ISBN: 1572701374 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A mystery with an interesting, quirky detective and a host of charming characters has a fanciful plot, but suffers from some cliches and melodrama.
Reviewed by David on October 06, 2003
Genre: Mystery (Amatuer Sleuth, English Village)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Mystery Mile. A retired American judge, Crowdy Lobbett has become a target for a deadly criminal gang. He apparently has the only clue to the identity of the gang's elusive, and very capable leader. Unfortunately, the Judge is not sure how to interpret his clue, and in the meantime, the attempts on his life put him and his family in jeapardy.
Lobbett decided to go to England for his safety, but even on the cruise ship he cannot escape the attempts from the gang. The judge enlists the assistance of an unlikely ally—the foolish, effette Mr. Campion, who, it appears, occasionally helps the Scotland Yard with tricky cases.
Full Review: The main set of characters—Campion, Lobbett and his children, Campion and his unlikely crew of helpers, are all drawn with amusing and charming detail, and quickly capture the reader's interest.
The plot is complicated, with daring rescues and mysterious clues. Unfortunately there the author frequently uses cliches, and the use of slang particularly for American speach, seems less than deft. The otherwise good narrator's tendency to make all American voices sound indistinguishable doesn't help.
Another flaw is that the characters react in exaggerated, or unintelligent ways to increase the suspense. At times, downright Victorian melodrama seems to take over.
On the whole, the appealing characters, and their lively interaction keep this charming mystery very enjoyable, despite some flaws.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1930, Chivers Audio Books (Audio Editions Mystery masters), 1991, Audio cassette, 6 cassettes
ISBN: 1572701374 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com