Black Plumes

by Margery Allingham

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.

• ISBN10: 0786702907
• ISBN13: 9780786702909
• Publish Date: 1 September 1995 (first published August 1965)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 14 July 2011
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Carroll & Graf Publishers Inc
• Format: Paperback
• Language: English

Reviews

[Cameron Trost]

Between two and three stars. The start was too slow but things got a bit more interesting from around the middle. A lot of gossip and family bickering and a bit light on the detective work side. The reader doesn't have to be too imaginative to guess who the murderer is because it couldn't really have been anyone else. I won't go into my reasoning as they might give it away if you decide to read this one. That was the most disappointing aspect. Otherwise, some nice turns of phrase and believable characterisation for the setting. All in all, as far as murder mysteries go, not one of the most remarkable. If you like posh family drama, it might tickle your fancy tea cups.