Mystery Mile

A cornerstone of Golden Age detective fiction, Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham introduces readers to the early adventures of Albert Campion, one of classic mystery's most distinctive detectives.
What begins as a case of mistaken identity soon spirals into a dangerous web of crime, deception, and murder. Drawn into the affair by chance and curiosity, Campion finds himself navigating a shadowy underworld where appearances deceive and every encounter carries hidden risk. As the mystery deepens, clever clues and unexpected turns lead toward a solution that rewards careful attention and sharp reasoning.
Blending traditional whodunit structure with suspense and psychological insight, Mystery Mile exemplifies the best traditions of classic British mystery and fair-play detective fiction. Allingham's lively prose, subtle humor, and inventive plotting mark her as a writer already moving beyond formula, creating a mystery that feels both timeless and fresh.
An essential entry in the Albert Campion mystery series, this novel will appeal to fans of Golden Age detective fiction, vintage crime novels, and early twentieth-century mysteries. Its mix of intrigue, danger, and intellectual challenge makes it a natural fit for libraries, mystery book clubs, and readers seeking classic crime stories built on ingenuity rather than sensationalism.
Stylish, suspenseful, and richly entertaining, Mystery Mile captures the moment when Margery Allingham began shaping one of the great detective series of the twentieth century-an enduring classic that continues to delight mystery lovers today.

Margery Allingham was one of the most original and influential voices of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, celebrated for her intelligence, wit, and quietly daring approach to the mystery novel. Born in London in 1904 to a family immersed in writing and journalism, Allingham grew up surrounded by storytelling and went on to shape the genre in ways that still feel fresh today.
She is best known as the creator of Albert Campion, one of classic crime fiction's most distinctive detectives. Introduced as a seemingly frivolous young man, Campion gradually reveals himself to be a subtle, observant, and deeply principled investigator-an evolution that mirrors Allingham's own growth as a writer. Through him, she blended fair-play puzzle mysteries with psychological insight, social satire, and a strong sense of atmosphere.
Allingham's novels are admired not only for their ingenious plots, but for their memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and vivid settings. Over time, her work expanded beyond traditional whodunits to incorporate suspense, emotional depth, and an increasingly modern view of crime and morality, setting her apart from many of her contemporaries.
Today, Margery Allingham is rightly regarded as one of the great "Queens of Crime," alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh. Mystery Mile, an early Albert Campion novel, showcases her gift for clever construction and stylish storytelling-and marks the beginning of one of detective fiction's most enduring and beloved series.