Peter Dickinson Critical Essay | Critical Essay by Allen J. Hubin

Critical Essay by Allen J. Hubin

The mystery novel without an integrated background is missing a useful dimension; there's the disturbing sense that the action could have taken place anywhere, or at any time. Few mystery writers in recent years have settled their tales in more ingenious environments than Peter Dickinson—who created an entire New Guinean society for his first novel last year ("The Glass-Sided Ant's Nest"). Any minor reservations I had about that book do not apply to his second, "The Old English Peep Show" …, which marks the reappearance of Scotland Yard Superintendent Jimmy Pibble.

Here, Mr. Dickinson turns an irreverent eye toward a pair of doddering British war heroes…. Read this tale carefully. It's a jewel. (p. 34)

Allen J. Hubin, in The New York Times Book Review (© 1969 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), April 13, 1969.

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