The Mask of Red Death

Edgar Allan Poe Mystery #3

by Harold Schechter

Suspense, intrigue, atmosphere, and vivid historical detail combine into a thrilling ride through nineteenth-century New York City in The Mask of Red Death . Harold Schechter delivers both a wonderfully accurate portrait of a city in turmoil and an irresistibly appealing depiction of his amateur sleuth Edgar Allan Poe, mirroring the master’s writing style with wit and acumen.

It is the sweltering summer of 1845, and the thriving metropolis has fallen victim to a creature of the most inhuman depravity. Found days apart, two girls have been brutally murdered, their throats slashed, viciously scalped, and–most shocking of all–missing their livers. Edgar Allan Poe, despite what the tenor of his own tales of terror might suggest about his constitution, is just as shaken and revolted by these horrendous crimes as the panic-stricken public. Suspicion of the scalper’s identity immediately swirls around the most famous “redskin” in New York, Chief Wolf Bear, one of the human attractions at P.T. Barnum’s American Museum. Certain that Chief Wolf Bear is innocent, Poe has deduced that the city is concealing a cannibal somewhere in its teeming masses, one with an ever-growing appetite for human prey.

Before he can investigate his theory further, Poe stumbles onto the scene of a third gruesome murder. Poe recently met William Wyatt when he agreed to look at a document for Wyatt to determine the authenticity of the purportedly famous handwriting on it. Now Poe finds Wyatt in a pool of blood, his scalp removed. How, Poe muses, are Wyatt and his document connected to the two slain girls?

As frenzied emotions over the murders reach a fevered pitch, Kit Carson makes an appearance. The famous scout has been tracking the “Liver Eater” since the man killed his wife months ago. Together, Carson and Poe make an odd sleuthing team, but their combined wits are formidable. The trail they uncover reveals a dark secret more powerful than anything they could have imagined– one that may reach the upper echelons of politics and privilege.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Mystery, Horror, Historical Fiction, Classics, Short Stories, Fiction, Gothic

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Aka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)

Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.

Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.

Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.

Reviews

[Redsteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing that I like about this series is that Poe's partner in his investigations changes from book to book - always a real historical figure that COULD have been present for the events. Past books have included Davy Crockett and PT Barnum (the latter present in a somewhat reduced role in this story) - This novel features Kit Carson, and in a twist for the series, an actual historical murderer as the villain (or one of the villains, anyway) "Liver-Eating Johnson" AKA "The Crow Killer." As always, the characterizations of real figures are well done - although I feel like the author is presenting Poe as less racist than he really was. Bits of the plot remind me of Caleb Carr's THE ALIENIST. 4 stars.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great historical mystery with many twists and turns. An enjoyable, although kind of creepy story.

[The Headless Horror · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the other books in this series-but that is not necessary to enjoy this book! And enjoy I did! If you're an Edgar Allan Poe/Victorian Gothic nut with a penchant for mysteries, you will love this! It was a very long book to read, so I picked up and read chapters over the course of a few months. It's long because the font is tiny, and the prose used takes a bit of getting used to. I think the author did a stellar job at portraying Poe and his mannerisms, and there's some great historical fiction thrown in (maybe facts, maybe not). The PT Barnum element in this particular book is great, and lots of humor tossed in to boot. I would definitely read the other books in this series if they cross my path one day!

[Nathalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMO esta saga de libros, es una lástima que no estén traducidos (para regalarle una copia a muchas personas que sé que lo adorarían). Tuve un solo problema con la historia y es que hay "demasiadas coincidencias" que le quitan el sabor al misterio. Cosas como "justo la persona que nos hablo en X lugar es la misma persona que hace 10 años fue testigo de X cosa". Y entiendo que es necesario para la trama hasta cierto punto, pero fueron demasiadas para mi gusto.
Más allá de eso, me encanta todo sobre este libro: los personajes, la prosa, la trama, etc.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this is my favorite of Poe's short stories. This one is everything that you would expect of a scary story. The story telling, the visual, the action, the emotion and drama are all spot on. Sometimes Poe's choices of word and expression are too old fashioned to understand. This one is easier on the ear, IMO. Everything about it is just right, even the length. Perfection in every way!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy but good!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that the language of E.A. Poe is something magical. He is a master of building suspense, making you heart beat faster with the choice of words.
This is a must read classic.

[Elliott Brymhs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing keeping me from hitting five stars has everything to do with the exhausting description. It wasn’t bad, just a personal preference.

[Yazlina Saduri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic death of the clever prince? Or well deserved?

[Maria]

Ed. portuguesa

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A library find.
April 2024.
Well written!
Suspenseful!
Creepy!
Enticing!
Entertaining!

[lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prospero and fortunado

[lar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little heavy handed on metaphor, but never a dull read. Has anyone shown this to RFK Jr.?

[Cailin Leithead · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of confusing but maybe I should have paid more attention. Nice short read though

[Haowei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the ambiguity of the interpretations of the rooms. The “lockdown narrative” is certainly more resonate during these times

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love historic mysteries, but I now remember that I don't like when famous people are the main characters. This is compounded by the unbelievability of that character becoming involved with not one, but several other contemporaneous famous people--Kit Carson, PT Barnum, etc. I will not be reading others in the series.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoy a good historical fiction, this was a bit wanting. I found the amassing of historical characters into one volume ridiculous. There were so many convenient actions and moments that I felt like I had the 'mystery' solved before I was halfway through. This also made Edgar Allan Poe look like a joke. I only enjoyed the parts involving Kit Carson.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of writing about Poe in the style of Poe is interesting, but cloys after a while. The story is entertaining enough, but is a little predictable.

[Miriam]

Poe meets Kit Carson.

[Tim Giron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to this series. Each mystery is more intricate, more involved and less easy to figure out before all is revealed.

[Nara Cervantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hee one more, one of those stories....