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  • Look to the Lady

  • An Albert Campion Mystery
  • By: Margery Allingham
  • Narrated by: David Thorpe
  • Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (236 ratings)
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Look to the Lady cover art

Look to the Lady

By: Margery Allingham
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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Summary

A sacred chalice leads to murder,

The Gyrth family had guarded the Chalice for hundreds of years. It was held by them for the Crown. Its antiquity, its beauty, the extraordinary legends that were connected with it, all combined to make it unique of its kind. It was irreplaceable. No thief could hope to dispose of it in the ordinary way. And indeed no ordinary thief would dream of trying. But there are others besides those who make their living by robbery, others whose immense wealth and passion for collecting render them less immune to the practical considerations that must guide even the less honestly minded citizens. These people cherish a desire to possess for their own private pleasure treasure that cannot be bought. And it was by this sort of person that the Chalice, and the lives and happiness of its guardians, were now threatened.

Margery Allingham was born in London in 1904. Her first novel was published when she was 17. In 1929 she published The Crime at Black Dudley and introduced the character who was to become the hallmark of her writing - Albert Campion

©1960 Margery Allingham (P)2013 Audible Ltd

What listeners say about Look to the Lady

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

What was wrong with the Francis Matthews version

Ive been waiting so long for the unabridged Margery Allingham's to appear on audible and was delighted a few months ago when the first arrived - narrated by Francis Matthews. To me he gets Campion spot on - the lightness of touch, but also some gravitas. David Thorpe, while a good reader overall, doesn't get Campion. Makes him into an upper class twit, and quite irritating. Shame...

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Super story, awful reading.

It's a great story but the reading really spoils it. Rather shrill, too much upward inflection and he really doesn't get Campion as a character.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, but not such good narration

Would you try another book written by Margery Allingham or narrated by David Thorpe?

Yes, I like the stories so much that even the mildly irritating narration doesn't put me off that much.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Look to the Lady?

When the villain looked through the secret window

What didn’t you like about David Thorpe’s performance?

He made Campion sound like Bertie Whooster's aunt! Too trite and silly

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable but the narration is not the best

Would you listen to Look to the Lady again? Why?

I would listen again in the hope of picking up something new.

What did you like best about this story?

You can see the characters of Campion and Lugg solidifying as Margery Allingham gained her stride.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Although consistent, his voice characterisations veer uncomfortably close to parody.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Golden age detective fiction at its best

Would you listen to Look to the Lady again? Why?

This is such a good story that even when you know who is behind the affair you can still get enjoyment from the colourful characters and appreciate the intricacy of the plotting.

What did you like best about this story?

Margary Allingham lets us know some details through her private eye Albert Campion but keeps other information back so there is a lot to guess for the reader. The ending sections are wonderfully tense.

What does David Thorpe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

David Thorpe creates a marvellous range of characters and keeps the pace of the story going well. My only quibble would be that he makes Albert Campion sound annoying even when he's being more serious - but it's only a minor quibble, on the whole I thought it was a gripping read with good characterisation.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - I continually kept stopping what I was doing to concentrate on it more and didn't want to turn it off.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awful, awful reader

David Thorpe is a terrible reader, but I thought I could put up with it for the sake of one of my fave Campion books, but I can't. Couldn't finish as he doesn't get Campion at all, even remotely, and his voice for Mrs Shannon is unbearable.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Easy listen but a bit stretched for realism

Cheerfu[, easy listen. Unrealistic story, unless you believe in superstions etc. Not really my cup of tea, but I hope its an easy introduction to Albert Campion stories. I have bought several ! I like his easy going cheerful character, and the narrator does his job very well.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed overall

What did you like most about Look to the Lady?

The performance.

What other book might you compare Look to the Lady to, and why?

none

What about David Thorpe’s performance did you like?

David Thorpe does a good job with the voice characterisations. Especially like his portrayal of Lugg!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

much enjoyed

I do like the Campion books and narration well matched to how I'd imagine Albert to sound.
tip top!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Implausible

Entertaining up to a point but very contrived and implausible. Redeemed to some extent by the good narration.

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