Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Felony and Mayhem


I've missed you, missed you, missed you. I have so much to tell you, but where to start. Let's talk about books, shall we?

One would think that with shelves heavy with books I have yet to read I would have no trouble finding something just right. But the sad fact is, of late it has been all fits and starts - with nothing quite right. A trip to the bookstore was in order. Sometimes nothing else will do – not even the library...or the shoe department at Macys. I usually haunt a small, locally owned (and home grown) bookstore on one of the squares downtown. It’s the sort of little shop with creaky wooden floors, low ceilings, over-stuffed furniture, and “rooms.” Being an independent bookseller, it is staffed with people who actually read most of the books in stock - an often overlooked but valuable fringe benefit. Go often enough and someone will eventually learn your reading taste and be able to set your compass to true North. But, it’s hard to compete with the big boys. As a result some of the books are a bit more expensive than one would find at a large chain. And, obviously, the boundaries of its real estate prevent it from holding as many titles as one would find at a mega store. Nevertheless, for sheer meandering through stacks, it is my bookstore of choice. You are welcomed at the door with the tinkle of a little bell, and a smile, and a greeting for a “good” time of day. But I was on the other side of town meeting with a client whose store is spitting distance from Barnes & Noble. And so what’s a girl to do? True, there was also the lure of my discount membership. I am almost ashamed to say how fickle I am in my loyalty when a 5% discount is involved. I caved. I was not sure what I wanted although I felt certain I would know it when I found it. A stroll down the Fiction section merited nothing; I moved on to the Mystery aisle.

It was there, on a top shelf, I came across a series of books published by Felony & Mayhem Press with Art Deco covers reminiscent of 1936 movie stills. Although they publish several “vintage” authors, these volumes were written by the late British author, Margery Allingham. An inside page proclaimed that books published by Felony & Mayhem were originally published prior to 1965 and featured “the kind of twisty, ingenious puzzles beloved by fans of Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr.” Aside from the delicious name of the publishing house, the book titles themselves were too seductive to resist: Police At The Funeral, Death Of A Ghost, The Case Of The Late Pig, Dancers In Mourning, and The Fashion In Shrouds. But I could only allow myself one and eventually chose The Crime At Black Dudley. Joyous find! What fun! It was the jolt my happy-reader-button needed. Even better, Black Dudley introduces Allingham’s “gentleman sleuth”, Albert Campion. Better still - there are more.

I fully appreciate that the cliche of the English manor house in the middle of nowhere, filled with eccentric house guests, and murder committed in the dark during a parlor game has been so overworked it should itself fall dead with a thud. But it works. It even seems fresh.

Although obviously well known to many readers, Margery Allingham was new to me. I therefore lay claim to her as my very own discovery. Usually newly found authors come my way through the suggestions of others. I am very puffed up that I stumbled upon Allingham without any hints from the outside world. How I blithely worked my way through Miss Marple, and Hercule Poirot, and Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew without bumping into Allingham I shall never know. Chalk it up to one of the benefits of an inadequate education, perhaps. Since she was a fairly prolific writer prior to her death from breast cancer in June of 1966, (the same month and year I graduated from high school) knowing there are other volumes waiting for me when what I am reading gets dreary feels a little like opening the pantry door and finding provisions in store for a blustery winter.

A few days after my great discovery, I met the author of one of the best books I have read lately. I was carrying Black Dudley at the time, having just a few more pages to go until the end. I am afraid I spent more time discussing Allingham than John Wilkes Booth. Nevertheless, he was gracious - and I think his interest was piqued. But that’s another story for another time.

12 comments:

  1. Missed you, missed you, missed you too!

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  2. How I wish I could visit your bookstore - it sounds adorable! I am a Margery Allingham fan and can recommend Flowers for the Judge and Hide My Eyes. Don't you just love Golden Age crime? I only 'discovered' Dorothy L. Sayers a couple of years ago and have loved catching up with all her novels, too.

    It's lovely to have you posting again!

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  3. Bibliophiliac, she's b-a-a-a-c-k.

    Litlove, when I was writing this post I said to myself, "I would bet my eye teeth that Litlove knows Allingham." And Golden Age crime is so much fun. And it really *feels* lovely to be back at The Curious Reader.

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  4. So glad to have you back! I did miss you. And glad you found a good book to read. There are few things worse than being surrounded by books and have nothing to read!

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  5. I'm glad you're back too! :) And I've been meaning to give Allingham a try . . . perhaps I'll do so sooner rather than later now.

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  6. Stefanie, so true, so true! Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink!

    Inkslinger, I can now recommend her highly! Escpecially when everything else is a little blah.

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  7. Welcome back! You're making me want to reread Allingham. I've loved Albert Campion since I was a teenager......... of course, my copies aren't as chic looking as yours.

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  8. Tinky, how is it I've never heard of her before? Felony and Mayhem has several other authors I've never heard of including Edmund Crispin, Elizabeth Daly and Matthew Head. I'm assuming they are all mystery writers and am looking forward to reading some of those as well. Daly has a couple of titles that sound delightful..."Evidence of Things Seen" and "Arrow Pointing Nowhere" are two I might start with.

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  9. Your bookstore of choice sounds wonderful. It sounds like every book lover's ideal store! And okay, I think we've all caved on occasion - it's hard to boycott any bookseller, in my experience, so don't beat yourself up.

    Felony and Mayhem! Hands-down the best publisher name ever!

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  10. Di, the store is called E. Shavers, Bookseller. It's small, but that doesn't keep me from getting lost in it, figuratively if not in actuality. One day I hope you'll get to see it for yourself. Oh, and I'd have bought anything from a publishing house with that name.

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  11. Oddly, this was just republished so I got to see your comment back to me, which I had missed. Crispin I have read (not as fun as Allingham but not bad!), but Daly and Head are new to me. Hooray!

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  12. Tinky, what was republished? My post? Or Black Dudley? But I am now reminded that, since it looks like rain, I should go to the bookstore on my lunch hour and find more Felony & Mayhem, in anticipation of a coming thunder storm!

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