing granite gateposts and the family unexpectedly find themselves playing host to the eccentric passengers. However, any lingering festive cheer is in short supply when a shocking discovery is made the following day and a terrifying twist reveals that some of the guests are not who they seem to be. Suddenly the Campions are drawn into a fiendish web of espionage, as the Cold War comes chillingly close to home.

Mr Campion’s Christmas is very good fun, with Ripley skilfully concocting an innovative spy plot in the most unlikely location at the most unlikely time. The book unfolds in his typically leisurely style, with an abundance of interesting historical snippets and cultural references, as well as several amusing insider references by Ripley. There are also the twists, surprises, shady characters and red herrings you expect from a crime novel, and a good burst of action towards the end. Campion flits amicably through the story trying to keep one step ahead of the villains, with the concluding heroics coming from an unexpected source.

In all, Mr Campion’s Christmas is an enjoyable seasonal feast of a story and a good finale for the series.

Did you ever play the board game Clue? Mike Ripley's "Mr. Campion's Christmas" reminds me of the game. Unique characters, a little humor, and a lot of narrative. If you love a game of Clue, this is the novel for you.

Releases Nov. 5th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It has been over 3 decades since I've read Allingham and I honestly don't remember much about the Campion books. From what I do remember, Ripley seems to capture the spirit of the books and characters much more effectively than the new Poirot books of recent years.

The mystery is a mix of cozy and espionage thriller, and often seems pretty ridiculous. Thankfully the main characters and the setting keep the pages turning and Campion's Christmas becomes an enjoyable winter read.

The twelfth and last, apparently, of Mike Ripley's excellent series of novels based on Margery Allingham's characters. It is set in the early 1960s immediately following the Cuban missile crisis, and the Russians want some payback for their embarrassment at the hands of the Americans.

The Campion family are snowed in at Carterers, their family home in rural Norfolk, when a coach load of pilgrims to the shrine at Wallsingham seek refuge from the extreme weather. The pilgrims individually have their tales to tell and all have secrets they would like to keep. The most open and straightforward appear to be the three American airmen who had cadged a lift on the coach on their way back to their airbase. Things, of course, are not at all what they seem.

Not so much a who-dunnit or standard crime novel, this is much more an action tale, very amusing for the most part, as its action hero is the bespectacled Mr. Campion, now well into his retirement years. Solid stuff, with some good surprises, entertaining and amusing at all times.