Yes, you read that correctly! Instead of starting our reading week with the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, I’m exploring a different Golden Age crime author! Christie is always a name I turn to, but I wasn’t feeling either of this year’s possible titles; so I turned to Dean Street Press and their stellar collection of reissues! They were kind enough to provide a copy of one of their 1929 books – “Water Weed” by Alice Campbell – and it turned out to be a fascinating read!
Campbell (1887-1955) had an interesting background; hailing originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she moved to New York City at the age of nineteen and later to Paris. Here she married the American-born artist and writer James Lawrence Campbell, and just prior to WW1 they moved with their first child to England, where they settled and had two more children. “Water Weed” was Campbell’s second book, and it’s an accomplished one!
Longer than the average GA crime novel (at 281 pages) it weaves in a number of different strands which makes it all the more satisfying as a read. The story follows the adventures of a plucky young American, Virginia (Ginny) Carew, who’s on a trip to London. Here, she and her father run into an old friend, Glenn Hillier, but Glenn is changed; from a cheerful, hearty young American, he seems to have turned into a nervy, unsettled person. It soon becomes clear that the problem lies with an older woman, with whom Glenn is besotted; known as the Cuckoo, she and her children, Pam and Henry, live in luxury in the English countryside, and before long Ginny is down for a visit.
However, the country house is anything but an idyllic setting; there are tensions between any number of characters, suspicious retainers, and both Pam and Henry have their quirks. Things build up to the inevitable murder, and further drama occurs because Glenn is a suspect and then disappears, suspected of suicide. Can Ginny get to the truth of things? And is she in danger herself? More than this I will not say, but any potential reader can be reassured that there are twists and turns and drama aplenty!!
Campbell is a really interesting writer and despite my flippant comparison with Christie, both are very different authors. And there’s actually quite a lot to unpack from this book, as I picked up a number of layers! I feel that Campbell brings a different perspective to GA writing, maybe because of her cosmopolitan background, and although the primary focus is on the mystery, it’s not just a whodunnit. Instead, she explores what we would now call mental health issues, healthy and unhealthy relationships and the psychology behind what’s going on. Christie does that too, of course, but perhaps not in the detail that Campbell displays here.
There’s also a surprisingly frank focus for the day on sexual matters and the extreme tendencies of some of the characters! Nothing graphic, of course, but sexual attraction is not underplayed, and Glenn can admit to a love affair, Cuckoo’s preferences can be baldly revealed and the devastating effects of her behaviour on her family clearly spelled out. I sensed also, perhaps, that Campbell was making a contrast between clean, healthy young Americans and decadent, warped Europeans – but maybe I’m reading a little too much in there!
So my first experience of reading Campbell was a fascinating one. She’s an excellent writer and has created here a beguiling blend of mystery, drama, romance and the adventures of Americans in Europe. The story builds to a tense climax, and doesn’t downplay the physical results of assault. Campbell’s heroine Ginny is feisty and convincing, and the story’s ending is a satisfying one. I’m so glad that the #1929Club gave me a chance to discover this author, and thanks again to Dean Street Press for kindly providing a copy – do check out their site for a wonderful collection of reprinted classics! Your TBR may have to expand a little to cope… ๐
madamebibilophile
Oct 24, 2022 @ 07:23:24
This sounds great! Iโm not familiar with this author at all but I do love a GA mystery and itโs interesting that she brings a different sensibility to it. The cover is wonderful too!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:51:08
I do wonder why she’s not better known, but it may be because she doesn’t entirely stick to formula and mixes different elements. A really interesting author, though!
MarinaSofia
Oct 24, 2022 @ 07:31:21
It does sound fascinating and rather ahead of its time! An author I’d never heard of.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:50:26
It’s a really interesting one, Marina – some elements I wouldn’t have expected to see in a GA book, so I was definitely intrigued!!
Liz Dexter
Oct 24, 2022 @ 08:29:30
I’ve got this one to read so will keep your review for a bit. Hope I can get it read and reviewed during the week!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:49:47
It’s very interesting Liz – will look forward to see what you think of it!
Simon T (StuckinaBook)
Oct 24, 2022 @ 09:26:33
Oo I’ve not heard of her – this sounds wonderful, and a great start to the club. My only country house murder mystery read is coming up soon!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:49:21
I hadn’t until Dean Street Press mentioned her and this was a great read. Look forward to seeing which country house mystery you’ve read!! ;D
Cath
Oct 24, 2022 @ 09:36:49
Not an author I’ve heard of at all, but the book sounds excellent. I probably ‘am’ going with the other ‘AC’, Agatha Christie and The Seven Dials Mystery which I’ve not read before. And hopefully a novella by H.P. Lovecraft, The Dunwich Horror.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:48:38
Excellent choices! I was tempted by Agatha but neither of the titles really grabbed me right now, so I was glad to go for this alternative! As for Lovecraft, I’ve only read one of his so will look forward to your thoughts!
Lisa Hill
Oct 24, 2022 @ 10:27:01
No promises, but I’m going to try and read A House is Built by Barnard Eldershaw. 359 pages and small font, so we’ll see how I get on, eh?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:45:39
Excellent! Hope you get on with it and look forward to your thoughts!
Margot Kinberg
Oct 24, 2022 @ 12:12:53
Campbell does sound interesting! And I do like a country house setting for a crime novel. Interesting-sounding look at psychology and sexuality, too. Unpacking layers in a story can be an effective way to keep readers interested, too. Hmm…….intriguing…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:44:52
She’s very interesting Margot, and going into slightly different territory to some of the British GA writers. Definitely worth exploring!
ronsboy67 (@ronsboy67)
Oct 24, 2022 @ 12:20:10
Thanks for the review! I’ve read two of hers, The Murder of Caroline Bundy, which was ok; and Juggernaut – her debut and one I rather enjoyed. I have one more of hers bought and unread, The Click of the Gate, which I think will likely be my last of hers.
She definitely wrote very well, even in the book I found a bit tedious the were passages that left me awestruck at her facility as a writer. I like your comments about the focus of her work being deeper than the ‘whodunnit’. I look forward to reading your reviews of any more of hers that you read, she definitely deserves to be better known than she is.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:44:12
Thanks – most interesting. I do agree she writes well, and although I did have the odd moment when I wished she would get on a bit, the writing did hold me. And she certainly has a breadth which some other GA writers don’t – agree she deserves to be much better known!
CLM (@ConMartin)
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:18:31
Thank you; I look forward to trying this author!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:43:06
On the basis of this one, she’s very interesting!
Janette
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:29:00
Great to discover a new author as you start the week
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 13:42:54
It was, and there’s some very impressive writing and plotting here. Always love to discover a new GA writer!
Janette
Oct 24, 2022 @ 14:22:34
I’m not sure that I can afford to discover any new authors!!!!!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2022 @ 17:38:43
I know! These clubs are very dangerous!!!
A Life in Books
Oct 24, 2022 @ 17:52:10
I’d not come across Alice Campbell before reading your post. Definitely sounds more modern than late ’20s. I love that jacket, too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:24:43
It’s such an interesting book, and there are elements in it which definitely wouldn’t appear in a British UK GA novel!
#1929Club – your reviews – Stuck in a Book
Oct 24, 2022 @ 18:53:48
mallikabooks15
Oct 24, 2022 @ 19:03:00
Alice Campbell is a new name to me but sounds from your review that it’s well worth making her acquaintance!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:23:21
I would definitely say so – not at all like Christie, but a really interesting author!
Julรฉ Cunningham
Oct 24, 2022 @ 20:04:51
Another AC to add to the rapidly burgeoning wishlist!๐ฑ This does indeed sound like a terrific combination of elements with perhaps just a touch of American noir in the mix?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:22:52
The wishlists are getting out of hand, aren’t they? Yes, a hint of noir in this one – a very clever mixture of many different strands.
Helen
Oct 24, 2022 @ 22:01:08
I’ve never come across Alice Campbell but this book does sound great. There seems to be a lot going on in it other than just the mystery.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:22:00
I hadn’t either, but she’s a really interesting writer and there are lots of different strands in this one!
hopewellslibraryoflife
Oct 24, 2022 @ 22:53:43
Lol I blew it on posting today, but did end up reading Dear Old Ags…review on Wednesday
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:21:25
Excellent – she’s always reliable!
Dean Street Press
Oct 25, 2022 @ 01:01:30
Many thanks for this terrific review! So pleased you enjoyed it so much.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:21:05
I did – so pleased to have discovered this author and thank you for republishing it! ๐
Davida Chazan
Oct 25, 2022 @ 12:06:38
I also loved this. I didn’t know it was released in 1929.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 15:16:46
It’s good, isn’t it? And surprisingly frank at points for the time.
Jane
Oct 25, 2022 @ 17:24:39
Another new author for me and very tempting! Without knowing anything about the book or author I think you’re right to assume it’s those decadent Europeans!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2022 @ 19:06:54
LOL, yes – I felt there was very much an emphasis on clean cut Americans and depraved Europeans, which was quite entertaining!!
heavenali
Oct 26, 2022 @ 16:35:33
I read this one too. Campbell really is a good writer. I liked her characterisation in this, especially Ginny’s sparky intelligence. I also appreciated the slow build up to the narrative.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 26, 2022 @ 19:24:31
She’s good, isn’t she? The characterisation was excellent, I thought, and yes – the gradual build up to the dramatic ending was very well done!
cirtnecce
Oct 27, 2022 @ 05:19:16
You and Ali have completely convinced me to get this book. It does seem to have several layers built into the narrative than a straight shot whodunit. No wonder, it is longer than your average mystery.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 27, 2022 @ 15:45:40
It’s fascinating – very different to so many GA crime novels. Hope you enjoy it! ๐
Book review – Alice Campbell – “Water Weed” | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Oct 28, 2022 @ 09:01:15
Liz Dexter
Oct 29, 2022 @ 18:25:48
I really enjoyed this one, too – such a fun heroine and the “modern” themes were startling but gave it a lot of extra interest. But then a country house and lots of servants to wonder about …
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2022 @ 18:49:32
It was excellent. wasn’t it Liz? A bit different from the usual, and so many suspects!
WordsAndPeace
Nov 09, 2022 @ 00:11:40
I was going to write that another blogger I follow posted about it a few months ago, but I see she commented here too (https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2022/06/24/in-tangles). So looks like I really need to have a closer look
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 09, 2022 @ 09:25:20
It’s very interesting, and quite different from a lot of UK GA crime – definitely worth exploring!
“I do not take sides. I am on the side only of the truth.” #1940Club #agathachristie #poirot | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
Apr 10, 2023 @ 07:01:19