Listen free for 30 days
-
Mystery Mile
- Narrated by: Francis Matthews
- Series: Albert Campion, Book 2
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Crime at Black Dudley
- An Albert Campion Mystery
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When George Abbershaw is invited to Black Dudley Manor for the weekend, he has only one thing on his mind - proposing to Meggie Oliphant. Unfortunately for George, things don't quite go according to plan. A harmless game turns decidedly deadly and suspicions of murder take precedence over matrimony. Trapped in a remote country house with a murderer, George can see no way out. But Albert Campion can.
-
-
Campion's first appearance...
- By FictionFan on 27-01-17
-
Black Plumes
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: Francis Matthews
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Slashed paintings and a mysterious death, an accused fiancé and the reappearance of a long-dead husband - Black Plumes is another classic crime drama from Margery Allingham. 'Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light.' - Agatha Christie.
-
-
Margery Allingham's best!
- By R on 16-09-16
-
The White Cottage Mystery
- An Albert Campion Mystery
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: William Gaminara
- Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seven people might have murdered Eric Crowther, the mysterious recluse who lived in the gaunt house whose shadow fell across the White Cottage. Seven people had good cause. It was not lack of evidence that sent Detective Chief Inspector Challenor and his son Jerry half across Europe to unravel a chaos of clues. The White Cottage Mystery was Margery Allingham's first detective story, published initially as a newspaper serial.
-
-
Where's Albert?
- By Amazon Customer on 21-09-16
-
A Man Lay Dead
- By: Ngaio Marsh
- Narrated by: Philip Franks
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wealthy Sir Hubert Handesley's original and lively weekend house parties are deservedly famous. To amuse his guests, he has devised a new form of the fashionable Murder Game, in which a guest is secretly selected to commit a 'murder' in the dark, and everyone assembles to solve the crime. But when the lights go up this time, there is a real corpse....
-
-
excellent as always
- By Michelle C on 05-04-17
-
The Man with the Sack
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Albert dear, we are going to have a quiet family party at home here for the holiday, just ourselves and the dear village. It would be such fun to have you with us." Faced with an invitation he can't refuse, Albert Campion is spending Christmas with the Turretts at Pharaoh's Court, along with the Welkins and Mike Peters, a young man trying to shake off his father's reputation. But when Santa Claus is implicated in a burglary, Campion's skills are put to use.
-
-
The Man with the Sack
- By H W Giddens on 04-12-17
-
An Expert In Murder: Josephine Tey Series, Book 1
- By: Nicola Upson
- Narrated by: Sandra Duncan
- Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's March 1934, and Josephine Tey is travelling from Scotland to London to celebrate what should be the triumphant final week of her celebrated play, Richard of Bordeaux. However, a seemingly senseless murder puts her reputation, and even her life, under threat.
-
-
Superb!
- By Karen on 17-01-09
-
The Crime at Black Dudley
- An Albert Campion Mystery
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When George Abbershaw is invited to Black Dudley Manor for the weekend, he has only one thing on his mind - proposing to Meggie Oliphant. Unfortunately for George, things don't quite go according to plan. A harmless game turns decidedly deadly and suspicions of murder take precedence over matrimony. Trapped in a remote country house with a murderer, George can see no way out. But Albert Campion can.
-
-
Campion's first appearance...
- By FictionFan on 27-01-17
-
Black Plumes
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: Francis Matthews
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Slashed paintings and a mysterious death, an accused fiancé and the reappearance of a long-dead husband - Black Plumes is another classic crime drama from Margery Allingham. 'Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light.' - Agatha Christie.
-
-
Margery Allingham's best!
- By R on 16-09-16
-
The White Cottage Mystery
- An Albert Campion Mystery
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: William Gaminara
- Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seven people might have murdered Eric Crowther, the mysterious recluse who lived in the gaunt house whose shadow fell across the White Cottage. Seven people had good cause. It was not lack of evidence that sent Detective Chief Inspector Challenor and his son Jerry half across Europe to unravel a chaos of clues. The White Cottage Mystery was Margery Allingham's first detective story, published initially as a newspaper serial.
-
-
Where's Albert?
- By Amazon Customer on 21-09-16
-
A Man Lay Dead
- By: Ngaio Marsh
- Narrated by: Philip Franks
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wealthy Sir Hubert Handesley's original and lively weekend house parties are deservedly famous. To amuse his guests, he has devised a new form of the fashionable Murder Game, in which a guest is secretly selected to commit a 'murder' in the dark, and everyone assembles to solve the crime. But when the lights go up this time, there is a real corpse....
-
-
excellent as always
- By Michelle C on 05-04-17
-
The Man with the Sack
- By: Margery Allingham
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Albert dear, we are going to have a quiet family party at home here for the holiday, just ourselves and the dear village. It would be such fun to have you with us." Faced with an invitation he can't refuse, Albert Campion is spending Christmas with the Turretts at Pharaoh's Court, along with the Welkins and Mike Peters, a young man trying to shake off his father's reputation. But when Santa Claus is implicated in a burglary, Campion's skills are put to use.
-
-
The Man with the Sack
- By H W Giddens on 04-12-17
-
An Expert In Murder: Josephine Tey Series, Book 1
- By: Nicola Upson
- Narrated by: Sandra Duncan
- Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's March 1934, and Josephine Tey is travelling from Scotland to London to celebrate what should be the triumphant final week of her celebrated play, Richard of Bordeaux. However, a seemingly senseless murder puts her reputation, and even her life, under threat.
-
-
Superb!
- By Karen on 17-01-09
-
Mr Campion's Farewell
- By: Mike Ripley
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Strange things happen in the picture-postcard English village of Lindsay Carfax. When a young man falls into a quarry, it takes nine days to find the body. When rowdy hippies descend on the village, they're given nine days to leave. When an outspoken schoolmaster is kidnapped for nine days, he stays eerily quiet after his release. Now Albert Campion has come to town - and he means to investigate all this strangeness. But whoever is behind the unusual goings - on quickly makes it very clear that his nosing around is not welcome.
-
-
Campion Revisited
- By Sheryl Mason on 09-03-20
-
A Shot in the Dark
- Mydworth Mysteries - A Cosy Historical Mystery Series 1
- By: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
- Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker
- Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sussex, England, 1929. Mydworth is a sleepy English market town just 50 miles from London. But things are about to liven up there, when young and handsome Sir Harry Mortimer returns home from his diplomatic posting in Cairo, with his beautiful and unconventional American wife, Kat. No sooner have the two arrived, when a jewel robbery occurs at Harry's aunt's home - Mydworth Manor. The police are baffled and overwhelmed with the case. But Harry and Kat have an edge in the hunt for the dangerous culprit.
-
-
The perfect cosy mystery to transport us elsewhere
- By Kate @MLHearingThings on 28-03-20
-
Cover Her Face
- By: P. D. James
- Narrated by: Daniel Weyman
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An Adam Dalgliesh mystery. Cover Her Face is P. D. James' debut novel, the first Adam Dalgliesh mystery, and a thrilling work of crime fiction set in the English countryside, from the best-selling author of Death Comes to Pemberley and Children of Men. From P. D. James, one of the masters of British crime fiction, comes the debut novel that introduced Scotland Yard detective Adam Dalgliesh.
-
-
it's early
- By Mr David Newton on 18-06-17
-
No Wind of Blame: Inspector Hemingway, Book 1
- By: Georgette Heyer
- Narrated by: Ulli Birvé
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The superlatively analytical Inspector Hemingway is confronted by a murder that seems impossible – no one was near the murder weapon at the time the shot was fired. Everyone on the scene seems to have a motive, not to mention the wherewithal to commit murder, and alibis that simply don't hold up.
-
-
Narration spoilt the book
- By Mrs on 31-10-15
-
The Affair of the Mutilated Mink
- By: James Anderson
- Narrated by: Cornelius Garrett
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Earl of Burford can't believe his luck. Rex Ransom, his favourite star from the 'talkies', and his hot-shot producer, Haggermeir, want to film their next feature at Alderley, the family's seventeenth-century country estate. Somewhat less enthusiastic is the Countess, who finds herself hosting an impromptu house party for the incoming Hollywood crowd.
-
-
A good old fashioned murder mystery
- By soosiewoosie on 23-02-16
-
The Affair of the Thirty Nine-Cufflinks
- By: James Anderson
- Narrated by: Cornelius Garrett
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Understandably, Lord Burford had some misgivings about hosting another house party at Alderley, his beautiful country mansion. After all, the previous two could at best be described as disastrous, since a couple of their guests were bumped off during their stay on each occasion. But with family members travelling down for the funeral of an elderly relative, the Earl really had no choice but to offer them accommodation.
-
-
If you're a fan of Ngaio Marsh's Alleyne, you'll LOVE this!
- By Carôle on 07-01-16
Summary
Judge Crowdy Lobbett has found evidence pointing to the identity of the criminal mastermind behind the deadly Simister gang. After four attempts on his life, he ends up seeking the help of the enigmatic and unorthodox amateur sleuth, Albert Campion. After Campion bundles Lobbett off to a country house in Mystery Mile deep in the Suffolk countryside, all manner of adventures ensue. It's a race against time for Campion to get the judge to safety and decipher the clue to their mysterious enemy's name.
More from the same
What listeners say about Mystery Mile
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Thomas Holt
- 16-10-14
A novel crime thriller, superbly performed
What made the experience of listening to Mystery Mile the most enjoyable?
Francis Matthews' unique comprehension of the mood of the early Allingham novels - a joyous blend of ridiculous humour and thrilling whodunnit.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Mystery Mile?
The last round between Campion and Simister, a real thriller against a positively Dickensian backdrop. The scene-setting, even in this early novel, almost matches parts of Great Expectations and David Copperfield.
Have you listened to any of Francis Matthews’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This is up with any of Francis Matthews' renditions, even though this early novel, although very good - the first to really "star" Campion - is not the best possible source material. I do wish Audible would crack on and reissue the rest of them. Francis Matthews had a real feel for this material, head and shoulders above any other audio version.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
I'm hopeless at tag lines and don't see what this contributes to a review.
Any additional comments?
Yes, the Francis Matthews version of Allingham's Dancers in Mourning is very rare. I've seen second hand sets of tapes for more than $200. So, please do that one plus More Work for the Undertaker - in which Matthews is truly inspired. The latter is a really great tale with wonderful characters which the reader clearly lived!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- D. J. Dubery
- 01-06-13
One of my favourite Campion novels
First off, this is a good reading of the story. I tried one of David Thorpes recent efforts and was appalled by his voicing of Campion as one of Bertie Woosters dumber friends. In comparison this is a unremarkable but non distracting version of Albert. It's a cracking story although it does meander at times, particularly around the death of StSwithen, where it's not altogether clear to the reader /listener exactly what purpose all the clues actually mean even after several readings.... In this respect the Peter Davison tv show handled this aspect better than the author.
The book really picks up once Albert and his pals embark on their rescue mission. Anyway, neglected and excellent crime fiction from the golden age.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kris
- 20-09-15
Thank goodness for that
Francis Matthews and Margery Allingham make a great team.
Audio book producers don't seem to realise that re-issuing classic books with new narrators isn't like re-publishing a paperback with new covers. The new narrator for most of these books just doesn't get it.
When you mess with the voices in listeners heads they it's rarely exciting and often off-putting to the extent that you stop listening. My Autumn project was re-read Ms Allingham. I'll probably do just that now, re-read them myself.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- slb
- 18-09-16
Wonderful reading by Francs Matthews
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Superb reading of a great story
Have you listened to any of Francis Matthews’s other performances? How does this one compare?
As superlative as ever. Knocks the mediocre David Thorpe readings into a cocked hat.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes
Any additional comments?
Any more Matthews Campions hidden in the archives Audible???
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Keithj
- 18-12-17
Excellent
The story is a good one but it is Francis Matthews who makes this something special.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicola
- 13-01-21
Great listen
You have to discount the odd phrases that tell of when it was written but this is a very good read.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sue
- 11-11-20
Of Its Time.
I'm starting to get the hang of the character now, with Book 2, and thoroughly enjoyed this one. She seems to be adding flesh to Albert. The general wash of xenophobia, sexism and snobbery is almost comic now, and sets the period wonderfully. I thought Francis Matthews was perfect as narrator. His timing, character voices and general understanding of the tone were marvelous. I wish Audible had all the books narrated by him. I'm rather dreading going back to the other narrator for Book 3. If Margery Allingham hadn't been raved about by Christopher Fowler in his Book of Forgotten Authors I wouldn't have got past Book 1.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrea
- 16-04-20
Very entertaining. Great plot, good characters.
A really good read from the golden age of crime fiction. Great plot and characters.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr Peter Geran
- 12-02-20
PLENTY OF HINTS
I liked this story a lot. It had plenty of action a range of characters and good narration. I specifically liked the hints of the potential background of our hero. Will be able to listen to this again.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Elizabeth Godfrey
- 15-06-18
Mystery Mile - Totally Engrossing!
Francis Matthews absolutely brilliant as the narrator. Possibly my favourite Campion mystery! Wish this series was televised.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- John
- 14-01-14
A Delightfully Different Kind of Mystery
Imagine Bertie Wooster with more IQ but the same basic outlook and approach to life and you have Albert Campion. He is a sleuth who keeps you guessing just as much as the ne’er-do-wells he pursues. His wit is so subtle and his character so unostentatiously outlandish, that lots of things get by you (well, ok, by me). Just be prepared to rewind from time to time or you’ll miss some exquisite stuff.
The plot, like the main character, is offbeat as well. Much of the time we’re not even sure if a crime has been committed. It looks like a possible murder, and it looks like a possible kidnapping, but is it? Were the previous attempts on the supposed victim’s life really attempts, or a series of odd accidents?
Heading our supporting cast is the gloomy, fatalistic Lugg, Campion’s man, who seems to know everyone who’s anyone in criminal circles—possible because, not too far back, he himself was a someone in those circles. The by-play between master and man is as funny as any Bertie-and-Jeeves banter, in a completely different and delightful way.
All of the above Francis Matthews conveys with a deft, unhurried delivery that gets every character right. He can make Campion sound as simple-minded as any member in good standing at the Drones and then as perceptive as Lord Peter Wimsey. Very fitting, if my sources are correct. I'm told that Allingham’s original impetus for creating Campion was as a parody of Lord Peter.
There will definitely be more Campion on the Wish List.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anon.
- 23-09-12
Where are the other Albert Campion mysteries?
Margery Allingham is a jewel, her books are jewels - small bright and glittering with color, and the Albert Campion series is her crown jewel. NEVER read one unabridged! But where are the Campions? (PS - read them in order if you can!)
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 15-05-13
Somewhat plodding but not bad
First novel staring Albert Campion and his man Lugg.
Narrator: Francis Matthews - good job. Good inflection and change in characters.
Characters - The characters are very well developed in this book, except for the villains as I am starting to notice as a flaw in Allingham's equation. This is technically the second Albert Campion novel (although in the first one he was more of a side character), and in both the only fringe characters not given much backstory or attention ended up being the bad guy. There was a great ensemble cast of characters given and each one was a likeable individual.
Plot - The basic plot of the story was a good little jaunt fitting to the time period which kept you guessing as to who was involved and what was going on. There were many red herrings thrown in for fun as well. I had two major issues witht he book overall however. The first issue I had was the love interest. At the beginning of the story they hint at a romance that never really develops even though it is initially portrayed on both sides. At the end one of them ends up with another and the other is heart broken. This was very irritating to me as I found it unnecessary to set up the love triangle. Especially involving the main character. It came off as a bit melodramatic and pointless. The second issue I had was that the reason behind the attempts on the judge's life was not really explained satisfactorily. The ending left me feeling as though Allingham wrote the entire novel and then realized she needed to explain why it took place and inserted a half-baked stupid explaination in a dramatic manner just as a way to dispose of the villain at the end. It all felt very contrived and dull. Plus she drug out the whole explanation out for too long so you hit the climax when the villain is unveiled and then just keep hoping that it ends soon.
I plan on reading the next book in the series and that will determine if I continue with the series or give it up. Especially since so far I can only find a copy narrated by David Thorpe and I did not enjoy his narrative on the first book (The Crime at Black Dudley).
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sylvia
- 14-12-14
Unusual cozy mystery & BEST narrator ever!!!!!
Would you consider the audio edition of Mystery Mile to be better than the print version?
The narrator is such a master of accents that this is almost more a performance than simply a narration! That makes this better than any print version!
What did you like best about this story?
The plot is a mystery that takes place in Great Britain in the 1920s or 30s, the same period as many P. G. Wodehouse Jeeves and Blandings stories. I like that! The characters are all very colorful and easy to keep sorted. The narrator's expertise with accents aids in that aspect. I have never identified with any of these characters, and that is just fine with me. What I enjoy is the feeling that I am looking in on an interesting little world where unpleasant things may happen, but, in the end, all will turn out well thanks to Albert Campion.
Have you listened to any of Francis Matthews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have not, but I will make a point of so doing in the future. What a talented narrator! He does every accent beautifully. When the character is out of breath, he gasps convincingly. He expresses emotion. And whether doing male or female voices, the characterizations work without any distraction from the story.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I wanted to, but could not. However, I often listened before going to bed. The narrator's voice has a comforting, assured quality. Also, this allowed me to backtrack the next day and listen to the last half from the night before to make sure I had missed nothing. Double enjoyment!
Any additional comments?
People who choose books about Albert Campion must understand that he is a brilliant detective posing as a rich and somewhat empty-headed young man. Some narrators bring this across by giving him a silly-sounding voice (which can be irritating). This narrator gets across Mr. Campion's persona without the silly voices, but in a way that loses none of the inanity with which he can behave. Some people decide they do not like these books because they do not understand the brilliance of Campion and, also, the dry, understated humor employed by the author. For instance, and briefly, she describes the smile of one of Mr. Campion's criminal proteges as "revealing an astonishing assortment of teeth". I should explain that Mr. Campion has friends and acquaintances from every station and walk of life, most of whom know him by other names. They are a great help along the way in solving his cases and add color to the stories with their unusual personalities, looks, back stories, and accents. One more thing is that Mr. Campion has a "valet"-assistant who is a past criminal. He adds interest and humor to the stories too. If you enjoy books like Jeeves and Wooster, Rumpole of the Bailey, Blandings, Her Royal Spyness, The Poor Relations series, and even Agatha Raisin, you will likely enjoy Margery Allingham's Campion series.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Stephen W Osborne
- 14-03-17
1st "Starring" Role for Campion
The first "starring" role for Campion, the urbane adventurer for hire. Nothing sordid, mind you. Here he's helping an American and his family. The father has a price on his head, being targeted by a man known only as Simister. Not quite as good as some of the other Allinghams, but still enjoyable. Matthews isn't as good as Thorpe, but he provides some excellent voices.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- LauraBilbrey
- 14-07-16
Not worth the time
Story was difficult to follow. Tha story just did not seem plausible The only interesting part was the time period
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lori Long
- 27-06-16
Kind of meandering and slow...
The reader was wonderful and played the part of the many characters fairly well. And the story itself was interesting. But I got bored with the rather mundane conversations and interactions between all of the characters. I kept thinking..."get on with it already".
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Pamela C. Alger
- 12-06-16
Just a note on narrator
Francis Matthews is vastly superior to David Thorpe. While his voice for Campion doesn't quite have the 1920/30's "bright young thing" quality, it does give a sense of the bright man hidden behind the fool's mask quality that is Campion.
The story is sufficiently complex and full of period atmosphere.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- JBW
- 15-02-15
Good characters and narration. Story just okay.
I like this series and find the British narrator very listenable. This story lagged at times and didn't have as much of the sparkle found in the first, but like able enough that I will try again.
The mystery us solid even if it's presented unevenly.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Doug Wilkie
- 24-11-14
My question is why?
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
A story had had some memorable moments, even one.
What could Margery Allingham have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
Actually put some meat into the story.
1 person found this helpful