More Work for the Undertaker

Detective Albert Campion investigates mysterious happenings in London's Apron Street, a shadowy neighborhood known for making criminals vanish without a trace. The thirteenth novel in Allingham's Campion series follows the detective as he explores the connection between a family of undertakers and a series of suspicious events. The story centers on the peculiar Palinode family, whose inherited shares in a seemingly worthless company attract dangerous attention. A local banker's machinations intersect with the undertakers' illicit operations, creating a complex web of criminal activity that Campion must untangle. The novel balances dark themes with Allingham's characteristic wit, exploring the nature of greed and the lengths people will go to protect their interests in post-war London. The confined setting of Apron Street serves as both backdrop and metaphor for the social and economic pressures of the time.

Readers praise the dark humor, eccentric characters, and atmospheric depiction of post-war London in this Albert Campion mystery. Many note the book's complex plotting and rich character development, particularly the memorable Palinode family. Readers liked: - The blend of comedy and macabre elements - Detailed portrayal of a London neighborhood - Strong secondary characters - The intricate puzzle-like mystery Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the first third - Complex plot can be hard to follow - Some found the dialect writing challenging - A few felt there were too many characters to track Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) "The atmosphere of post-war austerity is captured perfectly," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader comments: "The characters are wonderfully bizarre but never quite cross into caricature." Several mention that while dense, the story rewards patient reading.

Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers A mystery writer stands accused of murder by poison, leading Lord Peter Wimsey through London's literary circles and criminal underworld in a case that mixes detection with social commentary.

The Fashion in Shrouds by Margery Allingham Another Albert Campion mystery involving a series of deaths in London's fashion industry, with similar themes of family secrets and societal pressure.

Singing in the Shrouds by Ngaio Marsh Inspector Alleyn investigates murders aboard a cargo ship, featuring the same blend of dark humor and psychological insight found in Allingham's work.

Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham An earlier Campion novel that shares the same mix of eccentric characters and criminal intrigue in a confined London setting.

Police at the Funeral by Edmund Crispin Professor Gervase Fen investigates deaths in a Cambridge family, matching Allingham's combination of intellectual puzzle-solving and gothic atmosphere.

🔍 "More Work for the Undertaker" refers to a Victorian slang phrase meaning "another murder has occurred" 🏛️ The book was published in 1948, during Britain's post-war austerity period, which is reflected in its depiction of food rationing and economic hardship 👤 Albert Campion, the detective protagonist, was originally created as a parody of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey but evolved into a complex character in his own right 🏠 The novel's setting, Apron Street, was inspired by real London neighborhoods that maintained their Victorian character well into the 20th century ✍️ Margery Allingham wrote her first Campion novel at age 19 and went on to become one of the four "Queens of Crime" alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh