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Sir Henry Merrivale #21
Behind the Crimson Blind
Trouble in Tangier...
There was Paula, a lively, lovable English blond... and Bill, her adoring husband, intelligent, tough, and an expert pistol shot. There was Maureen, a fiery American Brunette... and Commandant Alvarez, a handsome Spaniard whose sense of honor was only exceeded by his courage. And of course there was the incomparable Sir Henry Merrivale, who had promised to solve another "impossible" case in forty-eight hours.
And somewhere in Tangier was the mysterious Iron Chest... and the fabulous thief who went with it... the thief who had never been seen, and who was about to walk into the trap they had set for him, and walk out again, still unseen...!
There was Paula, a lively, lovable English blond... and Bill, her adoring husband, intelligent, tough, and an expert pistol shot. There was Maureen, a fiery American Brunette... and Commandant Alvarez, a handsome Spaniard whose sense of honor was only exceeded by his courage. And of course there was the incomparable Sir Henry Merrivale, who had promised to solve another "impossible" case in forty-eight hours.
And somewhere in Tangier was the mysterious Iron Chest... and the fabulous thief who went with it... the thief who had never been seen, and who was about to walk into the trap they had set for him, and walk out again, still unseen...!
249 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1952
8 people are currently reading
99 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 14, 2017
Wow....where to start with this one!This really was a chore to get through.
It started well enough and the premise of a super villain who can vanish himself and stolen diamonds at a whim,is a good one.
But things soon go rapidly downhill.Halfway through it becomes a boring romance type thing with Carr's awkward,unrealistic romantic dialogue.
As with several of his later books,i only ploughed on through because i want to complete the Merrivale series.
The resolution to the impossible crimes is so-so and the reveal at the end is a genuine surprise,though it in retrospect,fairly clued.
One for completists,only.
It started well enough and the premise of a super villain who can vanish himself and stolen diamonds at a whim,is a good one.
But things soon go rapidly downhill.Halfway through it becomes a boring romance type thing with Carr's awkward,unrealistic romantic dialogue.
As with several of his later books,i only ploughed on through because i want to complete the Merrivale series.
The resolution to the impossible crimes is so-so and the reveal at the end is a genuine surprise,though it in retrospect,fairly clued.
One for completists,only.
November 30, 2016
This book was published in 1952 and features the series detective Henry Merrivale.
It is 1st April, 1950. Henry Merrivale is travelling incognito to Tangier for a holiday. On the plane to Tangier, he is recognised by an American girl Miss Maureen Holmes who agrees not to reveal his identity.
However, when the plane lands in Tangier, Merrivale is welcomed by a large crowd of civilians and policemen. He is met by Commandant Alvarez and Mrs Paula Bentley, wife of Bill Bentley of the British Embassy. He and Maureen (who agrees to be his secretary) are escorted by car to the residence of the Police Commissioner Colonel Duroc. They are invited to stay as guests with him.
Colonel Duroc seeks Merrivale’s help in catching a clever international thief nicknamed Iron Chest.
He is reported to have come to Tangier in the same plane as Merrivale.
Iron Chest has been operating for the past one year or so and has already committed 12 robberies. There are no photographs or fingerprints of him. Though he has been seen many times at fairly close distances, no one has a good description of him. He robs only jewellers and banks. He steals only diamonds from jewellers and only unregistered banknotes from banks. He always carries under his left arm an iron chest (hence the nickname) measuring 2 feet by 1 foot by 1 foot with curious carvings of monkeys. Since he can carry diamonds in his pockets and banknotes in a small attaché case, the reason for carrying the bulky iron chest is not clear; it would only be a hindrance to his movements. He also carries a gun.
One of the previous robberies involved an impossible element. About 11 months back, in Brussels during the night, after stealing diamonds from a jeweller, while Iron Chest was leaving through the door, he was apprehended by a policeman. He shot at the policeman and mysteriously disappeared.
It has been widely reported in the newspapers that a Sultan had come to Tangier and given 100 uncut diamonds to the jeweller Bernstein & Co. for cutting and polishing. Hence it is expected that Iron Chest would attempt to steal these diamonds. Accordingly, Merrivale and others set up a trap to capture him. Though an attempt to steal the diamonds is made that night, the culprit manages to escape since Alvarez fails to report for duty and is later found drunk in his room. However, the diamonds are not stolen.
The Police suspect that one G.W. Collier who arrived in Tangier on the same plane as Merrivale is the accomplice of Iron Chest and he does the cutting and polishing for him. He is presently staying in Riff hotel. A watch is kept on him.
Early next morning, Collier goes to a one-roomed flat in a two-storied building. The three windows of this flat are all fitted with crimson blinds and hence the title of the book. The building is surrounded by the Police. Coincidentally, Paula Bentley, who is apartment-hunting, also goes to the flat. She finds that the door is not locked (which is unbelievable) and opens it. She sees that Collier is working at a table on which is placed an iron chest and many uncut diamonds. Collier rushes at her not allowing her to enter and bolts and locks the door from inside. The Police come and start knocking on the door. A little later, Collier opens the door, but the iron chest and diamonds are no longer on the table. Since the only entrance door and the three windows are under observation, it is clear that the items must still be in the flat. A thorough search is made of the flat, but the items seem to have vanished. This is another impossibility. Through gross incompetence of the Police, Collier manages to escape from the building.
After this, there are several chapters, utterly dull and mostly irrelevant, involving romantic entanglements,departmental rivalries and local customs among others. These chapters may serve as a cure for insomnia !
The Police learn that Collier is hiding in the house of Ali, carpet and antique dealer. Merrivale along with others raid the house at night. There is a farcical encounter involving a long and arduous fight which seems to go on and on and on. Ultimately, Collier is cornered and killed.
It is expected that Iron Chest will make another attempt at stealing diamonds from Bernstein & Co. Accordingly a trap is set for him. But Iron Chest realises that a trap would be set for him and he makes a clever plan to avoid the trap while attempting to steal the diamonds. But Merrivale is one up on him and correctly guesses his plan and manages to catch him. But he lets him get away for very stupid reasons. The identity of Iron Chest would come as a surprise to the readers provided he has not given up reading by this time. However, the solution is ludicrous.
There are several comical scenes but these are unnecessarily prolonged and highly tiresome and tend to irritate rather than amuse.
The book is a mixture of comedy, thriller and mystery. It fails miserably in each aspect. It is a rubbish comedy, a rubbish thriller and a rubbish mystery. The explanations of the impossible events are rubbish. The reason why the thief always carries a chest under his left arm is laughable. The writing style is atrocious. A complete mess ! It is very difficult to believe that the same author wrote books like The Hollow Man, He Who Whispers and The Judas Window.
,
It is 1st April, 1950. Henry Merrivale is travelling incognito to Tangier for a holiday. On the plane to Tangier, he is recognised by an American girl Miss Maureen Holmes who agrees not to reveal his identity.
However, when the plane lands in Tangier, Merrivale is welcomed by a large crowd of civilians and policemen. He is met by Commandant Alvarez and Mrs Paula Bentley, wife of Bill Bentley of the British Embassy. He and Maureen (who agrees to be his secretary) are escorted by car to the residence of the Police Commissioner Colonel Duroc. They are invited to stay as guests with him.
Colonel Duroc seeks Merrivale’s help in catching a clever international thief nicknamed Iron Chest.
He is reported to have come to Tangier in the same plane as Merrivale.
Iron Chest has been operating for the past one year or so and has already committed 12 robberies. There are no photographs or fingerprints of him. Though he has been seen many times at fairly close distances, no one has a good description of him. He robs only jewellers and banks. He steals only diamonds from jewellers and only unregistered banknotes from banks. He always carries under his left arm an iron chest (hence the nickname) measuring 2 feet by 1 foot by 1 foot with curious carvings of monkeys. Since he can carry diamonds in his pockets and banknotes in a small attaché case, the reason for carrying the bulky iron chest is not clear; it would only be a hindrance to his movements. He also carries a gun.
One of the previous robberies involved an impossible element. About 11 months back, in Brussels during the night, after stealing diamonds from a jeweller, while Iron Chest was leaving through the door, he was apprehended by a policeman. He shot at the policeman and mysteriously disappeared.
It has been widely reported in the newspapers that a Sultan had come to Tangier and given 100 uncut diamonds to the jeweller Bernstein & Co. for cutting and polishing. Hence it is expected that Iron Chest would attempt to steal these diamonds. Accordingly, Merrivale and others set up a trap to capture him. Though an attempt to steal the diamonds is made that night, the culprit manages to escape since Alvarez fails to report for duty and is later found drunk in his room. However, the diamonds are not stolen.
The Police suspect that one G.W. Collier who arrived in Tangier on the same plane as Merrivale is the accomplice of Iron Chest and he does the cutting and polishing for him. He is presently staying in Riff hotel. A watch is kept on him.
Early next morning, Collier goes to a one-roomed flat in a two-storied building. The three windows of this flat are all fitted with crimson blinds and hence the title of the book. The building is surrounded by the Police. Coincidentally, Paula Bentley, who is apartment-hunting, also goes to the flat. She finds that the door is not locked (which is unbelievable) and opens it. She sees that Collier is working at a table on which is placed an iron chest and many uncut diamonds. Collier rushes at her not allowing her to enter and bolts and locks the door from inside. The Police come and start knocking on the door. A little later, Collier opens the door, but the iron chest and diamonds are no longer on the table. Since the only entrance door and the three windows are under observation, it is clear that the items must still be in the flat. A thorough search is made of the flat, but the items seem to have vanished. This is another impossibility. Through gross incompetence of the Police, Collier manages to escape from the building.
After this, there are several chapters, utterly dull and mostly irrelevant, involving romantic entanglements,departmental rivalries and local customs among others. These chapters may serve as a cure for insomnia !
The Police learn that Collier is hiding in the house of Ali, carpet and antique dealer. Merrivale along with others raid the house at night. There is a farcical encounter involving a long and arduous fight which seems to go on and on and on. Ultimately, Collier is cornered and killed.
It is expected that Iron Chest will make another attempt at stealing diamonds from Bernstein & Co. Accordingly a trap is set for him. But Iron Chest realises that a trap would be set for him and he makes a clever plan to avoid the trap while attempting to steal the diamonds. But Merrivale is one up on him and correctly guesses his plan and manages to catch him. But he lets him get away for very stupid reasons. The identity of Iron Chest would come as a surprise to the readers provided he has not given up reading by this time. However, the solution is ludicrous.
There are several comical scenes but these are unnecessarily prolonged and highly tiresome and tend to irritate rather than amuse.
The book is a mixture of comedy, thriller and mystery. It fails miserably in each aspect. It is a rubbish comedy, a rubbish thriller and a rubbish mystery. The explanations of the impossible events are rubbish. The reason why the thief always carries a chest under his left arm is laughable. The writing style is atrocious. A complete mess ! It is very difficult to believe that the same author wrote books like The Hollow Man, He Who Whispers and The Judas Window.
,
June 28, 2020
Now here’s a late Merrivale that lives up to its rep: it sucks! The reason for my two stars instead of just one is because the first two-thirds were actually shaping up to be another perfectly cromulent, middle-of-the-road JDC. Wrong.
For one, I don’t care for these types of mysteries. I want a murder, not a jewel robbery. I never liked Christie’s espionage and thriller stuff either. I want investigation, not asinine running around. And I want fun whodunit situations, not a story about—shuffles deck— boxing. Sometimes Carr can get carried away with a pet subject. One book it was fencing, here it’s boxing. And I don’t need romance but if I have to have it, not the kind where a man calls his wife "baggage."
I skimmed and skipped most of the boxing stuff. And then I found myself frustrated and annoyed with the non-boxing material, too. In the end I just wanted to know the answers to the “impossible” questions, but they were buried in utter crap. There is far too much of Merrivale’s harumphing language. It gives me a headache. Worse, there is phonetic spelling of four or five different accents. Zat stuff grates on ze brain vich is au-eddy un’da e-narmis prezzer!
You know, baggage, think I hate this book. The last third is a perfect demonstration of all of Carr’s excesses. Fingers crossed that Cavalier’s Cup isn’t this bad.
For one, I don’t care for these types of mysteries. I want a murder, not a jewel robbery. I never liked Christie’s espionage and thriller stuff either. I want investigation, not asinine running around. And I want fun whodunit situations, not a story about—shuffles deck— boxing. Sometimes Carr can get carried away with a pet subject. One book it was fencing, here it’s boxing. And I don’t need romance but if I have to have it, not the kind where a man calls his wife "baggage."
I skimmed and skipped most of the boxing stuff. And then I found myself frustrated and annoyed with the non-boxing material, too. In the end I just wanted to know the answers to the “impossible” questions, but they were buried in utter crap. There is far too much of Merrivale’s harumphing language. It gives me a headache. Worse, there is phonetic spelling of four or five different accents. Zat stuff grates on ze brain vich is au-eddy un’da e-narmis prezzer!
You know, baggage, think I hate this book. The last third is a perfect demonstration of all of Carr’s excesses. Fingers crossed that Cavalier’s Cup isn’t this bad.
June 28, 2022
Sir Henry Merrivale, brilliant amateur detective, barrister, baronet and holder of a medical degree, has had many exciting adventures in Britain, Europe and America. He feels that he’s earned a bit of a holiday, so he’s incognito on a flight to Tangier. Except that the very distinctive lord is easily spotted by American secretary Maureen Holmes, who is on her own vacation. And alighting from the plane, H.M. is greeted by a brass band and red carpet treatment!
Also present in the welcoming party are Commandant Alvarez (Anglo-Spanish) of the local police, and pretty English blonde Paula Bentley, whose husband Bill works for the British embassy. Sir Henry passes Maureen off as his own secretary, and they all go to the house of Colonel Duroc, a Belgian who is head of the Tangier police. It seems the police need his help. The Maestro initially refuses, but the word “impossible” comes up and he can’t resist.
It seems that while Sir Henry has been away in America, Europe has been taken by storm by the jewel thief Iron Chest. Though no one can remember his face, they all know him by the large iron chest carved with laughing monkeys that he carries about for unknown reasons. He’s pulled off a number of daring burglaries, and has a habit of vanishing, chest and all, whenever people think they’ve cornered him. It’s known that Iron Chest will be striking in Tangier, but not who he is (or even if it’s a “he”) or how his tricks are done.
So it’s up to Sir Henry Merrivale to navigate the foreign city with its colorful cast, even penetrating into the very Casbah to learn the truth behind the wicked Iron Chest!
This was the 21st of 22 Henry Merrivale novels by Carter Dickson (aka John Dickson Carr). The first, The Plague Court Murders, was published in 1934 and this one in 1952, according to the internal chronology, Sir Henry is an octogenarian, though a spry one who easily disposes of a mugger. Most of them involve a locked room murder or other “impossible” crime.
Good: There’s a lot of landscape and social detail, based on the author’s own visit to Tangier. There is very much a feel of this exotic city from a foreigner’s point of view. There are some exciting action scenes, and Iron Chest’s central gimmick makes a certain amount of sense.
Less good: Local color notwithstanding, all the important characters are European or American, with the Moroccans as backdrops; only two servants really even get dialogue. Maureen and Paula are there to admire their relatively young men, moving the plot along by coincidence (they find the crimson blind of the title), and Maureen being sidelined for most of the climax due to emotional distress.
Sir Henry’s “comical” antics, including a turn in brownface, are frequently a bit too thick to be enjoyed.
At the risk of spoilers, the different treatment of the two main criminals is noteworthy. One of them is depicted as scum. His unpleasant character traits are added to a sordid past, and to sugar the pudding, he’s a Communist (with heavy-handed symbolism.) He’s forced to participate in a “righteous” beatdown of himself before being subjected to an entirely lopsided finale. The other criminal is depicted as a jolly good fellow, his crimes excused by Sir Henry, and is let go in the end with a reference to Robin Hood, even though he by no means gives to the poor or battles unjust authority.
Cringy: outdated slang terms for women that are supposed to come off as affectionate, but don’t.
Content note: period colonialist attitudes towards the locals, the “bad” criminal uses racist slurs.
Overall: Not one of the better Merrivale books. You might want to consult a list for other choices if you aren’t familiar with the character.
Also present in the welcoming party are Commandant Alvarez (Anglo-Spanish) of the local police, and pretty English blonde Paula Bentley, whose husband Bill works for the British embassy. Sir Henry passes Maureen off as his own secretary, and they all go to the house of Colonel Duroc, a Belgian who is head of the Tangier police. It seems the police need his help. The Maestro initially refuses, but the word “impossible” comes up and he can’t resist.
It seems that while Sir Henry has been away in America, Europe has been taken by storm by the jewel thief Iron Chest. Though no one can remember his face, they all know him by the large iron chest carved with laughing monkeys that he carries about for unknown reasons. He’s pulled off a number of daring burglaries, and has a habit of vanishing, chest and all, whenever people think they’ve cornered him. It’s known that Iron Chest will be striking in Tangier, but not who he is (or even if it’s a “he”) or how his tricks are done.
So it’s up to Sir Henry Merrivale to navigate the foreign city with its colorful cast, even penetrating into the very Casbah to learn the truth behind the wicked Iron Chest!
This was the 21st of 22 Henry Merrivale novels by Carter Dickson (aka John Dickson Carr). The first, The Plague Court Murders, was published in 1934 and this one in 1952, according to the internal chronology, Sir Henry is an octogenarian, though a spry one who easily disposes of a mugger. Most of them involve a locked room murder or other “impossible” crime.
Good: There’s a lot of landscape and social detail, based on the author’s own visit to Tangier. There is very much a feel of this exotic city from a foreigner’s point of view. There are some exciting action scenes, and Iron Chest’s central gimmick makes a certain amount of sense.
Less good: Local color notwithstanding, all the important characters are European or American, with the Moroccans as backdrops; only two servants really even get dialogue. Maureen and Paula are there to admire their relatively young men, moving the plot along by coincidence (they find the crimson blind of the title), and Maureen being sidelined for most of the climax due to emotional distress.
Sir Henry’s “comical” antics, including a turn in brownface, are frequently a bit too thick to be enjoyed.
At the risk of spoilers, the different treatment of the two main criminals is noteworthy. One of them is depicted as scum. His unpleasant character traits are added to a sordid past, and to sugar the pudding, he’s a Communist (with heavy-handed symbolism.) He’s forced to participate in a “righteous” beatdown of himself before being subjected to an entirely lopsided finale. The other criminal is depicted as a jolly good fellow, his crimes excused by Sir Henry, and is let go in the end with a reference to Robin Hood, even though he by no means gives to the poor or battles unjust authority.
Cringy: outdated slang terms for women that are supposed to come off as affectionate, but don’t.
Content note: period colonialist attitudes towards the locals, the “bad” criminal uses racist slurs.
Overall: Not one of the better Merrivale books. You might want to consult a list for other choices if you aren’t familiar with the character.
September 7, 2025
World-reknown sleuth Sir Henry Merrivale believes he has skirted public attention by using a false name and traveling to Tangier. But just in case, he meets up with a young womab ad acts her to serve as his secretary to handle any queries — just in case.
And right off the bat, Merrivale knows his 'cover' is blown. He and Maureen Holmes are greeted with a cheering crowd and a ceremony, and almost before they know it, they are meeting with the police Colonel Duroc of the local police with a series of jewelry burglery by a suspect known as Iron Chest, a easily recognizable item that is clearly odd to be carrying during a jewelry heist.
Together Merrivale and Duroc come up with a plan to capture the criminal, it fails but introduces them to a shady diamond cutter by the name of G.W. Collier. But Duroc's second-in-command Commandant Alvarez believes that Collier may be the man they want. It definitely adds another layer to their investigation.
Soon others are mixed up in the investigation and they realize while Collier may not be Iron Chest, he is involved and he's dangerous. So now Merrivale is dealing with the hunt for two men and a search for the evidence. It's a merry chase and a fun read, if it is a bit silly at times. Sir Henry Merrivale is a character and sometimes hard to believe, but somehow he comes up with the goods.
And right off the bat, Merrivale knows his 'cover' is blown. He and Maureen Holmes are greeted with a cheering crowd and a ceremony, and almost before they know it, they are meeting with the police Colonel Duroc of the local police with a series of jewelry burglery by a suspect known as Iron Chest, a easily recognizable item that is clearly odd to be carrying during a jewelry heist.
Together Merrivale and Duroc come up with a plan to capture the criminal, it fails but introduces them to a shady diamond cutter by the name of G.W. Collier. But Duroc's second-in-command Commandant Alvarez believes that Collier may be the man they want. It definitely adds another layer to their investigation.
Soon others are mixed up in the investigation and they realize while Collier may not be Iron Chest, he is involved and he's dangerous. So now Merrivale is dealing with the hunt for two men and a search for the evidence. It's a merry chase and a fun read, if it is a bit silly at times. Sir Henry Merrivale is a character and sometimes hard to believe, but somehow he comes up with the goods.
August 1, 2021
I almost stopped reading this book after 10 pages. I wasn't sure about the humor or about Sir Henry Merrivale. I'm glad I kept reading it. I had the solution to the mystery about a third of the way through the book, which is unusual for me. Usually it takes me a bit longer to solve these mysteries.
This is not the best book I've ever read, but it's not the worst either. There are times when I want to read something, but my brain doesn't want to think about what I'm reading. I have a "mindless reading" shelf for those kinds of books. That's where this one will go in case I ever want to re-read it.
This is not the best book I've ever read, but it's not the worst either. There are times when I want to read something, but my brain doesn't want to think about what I'm reading. I have a "mindless reading" shelf for those kinds of books. That's where this one will go in case I ever want to re-read it.
August 31, 2025
Not his best mystery, but fair play, with a twist ending that you know is coming but is hard to predict. If you, like me, read Carr for his atmosphere and word portraits, you will not be disappointed.
June 9, 2023
Slow and dull
This badly needs editing. What should be short scenes go on for tens of pages. The worst Sir Henry nook yet.
This badly needs editing. What should be short scenes go on for tens of pages. The worst Sir Henry nook yet.
November 8, 2020
Una de las últimas novelas de H.M. con Carter Dickson en decadencia. Falta de suspenso e interés no hace honor a las mejores policiales que supo escribir. Un final algo inverosímil cierra este libro olvidable.
November 4, 2015
I enjoy most of the story, it's interesting. The main mystery, the mischievous conducts of H.M and.. actually that's about it.
The only thing that made me scratch my head in bewilderment was the part when H.M. and the gang hunt down Collier, and then when they did find him, i don't understand-for any damn reason whatsoever-they started a boxing match. Pfaa! I mean, what is this? this is supposed to be a mystery novel, not some petty action-adventure stuff! Grr!
But then, as i reached the final chapter, i nodded to myself. "Damn! So that's why"
In other words. The explanation of the whole blinkin-awful-cussedness-of-things-in-generals (as H.M. said) was splendid!
The only thing that made me scratch my head in bewilderment was the part when H.M. and the gang hunt down Collier, and then when they did find him, i don't understand-for any damn reason whatsoever-they started a boxing match. Pfaa! I mean, what is this? this is supposed to be a mystery novel, not some petty action-adventure stuff! Grr!
But then, as i reached the final chapter, i nodded to myself. "Damn! So that's why"
In other words. The explanation of the whole blinkin-awful-cussedness-of-things-in-generals (as H.M. said) was splendid!
November 1, 2016
Fun to read
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews