Allen Kim Lang

Murder in a Nudist Camp

First published in the April 1966 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine (Vol 47, No 4) by Davis Publications Inc.

This short story's title is not exactly inspiring, but it is entirely accurate. It's also very similar to the title of Peter Hunt's novel, although the two differ substantially in both tone and treatment of naturism - perhaps because there's more than thirty years between their respective publication dates. One of the interesting aspects of the difference is that in 1934 nudism was seen as harmless, if a bit cranky - and the nuddies spent their entire lives nude and closed off from the rest of the world. In 1966 the nudists have moved away from this rigid approach, and spend free time at Spice Pond Nudist Camp for relaxation and enjoyment. On the downside, they are all now fearful of (ahem) exposure to their textile friends and employers. This public shaming would be bound to lead to disgrace and dismissal, since they know that, to textiles, "nudism means revels, Roman orgies, and wickedness".

As you can read in the extracts, the nudists talk enviously of how much better life is for nuddies in Europe: "In England, Germany, Finland, nudism is no more looked down on than stamp collecting". If only it had been so in supposedly swinging sixties England! Lang paints a truly wholesome picture of American club naturism, designed to dispel the unworthy suppositions of those who consider that nudity=sex.

At least, it would be truly wholesome, if it was not for the criminal storyline, which starts with armed robbery, moves on through the death of an innocent supermarket manager to more dastardly deeds. Despite some attempts by various characters at dragging red herrings around, good old fashioned police work uncovers all the crimes, catches all the criminals and answers all the questions. A gentle little whodunit - not enough of a puzzler or with sufficient character development to persuade me to rate it excellent, but a pleasant read. As might be expected, the Ellery Queen Magazine editor is rather more enthusiastic, although I still can't work out exactly what his mini-blurb means: "The title of the story speaks for itself. But don't jump to conclusions-EQMM has not changed its editorial policy . . . this is a most enjoyable story!"

Ratings:

Nudity	Naturist nudity	A good read?

Last updated 2005 August 2.
 
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