Picture a British storyteller who blends razor-sharp wit with gritty crime tales—meet Mike Ripley! Born in 1952, this crime fiction maestro is best known for his hilarious Angel series, featuring the charmingly chaotic Fitzroy Maclean Angel. From crafting award-winning novels to reviving Margery Allingham’s iconic Albert Campion, Ripley’s career is a vibrant tapestry of humor, mystery, and literary love.
The Making of Mike Ripley
Ripley’s journey began in Yorkshire, where a teenage encounter with Margery Allingham’s Sweet Danger sparked a lifelong passion for crime fiction. After studying history and training as a journalist, he spent two decades in public relations, promoting British beer and pubs. But the call of storytelling was too strong. In 1988, he debuted with Just Another Angel, introducing a trumpet-playing, taxi-driving sleuth who’d win hearts and awards.
A stroke in 2003 at age 50 was a setback, but Ripley’s resilience shone through. He chronicled his recovery in Surviving a Stroke (2006) and pivoted to archaeology, unearthing Romano-British sites in East Anglia. His publisher quipped he was “one of the few crime writers who regularly turned up real bodies,” a testament to his knack for living as vividly as he writes.
Mike Ripley’s Unforgettable Stories
Ripley’s Angel series, spanning 15 novels, is a cornerstone of comedic crime fiction. Just Another Angel (1988) follows Fitzroy Maclean Angel, a jazz-loving Londoner stumbling into capers with a grin. Angel Touch (1989) and Angels in Arms (1991) snagged the Crime Writers’ Association Last Laugh Award for their blend of suspense and belly laughs. Critics praise Ripley’s Dickensian portrayal of London’s underbelly, with The Times dubbing him “England’s funniest crime writer.”
Beyond Angel, Ripley’s continuation of Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion series is a love letter to the Golden Age of detective fiction. Starting with Mr. Campion’s Farewell (2014), completed from an unfinished manuscript by Allingham’s husband, Ripley has penned 12 novels, including Mr. Campion’s War (2018), noted for its darker tone. His non-fiction work, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2017), a witty history of British thrillers from 1953–1975, won the 2018 H.R.F. Keating Award.
Ripley’s style is a cocktail of humor, intricate plots, and vivid settings, often rooted in Essex and London’s East End. Whether it’s Angel’s madcap adventures or Campion’s genteel sleuthing, his stories brim with charm and cheeky intelligence, appealing to readers who crave both thrills and chuckles.
Why Mike Ripley Matters
Ripley’s impact extends beyond his novels. As a critic for The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and Shots Magazine, he’s shaped crime fiction discourse, reviewing over 950 novels. His “Getting Away With Murder” column is a treasure trove of genre insights. Lecturing at Cambridge and mentoring new writers through the Fresh Blood anthologies, he’s nurtured talents like Ian Rankin and Lee Child.
By reviving Albert Campion, Ripley honors a literary legacy while keeping the Golden Age alive for modern readers. His ability to balance humor with heart, even after personal challenges, makes him a beloved figure in crime fiction, proving laughter and mystery are timeless companions.
- Born: 1952, Yorkshire, England
- Key Works: Just Another Angel, Angel Touch, Mr. Campion’s Farewell, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
- Awards: CWA Last Laugh Award (1989, 1991), H.R.F. Keating Award (2018)
- Fun Fact: Ripley scripted for the BBC’s Lovejoy, blending his crime and comedy chops.
Snag Just Another Angel or Mr. Campion’s Farewell and dive into Mike Ripley’s riotous world of crime and comedy!