Indeed, he read very little except detective stories, which he devoured at a rate of one a day. Ronald Knox, The Motive
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 …
Henry Morgan and his friends have just completed the strangest sea voyage. A compromising film has been stolen and in an attempt to bring the culprit to justice, Henry and Co. mistakenly assault the ship’s Captain, inadvertently steal a valuable jeweled elephant, and discover that a woman may have been murdered. Unfortunately, they lose the …
Continue reading The Blind Barber (1934) by John Dickson Carr
There have been some strange goings on at The Grange. A bishop sliding down a staircase, accosting maids, and wandering on the roof in his nightclothes while poltergeists are throwing inkpots around. The aforementioned Bishop of Mappleham, and amateur criminologist, believes The Grange and the village around it, are a hotbed of criminals and takes …