This has been called one of the three best mystery stories of all time. It continues to be reprinted and enthusiastically reviewed as when it first appeared in 1922. A classic English novel of detection.
As I read Red House, I was also watching Downton Abbey, and since they both take place in 1922, and both feature a character named Mr. Gillingham, it was easy to visualize the stately manor house and well appointed library where the action takes place.
It also features a terrific introduction by the author about the perfect conditions for a mystery story, and the qualities for a perfect amateur detective, which he feels he has achieved in Red House.
This is the only mystery written by A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie The Pooh.
Mr. Gillingham is a man of leisure, holidaying where he pleases, when he decides to visit his old friend Mark Ablett at the Red House in Stanton. Staying at the house are several friends and Mark's cousin Mr. Cayley, who manages his affairs. Mark is a bit of a bore, secretive and quirky, so they are all surprised to hear him state that his long lost brother from Australia is coming to visit that afternoon while the guests are all out golfing. No one has heard of this no-good brother before today, but he is greet when he arrives and meets with Mark in the library.
At just the moment Mr. Gillingham arrives at the house, a shot is heard and he runs with Cayley to the library door, locked from inside. When they break in through a window, the Australian brother is the only one in the room! shot dead on the floor. Mark is no where to be seen, and remains elusive.
A classic locked-room mystery.
With the guests away, the few suspects include Cayley himself, who was confirmed to be in another room by the maids, the missing Mark Ablett, or could it be a possible suicide?. Mr. Gillingham is detained by the police investigation, and stays on at the Red House to conduct his own puzzle-solving. Every Sherlock needs a Watson, and he finds one in one of the guests, Mr. Beverly. Together they trail the police and discover secret panels behind the library walls, hidden tunnels under the house, mysterious ghostly appearances, and the true story of the long lost brother's return.
Crisp and light, it's an English detection mystery where several clues are in the open, but cleverly disguised enough to keep you guessing until the end. The writing is lively, and the plot complex.
I would indeed say this is a classic.
I have a beautiful hardcover copy in great shape from the 22nd printing in 1965, but I am happy to see it is available in a free Ebook format from my favourite ebook site ManyBooks.net. Here is a link to download in several formats: https://manybooks.net/titles/milneaaetext99rdhsm11.html
1922 / Hardcover / 211 pages
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