Indeed, he read very little except detective stories, which he devoured at a rate of one a day. Ronald Knox, The Motive
After 25 years of banishment to America by his family, John Farnleigh returned to England to claim his inheritance and title. One year later, a stranger the claiming to be the real John Farnleign appears, and he says he has the evidence to prove it. Farnleigh’s childhood tutor, Kennet Murray, is produced to quiz the pair. …
Continue reading The Crooked Hinge by John Dickson Carr (1938)
In 24 hours Christopher Kent can step through the glass doors of the Royal Scarlet Hotel to meet his family and friends. But now, a cold and hungry Kent is staring longingly through those doors, and trying to figure out how to get through those 24 hours. When a hotel registration card flutters down and …
Continue reading To Wake the Dead by John Dickson Carr (1937)
My first review (on Twitter) of The Bowstring Murders left something to be desired… Trying to write a review for this is making me as “half-cracked” as Lord Rayle! Oh hell! Ingenious impossible crime. Very interesting sleuth in Gaunt. Lacks the energy and atmosphere I crave from Carr. Needs a map! There...done...whew!” So today, on John …
Continue reading The Bowstring Murders by Carter Dickson (1933)
A cookery book and two sets of false whiskers, one white, the other black. A curved blade, and two photographs, one of a set of tracks, one of a large black mark on a wall. All these sit on a table in Dr. Gideon Fell’s library. They are exhibits in a case of murder which …
Continue reading The Arabian Nights Murder by John Dickson Carr
To the murder of Professor Grimaud, and later the equally incredible crime in Cagliostro Street, many fantastic terms could be applied – with reason. Those of Dr Fell’s friends who like impossible situations will not find in his case-book any puzzle more baffling or more terrifying. Thus: two murders were committed, in such fashion that …
Continue reading The Hollow Man (AKA The Three Coffins) by John Dickson Carr
The door to No. 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields stands open, then from the darkness inside is heard a moan, a cry, and an accusation. A man lies dead, stabbed in the neck with the gilt-painted minute hand of clock. Dr. Gideon Fell is at the scene with his friend Professor Walter S. Melson, discussing the …