The Tiger in the Smoke (Albert Campion Number 14), Margery Allingham. Open Road Media (ISBN: 9781504087483) 2023 (First published in 1952).

Summary: In a soupy fog, a war widow about to re-marry receives photos of her husband while an escaped killer is on the loose.

A pea soup fog has descended upon London, which only thickens with the plot of this Albert Campuon mystery. A war widow, Meg Elginbrodde, daughter of Canon Avril, is about to marry again to an enterprising young man, Geoffrey Levett. Then she receives grainy photographs purporting that her husband is still alive. As a result, she enlists the help of Campion and Police Inspector Luke. Then she sees the man, who is wearing the coat of her husband. He’s a recently released convict, “Duds” Morrison but there is not enough evidence to hold him.

However, Geoffrey is not satisfied and tries to chase him down. But before he can question him, they are both attacked by a gang led by “Tiddy” Doll. Before Morrison suffers a fatal blow to the head, Doll asks him to reveal the whereabouts of “the Gaffer.” The gang takes Levett, thinking him associated with Morrison, to their hideaway.

Meanwhile, an escaped killer, “The Tiger” a.k.a. Jack Havoc a.k.a. “The Gaffer” is on the loose in the smoky fog. He’s looking for something and soon there is a trail of dead bodies. Then he breaks into Levett’s house while Meg and Amanda are there. They barely escape. Havoc, on the other hand, finds his way to Doll’s hideaway. Levett’s life is in jeopardy until Campion shows up. The gang, including Havoc, escape, but Levett overhears what Havoc is after. It all connects back to a mission Meg’s first husband and Havoc were on before D-Day. This sets up a climactic episode on the coast of France.

Canon Avril, perhaps, is the most heroic figure in the story. In one scene, he confronts Havoc in his church. His concern is for the man’s soul. Havoc trusts his “science of luck.” He stabs Avril, but only wounds him, suggesting how deeply Avril has shaken him. At the same time, Amanda, Campion’s resourceful wife plays only a bit part in the plot. I hope Allingham develops her in future numbers.

All told, Allingham delivers another twisting plot ending with a thrilling climax.