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Dr. Gideon Fell #21
The House at Satan's Elbow
Pennington Barclay, master of Greengrove, is murderously attacked in his library by something that exits from a completely locked room. The entire household - including Pennington's beautiful young wife, and his nephew, who is the heir to Greengorove by virtue of a newly discovered will - is in an uproar. Estelle Barclay, Pennington's spinsterish and psychically inclined sister, insists the attack was the work of Greengrove's ghost.
Enter Dr. Gideon Fell.
Armed with his everlasting cigar and a wicked cane, this obstreperous extrovert succeeds in frightening everybody. For as horror piles on horror throughout the night, Gideon Fell evidences interest in one person only - the spirit of the long-departed Mr. Justice Wildfare.
But Fell was not up to any supernatural hijinks, as someone well knew... the one who was most frightened of all.
Enter Dr. Gideon Fell.
Armed with his everlasting cigar and a wicked cane, this obstreperous extrovert succeeds in frightening everybody. For as horror piles on horror throughout the night, Gideon Fell evidences interest in one person only - the spirit of the long-departed Mr. Justice Wildfare.
But Fell was not up to any supernatural hijinks, as someone well knew... the one who was most frightened of all.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
29 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
John Dickson Carr
433 books506 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 30 reviews
March 15, 2017
The more John Dickson Carr I read, the more I see that his books are hit-or-miss. Carr is one of the most brilliant mystery writers of all time, who penned some of my favorite Golden Age of detective fiction mysteries, but sometimes his wit is forced and the locked-room puzzle not so puzzling. The House at Satan's Elbow had some nice elements and I'm glad to have spent two evenings with the book, but it's not one of his best.
October 29, 2022
呃，我讀不懂XD
說是讀不懂好像也不是，而是我覺得整本書的人物都太令人煩躁了，除了幾乎每個人（幾乎，真的是幾乎）都用歇斯底里的方式在對談（或者可能是某種我怎麼也讀不透的邏輯，我總之是不懂為什麼要不停歇斯底里、疑神疑鬼最終發展成大吼大叫），……說起來他們真的有在「對談」嗎如果就連他們互相對話時對方都總是聽不懂彼此到底在說什麼的話？
書裡的對話真的很常用「停止胡言亂語」做結耶所以到底是想說什麼、到底為什麼對話會發展到這個地方我真的是看不懂……
我整本看下來其實覺得很多時候作者也不是很能確定角色們在說什麼，但他需要他們在某些時候講話、講出他需要放在裡面的線索，所以他就……讓他們歇斯底里吧我猜。
謎底本身是有意思的，密室的確厲害，殺人（沒殺死人）的手法也有他的巧妙之處，但人物全部工具人我看得好累。大概是極少數硬被我翻翻翻翻完的推理小說了吧。
說是讀不懂好像也不是，而是我覺得整本書的人物都太令人煩躁了，除了幾乎每個人（幾乎，真的是幾乎）都用歇斯底里的方式在對談（或者可能是某種我怎麼也讀不透的邏輯，我總之是不懂為什麼要不停歇斯底里、疑神疑鬼最終發展成大吼大叫），……說起來他們真的有在「對談」嗎如果就連他們互相對話時對方都總是聽不懂彼此到底在說什麼的話？
書裡的對話真的很常用「停止胡言亂語」做結耶所以到底是想說什麼、到底為什麼對話會發展到這個地方我真的是看不懂……
我整本看下來其實覺得很多時候作者也不是很能確定角色們在說什麼，但他需要他們在某些時候講話、講出他需要放在裡面的線索，所以他就……讓他們歇斯底里吧我猜。
謎底本身是有意思的，密室的確厲害，殺人（沒殺死人）的手法也有他的巧妙之處，但人物全部工具人我看得好累。大概是極少數硬被我翻翻翻翻完的推理小說了吧。
February 13, 2026
A novel of unfulfilled potential. Full review at https://murderatthemanse.substack.com...
February 8, 2017
This has all the ingredients of a classic,Carr.The creepy old country house,the hints of the supernatural and of course a locked room mystery.Sadly it never reaches the heights of his best work.
This comes late in his output and is a good read,but certainly far from essential.
The locked room solution is a bit of a letdown,he has devised far better methods.
So on the whole,if you're a fan you'll probably enjoy it,just don't expect too much.
This comes late in his output and is a good read,but certainly far from essential.
The locked room solution is a bit of a letdown,he has devised far better methods.
So on the whole,if you're a fan you'll probably enjoy it,just don't expect too much.
November 9, 2023
This book really, really wasn't what I expected. And that was not good.
First, the story seemed to start slowly — I just couldn't get into the story because it was as if the characters or I were struggling not to fall asleep. Finally, the yada yada talking tapered off and Garret Anderson, historian and friend of Dr. Gideon Fell; his friend Nick Barclay, the heir to Satan's Elbow (what a stupid name) estate Greengrove and a successful owner of a news magazine empire in the U.S.; and attorney Andrew Dawlish, head for Satan's Elbow on a train. The trio are going there to formalize the transference of the Greengrove estate from Nick to his father's youngest brother, Pennington Barclay.
While on the train, Garret Anderson runs across a young woman who he had fallen in love with a bit more than a year ago only to see her disappear from his life. Fay Wardour, Pennington's secretary it turns out, starts talking a whole lot of nonsense that Anderson doesn't understand (at least I assume he was as confused as I was about this strange dialogue). The end result is that she is heading to Greengrove as well but he is supposed to pretend that he doesn't know her. Huh? Why? Only she says she can't tell him — really?
They arrive in Satan's Elbow — I think this crazy name came from a stretch of road in Scotland called The Devil's Elbow: It's considered Britain's most challenging stretch of road. I digress. When the three men arrive, they are met by Uncle Pennington's wife who drives them to the estate. When they get there, they are greeted by a gun shot.
They discover a "shaken" Pennington who gives them a story about a ghost appearing and firing at him but fortunately, the gun was filled with blanks. Pennington gives a long drawn out dialogue (I literally fell asleep in the middle of it) until he is interrupted by his sister Estelle, easily the craziest character in the whole book. She should be locked up.
Estelle comes in swinging a jar of honey, accusing her brother of telling lies and generally rambling incoherently. Then the family doctor arrives and finally Dr. Gideon Fell appears, apparently at the request of Pennington.
If this was a play, we would be entering into the second act: everyone is exhausted but no one is willing to go to bed. Fay and Anderson find themselves together and she begins to tell him whats wrong without all the emotional drama. And finally, halfway through the book, there's a murder! Oh wait, close but no cigar, its only attempted murder.
The second half of the book is a little more interesting — there are multiple wills, there's an investigation into the number of times this ghost has appeared, Pennington and his sister are quiet for a while.
Fell, who has arrived with Deputy Commander Elliot, begins to investigate and this supersized PI quickly gets an idea of what is truly happening but as usual he keeps everything under wraps until he can present it all nicely put together.
And that's the most interesting part of the whole, admittedly very clever story. I wish, as the reader (I read several of Carr's books as a teen and have read seven recently), that John Dickson Carr had not subjected the reader to three fairly major characters acting like crazies. It was very frustrating. And while Gideon Fell can be verbose, he is the pivotal character; Pennington and Estelle could have written as straight men, not comic relief. And I was lost as to the attraction Anderson could ever have for the admittedly pretty Fay.
First, the story seemed to start slowly — I just couldn't get into the story because it was as if the characters or I were struggling not to fall asleep. Finally, the yada yada talking tapered off and Garret Anderson, historian and friend of Dr. Gideon Fell; his friend Nick Barclay, the heir to Satan's Elbow (what a stupid name) estate Greengrove and a successful owner of a news magazine empire in the U.S.; and attorney Andrew Dawlish, head for Satan's Elbow on a train. The trio are going there to formalize the transference of the Greengrove estate from Nick to his father's youngest brother, Pennington Barclay.
While on the train, Garret Anderson runs across a young woman who he had fallen in love with a bit more than a year ago only to see her disappear from his life. Fay Wardour, Pennington's secretary it turns out, starts talking a whole lot of nonsense that Anderson doesn't understand (at least I assume he was as confused as I was about this strange dialogue). The end result is that she is heading to Greengrove as well but he is supposed to pretend that he doesn't know her. Huh? Why? Only she says she can't tell him — really?
They arrive in Satan's Elbow — I think this crazy name came from a stretch of road in Scotland called The Devil's Elbow: It's considered Britain's most challenging stretch of road. I digress. When the three men arrive, they are met by Uncle Pennington's wife who drives them to the estate. When they get there, they are greeted by a gun shot.
They discover a "shaken" Pennington who gives them a story about a ghost appearing and firing at him but fortunately, the gun was filled with blanks. Pennington gives a long drawn out dialogue (I literally fell asleep in the middle of it) until he is interrupted by his sister Estelle, easily the craziest character in the whole book. She should be locked up.
Estelle comes in swinging a jar of honey, accusing her brother of telling lies and generally rambling incoherently. Then the family doctor arrives and finally Dr. Gideon Fell appears, apparently at the request of Pennington.
If this was a play, we would be entering into the second act: everyone is exhausted but no one is willing to go to bed. Fay and Anderson find themselves together and she begins to tell him whats wrong without all the emotional drama. And finally, halfway through the book, there's a murder! Oh wait, close but no cigar, its only attempted murder.
The second half of the book is a little more interesting — there are multiple wills, there's an investigation into the number of times this ghost has appeared, Pennington and his sister are quiet for a while.
Fell, who has arrived with Deputy Commander Elliot, begins to investigate and this supersized PI quickly gets an idea of what is truly happening but as usual he keeps everything under wraps until he can present it all nicely put together.
And that's the most interesting part of the whole, admittedly very clever story. I wish, as the reader (I read several of Carr's books as a teen and have read seven recently), that John Dickson Carr had not subjected the reader to three fairly major characters acting like crazies. It was very frustrating. And while Gideon Fell can be verbose, he is the pivotal character; Pennington and Estelle could have written as straight men, not comic relief. And I was lost as to the attraction Anderson could ever have for the admittedly pretty Fay.
August 16, 2019
Major characters:
Pennington Barclay, master of Greengrove
Deidre Barclay, his young wife
Fay Wardour, a.k.a. Fay Sutton, his secretary
Estelle Barclay, his sister
Dr. Edward Fortescue, family doctor
Annie Tiffin, cook
Mr. Justice Wildfare, long dead, but returning as a ghost?
Nick Barclay, New York magazine publisher
Garret Anderson, historical writer
Andrew Dawlish, attorney
Locale: England
Synopsis: Old Clovis Barclay had left the Greengrove estate to eldest son Pennington. Then a second will is found, which left the estate to grandson Nick Barclay instead. Nick comes to the UK, and heads for the estate with his friend Garret Anderson. Nick doesn't want the estate, and plans to give it to Pennington anyway.
The estate comes with a legend that the ghost of former owner Mr. Justice Wildfare visits periodically. They arrive to find the ghost has just visited Pennington, and shot at him; but the gun was loaded with blanks. They also discover that Pennington's secretary, Fay Wardour, is Garret's old girlfriend. The ghost makes a second appearance in a locked room and tries again with real bullets, this time wounding Pennington.
Review: First off, it is not a murder mystery - no one gets murdered, despite the cover blurb. It is two consecutive locked-room puzzles (same room each time). The Greengrove mansion is a sprawling, massive place with lots of overly specific description in the text - one sketch map would have been preferred - and could have avoided absurd statements of the obvious such as:
"What had been the left-hand window of the library as you stood inside the room looking out had now become the right-hand window as you stood outside looking in."
The details of room layouts, window layouts, etc. led me to believe something would be up with that, perhaps mirrors or a secret passage, but no. The household itself is an amusing collection of characters - manic Estelle is always running around, and beyond the sedate library and music room (with ear-shattering Gilbert and Sullivan records playing) is - yes, a pinball room at which the family enjoys playing pinball. Toss in a couple of love interests, and amongst all this fun is Annie Tiffin, the cook; who proves to be an enjoyable character and provides one of the keys for Dr. Fell to unravel the two puzzles.
Pennington Barclay, master of Greengrove
Deidre Barclay, his young wife
Fay Wardour, a.k.a. Fay Sutton, his secretary
Estelle Barclay, his sister
Dr. Edward Fortescue, family doctor
Annie Tiffin, cook
Mr. Justice Wildfare, long dead, but returning as a ghost?
Nick Barclay, New York magazine publisher
Garret Anderson, historical writer
Andrew Dawlish, attorney
Locale: England
Synopsis: Old Clovis Barclay had left the Greengrove estate to eldest son Pennington. Then a second will is found, which left the estate to grandson Nick Barclay instead. Nick comes to the UK, and heads for the estate with his friend Garret Anderson. Nick doesn't want the estate, and plans to give it to Pennington anyway.
The estate comes with a legend that the ghost of former owner Mr. Justice Wildfare visits periodically. They arrive to find the ghost has just visited Pennington, and shot at him; but the gun was loaded with blanks. They also discover that Pennington's secretary, Fay Wardour, is Garret's old girlfriend. The ghost makes a second appearance in a locked room and tries again with real bullets, this time wounding Pennington.
Review: First off, it is not a murder mystery - no one gets murdered, despite the cover blurb. It is two consecutive locked-room puzzles (same room each time). The Greengrove mansion is a sprawling, massive place with lots of overly specific description in the text - one sketch map would have been preferred - and could have avoided absurd statements of the obvious such as:
"What had been the left-hand window of the library as you stood inside the room looking out had now become the right-hand window as you stood outside looking in."
The details of room layouts, window layouts, etc. led me to believe something would be up with that, perhaps mirrors or a secret passage, but no. The household itself is an amusing collection of characters - manic Estelle is always running around, and beyond the sedate library and music room (with ear-shattering Gilbert and Sullivan records playing) is - yes, a pinball room at which the family enjoys playing pinball. Toss in a couple of love interests, and amongst all this fun is Annie Tiffin, the cook; who proves to be an enjoyable character and provides one of the keys for Dr. Fell to unravel the two puzzles.
April 26, 2018
I like mysteries, so John Dickson Carr has long been on my radar. Carr, along with one of his key creations Dr. Gideon Fell, is long held to be the master of the "locked room mysteries," so I was really looking forward to this book. It did not let me down! This has all the ingredients of a Golden Age Mystery: the creepy old country house, a dysfunctional family, the hints of the supernatural, and of course ~ a locked room mystery.
The plot of “The House at Satan's Elbow” involves Nick Barclay – the estranged grandson, accompanied by his friend Garrett, returns to the old family home to settle the matter of a deceased grandfather's two wills. Over the scene hangs the tale of an elusive ghostly figure of an evil judge who always wore a dark robe and face-veil; of course, he was a former inhabitant of the house.
Admittedly, I have not read many of Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries. Sadly, the classic mechanisms of this genre are starting to creak in the Age of Reality Shows and Video Games. Even so, it was a good read that kept me guessing and turning the pages. The plot was well done – a bit predictable – and the characters were developed nicely. If you are a fan of some of the Classic Golden Age mysteries, you'll probably enjoy it - just don't expect too much. I will move to some of Carr’s earlier works to follow Dr. Gideon Fell next.
The plot of “The House at Satan's Elbow” involves Nick Barclay – the estranged grandson, accompanied by his friend Garrett, returns to the old family home to settle the matter of a deceased grandfather's two wills. Over the scene hangs the tale of an elusive ghostly figure of an evil judge who always wore a dark robe and face-veil; of course, he was a former inhabitant of the house.
Admittedly, I have not read many of Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries. Sadly, the classic mechanisms of this genre are starting to creak in the Age of Reality Shows and Video Games. Even so, it was a good read that kept me guessing and turning the pages. The plot was well done – a bit predictable – and the characters were developed nicely. If you are a fan of some of the Classic Golden Age mysteries, you'll probably enjoy it - just don't expect too much. I will move to some of Carr’s earlier works to follow Dr. Gideon Fell next.
June 11, 2022
One and a half stars: Plot: Garrett Anderson accepts an invitation from old friend Nick Barclay to spend some time at Nick's home Greengrove, an old house located on a point of land known as Satan's Elbow. Once there, he becomes involved in a family intrigue, involving Nick's inheriting the estate that his uncle had expected to enjoy. An attempt on the life of the uncle, and stories about the ancestral ghost being seen again, plus the presence of a woman Garrett loves but he believed lost, make for an interesting weekend in the country.
My Review: Carr's mystery novels range from the exceptional to the unreadable. This falls somewhere in between, although closer to the latter category. The plot and the explanation of the impossibilities are sort of a stretch. Many of the characters talk in ludicrous ways, calling one another "sobersides," "Solon," and "old son" (and that's not even from Gideon Fell, whose language is always colorful.) One character even uses the phrase "no, no, and a thousand times, no" -- although this was written and is set in the 1960's. The coincidences that move the plot along are so outlandish that they will try the patience of the most undiscriminating reader.
My Review: Carr's mystery novels range from the exceptional to the unreadable. This falls somewhere in between, although closer to the latter category. The plot and the explanation of the impossibilities are sort of a stretch. Many of the characters talk in ludicrous ways, calling one another "sobersides," "Solon," and "old son" (and that's not even from Gideon Fell, whose language is always colorful.) One character even uses the phrase "no, no, and a thousand times, no" -- although this was written and is set in the 1960's. The coincidences that move the plot along are so outlandish that they will try the patience of the most undiscriminating reader.
May 19, 2020
Finally, I’ve reached JDCs decline. I’d assumed it occurred a few books earlier but for my money this is it, at least regarding Dr. Fell. The premise held promise, which makes it all the sadder: murder’s afoot in a creepy, secluded estate haunted by the ghost of the cruel judge who built it. There’s a very slasher-esque quality to the proceedings, especially since the old-timey judge stalks the halls wearing his robe and a veil with eye-holes to cover up his horrible face. With the right amount of atmosphere this could have been great, but the leads are obnoxious and the plot stinks. The portions of the story that should have been dedicated to the ghost, atmosphere, and murder mystery are sidelined by Carr’s worst romance B.S.
(Anyone else think pinball machines feel completely out of place in JDC?)
(Anyone else think pinball machines feel completely out of place in JDC?)
June 10, 2024
Последние мною прочитанные романы Джона Диксона Карра несколько меня разочаровывали, и этот - не исключение. Очень сумбурное повествование, много деталей, которые проносятся на фоне цветным клубком, не оставляя ни привкуса тайны, ни шарма обстановки. Да, я бы даже назвала этот роман скучным. Очень большое количество неоправданных персонажей, которые вроде как интригу создают, но оказывается, что нет. Несмотря на то, что убийцу я снова не угадала, я прямо-таки ждала, когда же все закончится. Bo-ring!
January 23, 2018
***Spoiler**** While this is supposed to be a "locked room murder mystery"...well, actually it isn't...I guess you could call it an "locked room attempted suicide mystery"....but, it was well written---the third Dr. Gideon Fell book I've read---will definitely be looking for more. The back of the book--my 1976 paperback--was so misleading...but, it made me read on to see when it was going to happen....and even though it didn't, it was very very clever....
June 15, 2019
"Lo spettro e il dottor Fell" è il penultimo romanzo di Carr con Gideon Fell. Carr era già malato e di questo ne risente anche la scrittura di questo periodo. Di certo non è il miglior Fell,ma è comunque godibile come lettura leggera. La camera chiusa si risolve in davvero poca cosa e la vicenda dello spettro, sebbene buona come idea, non viene sviluppata appieno. Siamo lontani dal Carr degli anni 30, ma comunque è sempre un Carr, migliore di molto altri gialli che ho letto.
February 18, 2023
Easily one of the worst Carr novels I've read. Characters speak as no human being speaks, as if their sole purpose is exposition. Carr's most annoying tricks (interruptions when a revelation is about to occur, characters keeping information secret for no reason) are on full display here, and by the time the "mystery" is revealed, it's hard to care any more. Stick with the early novels. They are at least fresh, both in ideas and delivery.
May 1, 2025
1 1/2 I guess. I normally really like John Dickson Carr and his other nom du plume, Carter Dickson. This one no. By page 115, there had been no death. There was lots of arguing which didn't advance the story and all the women were portrayed as melodramatic and vague. I couldn't finish it. Note: I did find out that the murder happened in just a few more pages but that couldn't save it for me.
August 23, 2022
I thought I'd enjoy this book, but it seems most of the characters constantly yell, talk over one another and/or repeat themselves. Also there are way too many drama queens in this book (at least for me). I'm sorry if I sound harsh and I don't mean to be, but this book was most definitely not my cup of tea.
August 6, 2022
Meagre Fare
Little of the spark his earlier work. Really obvious murderer. Rather too much complaining about taxes. He had become friendly with the poisonous Adrian Conan Doyle and became extremely right wing.
Little of the spark his earlier work. Really obvious murderer. Rather too much complaining about taxes. He had become friendly with the poisonous Adrian Conan Doyle and became extremely right wing.
June 9, 2019
Una novela policial muy aburrida.
August 12, 2024
This is an alright one. I liked Anderson but Fay is a bit irritating, with her constant panic and inability to just say anything. The reveal isn't his best but it is a pretty satisfying one still.
September 15, 2024
Shocking editing. The story is ruined by the plethora of word omissions, misspellings etc. Kindle versions of authors’ works need good proofreaders.
February 8, 2026
Not my kind of book, it was similar to Agatha Christie, so if you like that, then it´s your kind of novel.
June 13, 2016
My first John Dickson Carr novel—a Christmas gift bought for the express purpose of being fitting reading for a few days in a country cabin, which it very much was. Loads of melodrama (gasping, running toward one's lover just to touch hands before turning and running back in the other direction, be-veiled ghosts, passionate embraces, needlessly complicated back story...), and lots of exposition and character explanation delivered through feverish dialog. Take for example, the introduction that the the hefty, enigmatic Dr. Gideon Fell receives, upon his arrival half way through the book:
And even better is the abundance of amazing exclamations from the good doctor, my favorite being, "O Lord! O Bacchus! O my ancient hat!"
'For the ordinary case,' interrupted Nick Barclay with an air of dazzling inspiration, 'he'd be no earthly good at all. It's the hundredth instance where he scores. I never met him until tonight, but I've heard all about him. He's the cross-eyed marksman who hits the game without aiming at it; he's the scatterbrained diver you send into murky waters. His special talent is useful only in a case so crazy that nobody else can understand it.'
And even better is the abundance of amazing exclamations from the good doctor, my favorite being, "O Lord! O Bacchus! O my ancient hat!"
September 24, 2013
Dickson Carr was probably the greatest of the Golden Age locked room mystery writers but this is a late work (he wrote only two more Gideon Fell novels after 1965) and the classic mechanisms of the genre are starting to creak in the age of The Beatles and the miniskirt. Carr makes some attempt to reflect the age - the stock characters of the young romantic leads, who in earlier books behave very chastely, here are implied to have had a rather physical relationship during a holiday in Paris! But plot-wise the conventions devised in the 1930s are still creaking away. Again a complaint that as with so many mystery books the title is as honest as a carnival sideshow - neither Satan nor elbows have anything to do with the plot. No I didn't guess who did the murder, and frankly on this occasion I found Dr Fell's deductions about motive and opportunity entirely unconvincing. Still overall it was still an entertaining enough read.
December 22, 2020
The synopsis convinced me to this pick this novel up, despite it being reputed to be one of Carr's lesser works.
The atmosphere of Greengrove and and its eccentric inhabitants is great stuff. I was with this book all the way from the introduction of the mystery to the denouement, which disappointed me. The solution is quite frankly disappointing, and it doesn't really play fair.
I don't care too much for Carr's melodramatic love subplots, and this novel has it in abundance.
The book was published in 1965, but the dialogue felt very much like the 1930's, which was a bit jarring to me.
Still, it's quite a fun read, though a non-essential one. ''The Hollow Man'' and ''The Burning Court'' might have slightly duller synopses, but they exhibit Carr at the top of his game. Stow this one away until you have read those two, at least.
The atmosphere of Greengrove and and its eccentric inhabitants is great stuff. I was with this book all the way from the introduction of the mystery to the denouement, which disappointed me. The solution is quite frankly disappointing, and it doesn't really play fair.
I don't care too much for Carr's melodramatic love subplots, and this novel has it in abundance.
The book was published in 1965, but the dialogue felt very much like the 1930's, which was a bit jarring to me.
Still, it's quite a fun read, though a non-essential one. ''The Hollow Man'' and ''The Burning Court'' might have slightly duller synopses, but they exhibit Carr at the top of his game. Stow this one away until you have read those two, at least.
January 4, 2012
I thought this book by Carr, whose work I have not read, was decent. I was kept in the dark as to whom the villain was until the end. I didn't care for the mushiness of the romance, especially on the part of the male character but that was typical of the times, I'm guessing. It did seem somewhat over the top. The mystery itself was good, the characters interestingly written, and the setting appropriate.
October 10, 2016
#21 in Gideon Fell series and I am pleased to report that Carr seems to have returned to his "original" approach with this book: this is more like the Fell books I fell in love with, set in a rambling house in the English countryside, with hints of ghosts, and a cast of eccentric gentry who are all at each other's throats. Perfect! Although I have to say that I dislike Carr's female characters, all of whom are neurotic and mercurial. Didn't he know any stalwart women? :D
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars - Carr's surplus of verbosity and dialogue can be a bit difficult to follow at times but I definitely liked the plot and characters- the "locked room" mystery was stretched a bit thin in this case but overall a good "Manor House" murder mystery.
August 23, 2009
Written near the end of his career, not one of Carr's best or most compelling efforts, though still a decent read.
January 8, 2023
master of the locked room.mystery. ran through the Dr. fell series as fast as I could find them.
April 7, 2016
It was OK, and the locked room mystery quite plausable, but a fairly pedestrian written story. Certainly not one of his best.
October 8, 2018
Not one of JDC's better books. Very slow to start and then plods.
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