Escapade

    

    I asked for escapist literature and I got in spades with this delightful novel! Having read only one other Margery Allingham - the superb, darkly atmospheric The Tiger in the Smoke - I was surprised at the marked change of tone in this (earlier) book. Sweet Danger is a romp, often comic, wonderfully exuberant and over the top, a mixture of P.G. Wodehouse, the Famous Five and a less worldly James Bond!

    The plot revolves around a tiny Balkan state called Averna which has become of major political significance. Its rightful owners are the Fitton family, now living in reduced circumstances in a ramshackle mill in deepest Suffolk, and Campion, Lugg and co. weigh in to establish the family's title in the face of extreme danger from a criminal financier and his ugly cohorts. Add to that a mad doctor whose modus operandi would fall far short of modern clinical guidelines - it doesn't actually contain the line "throw the switch, Igor, the storm is at its height!", but it certainly could, so dramatic is its climax -, a romance, beautifully underplayed, plenty of action and the discovery of long-hidden treasure, and you have a book of charm, fun and complete entertainment.
    As you can tell, I loved it and shall move on to more of the remarkable Margery Allingham as soon as I can.

Comments

[bookwitch]

It's my favourite! At least I think so. Allingham has so many wonderful books, but the humour and the love story make this one perfect.