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Sir Henry Merrivale #7
The Judas Window
Avory Hume is found stabbed to death with an arrow - in a study with bolted steel shutters and a heavy door locked from the inside. In the same room James Caplon Answell lies unconscious, his clothes disordered as though from a struggle, his fingerprints on the damning arrow.
Here is the unique Carter Dickson "impossible situation" - yet the great, explosive Sir Henry Merrivale gets down to serious sleuthing and at last startles the crowd in the Old Bailey with a reconstruction of the crime along logical, convincing lines.
H.M. in his most exciting case - an original, unconventional mystery, with a rich story background and a thrilling trial scene.
Here is the unique Carter Dickson "impossible situation" - yet the great, explosive Sir Henry Merrivale gets down to serious sleuthing and at last startles the crowd in the Old Bailey with a reconstruction of the crime along logical, convincing lines.
H.M. in his most exciting case - an original, unconventional mystery, with a rich story background and a thrilling trial scene.
191 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
135 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Carter Dickson
71 books78 followersCarter Dickson is a pen name of writer John Dickson Carr.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
October 26, 2024
Este é o primeiro livro que leio de John Dickson Carr sob o pseudónimo Carter Dickson.
Neste livro, o grande destaque é para Sir Henry Merrivale, advogado de defesa que não descansa até obter o veredicto de "Inocente" para o seu cliente, o qual se vê, num abrir e fechar de olhos, acusado de ter matado o seu futuro sogro.
Esta história passa-se sobretudo numa sala de audiências do Old Bailey, onde H. M. (esta forma aparece com frequência numa referência a Henry Merrivale), através de diversas formas, nomeadamente apresentação de provas, interrogatórios a testemunhas, etc., tenta provar a inocência de James Answell do assassinato de Avory Hume.
Trata-se de um crime e do seu perpetrador, sobre os quais não restam dúvidas. Uma sala fechada e a porta trancada por dentro. Apenas o assassino e a vítima dentro da sala.
O processo de explicar o que realmente aconteceu levou uma grande volta. Houve partes mais interessantes que outras, mas achei todo o desenvolvimento muito interessante.
Já não se escrevem livros como este. É um sinal dos tempos, que naturalmente mudam, mas também é algo que nunca poderá ser realmente feito novamente, porque a época a que o mundo assistiu no início do século XX foi o resultado, quase de um esforço coletivo, de mentes que tinham realmente uma grande capacidade para escrever policiais.
Foram escritos grandes policiais nos últimos tempos e eu já tive o prazer de ler vários, mas é impossível não sentir uma certa nostalgia pelo que não voltará a ser feito, mesmo que ainda tenha dezenas desses livros por ler na estante.
Neste livro, o grande destaque é para Sir Henry Merrivale, advogado de defesa que não descansa até obter o veredicto de "Inocente" para o seu cliente, o qual se vê, num abrir e fechar de olhos, acusado de ter matado o seu futuro sogro.
Esta história passa-se sobretudo numa sala de audiências do Old Bailey, onde H. M. (esta forma aparece com frequência numa referência a Henry Merrivale), através de diversas formas, nomeadamente apresentação de provas, interrogatórios a testemunhas, etc., tenta provar a inocência de James Answell do assassinato de Avory Hume.
Trata-se de um crime e do seu perpetrador, sobre os quais não restam dúvidas. Uma sala fechada e a porta trancada por dentro. Apenas o assassino e a vítima dentro da sala.
O processo de explicar o que realmente aconteceu levou uma grande volta. Houve partes mais interessantes que outras, mas achei todo o desenvolvimento muito interessante.
Já não se escrevem livros como este. É um sinal dos tempos, que naturalmente mudam, mas também é algo que nunca poderá ser realmente feito novamente, porque a época a que o mundo assistiu no início do século XX foi o resultado, quase de um esforço coletivo, de mentes que tinham realmente uma grande capacidade para escrever policiais.
Foram escritos grandes policiais nos últimos tempos e eu já tive o prazer de ler vários, mas é impossível não sentir uma certa nostalgia pelo que não voltará a ser feito, mesmo que ainda tenha dezenas desses livros por ler na estante.
September 30, 2023
Non ho mai fatto mistero della mia predilezione per John Dickson Carr [1906-1977], a mio personale parere il miglior scrittore di gialli e in particolare di quei delitti, da lui spesso raccontati, che avvengono in una camera chiusa senza apparenti possibilità che il delitto venga spiegato in maniera logicamente inoppugnabile rispetto alle più ovvie spiegazioni.
Anche questo “L’Occhio di Giuda” da lui scritto nel 1938 con lo pseudonimo Carter Dickson, ha tutte le carte in regola per fare “impazzire” il lettore che tenti disperatamente di spiegarsi come l’unico personaggio presente in una stanza ermeticamente chiusa, oltre alla vittima, non sia l’assassino.
Eppure una spiegazione inappuntabile c’è ma per conoscerla lo scrittore terrà il lettore “sulle spine” fino all’ultima pagina. Un giallo perfetto!
Anche questo “L’Occhio di Giuda” da lui scritto nel 1938 con lo pseudonimo Carter Dickson, ha tutte le carte in regola per fare “impazzire” il lettore che tenti disperatamente di spiegarsi come l’unico personaggio presente in una stanza ermeticamente chiusa, oltre alla vittima, non sia l’assassino.
Eppure una spiegazione inappuntabile c’è ma per conoscerla lo scrittore terrà il lettore “sulle spine” fino all’ultima pagina. Un giallo perfetto!
May 15, 2017
A superior example of a locked room murder mystery that John Dickson Carr is famous for, The Judas Window was entertaining from the start to finish. James Answell is found in a locked room standing over the dead body of his fiancee's father, who had been stabbed in the heart with an arrow. Answell claims he had been drugged and someone else had murdered the man when he was unconscious. But the door had been bolted from the inside, the windows barred and no hidden entrances of any kind were found. Noted lawyer and irascible codger, Henry Merrivale accepts the case for the accused and the entire case hinges on his ability to present an alternative compelling theory for the murder.
Merrivale suspects that the murderer made use of a "Judas Window" to commit the crime.
The author keeps us guessing till almost the very end about the nature of this so-called Judas Window, but when he does reveal it, we realise that it was always hidden in plan sight. Taking the form of a courtroom procedural, the novel keeps on bringing on twists at regular intervals to keep things interesting and motoring along nicely.
Most of the author's other works are not rated very highly on Goodreads, but this novel has ensured that I will return to his work soon enough.
Merrivale suspects that the murderer made use of a "Judas Window" to commit the crime.
The author keeps us guessing till almost the very end about the nature of this so-called Judas Window, but when he does reveal it, we realise that it was always hidden in plan sight. Taking the form of a courtroom procedural, the novel keeps on bringing on twists at regular intervals to keep things interesting and motoring along nicely.
Most of the author's other works are not rated very highly on Goodreads, but this novel has ensured that I will return to his work soon enough.
October 14, 2019
I know I'm in the minority here, but I don't think The Judas Window is one of Carter Dickson / aka John Dickson Carr's best books. I'm a big fan of the locked-room mystery genre, and agree that John Dickson Carr's The Three Coffins is a locked-room mystery masterpiece, but The Judas Window? I just don't get it. Reading reviews I know it's me, but for those of you who might be like me: Carr is at his best when he writes supernatural-seeming plot devices into his books and stories, something that's lacking in The Judas Window. High marks for a complex puzzle that fits together, but this isn't making it into my John Dickson Carr Top 10.
August 20, 2021
A:
I read this book in one day...
Predominantly a courtroom drama, but what a courtroom drama! Full of twists and turns, and Merrivale is a real personality in this one (Carr has him revel in his role as a defence attorney and it makes for scintillating reading). I think I'm coming around to locked room mysteries.
I read this book in one day...
Predominantly a courtroom drama, but what a courtroom drama! Full of twists and turns, and Merrivale is a real personality in this one (Carr has him revel in his role as a defence attorney and it makes for scintillating reading). I think I'm coming around to locked room mysteries.
December 14, 2018
η τελική αγόρευση του συνηγόρου ήταν κουραστική απο τις πολλές επαναλήψεις των γεγονότων σε σχεση με τις κινήσεις όλων των ηρώων κατα τη στιγμή του φόνου. αλλα ηταν απολαυστικό ως εκεινο το σημειο, γιατι εδινε τοσο παραστατικά το δωμάτιο του φονου κ του δικαστηριου σα να ήμουν παρούσα
May 28, 2016
Book 8 in the Sir Henry Merrivale series, and this is superb. I am rediscovering John Dickson Carr, writing here as Carter Dickson, and this locked room mystery is rated one of the best ever: and I have to agree. Sir Henry is a barrister, and except for the prologue and epilogue, this book takes place mainly in the courtroom of the Old Bailey. Carr’s prose style is highly streamlined and direct, but he still manages to create atmosphere and do a fine job of building portraits of his characters. The only exceptions to this are the narrator, whose name is apparently Ken, his wife Evelyn, and Merrivale’s secretary with the James Bond-like name of Lollypop! These three characters are almost complete ciphers, but Merrivale himself and the principal figures in the murder mystery are vividly-drawm despite Carr’s economy of language.
The solution to the locked room murder is ingenious; I did not figure it out. This is an excellent read, and although the prolonged epilogue where Merrivale finally spells everything out for us goes on a bit long, I highly recommend this book. I’m off to find other Carr mysteries.
The solution to the locked room murder is ingenious; I did not figure it out. This is an excellent read, and although the prolonged epilogue where Merrivale finally spells everything out for us goes on a bit long, I highly recommend this book. I’m off to find other Carr mysteries.
March 24, 2018
The locked room has been the inspiration of many an arid and tedious mystery. It is nice to find one as audacious in its storytelling, morality, and fair play plotting as this one. I love me some Perry Mason, but this courtroom drama is more fun, and the devastation of the prosecution’s case more satisfying than anything Perry ever accomplished.
As a cherry on top, while the method of murder is as insane as usual in this sort of thing, the motives of the various parties, including the killer, are unusually well handled. And the characters are lively and fun. John Dickson Carr thought of the detective story as a game, and this is an illustration of how satisfying that approach can be.
As a cherry on top, while the method of murder is as insane as usual in this sort of thing, the motives of the various parties, including the killer, are unusually well handled. And the characters are lively and fun. John Dickson Carr thought of the detective story as a game, and this is an illustration of how satisfying that approach can be.
September 22, 2019
Great locked room mystery! Sir Henry Merrivale is so cool!
August 12, 2022
Λατρεύω τα αστυνομικά κλειδωμένου δωμάτιο και υποτίθεται πως ο Dickson είναι ο μάστορας. Χάσιμο χρόνου
August 20, 2022
This is a courtroom drama about a locked room mystery. The solution of how the murder was done is clever enough, but the identity of the culprit felt kind of boring. The pace of the book was slow. This may be because of the courtroom setup, where everything is happening in retrospect. There were one or two sections that were mildly amusing (see my Kindle highlights).
I'm hoping to try another John Dickson Carr sometime that's a little more zippy.
I'm hoping to try another John Dickson Carr sometime that's a little more zippy.
September 22, 2022
Classic locked room mystery crossed with a courtroom drama. Cleverly plotted and revealed. Mastare at work.
June 12, 2022
2.5
This is the most readable of the Carr/Dickson novels to have come my way so far, tho that’s not saying much.
The first chapter — concerning the drugging of the young man who visits his would-be father-in-law — was intriguing enough to make me want to read on. However, the narrative — mainly taking the form of a murder trial, set almost exclusively in a court room — soon becomes turgidly and all too tediously bogged down in technical detail (concerning a crossbow, a blue feather, a whiskey decanter, an ink pad, etc etc). Accounts of what happened and what might have happened become over-lappingly repetitious. As for the eponymous Judas window, sinister and striking in the title, it is disappointingly revealed as the gaping square in the study door after the door knob is unscrewed. The denouement itself was under-whelming.
It might have helped if the characters were in any way interesting and memorable, but they are not. When the least-likely killer’s identity was eventually revealed, via a confession, it took me a couple of moments to remember who exactly that person was. Even the larger-than-life Sir Henry Merrivale, one of Carr’s two serial sleuths, is little more than a conglomerate of annoying mannerisms that become progressively more so as the story unfolds.
I suspect the novel —like the rest of Carr’s claustrophobic locked-room conundrums — would be of particular interest to readers of a nerdish/geeky disposition.
This is the most readable of the Carr/Dickson novels to have come my way so far, tho that’s not saying much.
The first chapter — concerning the drugging of the young man who visits his would-be father-in-law — was intriguing enough to make me want to read on. However, the narrative — mainly taking the form of a murder trial, set almost exclusively in a court room — soon becomes turgidly and all too tediously bogged down in technical detail (concerning a crossbow, a blue feather, a whiskey decanter, an ink pad, etc etc). Accounts of what happened and what might have happened become over-lappingly repetitious. As for the eponymous Judas window, sinister and striking in the title, it is disappointingly revealed as the gaping square in the study door after the door knob is unscrewed. The denouement itself was under-whelming.
It might have helped if the characters were in any way interesting and memorable, but they are not. When the least-likely killer’s identity was eventually revealed, via a confession, it took me a couple of moments to remember who exactly that person was. Even the larger-than-life Sir Henry Merrivale, one of Carr’s two serial sleuths, is little more than a conglomerate of annoying mannerisms that become progressively more so as the story unfolds.
I suspect the novel —like the rest of Carr’s claustrophobic locked-room conundrums — would be of particular interest to readers of a nerdish/geeky disposition.
January 21, 2025
Σε κάποιο άρθρο διάβασα πως το συγκεκριμένο είναι ένα από τα κλασικά ασ��υνομικά μυθιστορήματα, ένα από τα πιο γνωστά έργα του Carter Dickson, με πλοκή που θα σε κρατήσει σε αγωνία μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα. Διαπραγματεύεται ένα έγκλημα σε ένα κλειδωμένο από μέσα δωμάτιο και την λύση του. Όλοι μιλούσαν με βρετανική προφορά στο κεφάλι μου και φορούσαν τουΐντ κουστούμια :P
Έξυπνη υπόθεση, ακόμα πιο έξυπνη λύση. Λίιιιιγο βαρετούλη!
Έξυπνη υπόθεση, ακόμα πιο έξυπνη λύση. Λίιιιιγο βαρετούλη!
July 13, 2025
By far the most enjoyable John Dickson Carr/Carter Dickson I have read!
July 25, 2025
Very clever court room drama
August 15, 2018
Clever and enjoyable - the locked-room mystery qua courtroom drama - but a bit too linear and repetitive to rank among Carr's best work.
January 8, 2021
“La sera di sabato 4 gennaio un giovanotto che intendeva sposarsi andò a in una casa di Grosvenore Street per conoscere il suo futuro suocero”. Un Carr che inizia in modo molto semplice e familiare (molti di noi, me compreso, hanno vissuto quest’esperienza) a differenza di altri romanzi dove aleggia la presenza del soprannaturale.
Il nostro protagonista, Answell, viene fatto accomodare dall’anziano, Hume, nel suo studio, i due scambiano qualche battuta (fra cui alcune osservazioni su frecce da arciere disposte come trofeo a ornare la stanza) e si accingono a bere del liquore. Answell dopo aver bevuto alcune sorsate di liquore offertegli da Hume inizia a sentirsi male e perde i sensi. Al risveglio, dopo soli venti minuti, si trova chiuso all’interno della stanza, in compagnia di Hume ormai cadavere (ucciso da una delle frecce accennate prima), e con porte e finestre chiuse dall’interno. Una variante sul tipo del delitto impossibile, una camera chiusa nella quale insieme al morto è rinchiuso anche una terza persona, accusata del crimine risultando la camera chiusa dall’interno e senza aperture apparenti. Qui infatti a differenza della classica camera chiusa, sotto gli occhi di tutti c’è una ovvia, ancorché sbagliata, soluzione: Answell ha ucciso Hume, tutto sembra dimostrarlo, tranne la mancanza di qualsiasi movente sia per il tentato avvelenamento da un lato sia per l’omicidio dall’altro. I due uomini sono entrambi facoltosi, per cui il matrimonio non appare un matrimonio “per soldi” per nessuna delle parti, e non risultano altri motivi di attrito fra i due che non si erano mai incontrati prima. Per fortuna, il protagonista è difeso nientemeno che da H.M. che torna in tribunale per difenderlo e dimostrarne l’innocenza.
La “Judas window” del titolo, tradotta come “Occhio di Giuda” (parola che non avevo mai sentito, non saprei se desueta o semplicemente inventata dal traduttore) è semplicemente lo spioncino, come quello usato in carcere per osservare i detenuti in cella. Durante la sua appassionata difesa più volte H.M. nomina questo particolare, con meraviglia del lettore dato che le porte e le finestre non presentano nessuna apertura del genere. Ma alla fine ovviamente H.M. avrà ragione e riuscirà a ricostruire lo svolgimento dei fatti.
La soluzione è sorprendente, originale (almeno per me) e al tempo stesso verosimile (nei limiti ovviamente delle “regole del gioco” di questo genere). La lealtà dell’autore in questo romanzo è massima, gli indizi sono presentati al lettore in maniera chiara e coerente, e la soluzione è alla portata del lettore, anche se in questo caso Carr mi ha giocato e mi ha portato su una pista inverosimile con un’osservazione innocua che ho male interpretato.
A ogni modo il romanzo è all’altezza dei grandissimi. Il tema dell’uomo comune coinvolto in un crimine e accusato dello stesso mi ricorda alcuni romanzi che ho amato molto, come La rossa mano destra che abbiamo commentato qualche settimana fa, oppure il visitatore che non c’era, o ancora L’uomo con la mia faccia, anche se qui ben presto Answell cede la scena a H.M. La narrazione è degna del miglior Carr, i personaggi nella giusta quantità, né troppi né troppo pochi, e ben delineati, il gioco dei sospetti e delle piste ben realizzato. La soluzione come detto prima molto brillante, e al tempo stesso accessibile al lettore, A caldo, appena terminato, mi viene da definirlo “il giallo perfetto”, anche se poi ripensandoci ci sono almeno un’altra mezza dozzina di titoli, di cui almeno un paio di Carr, che periterebbero lo stesso appellativo. A ogni modo uno dei più bei gialli di sempre.
Il nostro protagonista, Answell, viene fatto accomodare dall’anziano, Hume, nel suo studio, i due scambiano qualche battuta (fra cui alcune osservazioni su frecce da arciere disposte come trofeo a ornare la stanza) e si accingono a bere del liquore. Answell dopo aver bevuto alcune sorsate di liquore offertegli da Hume inizia a sentirsi male e perde i sensi. Al risveglio, dopo soli venti minuti, si trova chiuso all’interno della stanza, in compagnia di Hume ormai cadavere (ucciso da una delle frecce accennate prima), e con porte e finestre chiuse dall’interno. Una variante sul tipo del delitto impossibile, una camera chiusa nella quale insieme al morto è rinchiuso anche una terza persona, accusata del crimine risultando la camera chiusa dall’interno e senza aperture apparenti. Qui infatti a differenza della classica camera chiusa, sotto gli occhi di tutti c’è una ovvia, ancorché sbagliata, soluzione: Answell ha ucciso Hume, tutto sembra dimostrarlo, tranne la mancanza di qualsiasi movente sia per il tentato avvelenamento da un lato sia per l’omicidio dall’altro. I due uomini sono entrambi facoltosi, per cui il matrimonio non appare un matrimonio “per soldi” per nessuna delle parti, e non risultano altri motivi di attrito fra i due che non si erano mai incontrati prima. Per fortuna, il protagonista è difeso nientemeno che da H.M. che torna in tribunale per difenderlo e dimostrarne l’innocenza.
La “Judas window” del titolo, tradotta come “Occhio di Giuda” (parola che non avevo mai sentito, non saprei se desueta o semplicemente inventata dal traduttore) è semplicemente lo spioncino, come quello usato in carcere per osservare i detenuti in cella. Durante la sua appassionata difesa più volte H.M. nomina questo particolare, con meraviglia del lettore dato che le porte e le finestre non presentano nessuna apertura del genere. Ma alla fine ovviamente H.M. avrà ragione e riuscirà a ricostruire lo svolgimento dei fatti.
La soluzione è sorprendente, originale (almeno per me) e al tempo stesso verosimile (nei limiti ovviamente delle “regole del gioco” di questo genere). La lealtà dell’autore in questo romanzo è massima, gli indizi sono presentati al lettore in maniera chiara e coerente, e la soluzione è alla portata del lettore, anche se in questo caso Carr mi ha giocato e mi ha portato su una pista inverosimile con un’osservazione innocua che ho male interpretato.
A ogni modo il romanzo è all’altezza dei grandissimi. Il tema dell’uomo comune coinvolto in un crimine e accusato dello stesso mi ricorda alcuni romanzi che ho amato molto, come La rossa mano destra che abbiamo commentato qualche settimana fa, oppure il visitatore che non c’era, o ancora L’uomo con la mia faccia, anche se qui ben presto Answell cede la scena a H.M. La narrazione è degna del miglior Carr, i personaggi nella giusta quantità, né troppi né troppo pochi, e ben delineati, il gioco dei sospetti e delle piste ben realizzato. La soluzione come detto prima molto brillante, e al tempo stesso accessibile al lettore, A caldo, appena terminato, mi viene da definirlo “il giallo perfetto”, anche se poi ripensandoci ci sono almeno un’altra mezza dozzina di titoli, di cui almeno un paio di Carr, che periterebbero lo stesso appellativo. A ogni modo uno dei più bei gialli di sempre.
February 9, 2018
Μου αρέσουν πολύ αυτά τα μυθιστορήματα που έχουν γραφεί πριν από τον ΒΠΠ και παρουσιάζουν μια κοινωνία εντελώς διαφορετική από αυτό που βιώνουμε σήμερα. Μερικές φορές είναι καλύτερη, σε πολλά είναι χειρότερη, αλλά γενικά έχει μια αθωότητα και μια αφέλεια που βρίσκω γοητευτικές. Ο συγκεκριμένος συγγραφέας πάντοτε με ικανοποιεί τόσο σε επίπεδο πλοκής όσο και χαρακτήρων που στη σημερινή εποχή θα χαρακτηρίζονταν σαν καρικατούρες, όμως απεικονίζουν την ευγένεια και το πνεύμα της εποχής που σήμερα έχει εκλείψει.
Η υπόθεση είναι κλασσική σχετικά με φόνο σε κλειστό δωμάτιο, η εξέλιξη της υπόθεσης μέσα από τη συζήτηση της υπόθεσης στο δικαστήριο με παράλληλη διήγηση των υπολοίπων βοηθητικών ηρώων είναι καταιγιστική και η λύση τραβηγμένη μεν, ικανοποιητική δε.
Διάβασα το βιβλίο σε μετάφραση του Νεοκλή Γαλανόπουλου, δικηγόρου και είναι εξαιρετική. Έχει χρησιμοποιήσει την κατάλληλη έκφραση για κάθε παράγοντα και έχει μεταφράσει το κείμενο όπως θα ακουγόταν αν το βιβλίο είχε γραφεί στα ελληνικά και είναι απόλαυση να το διαβάζεις. Όντας δε νομικός, έχει χρησιμοποιήσει τη νομική ορολογία και φρασεολογία σε ότι έχει να κάνει με διαδικασία δικαστηρίου και το κείμενο είναι αρτιότατο από πλευράς μετάφρασης.
Η υπόθεση είναι κλασσική σχετικά με φόνο σε κλειστό δωμάτιο, η εξέλιξη της υπόθεσης μέσα από τη συζήτηση της υπόθεσης στο δικαστήριο με παράλληλη διήγηση των υπολοίπων βοηθητικών ηρώων είναι καταιγιστική και η λύση τραβηγμένη μεν, ικανοποιητική δε.
Διάβασα το βιβλίο σε μετάφραση του Νεοκλή Γαλανόπουλου, δικηγόρου και είναι εξαιρετική. Έχει χρησιμοποιήσει την κατάλληλη έκφραση για κάθε παράγοντα και έχει μεταφράσει το κείμενο όπως θα ακουγόταν αν το βιβλίο είχε γραφεί στα ελληνικά και είναι απόλαυση να το διαβάζεις. Όντας δε νομικός, έχει χρησιμοποιήσει τη νομική ορολογία και φρασεολογία σε ότι έχει να κάνει με διαδικασία δικαστηρίου και το κείμενο είναι αρτιότατο από πλευράς μετάφρασης.
July 25, 2014
... I'm not too sure about that doorknob/string business.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2021
Undoubtedly the best of Carr's puzzles that I've read so far, although I have read only three. Although the plotting and atmosphere of He Who Whispers still makes it top dog in my book, The Judas Window has a locked-room mystery which offers the author's imagination and mystery-writing skills at its best. Presented almost entirely as a single murder trial, with a prologue showing the crime from the defendant's point of view, a couple of interludes in-between court sessions, and an epilogue which serves as the full solution. These court scenes are made great by the character of Sir Henry Merrivale, boisterous and eccentric, the keen observations made by our narrator Ken Blake, and the twists and turns we get with nearly every testimonial. At the center of it - a man has been stabbed with an arrow in a room with only three entrances - a door bolted shut, and two windows locked with steel shutters over them. If James Caplon Answell isn't guilty due to being unconscious at the murder's time, as both he himself and Sir Henry argue, then who killed Avory Hume, and how? The only major clue Merrivale gives before his big reveal is a phrase - "the Judas window". I was not able to guess what the Judas window was in relation to the locked room, since it is hidden so well. Once the means were shown, the murderer's identity and motive fell into place in one of the cleanest solutions I've read in a while. Although the achievement of the locked-room is slightly technical - which was the same problem I had with Ellery Queen's The Chinese Orange Mystery - it is much less complicated than in the Queen, much more believable, and it fits in nicely to a surprising culprit's modus operandi. Overall a very worthy read and a great starting point to get into the Carter Dickson / Sir Henry Merrivale mysteries or just Dickson Carr in general.
November 10, 2022
“A Flecha Assassina - Carter Dickson (1938) 🇺🇸
☁️ SINOPSE
Jim Aswell, um jovem que vai ao encontro do seu futuro sogro, vê-se interligado com a morte do mesmo! Isto porque, tudo indica que Jim é o assassino: ele e o sogro eram os únicos presentes no escritório; escritório estava fechado; 1 apenas vivo, 1 morto!
Henry Merrivale, detetive amador, acredita na inocência (mesmo que impossível) de Jim, mas como?!
☁️ OPINIÃO
Primeiro livro que li do famoso John Dickson Carr e que livro tão fora do normal!
Este é um livro policial com o enredo de mistério de sala fechada, em que o próprio acontecimento fulcral, acontece dentro de um local hermeticamente fechada!
Podem imaginar o quão instigante é ler um livro com uma premissa tão inverosímil como está?! 👀 Pois, a adrenalina e a curiosidade estiveram ao rubro do início ao fim deste livro!! Portanto, só vão descobrir mesmo no último capítulo do livro quem afinal é o verdadeiro assassino! 🔍
A escrita é muito simples e fácil de entender, a divisão pelos capítulos também é igualmente bem doseada!
Gostei, particularmente, de todas as testemunhas levadas ao tribunal e toda a argumentação da acusação também foi bem conseguida, fazendo duvidarmos e praticamente tudo e todos!
Recomendo este livro para quem está numa onda de mistérios de difícil e/ou impossível resolução 👍
Um muito obrigada à @livrosdobrasil pela cedência desta obra magnífica 🤎
☁️PONTOS FORTES
- detetive amador e advogado
- ambiente: tribunal
- mistério: sala fechada
☁️ PONTOS FRACOS
- narrativa com pouca dinâmica: centrada apenas no tribunal
☁️ TEMÁTICAS
- traição
- erotismo
☁️CLASSIFICAÇÃO
4 ⭐️
☁️ SINOPSE
Jim Aswell, um jovem que vai ao encontro do seu futuro sogro, vê-se interligado com a morte do mesmo! Isto porque, tudo indica que Jim é o assassino: ele e o sogro eram os únicos presentes no escritório; escritório estava fechado; 1 apenas vivo, 1 morto!
Henry Merrivale, detetive amador, acredita na inocência (mesmo que impossível) de Jim, mas como?!
☁️ OPINIÃO
Primeiro livro que li do famoso John Dickson Carr e que livro tão fora do normal!
Este é um livro policial com o enredo de mistério de sala fechada, em que o próprio acontecimento fulcral, acontece dentro de um local hermeticamente fechada!
Podem imaginar o quão instigante é ler um livro com uma premissa tão inverosímil como está?! 👀 Pois, a adrenalina e a curiosidade estiveram ao rubro do início ao fim deste livro!! Portanto, só vão descobrir mesmo no último capítulo do livro quem afinal é o verdadeiro assassino! 🔍
A escrita é muito simples e fácil de entender, a divisão pelos capítulos também é igualmente bem doseada!
Gostei, particularmente, de todas as testemunhas levadas ao tribunal e toda a argumentação da acusação também foi bem conseguida, fazendo duvidarmos e praticamente tudo e todos!
Recomendo este livro para quem está numa onda de mistérios de difícil e/ou impossível resolução 👍
Um muito obrigada à @livrosdobrasil pela cedência desta obra magnífica 🤎
☁️PONTOS FORTES
- detetive amador e advogado
- ambiente: tribunal
- mistério: sala fechada
☁️ PONTOS FRACOS
- narrativa com pouca dinâmica: centrada apenas no tribunal
☁️ TEMÁTICAS
- traição
- erotismo
☁️CLASSIFICAÇÃO
4 ⭐️
September 4, 2020
For those not familiar with Carr, I've taken the liberty of including biographical information from Wikipedia:
"John Dickson Carr (November 30, 1906 – February 27, 1977) was an American author of detective stories, who also published using the pseudonyms Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, and Roger Fairbairn.
"Carr is generally regarded as one of the greatest writers of so-called "Golden Age" mysteries; complex, plot-driven stories in which the puzzle is paramount. He was influenced in this regard by the works of Gaston Leroux and by the Father Brown stories of G. K. Chesterton. He was a master of the so-called locked room mystery, in which a detective solves apparently impossible crimes. The Dr. Fell mystery The Hollow Man (1935), usually considered Carr's masterpiece, was selected in 1981 as the best locked-room mystery of all time by a panel of 17 mystery authors and reviewers.[1] He also wrote a number of historical mysteries."
The Judas Window is a classic "Golden Age" mystery and one of the better locked-room mysteries. I was keep guessing throughout and completely failed to figure what and where the Judas window could have been in a room which was seemingly completely sealed. I also misfired in figuring out who committed the murder. The main character, Sir Henry Merrivale, more than anything else, makes this a five-star read.
"John Dickson Carr (November 30, 1906 – February 27, 1977) was an American author of detective stories, who also published using the pseudonyms Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, and Roger Fairbairn.
"Carr is generally regarded as one of the greatest writers of so-called "Golden Age" mysteries; complex, plot-driven stories in which the puzzle is paramount. He was influenced in this regard by the works of Gaston Leroux and by the Father Brown stories of G. K. Chesterton. He was a master of the so-called locked room mystery, in which a detective solves apparently impossible crimes. The Dr. Fell mystery The Hollow Man (1935), usually considered Carr's masterpiece, was selected in 1981 as the best locked-room mystery of all time by a panel of 17 mystery authors and reviewers.[1] He also wrote a number of historical mysteries."
The Judas Window is a classic "Golden Age" mystery and one of the better locked-room mysteries. I was keep guessing throughout and completely failed to figure what and where the Judas window could have been in a room which was seemingly completely sealed. I also misfired in figuring out who committed the murder. The main character, Sir Henry Merrivale, more than anything else, makes this a five-star read.
September 7, 2024
Carter Dickson was one of several pseudonyms used by John Dickson Carr, a Golden Age mystery writer who was famous for his locked room puzzles. This is one of those; it's lightweight stuff, long on sleight of hand and short on character development and other literary values, but once in a while it's fun to relax with this kind of thing.
This one has the added twist of being a legal thriller, with the series protagonist Sir Henry Merrivale defending a man on trial for his life at London's Old Bailey. A bank executive is found skewered through the heart with an arrow in the inevitable locked room; the bolted door is opened to witnesses by the defendant, who claims he was unconscious, knocked out by a drugged glass of scotch, when the murder was committed. The decanter on the sideboard is full of unadulterated whiskey, the defendant's fingerprints are on the arrow, etc., etc. Impossible for anyone but him to have done the crime, but Merrivale will pull the usual rabbit out of the hat in court to prove his client's innocence and unmask the real killer.
Dated, a bit silly, but smoothly plotted and competently written, and I couldn't put it down for a couple of days, because sometimes all you want is a good puzzle.
This one has the added twist of being a legal thriller, with the series protagonist Sir Henry Merrivale defending a man on trial for his life at London's Old Bailey. A bank executive is found skewered through the heart with an arrow in the inevitable locked room; the bolted door is opened to witnesses by the defendant, who claims he was unconscious, knocked out by a drugged glass of scotch, when the murder was committed. The decanter on the sideboard is full of unadulterated whiskey, the defendant's fingerprints are on the arrow, etc., etc. Impossible for anyone but him to have done the crime, but Merrivale will pull the usual rabbit out of the hat in court to prove his client's innocence and unmask the real killer.
Dated, a bit silly, but smoothly plotted and competently written, and I couldn't put it down for a couple of days, because sometimes all you want is a good puzzle.
July 22, 2025
As a massive Agatha Christie fan, I love it when authors use the same story mechanics for writing a murder mystery. It's all boils down to human behaviour.
The who-dunnit (and the why-dunnit) is easily guessable (as early as Chapter 2) and certainly when HM puts forth a clear and concise time-table. Indeed the apparent impossibility of a locked-room murder mystery lends itself to a very limited pool of suspects.
The how-dunnit is the true puzzle in a locked-room murder. And without it seeming too on-the-nose or cheeky, the author has come up with a believable solution for it.
But it's the little things that the author has peppered throughout the book that are a true delight to figure out. These are conversations, 'not-quite-right' ways of behaviour that are very satisfyingly explained later. Right from the prologue, we like Answell feel that something is quite weird about it all, and yet can't seem to understand it. Indeed that first twist is very well executed.
It is my first Merrivale book. I am not sure if I like him but he is an incredibly intelligent fellow.
The who-dunnit (and the why-dunnit) is easily guessable (as early as Chapter 2) and certainly when HM puts forth a clear and concise time-table. Indeed the apparent impossibility of a locked-room murder mystery lends itself to a very limited pool of suspects.
The how-dunnit is the true puzzle in a locked-room murder. And without it seeming too on-the-nose or cheeky, the author has come up with a believable solution for it.
But it's the little things that the author has peppered throughout the book that are a true delight to figure out. These are conversations, 'not-quite-right' ways of behaviour that are very satisfyingly explained later. Right from the prologue, we like Answell feel that something is quite weird about it all, and yet can't seem to understand it. Indeed that first twist is very well executed.
It is my first Merrivale book. I am not sure if I like him but he is an incredibly intelligent fellow.
December 7, 2020
I happened upon an old tv series (Colonel March of Scotland Yard featuring Boris Karloff) based on Carter Dickson's series of "The Department of Queer Cases." I couldn't find those works, but I did find one of her Sir Henry Merrivale series. The book was written in an entertaining manner, the murder was a typical locked room with only the murder victim and the innocent suspect who is to be hanged unless Merrivale can prove there is another means of killing a person without entering the room. The conclusion was interesting enough, but I will not read further in this series. I found that my sympathies were not with the great defender of the innocent. Mostly I found I had distaste for the characters.
October 9, 2021
Tämä oli ensimmäinen tutustuminen Carter Dicksonin kirjoihin. Luin jostain arvosteluja, joiden mukaan tämä ei olisi sarjan vahvimpia kirjoja, mutta tuntematta muita sarja kirjoja, tämä oli hyvä! Tarina rullasi koko ajan ja mieleen tuli nuoruuden Perry Mason-kirjat (täytyisi kaivaa ne esiin uudestaan 🥰)
Mutta! Sen kyllä sanon, että tylsä etukansi ei olisi saanut minua tarttumaan tähän kirjaan 🙄 Kuinka tympeä se onkaan!! Kävin katsomassa, millaisia alkuperäisen kirjan kannet olivat ja niiden perusteella vahvistui vieläkin enemmän se ajatus, että tämä kansi oli vain hutastu päälle tyylillä "what ever!". Mutta mikä karhunpalvelus....
Mutta! Sen kyllä sanon, että tylsä etukansi ei olisi saanut minua tarttumaan tähän kirjaan 🙄 Kuinka tympeä se onkaan!! Kävin katsomassa, millaisia alkuperäisen kirjan kannet olivat ja niiden perusteella vahvistui vieläkin enemmän se ajatus, että tämä kansi oli vain hutastu päälle tyylillä "what ever!". Mutta mikä karhunpalvelus....
March 7, 2024
Same as "Five Little Pigs", "Old soldiers never die, they just wither." In this era, it is difficult to find refreshing mystery and suspense novels. They only think about tricky murder techniques and descriptions of murder motives. It is becoming more and more important nowadays, but the motive of murder in this book is a mess and a piece of cake. Now I can’t help but worry about the suspense mystery novels in Eric Quinn’s Letters and Nations series. The filters of Agatha Christie and John Carson, the three masters of the golden age of mystery, have been broken. I wonder if the works of the Quinn brothers can withstand it. The precipitation of the times.
May 28, 2025
A man is found alone with a murdered man in a locked room that is inaccessible “for the entrance or exit of any other person.” The man claims he is innocent, though his fingerprints are on the arrow that had been thrust into the victim’s heart. How can that be? “The murderer got in and out through the Judas window,” which only a murderer could see!
And, what’s the “sinister connection between an inkpad and a railway station and a Judas window and a golf suit?”
“…the whole point of this case depends on two things: a piece of feather and a crossbow.”
Some have opined that this is the best locked room mystery of all time. I'd say that it is a pretty good read with lots of courtroom drama. Sir Henry Merrivale, or H.M., is a superior lawyer that I'd definitely want on my side! And the way he shreds the prosecution's case is sometimes downright laughable! I'd like to read another one in this series!
"The blinkin' awful cussedness of things in general."
And, what’s the “sinister connection between an inkpad and a railway station and a Judas window and a golf suit?”
“…the whole point of this case depends on two things: a piece of feather and a crossbow.”
Some have opined that this is the best locked room mystery of all time. I'd say that it is a pretty good read with lots of courtroom drama. Sir Henry Merrivale, or H.M., is a superior lawyer that I'd definitely want on my side! And the way he shreds the prosecution's case is sometimes downright laughable! I'd like to read another one in this series!
"The blinkin' awful cussedness of things in general."
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