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Dr. Gideon Fell #2
The Mad Hatter Mystery
The newspapers dubbed the thief the 'Mad Hatter,' and his outrageous pranks amused all London. but the laughter turned to horror when a corpse with a crossbow through the heart was found at the Tower of London in a top hat.
As Dr. Gideon Fell was to discover, the whole case turned on the matter of hats-- in fact, threatened to become a nightmare of hats. For the victim was none other than Sir William Bitton's nephew, dressed in a golfing suit and wearing Sir William's stolen opera hat. And tying Sir William to his murdered nephew with a scarlet thread was the stolen manuscript of a completely unknown story said to be the handiwork of Edgar Allan Poe.
In a tale as freighted with menace as the Traitor's Gate, portly Dr. Fell unravels a crime unique by even his standards of the bizarre.
As Dr. Gideon Fell was to discover, the whole case turned on the matter of hats-- in fact, threatened to become a nightmare of hats. For the victim was none other than Sir William Bitton's nephew, dressed in a golfing suit and wearing Sir William's stolen opera hat. And tying Sir William to his murdered nephew with a scarlet thread was the stolen manuscript of a completely unknown story said to be the handiwork of Edgar Allan Poe.
In a tale as freighted with menace as the Traitor's Gate, portly Dr. Fell unravels a crime unique by even his standards of the bizarre.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1933
145 people are currently reading
938 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 154 reviews
November 8, 2022
This was my first John Dickson Carr. His titles appeared many times on my deals emails (and not Amazon's!), but I had studiously ignored them. This title filled in a date on my mysteries challenge and I was happy to get after it.
A body is found at the Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London. Obviously an investigation ensues and Dr. Gideon Fell is involved. A few months ago I watched a documentary about the Tower of London and so I was able to picture some of the scenes in the book. There is a map of the Tower of London, which is undoubtedly helpful. I did spend a few moments looking at it, but then decided to just get on with reading. I suppose I might have referred to it later, but didn't.
I like the way Carr writes. Unfortunately I thought the names of the investigators other than Fell weren't different enough for me to keep them clear. There was an American among them. I didn't understand why. Admittedly, this is the 2nd in the series - perhaps his presence is clarified in Hag's Nook.
I also thought the mystery not up to the standard I have come to expect. There are too many books out there that interest me, that I'm unlikely to try this author again. This was just 2 stars for me, though to be fair, it almost makes 3 stars.
A body is found at the Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London. Obviously an investigation ensues and Dr. Gideon Fell is involved. A few months ago I watched a documentary about the Tower of London and so I was able to picture some of the scenes in the book. There is a map of the Tower of London, which is undoubtedly helpful. I did spend a few moments looking at it, but then decided to just get on with reading. I suppose I might have referred to it later, but didn't.
I like the way Carr writes. Unfortunately I thought the names of the investigators other than Fell weren't different enough for me to keep them clear. There was an American among them. I didn't understand why. Admittedly, this is the 2nd in the series - perhaps his presence is clarified in Hag's Nook.
I also thought the mystery not up to the standard I have come to expect. There are too many books out there that interest me, that I'm unlikely to try this author again. This was just 2 stars for me, though to be fair, it almost makes 3 stars.
April 30, 2024
Topped at the Tower
Review of the Penzler Publishers American Mystery Classics eBook (July 17, 2019) of the Harper and Brothers hardcover original (1933).
The Mad Hatter Mystery is the second of Carr's Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries. It is not quite in Carr's trademark "locked room" style, as the murder appears to have taken place in the open air by the Tower of London. It is still an apparently impossible crime though with the usual elaborate explanation required to get to the final solution. There is also an odd subplot complication where someone is stealing various hats from public figures and authorities, such as an opera top hat, a policeman's helmet, a lawyer's wig, etc. To add to the mystery, the dead body is found with one of the stolen hats on his head. Then there is a stolen manuscript of a rare Edgar Allan Poe story. Only Docter Fell can explain it all!
The front cover of the original 1933 Harper and Brothers hardcover. Image sourced from Goodreads.
I am really enjoying the Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries, especially in the enhanced editions with Foreword Introductions by other authors in the American Mystery Classics series. Unlike almost all of the other Golden Age of Crime writers, there are almost no film or TV adaptations of John Dickson Carr's novels. I think the reason is that the crimes are so elaborate, that they would probably play out as farce if they were presented in dramatized film versions. Also, the mysteries are basically unsolvable, all being 10s out of 10 on the Berengaria Ease of Solving Scale (i.e. impossible to solve). There are always slim clues presented which you do realize in hindsight, but the misdirection is so complete that you'll miss picking up the thread. Anyway, I find them quite a delight.
Trivia and Links
This book is in the Public Domain and there are various online sources where it is available to read such as at archive.org
John Dickson Carr (1906-1977) is one of the 99 authors listed in The Book of Forgotten Authors (2017) by Christopher Fowler. He is No. 20 in the alphabetical listing which you can see towards the bottom of my review here.
This edition of The Mad Hatter Mystery is part of the Otto Penzler American Mystery Classics series (2018-ongoing). There is a related Goodreads Listopia here with 57 books listed as of late April 2024. There are currently 71 titles listed at the Mysterious Press online bookshop. The official website for the series at Penzler Publishers seems to show only the most recent and upcoming titles.
John Dickson Carr took the inspiration for Dr. Gideon Fell's appearance from that of author G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), writer of the Father Brown mysteries and other works.
Photograph of G.K. Chesterton. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
The source of the name Dr. Fell is apparently from the apocryphal epigram:
Review of the Penzler Publishers American Mystery Classics eBook (July 17, 2019) of the Harper and Brothers hardcover original (1933).
You see, General, in his own way Doctor Fell is invaluable. But he gets his ideas of police procedure from the cinema, and he is under the impression that he can act any sort of part. Whenever I let him question anybody in my presence he tries to give an imitation of me.
The Mad Hatter Mystery is the second of Carr's Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries. It is not quite in Carr's trademark "locked room" style, as the murder appears to have taken place in the open air by the Tower of London. It is still an apparently impossible crime though with the usual elaborate explanation required to get to the final solution. There is also an odd subplot complication where someone is stealing various hats from public figures and authorities, such as an opera top hat, a policeman's helmet, a lawyer's wig, etc. To add to the mystery, the dead body is found with one of the stolen hats on his head. Then there is a stolen manuscript of a rare Edgar Allan Poe story. Only Docter Fell can explain it all!
“‘It must be confessed,’” he repeated, “‘it will be confessed; there is no refuge from confession but suicide, and suicide is confession.’” - Doctor Fell quotes lawyer Daniel Webster as he begins to zero in on the solution to the crime.
The front cover of the original 1933 Harper and Brothers hardcover. Image sourced from Goodreads.
I am really enjoying the Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries, especially in the enhanced editions with Foreword Introductions by other authors in the American Mystery Classics series. Unlike almost all of the other Golden Age of Crime writers, there are almost no film or TV adaptations of John Dickson Carr's novels. I think the reason is that the crimes are so elaborate, that they would probably play out as farce if they were presented in dramatized film versions. Also, the mysteries are basically unsolvable, all being 10s out of 10 on the Berengaria Ease of Solving Scale (i.e. impossible to solve). There are always slim clues presented which you do realize in hindsight, but the misdirection is so complete that you'll miss picking up the thread. Anyway, I find them quite a delight.
Trivia and Links
This book is in the Public Domain and there are various online sources where it is available to read such as at archive.org
John Dickson Carr (1906-1977) is one of the 99 authors listed in The Book of Forgotten Authors (2017) by Christopher Fowler. He is No. 20 in the alphabetical listing which you can see towards the bottom of my review here.
This edition of The Mad Hatter Mystery is part of the Otto Penzler American Mystery Classics series (2018-ongoing). There is a related Goodreads Listopia here with 57 books listed as of late April 2024. There are currently 71 titles listed at the Mysterious Press online bookshop. The official website for the series at Penzler Publishers seems to show only the most recent and upcoming titles.
John Dickson Carr took the inspiration for Dr. Gideon Fell's appearance from that of author G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), writer of the Father Brown mysteries and other works.
Photograph of G.K. Chesterton. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
The source of the name Dr. Fell is apparently from the apocryphal epigram:
I do not like thee, Doctor Fell,
The reason why – I cannot tell;
But this I know, and know full well,
I do not like thee, Doctor Fell.
March 31, 2009
This book has been widely praised (at least on the Internet) as being one of John Dickson Carr's best. I remember reading somewhere that Dorothy Sayers gave this book rave reviews. So once again I swim upstream against the tide of great reviews because this was one of those books where by the end I just didn't care about who the killer was -- I just wanted to finish the book so I could move on to the next one.
As the story opens, it seems that one Sir William Bitton has been a victim of "the Mad Hatter," someone who goes around stealing hats and leaving them in bizarre places, for example, leaving a barrister's wig on a horse. Bitton also has lost something very valuable: a manuscript that turns out to be the first recorded detective story by Edgar Allan Poe. But these problems are miniscule in comparison to the fact that his nephew has turned up dead at the Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London, done in by a crossbow bolt. It is up to Dr. Gideon Fell and Inspector Hadley of Scotland Yard to get to the root of the problem -- which is difficult because of the number of possible suspects.
The basic mystery here is awesome. There are enough people to give any would-be armchair detective a run for his/her money in trying to solve the mystery. The story tends to drag on (imho) a bit too long, imho, as Carr lays out hints and clues for the reader to follow.
Overall...not bad, but the book prior to this one in the series (Hag's Nook) is much more serious and tends to get down to business a bit more quickly -- my preference in mystery novels precisely. I wouldn't recommend this to people who think they're getting a cozy mystery, because it's not; hard-core and British mystery readers might enjoy it, but do remember it was written in 1933 so the language tends to be a bit overdone and somewhat archaic at times. Overall, not bad; I'll continue the series for sure!
As the story opens, it seems that one Sir William Bitton has been a victim of "the Mad Hatter," someone who goes around stealing hats and leaving them in bizarre places, for example, leaving a barrister's wig on a horse. Bitton also has lost something very valuable: a manuscript that turns out to be the first recorded detective story by Edgar Allan Poe. But these problems are miniscule in comparison to the fact that his nephew has turned up dead at the Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London, done in by a crossbow bolt. It is up to Dr. Gideon Fell and Inspector Hadley of Scotland Yard to get to the root of the problem -- which is difficult because of the number of possible suspects.
The basic mystery here is awesome. There are enough people to give any would-be armchair detective a run for his/her money in trying to solve the mystery. The story tends to drag on (imho) a bit too long, imho, as Carr lays out hints and clues for the reader to follow.
Overall...not bad, but the book prior to this one in the series (Hag's Nook) is much more serious and tends to get down to business a bit more quickly -- my preference in mystery novels precisely. I wouldn't recommend this to people who think they're getting a cozy mystery, because it's not; hard-core and British mystery readers might enjoy it, but do remember it was written in 1933 so the language tends to be a bit overdone and somewhat archaic at times. Overall, not bad; I'll continue the series for sure!
January 31, 2020
The Mad Hatter Mystery (Dr. Gideon Fell, #2) by John Dickson Carr.
Just the journey alone with Dr. Fell makes this read among my favorites. J.D.C.'s most popular sleuths, Dr. Fell, is at his pompous best with his sense of humor in the wings. Hats being stolen from the most well-known gentlemen in England and replaced at strategic landmarks begins this tale. It seemingly appears to be total nonsense with no harm intended beyond a humorous prank. That is until a murdered man is discovered by Traitor's Gate near the Tower of London.
the ending is mind-boggling, but it's the journey getting there that's so well worth the travel. Love every minute of this read from the golden Age of Mysteries.
Just the journey alone with Dr. Fell makes this read among my favorites. J.D.C.'s most popular sleuths, Dr. Fell, is at his pompous best with his sense of humor in the wings. Hats being stolen from the most well-known gentlemen in England and replaced at strategic landmarks begins this tale. It seemingly appears to be total nonsense with no harm intended beyond a humorous prank. That is until a murdered man is discovered by Traitor's Gate near the Tower of London.
the ending is mind-boggling, but it's the journey getting there that's so well worth the travel. Love every minute of this read from the golden Age of Mysteries.
June 20, 2019
John Dickson Carr’s best-known for his Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries from the Golden Age of British detective fiction. The tall, corpulent Dr. Fell — closely modeled on the great G.K. Chesterton — sports pince nez glasses on a ribbon, a cape, a shovel hat and a cane; also just like Chesterton himself, Dr. Fell has a great sense of humor and a profound forgetfulness about everyday, household matters. Unfortunately, Dr. Fell cannot compare with Chesterton’s excellent creation, Father Brown, a seemingly naïve Roman Catholic priest with a knack for solving crimes.
Carr pens a passable mystery with The Mad Hatter Mystery, the second in a long series, and I enjoyed the twist ending — but not enough to read another Dr. Fell novel. I think I’ll reread Father Brown instead.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Penzler Publishing and American Mystery Classics in exchange for an honest review.
Carr pens a passable mystery with The Mad Hatter Mystery, the second in a long series, and I enjoyed the twist ending — but not enough to read another Dr. Fell novel. I think I’ll reread Father Brown instead.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Penzler Publishing and American Mystery Classics in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2015
This Golden Age mystery not only involves a "mad hatter" (someone stealing hats off people's heads and then leaving them prominently displayed elsewhere) but also a murdered man at the Tower of London who is wearing one of these stolen hats.
I enjoyed this very much and found Dr. Fell less bombastic than usual. However, it struck me as an atypical Carr mystery since it wasn't a true locked room or impossible mystery. Everyone was prevented from leaving the Tower once the body was found but there was a period of time when people could come in or go out.
I enjoyed this very much and found Dr. Fell less bombastic than usual. However, it struck me as an atypical Carr mystery since it wasn't a true locked room or impossible mystery. Everyone was prevented from leaving the Tower once the body was found but there was a period of time when people could come in or go out.
April 11, 2014
I'm continuing my survey of "Golden Age" mystery writers and so I come to John Dickson Carr. He's an intriguing author because he is fairly well known as one of the great British mystery writers even though he happens to be an American. He did live and write in England for quite a long time so his settings and ambience certainly ring authentic. He is also known as a master of the "puzzle" mystery, meaning his plots are usually quite complex and convoluted. One of his novels was even voted the best "locked-room" mystery of all time (The Hollow Man).
This particular novel features the detective skills of Dr. Gideon Fell, an obese, blustery man who is only able to walk with the aid of two canes. The subplots include a prankster criminal who steals various hats, a stolen manuscript of an unknown story by Edgar Allen Poe, and a corpse discovered in the fog near Traitor's Gate/Tower of London. Pretty cool sounding mystery with some nice characters and complex twists.
Overall I enjoyed reading the novel but found it a little long. Several times I had to resisit the urge to skim just to get on with it. Of course this book was written in 1933 so I am certainly willing to concede the style to the era. I have another book in the series on my shelf and will certainly read it.
This particular novel features the detective skills of Dr. Gideon Fell, an obese, blustery man who is only able to walk with the aid of two canes. The subplots include a prankster criminal who steals various hats, a stolen manuscript of an unknown story by Edgar Allen Poe, and a corpse discovered in the fog near Traitor's Gate/Tower of London. Pretty cool sounding mystery with some nice characters and complex twists.
Overall I enjoyed reading the novel but found it a little long. Several times I had to resisit the urge to skim just to get on with it. Of course this book was written in 1933 so I am certainly willing to concede the style to the era. I have another book in the series on my shelf and will certainly read it.
December 1, 2018
I've always loved the mysteries of John Dickson Carr, ever since my Grandfather brought home a second hand copy of "the Problem of the Green Capsule". The novel featured Dr. Gideon Fell, who has a knack for solving impossible crimes. Between Dr. Fell and Sir Henry Merivale, I prefer the good doctor, but to be honest, they are both curmudgeons (like me) and they are both entertaining in their own way. This was a very clever puzzle, which features the Tower of London, which stirs the heart of the historian in me.
April 20, 2021
Lamento decir que la traducción de esta edición no me ha dejado disfrutar del todo de esta novela, lo que ha sido una pena. La trama es ingeniosa, trepidante -todo ocurre en un día- y los diálogos tienen una chispa que seguramente yo me he perdido en parte.- El Maestro del misterio de la habitación cerrada no defrauda, aunque el enigma se centre en un espacio histórico y casi imposible como escenario, la Puerta de los Traidores de la Torre de Londres. El inteligente, vivaz y maravilloso Dr.Fell ata todos los cabos, y son muchos, hasta llegar a la resolución de las varias tramas entrecruzadas. No importa que en algún punto nos imaginemos quien es el culpable (o no) porque, para mí, eso significa que el autor juega limpio con sus lectores que saben que en cada palabra o acción puede haber una pista.
Nota friki compulsiva: No he podido evitar acordarme de mi admirada Fred Vargas al leer esta novela cuyo planteamiento parte de un ladrón de sombreros bastante irreverente. Concretamente su novela "Un lugar incierto" de la serie Adamsberg, aunque sin duda el argumento es mucho más rico y el gusto por lo macabro se eleva a enésima potencia.
Muy recomendables ambos autores y novelas.
Nota friki compulsiva: No he podido evitar acordarme de mi admirada Fred Vargas al leer esta novela cuyo planteamiento parte de un ladrón de sombreros bastante irreverente. Concretamente su novela "Un lugar incierto" de la serie Adamsberg, aunque sin duda el argumento es mucho más rico y el gusto por lo macabro se eleva a enésima potencia.
Muy recomendables ambos autores y novelas.
March 16, 2022
Major characters:
Sir William Bitton, book and document collector
Philip C. Driscoll, his nephew, a newspaper reporter (the victim)
Lester & Laura Bitton, his brother and sister-in-law
Sheila Bitton, his daughter
Robert Dalrye, Sheila's fiancé
Julius Arbor, American document colletor
Mrs. Amanda Georgette Larkin, a witness
General Mason, Deputy Governor of the Tower of London
Dr. Gideon Fell
Tad Rampole, Fell's American associate
Chief Inspector Hadley
Locale: London
Synopsis: Dr. Gideon Fell is called in by Scotland Yard to investigate a theft. A manuscript has been stolen from the desk of Sir William Britton. The manuscript is alleged to be a valuable unpublished story by Edgar Allan Poe, and Sir William's right to it is a bit shaky - having paid some workmen - who didn't realize its value - only $20 for it.
Meanwhile, a strange series of thefts is in the news. Someone, dubbed 'The Mad Hatter', has been stealing expensive hats, and placing them in odd locations: on statues, on a horse, etc. A story appeared in the press about it, written by Philip C. Driscoll, Sir William's nephew. And Sir Williams had his hat stolen, as well.
General Mason, Deputy Governor of the Tower of London, finds a body on the steps of the gate. It turns out to be Driscoll - shot with a crossbow bolt (similar to an arrow). Not only is wearing an incongruous golfing outfit, but also has Sir William's stolen hat on his head. A witness to the murder, Mrs. Amanda Georgette Larkin, is a bit huffy with the authorities, but describes what she saw exactly. However, she seems to be more than she appears; especially when it is found she occupies the flat adjacent to Driscoll's.
Review: This story consists of two plot lines running in parallel: the hat thefts and the Driscoll murder. The only thing connecting them is that Driscoll wrote a news story about the thefts, but that was not enough to justify a murder. Something else connects the two plots, and it takes most of the book to unveil it.
I liked the pacing of the story - it went along very quickly until eventually bogging down with the minute examinations of who was exactly where at the murder, with several of the characters in the immediate vicinity. It took wayyyyyyy too long. The episode where Dr. Fell pretends to be Inspector Hadley while interviewing a witness is hilarious - especially as Hadley stands by observing quietly.
I also enjoyed learning about the various locations at the Tower of London. A map and detailed explanations are provided. This would be a good book to read prior to an actual visit.
As is common in some of Carr's novels, a complete explanation is provided as to how A committed the murder. Of course, this is at the 3/4 point of the book, so you know that theory is not correct. Then an explanation of how B committed the murder. Still lots of pages left, so you know there is more to come. Ah, yes, C walks in and confesses. Moral: Don't believe early dénouements if there are more than ten pages remaining!
Please visit The Mystillery Blog and try The Mystillery Reading Challenges!
Sir William Bitton, book and document collector
Philip C. Driscoll, his nephew, a newspaper reporter (the victim)
Lester & Laura Bitton, his brother and sister-in-law
Sheila Bitton, his daughter
Robert Dalrye, Sheila's fiancé
Julius Arbor, American document colletor
Mrs. Amanda Georgette Larkin, a witness
General Mason, Deputy Governor of the Tower of London
Dr. Gideon Fell
Tad Rampole, Fell's American associate
Chief Inspector Hadley
Locale: London
Synopsis: Dr. Gideon Fell is called in by Scotland Yard to investigate a theft. A manuscript has been stolen from the desk of Sir William Britton. The manuscript is alleged to be a valuable unpublished story by Edgar Allan Poe, and Sir William's right to it is a bit shaky - having paid some workmen - who didn't realize its value - only $20 for it.
Meanwhile, a strange series of thefts is in the news. Someone, dubbed 'The Mad Hatter', has been stealing expensive hats, and placing them in odd locations: on statues, on a horse, etc. A story appeared in the press about it, written by Philip C. Driscoll, Sir William's nephew. And Sir Williams had his hat stolen, as well.
General Mason, Deputy Governor of the Tower of London, finds a body on the steps of the gate. It turns out to be Driscoll - shot with a crossbow bolt (similar to an arrow). Not only is wearing an incongruous golfing outfit, but also has Sir William's stolen hat on his head. A witness to the murder, Mrs. Amanda Georgette Larkin, is a bit huffy with the authorities, but describes what she saw exactly. However, she seems to be more than she appears; especially when it is found she occupies the flat adjacent to Driscoll's.
Review: This story consists of two plot lines running in parallel: the hat thefts and the Driscoll murder. The only thing connecting them is that Driscoll wrote a news story about the thefts, but that was not enough to justify a murder. Something else connects the two plots, and it takes most of the book to unveil it.
I liked the pacing of the story - it went along very quickly until eventually bogging down with the minute examinations of who was exactly where at the murder, with several of the characters in the immediate vicinity. It took wayyyyyyy too long. The episode where Dr. Fell pretends to be Inspector Hadley while interviewing a witness is hilarious - especially as Hadley stands by observing quietly.
I also enjoyed learning about the various locations at the Tower of London. A map and detailed explanations are provided. This would be a good book to read prior to an actual visit.
As is common in some of Carr's novels, a complete explanation is provided as to how A committed the murder. Of course, this is at the 3/4 point of the book, so you know that theory is not correct. Then an explanation of how B committed the murder. Still lots of pages left, so you know there is more to come. Ah, yes, C walks in and confesses. Moral: Don't believe early dénouements if there are more than ten pages remaining!
Please visit The Mystillery Blog and try The Mystillery Reading Challenges!
May 24, 2024
One of the classic mystery crime novels, albeit one of the lesser known ones, this was a great read. The mystery is wonderfully complex and keeps you guessing on what happened. Some of the points were a bit more obvious, and the theories of Chief Inspector Hadley always felt off (and rightfully so, as they were all wrong). But I think this mix of ‘ah, I knew that’ and ‘oh, that’s a surprising twist’ is exactly what makes mystery novels fun.
The only slight problem with this book (as with many of its genre) is that it falls short in fully developing the characters, instead they stay a bit flat and hard to distinguish. The best example of this is Mr. Rampole, who throughout the book says maybe two sentences and apart from that only gets dragged around the various scenes.
But saying so, I have definitely read books where this lack of characterisation was much worse and it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
The only slight problem with this book (as with many of its genre) is that it falls short in fully developing the characters, instead they stay a bit flat and hard to distinguish. The best example of this is Mr. Rampole, who throughout the book says maybe two sentences and apart from that only gets dragged around the various scenes.
But saying so, I have definitely read books where this lack of characterisation was much worse and it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
April 23, 2020
Oh boy, you should not be able to guess the murderer within moments of him being introduced. I am not the best at guessing murderers, and it still stuck out a mile. Also, Rampole is an useless lump in this one.
But it gave me an extra place to visit for a future London trip and there were funny bits, so 2 stars?
But it gave me an extra place to visit for a future London trip and there were funny bits, so 2 stars?
March 24, 2011
A lovely old fashioned murder mystery. I loved the small twists and turns and generally the old style writing. Its a simple story so don't expect something like a modern day crime story.
April 8, 2021
Šita istorija man patiko labiau negu pirmoji. Vis tik, man gana sudėtinga įsitraukti į Carr rašytus detektyvus. Nesu tikra, ar dėl jo paties stiliaus ar dėl vertimo (skaičiau rusiškai).
October 19, 2022
I'm starting to think that most mysteries and whodunnits are just not for me. This is as layered, complex, and meticulously laid out as any whodunnit I have read, but I just did not find it or its characters that interesting. With a name like Dr. Gideon Fell and a title like THE MAD HATTER MYSTERY I expected the strange or eldritch to make an appearance. Alas, there were no such elements. Carr is a good writer and there were plenty of enjoyable and clever moments that give flavor to the novel. For mystery and whodunnit fans this should be a winner. I do not enjoy pure and well-executed mystery genre entries enough for it to win me over.
July 25, 2025
It really isn’t a five star book. It’s too long, too complicated, it bogs down towards the end. It took me two days to get through the last 10%. However, I enjoyed every minute of it. The characters are so real. The solution so entirely unexpected. And he uses words and phrases that I don’t understand, which entertains me a great deal. Modern writers write for the average Tik Tok user. I love a book that stretches my understanding. I think from now on I will start highlighting those idioms that stump me, phrases that people at that time would have understood. I’m particularly impressed with JDC’s use of language since he was an American writing about Brits while living in Britain. The story gets 3 1/2 stars. The author gets 5 stars.
December 16, 2023
The Mad Hatter Mystery was a dredge of a read for me. Dated in too many ways with the mystery a mess of circumstances. Too many people, too many hats , one missing manuscript and two dead bodies.
December 19, 2020
Started well, then gradually lost me. Compared to his first book (which I read first), this is much more fun. But he has a habit that irks me (in both books). He has a police detective, but this detective seems to think the way you solve crimes is to hang out with your amateur detective buddy, plus one or two other random friends, and interview suspects, attend crime scenes, etc. It's just ludicrous. Miss Marple's police cronies might consult her, but they never dragged her around with them or had her hang out while the interviews went on.
At one point one of the amateurs, with the police's blessing, pretends to be the police. And without giving too much away, characters continue to die (needlessly) because of their blasé attitude toward detection, and I can't stand it.
On the plus side: inventive, fresh plots, not too too serious. Also, it feels quite modern, really (it's 1933 but I would have thought late 40s early 50s). But the detetive(s) rub me so completely the wrong way, I think I have to back away from Mr. Carr's oeuvre now.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
At one point one of the amateurs, with the police's blessing, pretends to be the police. And without giving too much away, characters continue to die (needlessly) because of their blasé attitude toward detection, and I can't stand it.
On the plus side: inventive, fresh plots, not too too serious. Also, it feels quite modern, really (it's 1933 but I would have thought late 40s early 50s). But the detetive(s) rub me so completely the wrong way, I think I have to back away from Mr. Carr's oeuvre now.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
December 9, 2019
Someone with a puckish sense of humor is stealing gentlemen's hats all over London -- then placing them in highly public places. Dr. Gideon Fell, however, has been called to consult on a case involving a theft of an entirely more serious nature: a handwritten manuscript of a previously-unknown story by Edgar Allan Poe that was discovered in Philadelphia and brought back to England by Sir William Bitton. While the matter is under discussion at the Tower of London, the body of Sir William's nephew Philip -- something of a ne'er-do-well writer -- is discovered nearby, wearing one of Sir William's purloined hats. Has the so-called Mad Hatter moved on from petty theft to homicide? -- Very atmospheric story, unfolding on a miserably damp and foggy London day; it is largely told through a series of interviews of people (including Sir William's sister-in-law) who were in the Tower of London at the time of the lockdown instituted when the corpse was discovered. -- Secrets (and motives) abound, but Dr. Fell manages to get to the bottom of the matter and unmask the culprit. The ending of the story has a most satisfying twist to it. -- I enjoyed this Carr mystery much more than 'The Crooked Hinge.'
February 23, 2020
As the story opens, it seems that one Sir William Bitton has been a victim of "the Mad Hatter," someone who goes around stealing hats and leaving them in bizarre places, for example, leaving a barrister's wig on a horse. The basic mystery in this book, is awesome. They would be your basic armchair detective, a run for his/her money, in trying to solve the mystery. Also, what make the book so good, is that Carr lays out hints and clues in the book. This story creates an awesome atmosphere that makes making unexpected events suddenly believable.
December 16, 2012
Another Carr puzzler.
Starts out very humorously. After the dead body appears, you'd think the humor would evaporate, but the memorable characters and suspects take up the slack.
Starts out very humorously. After the dead body appears, you'd think the humor would evaporate, but the memorable characters and suspects take up the slack.
November 6, 2022
Spíš už ze setrvačnosti se jednou za čas vracím ke starým a klasickým detektivkám, které vraždu používají spíš jako záminku pro povedení kouzelnického triku se záhadami zamčeného pokoje či mrtvolami ležícími uprostřed nepošlapaného sněhu. Tady bylo tělo nalezeno uprostřed londýnského Toweru, na místě, kde jsou všude kolem stráže a korunovační klenoty. A jako by to jako záhada nestačilo, máte tu i troufalé krádeže klobouků a ztracený rukopis.
Čili, rozjezd je slušný, byť mu chybí takový ten pocit naprosté neřešitelné záhady, spíš jsou tu zajímavé ty věci kolem. Mrtvý byl zabitý střelou z kuše (koupenou v prodejně s upomínkovými předměty) a na hlavě měl ukradený klobouk. Pořád to funguje a závěrečný úhyb je zajímavý, ale přece jen to už není nic, co by člověka ohromilo.
Zajímavé je i to, že i když v románu vystupuje Gideon Fell, tak přijde na řadu vlastně jen párkrát a spíš tam je někde postává v pozadí... aby na konci samozřejmě odhalil pachatele, kterého znal už tak od desáté stránky. Styl je samozřejmě velmi anglický, i když jak je to teprve druhá kniha v řadě, tak se Carr ještě snaží být vážnější a ne tak sarkastický.
Původně jsem to chtěl zakončit, že si dám s klasickými detektivkami chvíli, pokoj... ale jelikož mi na poličce trůní kompletní vydání Velinského Případu Augustina Velikého, tak bych to moc nadějně neviděl.
Čili, rozjezd je slušný, byť mu chybí takový ten pocit naprosté neřešitelné záhady, spíš jsou tu zajímavé ty věci kolem. Mrtvý byl zabitý střelou z kuše (koupenou v prodejně s upomínkovými předměty) a na hlavě měl ukradený klobouk. Pořád to funguje a závěrečný úhyb je zajímavý, ale přece jen to už není nic, co by člověka ohromilo.
Zajímavé je i to, že i když v románu vystupuje Gideon Fell, tak přijde na řadu vlastně jen párkrát a spíš tam je někde postává v pozadí... aby na konci samozřejmě odhalil pachatele, kterého znal už tak od desáté stránky. Styl je samozřejmě velmi anglický, i když jak je to teprve druhá kniha v řadě, tak se Carr ještě snaží být vážnější a ne tak sarkastický.
Původně jsem to chtěl zakončit, že si dám s klasickými detektivkami chvíli, pokoj... ale jelikož mi na poličce trůní kompletní vydání Velinského Případu Augustina Velikého, tak bych to moc nadějně neviděl.
June 26, 2019
I am trying to like John Dickson Carr. I am 80-85 years too late. Carr, genius of the "locked room mystery" trope, has influenced generations of writers of television and print fiction mysteries, so my introduction to the detective Dr. Gideon Fell had a sense of déjà vu: a bearded fat know-it-all with a shovel hat remarking "Tut tut."
Carr was the first American member of "The Detection Club," a small circle including Anthony Berkeley, E. C. Bentley, G.K. Chesterton, and Agatha Christie. He lived in England for some time, and in The Mad Hatter Mystery described much of the Tower of London, where a body is discovered.
There is no connection with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Mad Hatter Mystery doesn't have the same noirish fun and flair of Fredric Brown's Night of the Jabberwock. Fans of Golden Age detective fiction, especially those with historical English settings, will enjoy this.
Carr was the first American member of "The Detection Club," a small circle including Anthony Berkeley, E. C. Bentley, G.K. Chesterton, and Agatha Christie. He lived in England for some time, and in The Mad Hatter Mystery described much of the Tower of London, where a body is discovered.
There is no connection with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Mad Hatter Mystery doesn't have the same noirish fun and flair of Fredric Brown's Night of the Jabberwock. Fans of Golden Age detective fiction, especially those with historical English settings, will enjoy this.
October 19, 2025
For a book that features the discovery of a lost Poe manuscript as a major plot point, this was appropriately macabre. A hat thief has been striking all over London, and then a dead body turns up wearing one of the stolen hats at the Tower London. While this sounds like it could be played for laughs, Carr goes for the grotesque elements: the jauntiness of the hat juxtaposed with the horror of the corpse, the killer hidden by a heavy mist, the imposing silhouette of the former prison.
There are really only a few suspects, so the identity of the murderer wasn’t a huge surprise. But Carr is apparently known for this elaborate solutions, and the satisfaction of the big reveal is really more about how differently the crime was committed from we’d been led to expect.
There are really only a few suspects, so the identity of the murderer wasn’t a huge surprise. But Carr is apparently known for this elaborate solutions, and the satisfaction of the big reveal is really more about how differently the crime was committed from we’d been led to expect.
June 14, 2020
This came unsolicited across my mystery reading desk, so to speak, and since I have never read a John Dickson Carr and it was a nice new Otto Penzler edition, I thought I would give it a try. It was ok, but it seemed too long, with too many red herrings and maybe just too much detail to keep my interest. It does not match up to the enthusiasm I felt when I read Bodies in a Bookshop by R. T. Campbell or two recent Michael Gilbert titles, which were written a little later than this, but had ever more interesting characters. I will try a couple of others which were recommended in the Kirkus review I came across, but so far am not so much a fan.
November 26, 2025
I was excited at the start. The plot seemed really interesting and I couldn't wait to jump in. The beginning was fascinating, but the story started to drag rather quickly. I was expecting a hat thief that went mad and turned to murder. I got fog, and phone calls, and possibly the most boring room at the Tower of London. In the end it wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't as great as I was expecting.
I did, however, learn what a shovel hat is.
I did, however, learn what a shovel hat is.
September 21, 2020
This had a slow start. Considering that the entire novel takes place in one day, I can expect it, but it really didn't get entertaining until about halfway through the book. I will say, this one had me constantly guessing who the murderer was because on the surface there are a lot of possible suspects. Overall, this did increase my interest in reading more books in this series.
June 28, 2019
For some reason, I have always preferred "Carter Dickson's" sleuth, Sir Henry Merrivale, to Dr. Gideon Fell, but Fell reigns supreme in this novel. Fell has been asked to help investigate a missing manuscript for Sir William Bitton, so he's on hand when Bitton's beloved nephew is found murdered in the Tower of London. Bitton is most concerned about the death and the theft, of course, but he reserves some anger for the mysterious Mad Hatter, who has been stealing hats and leaving them in strangely appropriate places. Bitton himself has been a victim twice, and his nephew was wearing one of Bitton's hats when he was murdered.
February 20, 2024
Очень-очень скучно, а для детектива это приговор!!!
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