From Library Journal
Although Black Plumes gets off to a slow start, once the body of Robert Madrigal is found stuffed in a cupboard in the garden room, the story begins to develop interest. Allingham, known for her brilliant and witty "cozy cottage" mysteries featuring Albert Campion, departs from her usual form. Campion does not appear here, and his presence is sorely missed. Allingham had developed an intriguing and interesting personality for Campion; this book doesn't have a character to fill that center-stage position. In fact, there are actually too many characters, none well enough developed to attract the listener's sympathy. Still, Francis Matthews does an excellent job portraying the cast. Most libraries would be better off with one of Allingham's Campion novels (e.g., The Fear Sign).Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., RussellvilleCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
A number of minor catastrophes occur at the Ivory family's art gallery. A priceless vase is broken. A special catalog is charred to ash. A painting on exhibition is slashed. When a body is found in a cupboard, the police are called. While Allingham is masterful at characterization, mood, and detail, she has chosen to add omniscient comments such as, "They went on their predestined ways, unaware." These do nothing to advance the story and, in fact, become intrusive. Nonetheless, Francis Matthews's performance will delight Allingham's fans. His rendering of Gabrielle Ivory, the 90-year- old matriarch who chastises the modern generation for its lack of moral fortitude, is elegant and graceful; his country constable is bumbling yet cagey. Matthews provides the necessary dramatic tension to an engaging, if predictable, plot. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

ANNOTATION

The slashing of a valuable painting at the renowned Ivory Gallery in London, followed by the murder of the proprietor's son-in-law, Robert, sets the stage for another finely tuned Allingham mystery. The proprietor's mother, 90-year-old Gabrielle Ivory, holds the key to the web of intrigue and danger that permeates the gallery. Previously published by Bantam.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Although Black Plumes gets off to a slow start, once the body of Robert Madrigal is found stuffed in a cupboard in the garden room, the story begins to develop interest. Allingham, known for her brilliant and witty "cozy cottage" mysteries featuring Albert Campion, departs from her usual form. Campion does not appear here, and his presence is sorely missed. Allingham had developed an intriguing and interesting personality for Campion; this book doesn't have a character to fill that center-stage position. In fact, there are actually too many characters, none well enough developed to attract the listener's sympathy. Still, Francis Matthews does an excellent job portraying the cast. Most libraries would be better off with one of Allingham's Campion novels (e.g., The Fear Sign).-Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile