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Dr. Gideon Fell #5
Death-Watch
In the shadowy hallway of the clockmaker's old house a policeman is found murdered, a steel clock hand embedded in his neck. A thing with gilt-painted hands scuttles across London roof-tops. These are just two of the frightening scenes in Dr. Gideon Fell's most frightening case -- a case that starts with a knife-wielding shoplifter and ends with a portly detective using a mad-man to capture a murderer.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1935
108 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
John Dickson Carr
423 books487 followersAKA Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson and Roger Fairbairn.
John Dickson Carr was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1906. It Walks by Night, his first published detective novel, featuring the Frenchman Henri Bencolin, was published in 1930. Apart from Dr Fell, whose first appearance was in Hag's Nook in 1933, Carr's other series detectives (published under the nom de plume of Carter Dickson) were the barrister Sir Henry Merrivale, who debuted in The Plague Court Murders (1934).
John Dickson Carr was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1906. It Walks by Night, his first published detective novel, featuring the Frenchman Henri Bencolin, was published in 1930. Apart from Dr Fell, whose first appearance was in Hag's Nook in 1933, Carr's other series detectives (published under the nom de plume of Carter Dickson) were the barrister Sir Henry Merrivale, who debuted in The Plague Court Murders (1934).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
March 15, 2020
A good puzzle, and John Dickson Carr is always a pleasure to read, but the resolution was overly complex. Not one of the best Dr. Fell mysteries, but enjoyable on a rainy day.
December 3, 2019
I’m only not giving Death Watch a one star because it was mostly readable and I love JDC. Plus, it wasn’t as bad as Poison in Jest and I did give that one a lone star.
Unfortunately this was another of Carr’s that practically gave me a headache. The plot relies too much on the architecture and physics of the setting. Page after page, Carr lays out the blueprints of the murder scene: doors, stairs, passages, trap doors. Hell, I could have used a frigging diorama of the scene because the tortured description didn’t exactly paint the picture. Possibly because I stopped caring and my attention lagged. The rest of it isn’t much better. In fact, I skimmed the last chapter, completely annoyed with the whole book. If Carr has me hooked, I’m game for the overlong, rambling crossing of Ts and dotting of Is his detectives usually do in the denouement, but if not then reading the final twenty pages is tantamount to water boarding my last nerve.
Death Watch lacks the high concept, atmospheric, impossible murder mystery that Carr often—not mostly, from what I have read of his—excels at. The clockmaker stuff never really adds much to the story, either. This is just another lackluster house whodunit, without any interesting or fun characters.
And while more could have been done with clocks, much more could have been done with the b-story, the department store murder. An impossible murder set in Selfridge’s sounds fun, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately this was another of Carr’s that practically gave me a headache. The plot relies too much on the architecture and physics of the setting. Page after page, Carr lays out the blueprints of the murder scene: doors, stairs, passages, trap doors. Hell, I could have used a frigging diorama of the scene because the tortured description didn’t exactly paint the picture. Possibly because I stopped caring and my attention lagged. The rest of it isn’t much better. In fact, I skimmed the last chapter, completely annoyed with the whole book. If Carr has me hooked, I’m game for the overlong, rambling crossing of Ts and dotting of Is his detectives usually do in the denouement, but if not then reading the final twenty pages is tantamount to water boarding my last nerve.
Death Watch lacks the high concept, atmospheric, impossible murder mystery that Carr often—not mostly, from what I have read of his—excels at. The clockmaker stuff never really adds much to the story, either. This is just another lackluster house whodunit, without any interesting or fun characters.
And while more could have been done with clocks, much more could have been done with the b-story, the department store murder. An impossible murder set in Selfridge’s sounds fun, doesn’t it?
November 27, 2017
3.5 rounded up. A clever mystery but I thought the clues could easily have been manipulated in such a way as to make any of the suspects the culprit and did not definitively point to one person which is perhaps why our detective had to force a confession at the end. I even wondered if the author had not quite decided which was to be the guilty party until late in the writing of the book. Still I would love to read more John Dickson Carr.
Popsugar Challenge 2017 advanced: a book recommended by an author you love. (Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers)
Popsugar Challenge 2017 advanced: a book recommended by an author you love. (Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers)
January 13, 2022
A lot to like in this mystery in Carr's Dr. Gideon Fell series - plenty of tangles in the plot, some good atmosphere at times (I don't think the sense of dread the characters and narrative hypes up is consistently carried on or built up, it happens in spurts) but the middle wandered too much and I never quite connected to it.
February 26, 2023
Dr. Fell is accompanying his friend Professor Melson to Melson's home, when they encounter a disturbance at the house next door. A murder has been committed, and in the next two days Fell, Melson and the detective assigned to the case, Inspector Hadley, have to sift through an assortment of clues, questions and alibis. Almost as shocking as the method of murder - a large gilt clock hand - is the identity of the murder victim.
This isn't the "locked room" mystery for which John Dickson Carr is best known, but there is a puzzle here. The "who" and the "why" are buried under a mountain of secrets, lies and deceptions. In it, Dr. Fell matches wits with what he describes as the most evil, calculating villain he's ever known. One that has concocted the perfect crime...
As always, the Carr atmosphere keeps the reader engaged and the clues are fairly set out (although I wanted a sketch of the clock-maker's house where the story takes place; I ended up drawing one to help me along). Dr. Fell is an enjoyable character. He is perceptive and direct but not arrogant or cruel (like another Carr character, Henri Bencolin; interestingly enough in the last chapter Bencolin is mentioned by Fell so I presume they are aware of each other).
Another gem from the golden age!
This isn't the "locked room" mystery for which John Dickson Carr is best known, but there is a puzzle here. The "who" and the "why" are buried under a mountain of secrets, lies and deceptions. In it, Dr. Fell matches wits with what he describes as the most evil, calculating villain he's ever known. One that has concocted the perfect crime...
As always, the Carr atmosphere keeps the reader engaged and the clues are fairly set out (although I wanted a sketch of the clock-maker's house where the story takes place; I ended up drawing one to help me along). Dr. Fell is an enjoyable character. He is perceptive and direct but not arrogant or cruel (like another Carr character, Henri Bencolin; interestingly enough in the last chapter Bencolin is mentioned by Fell so I presume they are aware of each other).
Another gem from the golden age!
September 22, 2019
It was difficult to decide how many stars I should give this. It had a lot of features of classic crime novels that I dislike, such as the following:
The amateur detective was obviously influenced by Sherlock Holmes: From one speck of mud, he could determine who the criminal was and tell you their entire life history (OK, that's an exaggeration, but not by much).
There was a lot of exclamations along the lines of "How could I be so stupid? It is so clear. If only Margery had told us - but wait! Of course she would not say anything! We must talk to Jeffrey." I get irritated by these sort of cryptic utterances and there were plenty in this book.
One good thing: Early on in the book, I bet myself that somewhere there would be at least one comment like this "Quick! Tell me, does Alice like liquorice? A man's life could depend on your answer!". I won my bet.
However, despite all of this, I read to the end. I think it was because he had set up an intruiging puzzle and I wanted to see how it would be solved, I have to say I think the resolution stretched the imagination a bit, but I have read worse from classic puzzle-based crime books. I am not entirely sure about this author, but I want to read at least one more of his books. I think that the aspects of the book that I enjoyed outweighed the annoying parts.
Note: I made up all of the example sentences in this review. They don't give you any clues about the plot, or any of the characters.
The amateur detective was obviously influenced by Sherlock Holmes: From one speck of mud, he could determine who the criminal was and tell you their entire life history (OK, that's an exaggeration, but not by much).
There was a lot of exclamations along the lines of "How could I be so stupid? It is so clear. If only Margery had told us - but wait! Of course she would not say anything! We must talk to Jeffrey." I get irritated by these sort of cryptic utterances and there were plenty in this book.
One good thing: Early on in the book, I bet myself that somewhere there would be at least one comment like this "Quick! Tell me, does Alice like liquorice? A man's life could depend on your answer!". I won my bet.
However, despite all of this, I read to the end. I think it was because he had set up an intruiging puzzle and I wanted to see how it would be solved, I have to say I think the resolution stretched the imagination a bit, but I have read worse from classic puzzle-based crime books. I am not entirely sure about this author, but I want to read at least one more of his books. I think that the aspects of the book that I enjoyed outweighed the annoying parts.
Note: I made up all of the example sentences in this review. They don't give you any clues about the plot, or any of the characters.
March 18, 2016
A pretentious and convoluted murder , put in place with a tool out of the ordinary, from a character with an unlikely psychology. A method of investigation based on evidence at the limit of nebulosity and caricature characters make this full-bodied classic yellow English one of the most boring I've ever read.
Not to mention that the back cover is misleading.
I thank Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Un assassinio pretestuoso e arzigogolato, messo in opera con uno strumento fuori dal comune, da un personaggio dalla psicologia improbabile. Una metodica di indagine indiziaria al limite della nebulosità e personaggi caricaturali rendono questo corposo giallo classico inglese uno dei più noiosi che abbia mai letto.
Senza contare che la quarta di copertina è fuorviante.
Ringrazio Open Road Integrated Media e Netgalley per avermi concesso una copia gratuita di questo libro in cambio di una recensione onesta.
Not to mention that the back cover is misleading.
I thank Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Un assassinio pretestuoso e arzigogolato, messo in opera con uno strumento fuori dal comune, da un personaggio dalla psicologia improbabile. Una metodica di indagine indiziaria al limite della nebulosità e personaggi caricaturali rendono questo corposo giallo classico inglese uno dei più noiosi che abbia mai letto.
Senza contare che la quarta di copertina è fuorviante.
Ringrazio Open Road Integrated Media e Netgalley per avermi concesso una copia gratuita di questo libro in cambio di una recensione onesta.
July 22, 2018
From the early 20th century until today, I can think of no greater master of the “closed door” mystery genre than John Dickson Carr. Death Watch originally published in 1935 features an unlocked front door and a locked trap door. The mystery still centers on those within an extended household, but it isn’t quite the “closed door” mystery for which Carr is famous.
Still, Death Watch has a rather unique murder weapon, a plethora of suspects, a convergence of coincidences, and an intriguing jockeying for the solution between Detective Inspector Hadley and Carr’s favorite sleuth, the Renaissance Man known as Dr. Gideon Fell. The narrator tells us: “Dr. Fell always said that he would rather argue with Hadley than almost anybody else, because each on various points supplied the common sense that the other lacked. They differed violently on everything each of them liked, and agreed only on what they disliked, which is the basis of friendship.” (p. 34) Mentioning the narrator, a certain professor named Walter S. Melson serves as the narrator after he encounters the mystery while working on a deadline for one of the inevitable “publish or perish” projects necessary to academia. Interestingly to me, Melson has one of the same problems in academia as I do, “…nothing roused his wrath except the expounders of the ‘Theory of Teaching.’” (p. 104)
The case is rather unusual, but as Dr. Fell himself says, “Those things only seem odd because a fact is stated out of its proper context.” (p. 7) Death Watch is particularly intriguing because some of the characters are quite polished at misdirection. As the protagonist notes early on, there are entirely too many coincidences in this novel. But it is discerning the real coincidences from the deliberate misdirection that makes things interesting.
Still, Death Watch has a rather unique murder weapon, a plethora of suspects, a convergence of coincidences, and an intriguing jockeying for the solution between Detective Inspector Hadley and Carr’s favorite sleuth, the Renaissance Man known as Dr. Gideon Fell. The narrator tells us: “Dr. Fell always said that he would rather argue with Hadley than almost anybody else, because each on various points supplied the common sense that the other lacked. They differed violently on everything each of them liked, and agreed only on what they disliked, which is the basis of friendship.” (p. 34) Mentioning the narrator, a certain professor named Walter S. Melson serves as the narrator after he encounters the mystery while working on a deadline for one of the inevitable “publish or perish” projects necessary to academia. Interestingly to me, Melson has one of the same problems in academia as I do, “…nothing roused his wrath except the expounders of the ‘Theory of Teaching.’” (p. 104)
The case is rather unusual, but as Dr. Fell himself says, “Those things only seem odd because a fact is stated out of its proper context.” (p. 7) Death Watch is particularly intriguing because some of the characters are quite polished at misdirection. As the protagonist notes early on, there are entirely too many coincidences in this novel. But it is discerning the real coincidences from the deliberate misdirection that makes things interesting.
November 4, 2020
In 'Death-Watch', an unsolved department store case is followed by a murder in a clockmaker's house in which several residents are suspects. Puzzling this out proves to be a challenge for Dr. Fell and Chief Inspector Hadley as the meticulous killer has left no evidence.
The interesting premise was supported by the identity of the victim, the mystery as to who was the accuser and the residents' possible motives. In addition, the odd behaviour of two characters as well as certain connections and coincidences elevated the sense of suspense.
However, the story was mostly boring as the characters were flat and the homicide details were unnecessarily complex and far-fetched. The killer went to such extraordinary lengths, driven by a motive that wasn't telegraphed convincingly enough. That wasn't smart, more like trying too hard and it showed.
The configurations of the house played an important role in explaining everyone's movements on that fateful night. A diagram would've aided greatly considering the intricacies. I liked the creepy skull watch and the details on clocks. Contrary to the title though, none of that was particularly relevant.
Overall, 'Death-Watch' was far too overwrought to the point of requiring suspension of disbelief at almost every juncture. The murderer was supposed to be brilliant but overplayed his / her hand.
The interesting premise was supported by the identity of the victim, the mystery as to who was the accuser and the residents' possible motives. In addition, the odd behaviour of two characters as well as certain connections and coincidences elevated the sense of suspense.
However, the story was mostly boring as the characters were flat and the homicide details were unnecessarily complex and far-fetched. The killer went to such extraordinary lengths, driven by a motive that wasn't telegraphed convincingly enough. That wasn't smart, more like trying too hard and it showed.
The configurations of the house played an important role in explaining everyone's movements on that fateful night. A diagram would've aided greatly considering the intricacies. I liked the creepy skull watch and the details on clocks. Contrary to the title though, none of that was particularly relevant.
Overall, 'Death-Watch' was far too overwrought to the point of requiring suspension of disbelief at almost every juncture. The murderer was supposed to be brilliant but overplayed his / her hand.
June 27, 2024
A man is murdered with the minute hand of a large clock, in circumstances replete with coincidences. The mystery has a wonderfully chaotic first half, but a less enjoyable second half. Averages out as a 3/5.
April 17, 2009
An undercover policeman is murdered in the home of clockmaker Johannus Carver. The policeman had come there based on a tip he'd received concerning a suspect who had not only been on a shoplifting spree, but who had also murdered someone during one of the crimes. The policeman was stabbed in the neck with the hand of a clock, and Dr. Fell is on hand just after the crime occurs. There are a multitude of suspects, a lot of red herrings and a serious mystery at work here. And there's Dr. Fell, whose verbal parry with Inspector Hadley over the guilt or innocence of a particular suspect was magnifico, as were his musings on the Spanish Inquisition (I know, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!). Anyway...a delight from start to finish.
I'd definitely recommend this one to Golden-Age mystery fans, or to those wondering whether or not to try one of Carr's Fell novels, I'd say this would be a fine one with which to start. It was a bit wordy, but that seems to be the norm among that group of mystery writers, so don't let that bother you. I've actually become quite used to Carr's style by now (this is #5 in a row by him I've read this month), and though it may be a bit off-putting to modern mystery readers, it's still quite well done. Just take it slow and absorb.
I'd definitely recommend this one to Golden-Age mystery fans, or to those wondering whether or not to try one of Carr's Fell novels, I'd say this would be a fine one with which to start. It was a bit wordy, but that seems to be the norm among that group of mystery writers, so don't let that bother you. I've actually become quite used to Carr's style by now (this is #5 in a row by him I've read this month), and though it may be a bit off-putting to modern mystery readers, it's still quite well done. Just take it slow and absorb.
June 25, 2013
I've been reading the Gideon Fell series as character research for my role in a production of "Whodunnit." Up until now, I've found the series rather dry and implausible. "Death-Watch" was billed, on its cover, as one of Fell's greatest cases. It does not disappoint. It has all the intricacies of the usual Fell mystery, emphasizing the puzzle of the murder plot over character development. The puzzle is a truly engaging one, though, in which Carr manages to baffle while playing completely fair with the readers. He also creates a truly dastardly villain.
July 16, 2019
I think this isn't the best regarded of Carr's Dr Fell mysteries but I rather like it. The setting of the moonlight drenched house with its roster of off-center residents is well realized and the atmosphere is rich without becoming overwrought. An enjoyable read.
March 24, 2021
A well-constructed mystery. It is not an impossible crime, Carr's speciality, but an ingenious solution nevertheless. (Some would call one part of it cheating.) I could have done with a plan of the house.
May 17, 2016
Not one of Carr's best,found this difficult to get in to.No impossible crime/locked room this time,just a complex,convoluted murder with lots of suspects.
September 13, 2024
5/5
I've completed the next entry in the Dr. Gideon Fell mystery series, Death-Watch, a book that is as wonderful and addictive as its title suggests. Throughout the novel, I was met with several other titles for this novel, namely, "The Mystery of the Flying Glove" and "The Lincoln Inn Field Murders". I'm inordinately pleased that Mr. Carr opted for Death-Watch instead of the others. I am of the opinion that Death-Watch is the more mysterious title and furthermore directs the attention of the reader towards the watches prominent in the story. These watches later prove to be the most instrumental part in decoding the mystery.
Speaking in broad strokes, I absolutely adore this book. One of the most enchanting mystery that I've ever read. The atmosphere, the misdirection, the gradual unraveling of the scene, everything is polished to perfection. The misdirection is in another sphere altogether. Never once throughout my read did I ever suspect the actual murderer. Carr's a bonafide genius of hiding stuff in plain sight and also in knowing when to emphasize the irrelevant, just take the numerous red-herrings that he spread throughout the story.
In particular, my favorite scene in this whole book is the mock court scene between Dr. Fell and Inspector Hadley, in which both of them submit their views about the murder trying to convict a single suspect. These chapters, present in third quarter of the story surprised me with the sheer amount of information that we could deduce from the clues that we already knew. It was a humbling experience. Within two chapters, Carr made me believe in the guilt of one person and in the very next throughly disproved it. And that too with only the information the reader already knew. These couple of chapters are without doubt one of the best pieces of Detective Fiction ever written.
Now let's discuss this novel as we usually do:
The Detective and the Method of Detection : 5/5
The Criminal : 5/5
The Method of Crime : 5/5
The Detective of the story is once again Dr. Gideon Fell and he is in his A-game in this novel. He always seemed five steps ahead of everyone. His wit is unmatched. The sheer ease with which he destroyed Hadley's entire case blew me away. And the sheer brilliance of this novel is that Dr. Fell is absolutely certain of the killer's identity in his own mind but the murderer, with his unnatural cunning has left no actual evidence or physical trail. This veritable cat and mouse chase between a Detective that we know to be brilliant and an invisible adversary is mesmerizing to watch. Carr remains adamant in not even hinting at the criminal's identity until the very very end. Throughout the novel, I kept wracking my brains trying to work out who the murderer was but I never actually seriously considered the actual murderer. The fact that an almost century old book can still baffle its reader is beyond amazing.
Now let's discuss the Criminal. To prevent spoilers, I'm going to refer to the Criminal as they, but they are a single person. Put simply, they are the most brilliant adversary ever faced by Dr. Fell or in my opinion by anyone in the pantheon of Detective Fiction. Their plan was beyond perfect. They accounted for every eventuality, prepared for things that they didn't believe could happen, and even corrected for the most elusive of all errors, the human one. They set their mind to the task, created a plan and implemented it to great success. They had determination, cunning, guile, and the sheer intelligence to run circles around most readers. Their only undoing was their own nerves, steming from the lackluster motivation to actually commit the deed. But, aside from that, they are as close to perfect as any fictional character could ever be. I challenge you to find a better killer.
In conclusion, Death-Watch is one of the best pieces of Detective Fiction ever written. Any reader even remotely interested in the genre must give it a read.
Can't wait to read more!!!
I've completed the next entry in the Dr. Gideon Fell mystery series, Death-Watch, a book that is as wonderful and addictive as its title suggests. Throughout the novel, I was met with several other titles for this novel, namely, "The Mystery of the Flying Glove" and "The Lincoln Inn Field Murders". I'm inordinately pleased that Mr. Carr opted for Death-Watch instead of the others. I am of the opinion that Death-Watch is the more mysterious title and furthermore directs the attention of the reader towards the watches prominent in the story. These watches later prove to be the most instrumental part in decoding the mystery.
Speaking in broad strokes, I absolutely adore this book. One of the most enchanting mystery that I've ever read. The atmosphere, the misdirection, the gradual unraveling of the scene, everything is polished to perfection. The misdirection is in another sphere altogether. Never once throughout my read did I ever suspect the actual murderer. Carr's a bonafide genius of hiding stuff in plain sight and also in knowing when to emphasize the irrelevant, just take the numerous red-herrings that he spread throughout the story.
In particular, my favorite scene in this whole book is the mock court scene between Dr. Fell and Inspector Hadley, in which both of them submit their views about the murder trying to convict a single suspect. These chapters, present in third quarter of the story surprised me with the sheer amount of information that we could deduce from the clues that we already knew. It was a humbling experience. Within two chapters, Carr made me believe in the guilt of one person and in the very next throughly disproved it. And that too with only the information the reader already knew. These couple of chapters are without doubt one of the best pieces of Detective Fiction ever written.
Now let's discuss this novel as we usually do:
The Detective and the Method of Detection : 5/5
The Criminal : 5/5
The Method of Crime : 5/5
The Detective of the story is once again Dr. Gideon Fell and he is in his A-game in this novel. He always seemed five steps ahead of everyone. His wit is unmatched. The sheer ease with which he destroyed Hadley's entire case blew me away. And the sheer brilliance of this novel is that Dr. Fell is absolutely certain of the killer's identity in his own mind but the murderer, with his unnatural cunning has left no actual evidence or physical trail. This veritable cat and mouse chase between a Detective that we know to be brilliant and an invisible adversary is mesmerizing to watch. Carr remains adamant in not even hinting at the criminal's identity until the very very end. Throughout the novel, I kept wracking my brains trying to work out who the murderer was but I never actually seriously considered the actual murderer. The fact that an almost century old book can still baffle its reader is beyond amazing.
Now let's discuss the Criminal. To prevent spoilers, I'm going to refer to the Criminal as they, but they are a single person. Put simply, they are the most brilliant adversary ever faced by Dr. Fell or in my opinion by anyone in the pantheon of Detective Fiction. Their plan was beyond perfect. They accounted for every eventuality, prepared for things that they didn't believe could happen, and even corrected for the most elusive of all errors, the human one. They set their mind to the task, created a plan and implemented it to great success. They had determination, cunning, guile, and the sheer intelligence to run circles around most readers. Their only undoing was their own nerves, steming from the lackluster motivation to actually commit the deed. But, aside from that, they are as close to perfect as any fictional character could ever be. I challenge you to find a better killer.
In conclusion, Death-Watch is one of the best pieces of Detective Fiction ever written. Any reader even remotely interested in the genre must give it a read.
Can't wait to read more!!!
May 19, 2020
(hodnocení se týká knihy Death-Watch a Death Turns the Tables alias The Seat of Scornfull)
Další vítězství v mém tažení dílem Johna Dicksona Carra. Ale i když se kniha, kterou jsem četl, jmenuje Třikrát prohnaný tlouštík Gideon Fell, mohu si počítat jen dva zářezy, protože třikrátka opět obsahuje knihu Kletba rodu Campbellů alias Případ ustavičných sebevražd, která česky vyšla minimálně třikrát. Netuším jestli proto, že je to jeho nejlepší věc (není) nebo proto, že je to nejzábavnější věc (je).
Zatím z toho, co jsem znovu četl, pořád považuju, z hlediska elegance triku, za nejlepší Císařovu tabatěrku. A nic z těchto dvou případů můj názor nezměnilo.
Kniha obsahuje jako první čtrnáctý případ, poté třináctý, aby to celé završila pátým. Vážně by mě zajímalo, podle jakého klíče se tohle skládalo.
První detektivka, Prapodivný případ, nenabízí případ zamčeného pokoje a tajuplné vraždy, ale až příliš fádní a jasné vraždy. Vyděrač je mrtvý a soudce u něj sedí s pistolí v ruce. Čili všechno je jasné. Jenže pak se to samozřejmě začne komplikovat a ukáže se, že řešení je mnohem komplikovanější. Je tu pár zajímavých nápadů… když tedy přijmete, že všichni plánují za dva rohy a každý z fleku vytasí plán na dokonalou vraždu. Ale na tomhle tyhle romány stojí. Kouzelnické výstupy vás můžou bavit i v tom případě, že v běžném životě nepůlíte ženy zavřené v bednách. Aspoň ne moc často.
Zajímavé tu taky je to, že Carr případy vážně bere jako hlavolam či křížovku a zločiny nemají emoční dosahy… a jak detektiv, tak z neznámého důvodu i policie, nijak netrvají na potrestání vraha. Je to prostě sport, my vyhráli, vy jste prohrál, můžeme se rozejít do šaten.
Svědkem je měsíc je poslední příběh v knize a jedna z prvních knih s Fellem v hlavní roli. Na jednu stranu je to taková ta detektivka, která má spoustu postav a spoustu alibi a řeší se, kde kdo byl a co dělal… plus jsou tu dokonce i nějaký tajné chodby! Na druhou stranu nabízí vraždu pomocí hodinových ručiček, zajímavé maskování zločinu a sympatické typicky anglické postřehy… včetně obhajoby španělské inkvizice.
Na Carrovi je vidět – a možná proto je mi blízký – že je to hodně technický chlápek a že přemýšlí o tom, jak bude román vnímat čtenář. Jasně, možná člověk, v souladu s celkovou naivitou textu, snižuje svoje měřítka, ale přesto mi přijde, že dokáže správně odlákat pozornost a zavést čtenáře tam, kam potřebuje. Což po severských kriminálkách, kde je vám obvykle pachatel jasný od strany pět, člověk vážně ocení.
Další vítězství v mém tažení dílem Johna Dicksona Carra. Ale i když se kniha, kterou jsem četl, jmenuje Třikrát prohnaný tlouštík Gideon Fell, mohu si počítat jen dva zářezy, protože třikrátka opět obsahuje knihu Kletba rodu Campbellů alias Případ ustavičných sebevražd, která česky vyšla minimálně třikrát. Netuším jestli proto, že je to jeho nejlepší věc (není) nebo proto, že je to nejzábavnější věc (je).
Zatím z toho, co jsem znovu četl, pořád považuju, z hlediska elegance triku, za nejlepší Císařovu tabatěrku. A nic z těchto dvou případů můj názor nezměnilo.
Kniha obsahuje jako první čtrnáctý případ, poté třináctý, aby to celé završila pátým. Vážně by mě zajímalo, podle jakého klíče se tohle skládalo.
První detektivka, Prapodivný případ, nenabízí případ zamčeného pokoje a tajuplné vraždy, ale až příliš fádní a jasné vraždy. Vyděrač je mrtvý a soudce u něj sedí s pistolí v ruce. Čili všechno je jasné. Jenže pak se to samozřejmě začne komplikovat a ukáže se, že řešení je mnohem komplikovanější. Je tu pár zajímavých nápadů… když tedy přijmete, že všichni plánují za dva rohy a každý z fleku vytasí plán na dokonalou vraždu. Ale na tomhle tyhle romány stojí. Kouzelnické výstupy vás můžou bavit i v tom případě, že v běžném životě nepůlíte ženy zavřené v bednách. Aspoň ne moc často.
Zajímavé tu taky je to, že Carr případy vážně bere jako hlavolam či křížovku a zločiny nemají emoční dosahy… a jak detektiv, tak z neznámého důvodu i policie, nijak netrvají na potrestání vraha. Je to prostě sport, my vyhráli, vy jste prohrál, můžeme se rozejít do šaten.
Svědkem je měsíc je poslední příběh v knize a jedna z prvních knih s Fellem v hlavní roli. Na jednu stranu je to taková ta detektivka, která má spoustu postav a spoustu alibi a řeší se, kde kdo byl a co dělal… plus jsou tu dokonce i nějaký tajné chodby! Na druhou stranu nabízí vraždu pomocí hodinových ručiček, zajímavé maskování zločinu a sympatické typicky anglické postřehy… včetně obhajoby španělské inkvizice.
Na Carrovi je vidět – a možná proto je mi blízký – že je to hodně technický chlápek a že přemýšlí o tom, jak bude román vnímat čtenář. Jasně, možná člověk, v souladu s celkovou naivitou textu, snižuje svoje měřítka, ale přesto mi přijde, že dokáže správně odlákat pozornost a zavést čtenáře tam, kam potřebuje. Což po severských kriminálkách, kde je vám obvykle pachatel jasný od strany pět, člověk vážně ocení.
June 10, 2024
Пятая книга про доктора Фелла, и она меня вполне увлекла. Про прошлую историю "Восемь крошечных мечей" я писала, что меня расстраивает скудность информации, которая предоставляется читателю для собственных выводов. Тут с информацией все ок - можно брать ручку с блокнотом и сверять показания. Кажется, можно даже добраться до истины, хотя у меня не получилось. Вот с финалом чего-то не сложилось, как по мне. Ожидала более кровавой развязки и больше неожиданности, особенно после того как сам доктор Фелл позиционировал эту историю как одну из самых страшных. Тут все получилось довольно прозаично, но от этого не менее хитроумно спланировано.
SPOILER-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Дело происходит в доме часовщика, который заканчивает очередную свою работу по изготовлению часов на заказ. Довольно больших часов, кстати. Во время финальной стадии в доме происходит убийство, и мертвецом оказывается полицейский, которое случайным образом расследует кражу драгоценностей с убийством администратора в универмаге по соседству. Или не совсем случайным. Но точно не случайно, что в том же доме той ночью находился его бывший напарник, который много лет назад во время совместного расследования убил безоружного обвиняемого. Напарник был отстранен от службы и признан несколько безумным. Странным образом все улики падают на одну милую девушку Элинор Карвер, опекуном которой является хозяин дома. Инспектор Хэдли уверен в своей проницательности и готов закрыть дело. Однако доктор Фелл не так и прост и настороженно относится к уликам, самим плывущим к нему в руки. Он подвергает сомнению тот курс, которым его ведет злоумышленник и выясняет правду - убийцей оказывается самовлюбленный жилец Кэлвин Боском, который одержим идеей собственной исключительности и желанием отомстить той самой милой девушке, которая посмела отвергнуть его заносчивые ухаживания. Девушка чудом избегает виселицы, а сам он изобличен не без помощи безумца-напарника несчастной жертвы. Феллу, как обычно, лавры ни чему, вся власть достается британской полиции, все счастливы, а девушка выходит замуж за любимого.
SPOILER-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Дело происходит в доме часовщика, который заканчивает очередную свою работу по изготовлению часов на заказ. Довольно больших часов, кстати. Во время финальной стадии в доме происходит убийство, и мертвецом оказывается полицейский, которое случайным образом расследует кражу драгоценностей с убийством администратора в универмаге по соседству. Или не совсем случайным. Но точно не случайно, что в том же доме той ночью находился его бывший напарник, который много лет назад во время совместного расследования убил безоружного обвиняемого. Напарник был отстранен от службы и признан несколько безумным. Странным образом все улики падают на одну милую девушку Элинор Карвер, опекуном которой является хозяин дома. Инспектор Хэдли уверен в своей проницательности и готов закрыть дело. Однако доктор Фелл не так и прост и настороженно относится к уликам, самим плывущим к нему в руки. Он подвергает сомнению тот курс, которым его ведет злоумышленник и выясняет правду - убийцей оказывается самовлюбленный жилец Кэлвин Боском, который одержим идеей собственной исключительности и желанием отомстить той самой милой девушке, которая посмела отвергнуть его заносчивые ухаживания. Девушка чудом избегает виселицы, а сам он изобличен не без помощи безумца-напарника несчастной жертвы. Феллу, как обычно, лавры ни чему, вся власть достается британской полиции, все счастливы, а девушка выходит замуж за любимого.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2023
This mystery was a tense, angst filled thriller! We get into the mind of a narcissistic, passive-aggressive psychopath.
Excerpt from: "The Dr. Gideon Fell Mysteries Volume One: The Blind Barber, Death-Watch, and To Wake the Dead" by John Dickson Carr. Scribd/Everand:
”…That’s what made the murder so horrible when it happened—there was a murder, you know. The idea of Boscombe’s intending to pull that trigger merely to kill time! … it was rather a nasty case. I’m not much given to nerves,” said Dr. Fell, a long sniff rumbling in his nose. “Heh. No. Too much padding—here. But I give you my word the damned case frightened me, and I seem to recollect that it’s the only one that ever did. Remind me to tell you about it one day.” I never did hear about it from him, for he and Mrs. Fell and I went to the theatre that night, and I had already arranged to leave London the next day. But it is doubtful whether he would have ever gone fully into the matter of how he saved the face of the C. I. D. in the most curious manner on record. However, anybody who knows Dr. Fell would be alert to discover the facts of a case which could make him uneasy. I finally got the story from Professor Melson, who had followed him through it. It took place during the autumn of the year before Dr. Fell moved to London in his advisory capacity to Scotland Yard (the reasons for which move will be understood at the conclusion of this narrative), and was the last to be officially handled by Chief Inspector David Hadley before his scheduled retirement. He did not retire; he is Superintendent Hadley now, and this also will be understood. Since a certain person prominent in the story died just four months ago, there is now no reason for silence. Here, then, are the facts. When Melson had finished telling his story I understood why Melson, not himself a nervous man, will always have an aversion to skylights and gilt paint; why the motive was so diabolical and the weapon unique; why Hadley says it might be called, “The Case of the Flying Glove”; why, in short, a number of us will always consider the clock-face problem as being Dr. Fell’s greatest case.
Excerpt from: "The Dr. Gideon Fell Mysteries Volume One: The Blind Barber, Death-Watch, and To Wake the Dead" by John Dickson Carr. Scribd/Everand:
”…That’s what made the murder so horrible when it happened—there was a murder, you know. The idea of Boscombe’s intending to pull that trigger merely to kill time! … it was rather a nasty case. I’m not much given to nerves,” said Dr. Fell, a long sniff rumbling in his nose. “Heh. No. Too much padding—here. But I give you my word the damned case frightened me, and I seem to recollect that it’s the only one that ever did. Remind me to tell you about it one day.” I never did hear about it from him, for he and Mrs. Fell and I went to the theatre that night, and I had already arranged to leave London the next day. But it is doubtful whether he would have ever gone fully into the matter of how he saved the face of the C. I. D. in the most curious manner on record. However, anybody who knows Dr. Fell would be alert to discover the facts of a case which could make him uneasy. I finally got the story from Professor Melson, who had followed him through it. It took place during the autumn of the year before Dr. Fell moved to London in his advisory capacity to Scotland Yard (the reasons for which move will be understood at the conclusion of this narrative), and was the last to be officially handled by Chief Inspector David Hadley before his scheduled retirement. He did not retire; he is Superintendent Hadley now, and this also will be understood. Since a certain person prominent in the story died just four months ago, there is now no reason for silence. Here, then, are the facts. When Melson had finished telling his story I understood why Melson, not himself a nervous man, will always have an aversion to skylights and gilt paint; why the motive was so diabolical and the weapon unique; why Hadley says it might be called, “The Case of the Flying Glove”; why, in short, a number of us will always consider the clock-face problem as being Dr. Fell’s greatest case.
July 24, 2023
This is a 3.5 star book for me that I'm rounding up to 4.
It was okay. The main guy, Fell, was obviously a Sherlock expy without much originality - neither good nor bad, just standard.
I loved a lot of the buildup with the clock hands, the undercover guy, the complicated pasts, the other murder in the shopping center, a lot of the side characters. It did a great job of building up great suspense and intrigue.
The house layout never made any fucking sense though I swear, especially after more of the secrets were revealed, like, the layout this house must have was enough to break my suspension of disbelief multiple times. It cannot exist in Euclidean geometric space. "Oh there's ANOTHER door to that same passage that goes up to the roof with another door to this other bedroom on the side and a secret passage and secret panels and a grand staircase and a trapdoor" like... man c'mon! Especially bad when the final plot ends up relying on one of these secret passages - I think?? - and at this point I had just written it off completely.
It lost stars for me because the intrigue never went anywhere. The clock hands were so fucking convoluted and then didn't really matter in the end. The other murder was actually sort of just a coincidence or whatever, that never mattered. And the final killer ended up being sorta out of nowhere, none of the evidence or motives really pointed to THAT person more than anyone else. Seemed like it was drawn out of a hat.
Not the worst book, but it doesn't inspire me to pick up any more John Dickson Carr.
It was okay. The main guy, Fell, was obviously a Sherlock expy without much originality - neither good nor bad, just standard.
I loved a lot of the buildup with the clock hands, the undercover guy, the complicated pasts, the other murder in the shopping center, a lot of the side characters. It did a great job of building up great suspense and intrigue.
The house layout never made any fucking sense though I swear, especially after more of the secrets were revealed, like, the layout this house must have was enough to break my suspension of disbelief multiple times. It cannot exist in Euclidean geometric space. "Oh there's ANOTHER door to that same passage that goes up to the roof with another door to this other bedroom on the side and a secret passage and secret panels and a grand staircase and a trapdoor" like... man c'mon! Especially bad when the final plot ends up relying on one of these secret passages - I think?? - and at this point I had just written it off completely.
It lost stars for me because the intrigue never went anywhere. The clock hands were so fucking convoluted and then didn't really matter in the end. The other murder was actually sort of just a coincidence or whatever, that never mattered. And the final killer ended up being sorta out of nowhere, none of the evidence or motives really pointed to THAT person more than anyone else. Seemed like it was drawn out of a hat.
Not the worst book, but it doesn't inspire me to pick up any more John Dickson Carr.
November 12, 2021
I was a bit wary of this book at the beginning, as the preceding book I did not like finding it a waste of my time. My worry was not justified, as I did like this one, and it seemed to be more like his other books. It did seem to start a bit on the slow side, but then picked up quickly and I found I was in a pretty complicated plot.
Fell and his friend, a young man named Melson, find themselves at a house where the front door has been left open, on a dark rainy night. A police constable has noticed this house also , and so the three of them go in to investigate. Immediately they find a dead body at the top of the stairs. and a lady screaming. After this we are introduced to the various members of this house where besides a watchmaker who owns the house, there are others who lodge there.
I do enjoy this author's Dr Fell, but I do wish he would sometimes give up some of his reasoning before the final few pages.
Fell and his friend, a young man named Melson, find themselves at a house where the front door has been left open, on a dark rainy night. A police constable has noticed this house also , and so the three of them go in to investigate. Immediately they find a dead body at the top of the stairs. and a lady screaming. After this we are introduced to the various members of this house where besides a watchmaker who owns the house, there are others who lodge there.
I do enjoy this author's Dr Fell, but I do wish he would sometimes give up some of his reasoning before the final few pages.
December 31, 2024
Actually I listened to an audiobook pubished by Oakhill and read by Jonathan Keeble, but this edition is not known to Goodreads. As to the reading, I was somewhat distracted by the reader pronouncing "harrumph" as written, as I would have assumed it to be an approximation of a throat-clearing noise. I am reminded of how Treebeard speaks in the Peter Jackson adaptation of Lord of the Rings (burarum and all that); I couldn't really buy him as a living tree-creature.
Clever as the murder plot is, it also seems incredibly flimsy (indeed, the bulk of it falls apart due to circumstances beyond the murderer's control). And the motive is hard to credit. But the fun of it is seeing these characters play out the drama as multiple layers of obscurity are thrown back, while the master detective keeps us just ignorant enough to be intrigued. As Dr. Fell says, it is the last person you would have suspected.
Clever as the murder plot is, it also seems incredibly flimsy (indeed, the bulk of it falls apart due to circumstances beyond the murderer's control). And the motive is hard to credit. But the fun of it is seeing these characters play out the drama as multiple layers of obscurity are thrown back, while the master detective keeps us just ignorant enough to be intrigued. As Dr. Fell says, it is the last person you would have suspected.
July 22, 2021
Dr Gideon Fell is brought in by his friend Chief Inspector Hadley to investigate the bizarre murder of Detective-Inspector George Finley Ames, who had been investigating the death of a shop worker, and was now found with one of the hands of a clock stuck in him. This is my first Dr Fell murder mystery having been disappointed by the Henri Bencolin series. Parts of the tale are quite brilliant but the petty rivalry between Fell and Hadley on served to bore me. I found Death-Watch over long and over complicated when it could have been so much better.
August 10, 2021
What this mystery truly needed was a diagram of the murder house, even a rudimentary sketch like those Christie sometimes provides. I was baffled - not in a good way - by much of the proceedings, and the idiosyncrasies of Dr. Fell are not sufficiently endearing to compensate for a complex and uninteresting story.
October 14, 2023
I've enjoyed the other Gideon Fell books I've read but this was contrived and overblown. Also did not enjoy the 'woman are a bit emotionally feeble' angle or that the menopause turns women into screaming harpies. (Audiobook - which wasn't great either, lots of the voices morphed into Gideon Fell's voice at times)
October 19, 2023
I couldn't read it. We're presented with a contrived situation and a cast of characters who are barely one-dimensional, just pieces of an abstract puzzle. The icing on the cake is the stream of infuriatingly gnomic pronouncements of the uncharismatic Dr Fell. I skipped to the end to skim-read the explanation and was left just as baffled and uninvolved.
April 19, 2025
John Dickson Carr wrote some great murder mysteries. This isn't one of them. This is just Carr showing off how convoluted he could make getting to the resolution, whipsawing the reader between one set of seeming certainties to another. The final disquisition on the solution runs on and on and on. By that point, I didn't really care anymore.
July 2, 2019
Non uno dei migliori Carr, anche se la vicenda presenta lati interessanti (relativi al filone del bizzarro). Il problema riguarda anche la traduzione che possiedo (di Arnaldo Sole), non molto scorrevole e non rende, a mio parere, quello che è il linguaggio di Carr.
December 28, 2023
Carr obviously spent a long time working out not only how the murder could have occurred but also how those involved would likely have acted and how events might be misconstrued. Despite Gideon Fell’s rumbustious presence, it’s all rather scientific and dry.
August 19, 2024
When Dr Fell and Inspector Hadley discover a body with a man holding a gun over it, the solution to his death seems obvious, until they discover the body is that of a police officer and he has been stabbed.
Atmospheric John Dickson Carr story, mostly set in one house in London.
Atmospheric John Dickson Carr story, mostly set in one house in London.
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