Death of a Ghost (Annotated)

Death of a Ghost (Annotated)

Enriched Edition. An Albert Campion Golden Age Mystery of Murder, Posthumous Paintings, and London's Treacherous Art WorldBy Margery Allingham
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length9h 36m

About this audiobook

Margery Allingham's Death of a Ghost is one of the most artfully constructed Albert Campion mysteries, set amid the cultivated but treacherous world of London artists, patrons, and theatrical personalities. The plot turns on the legacy of the celebrated painter John Lafcadio, whose posthumous canvases are annually unveiled according to his own eccentric instructions—until murder intrudes upon the ritual. Allingham combines the Golden Age puzzle form with a richly atmospheric, almost baroque style, giving the novel a distinctive blend of wit, menace, social satire, and psychological unease. Allingham, one of the major "Queens of Crime" alongside Christie, Sayers, and Marsh, brought to detective fiction a novelist's interest in character, setting, and moral ambiguity. Born into a literary family and steeped in popular storytelling, she developed Campion from a seemingly frivolous amateur sleuth into a subtle observer of social performance. Her fascination with masks, class manners, and artistic circles informs this novel's intricate design. Readers who enjoy classic detective fiction with elegance, irony, and intellectual ingenuity will find Death of a Ghost especially rewarding. It is recommended not merely as a clever murder mystery, but as a sophisticated study of reputation, vanity, and the dangerous afterlife of genius. This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience. - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Audiobook details

GenreMystery and Thriller
Length9 hrs 36 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 4, 2023
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
1713 : Police Work
2Introduction
1814 : Ravellings
3Synopsis
1915 : As It Happened
4Historical Context
2016 : That Was on the Sunday
51 : Interior with Figures
2117 : The Slack Cord
Show all chapters
62 : Show Sunday
2218 : Dangerous Business
73 : Murder at the Reception
2319 : The End of the Thread
84 : “ Not I! ”
2420 : A Nice Little House
95 : Inspector Oates
2521 : A Day in the Country
106 : The Gesture
2622 : Invitation
117 : Confession
2723 : Night Out
128 : Little Things
2824 : In the Morning
139 : Salesmanship
2925 : Good-bye, Belle
1410 : The Key
30Analysis
1511 : Before the Fact
31Reflection
1612 : What Shall We Do?
32Memorable Quotes

You may also like