Death of a Ghost

By: Margery Allingham

Narrated by: Francis Matthews

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

The unrivalled Albert Campion returns to solve another shocking murder - classic crime fiction at its very best. J.S. Lafcadio, the painter, is dead. He wanted lasting fame and he left instructions to his wife for one painting to be exhibited every year after his death. Eight years later in Little Venice, a group of friends and family gather to view the painting. They are treated instead to a murder....

©1949 Margery Allingham (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

More Campion!

This had never been my favorite Allingham but I am thrilled to have more of my favorite series available on Audible. I have always admired the lightheartedness of Margery Allingham's books. They are silly and they know it but they are good fun to read.
The story is well read by Francis Matthews, who is my favorite narrator for the Campion series (I have them all on cassette). I just hope I am not the only one who loves these books and that Audible releases the full collection unabridged. I would love to see the Gyrth Chalice, Beckoning Lady, Traitor's Purse and The China Shepherdess available here.

Matthews brings the characters to life!

The story is complex and interesting. The ending was a bit outrageous, as were several of the characters. I enjoyed the book - not a 'page turner', but it kept my interest. It was the monthly selection for a book club - we are reading various books from this period - seems the different prominent authors of crime stories were satirizing each other. This is a good one!

Wow!

Recently the NYT published a list of Golden Age detective writers and books worth reading. I’m a longtime Agatha Christie fan and have ready many of her books and short stories, and I thought it time to branch out. This title was on the list and it came to me as a revelation. What a wonderful writer! And a fabulous narrator! This one had it all, characters, plot and a truly interesting setting in the contemporary art world in the ‘30’s. Definitely planning on checking out others!

Enjoy Margery!

I enjoyed this mystery classic. Being familiar with most of the golden age mystery classic writers like Christie, Sayers, Marsh; I only recently came across Margery Allingham and the Albert Campion series. I’m steadily making my way through the series. I really like this book which is a mix between what i would call the more adventure themed of her earlier novels (e.g., Mystery Mile) and the more psychological thriller themed of her later novels (e.g.. The Tiger in the Smoke). I enjoyed this book and the narrator. I’m a David Thorpe fan by far. However, Francis Matthews’s narration of Albert Campion has grown on me. And I now like them both equally

Campion turns sleuth

No Lugg in this one! Argh!!! And people refer to Campion as a sleuth, which he'd always denied before, preferring to be called an adventurer and universal uncle. Even though he seems to accept detective status now, this one is hardly a mystery, as the killer is known very quickly. After that, it's just getting evidence. Good, but my least favorite Campion so far.

good story but

This was an interesting setup and enjoyable story. the only thing is Albert Champion seems reticent to act in this one. In previous books I think he would have been more proactive. I guess the author just wanted to let this villain run his course instead of having Champion take care of him early.

A most clever story and superb reader

Fine writing, devilishly clever plot, and one of the finest narrators I’ve ever come across

Albert Campion is such a dope!

Al Campion is the guy who, when the audience yells, "Don't go in there!", goes in there. Also, we know very early on who the crook is, and the rest of the book is just Albert trying, somewhat ineptly, to prove it. This seems to be Allingham's usual story line. She also makes several logic jumps in each book that make it hard to figure out where B was as she takes us from A to C.

Albert Campion - Ghost Buster!

Would you listen to Death of a Ghost again? Why?

Yes it is a gentle but compelling mystery, as the best of Margery Allingham always are, dark in places and yet somehow cosy and comforting. My son used to listen to the tapes as bedtime stories and now thanks to Audible and the Magic of MP3 we both can relive that time all over again even though he is nearly 30 now.

Who was your favorite character and why?

the ghost - a totally fictional artist but such a compellingly drawn rouge that you wish he was real just so you could see his artwork

Have you listened to any of Francis Matthews’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Francis Matthews used to do all of the Albert Campion books, and his voice is a perfect match for them, happily satirical but warm and generous to the listener. It is sad that so few of his recordings on this website. the narrators on the other titles, while excellent for other stories, read these Campions too quickly, too sharply, these are cosy armchairs of books,and should be read as such. I advise anyone to get the stories read by him first!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it is a much more subtle story than that - you tend to have a quiet smile on your face through out. Though it's not a rice pudding of a story, it has some wonderful twists.

Nostalgia and Crime

Margery Allingham created an unusual amateur sleuth in Campion. He moves in a society we no longer have and it is a delight to read about it. The crimes he solves are intriguing and in this case peopled by eccentrics which adds a touch of humour.

Enjoyable

I found this an enjoyable listen. It kept me absorbed in the story from start to finish. The narration was good. I shall look for more from Margery Arlingham. I am rediscovering these golden age of Crime book with pleasure.

Entertaining

I very much enjoyed this and Francis Matthews performed the story so well. Great listening.

Disappointing

Not as amusing as others in the series - rather a low-spirited sad plot. But very well read.

Wonderful character narration, classic Allingham.

Thoroughly enjoyed this reading by Matthews, great story that holds you to the end. Excellent.

Narration to awful to treat seriously .

If this narration wasn’t so ludicrously funny it would be possible to hear just how silly the book is . So glad it only cost me three pounds odd .

Lovely old fashioned whodunit

Nice escapist listening. Beautifully written and fantastic narration by Francis Matthews. A nice relief from the lockdown.

Brilliantly read

A very good Campion story and superbly read by Francis Matthews. The characterisations were spot on.

Excellent story and interpretation

With an ever evolving story line displaying the second shade of subtlety as Allingham calls it as layer upon layer is unravelled this is quite fascinating. Add to it Francis Matthews with one of the best narrations I've heard and you cannot be disappointed.