The Fashion in Shrouds

Margery Allingham

Valentine Ferris is one of the foremost fashion designers of the time. She designs the gowns for the famous actress, Georgia Wells. She also is Albert Campion's sister.

Georgia's ex-fiancee's body has been found three years after he disappeared. Albert was the detective who found the body. Now she is married to another man, and has fallen in love with Val's current paramour, Allen Dell. Her husband is getting ready to take an ambassador's position down in Africa. Georgia is to join him in a few months. But he dies as his airplane is ready to leave under suspicious circumstances. Now Val is under a cloud of possible jealousy and murder.

Albert needs to clear his sister's name and find if the death was natural or murder. Amanda Fitten, Albert's friend from The Fear Sign, now works with Allen Dell. She offers her help - she claims he is his fiancee. Now Albert is trying to clear his sister, pretend he is engaged, and find a murderer.

This is an excellent detective mystery novel. Allingham draws wonderful characters. Georgia Wells is larger than life, as an actress in her position should be. It is easy to forget that this book was published in the 1930's. Except for the technology, this could have been written today. The web is well spun and the trap nicely set. This mystery won't disappoint.

The Black Dudley Murder
Mystery Mile
Look to the Lady
Police at the Funeral
The Fear Sign
Death of a Ghost
Flowers for the Judge
The Case of the Late Pig
Mr. Campion, Criminologist
Dancers in Mourning
The Fashion in Shrouds
Mr. Campion and Others
Traitor's Purse
Coroner's Pidgin
Wanted: Someone Innocent
The Casebook of Mr Campion
More Work for the Undertaker
The Tiger in the Smoke
The Beckoning Lady
Hide My Eyes
The China Governess
The Mysterious Mr. Campion
The Mind Readers
Mr. Campion's Lady
Cargo of Eagles
The Allingham Casebook
The Allingham Minibus
The Return of Mr. Campion