The Tiger in the Smoke

by Margery Allingham
The Tiger in the Smoke cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £11.99
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  • ID: 8203
  • Added: 2025-12-20
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781479455126
  • Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
  • Published: 2020-10-27
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Set in the aftermath of World War II, 'The Tiger in the Smoke' follows Meg, a woman who has moved on from the loss of her husband and is engaged to a new love, Geoffrey. However, her newfound happiness is shattered when she begins receiving photographs of a man who looks strikingly like her late husband. Seeking answers, Meg turns to the Campion siblings for help, but their investigation leads them into a dark and dangerous world. Meanwhile, the police are on the hunt for an escaped convict who is on a murdering spree, with the victims seemingly connected to Meg's past. As Geoffrey mysteriously disappears, Meg must confront the ghosts of her past and unravel the truth behind the chilling photographs.

Reviews
She Reads Novels · 2025-04-24
tense 4.00

The book is more of a thriller than a mystery, with little mystery beyond identifying the responsible party. The foggy London setting adds to the atmosphere and tension.

This review highlights that 'The Tiger in the Smoke' is a gripping thriller rather than a traditional mystery. The reviewer appreciates the atmospheric setting of foggy London, which enhances the suspense and tension. While there isn't much mystery in the traditional sense, the question of who is responsible keeps the reader engaged. The reviewer also notes that the novel is more about the thrill of the chase and the atmospheric details than solving a complex puzzle.

Quick quotes

    This book is much more of a thriller than a mystery.

    There's very little mystery at all, beyond the question of who is responsible for...

    The foggy London setting adds to the atmosphere and tension.

Coffee Books and Cake · 2022-09-15
dark 4.25

The novel is a dark, taut psychological thriller with a confident and thorough detective. It also offers a commentary on class and societal issues.

This review describes 'The Tiger in the Smoke' as a dark and taut psychological thriller. The reviewer highlights the confident and thorough nature of the detective, Campion, and appreciates the novel's exploration of class and societal issues. The atmospheric setting and the psychological depth of the characters are noted as significant strengths. The reviewer also mentions that the novel's commentary on class adds a layer of complexity to the story, making it a rich and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    A dark, taut psychological thriller by the queen of crime.

    Campion is a good detective, confident and thorough.

    The novel feels definitely one of class and a comment about the class system.

Bitter Tea and Mystery · 2020-04-01
compelling 3.75

The novel is a thriller with a known killer early on, focusing on how the crime is committed. The diverse characters and atmospheric setting contribute to the overall experience.

This blog post emphasizes that 'The Tiger in the Smoke' is a thriller rather than a typical detective novel. The reviewer points out that the identity of the killer is revealed early on, shifting the focus to how the crime is executed. The diverse characters and the atmospheric setting of foggy London are praised for adding depth to the story. The reviewer also appreciates the unique blend of thriller elements and character development, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    This is definitely a thriller as opposed to the usual detective novel.

    The only mystery is how (the crime is committed).

    The diverse characters and the atmospheric setting contribute to the overall experience.

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