Customer Reviews

Devil in Velvet (1994 Ed)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Did you ever wonder what would happen if you made a deal with the devil? Well, here is your chance to find out. The Devil In Velvet is vintage John Dickson Carr. Our hero, 58 year old Nicholas Fenton, makes a deal with old Satan himself, and finds himself a spry 26 year old in the year 1675. He started his journey in the year 1925. He quickly finds that old Sir Nicholas Fenton was a harsh, brutal man of his times, who openly kept a mistress and virtually ignored his wife. Infused with the new Nicholas Fenton, Sir Nicholas becomes a man of honor, courage, integrity and deep passion. He must also solve the mystery of his wife's poisoning. His journey is not without danger and adventure as only Carr can write it. Carr uses old English to accentuate the difference in times. This is also his steamiest novel as he builds the tension turned passion between Sir Nicholas, Lydia and Mary. And has Nicholas discovered a way to outwit the devil? Don't miss this one! This is Carr at his best!

This is the sort of wonderfully realized novel, a nearly perfect synthesis of history, adventure, romance, drama and comedy, that you can (and will!) recommend to every book lover you know. My poor tattered copy, having passed through innumerable hands, has finally disappeared into the miasma and what do I find when trying to purchase a new copy? The publisher is out of stock and has been for close on 12 months! This title is obviously popular if you're out of stock. Bring back Carr's greatest masterpiece (and all of his others as well, while you're at it)!

Mr. Carr created a classic with this book, combining two genres: Deal with the Devil, and Time Travel. In our Hollywood days, my late writing partner, Chris Bunch, and I spent twenty years trying to get a movie made of it, but to no avail. Still think it would make a dynamite film.
Allan Cole

This type of book is quite different for John Dickson Carr, but he has done a superb job of creating a travel-back-in-time tale that takes a man from the 1920's into the era of Charles II. (spring of 1675 to be exact). A college history professor makes a deal with the devil to go back in time and assume the character of one of his own relatives. He goes back to prevent a murder that he has read about in his history books, and finds himself in the middle of political upheaval. Restoration England was riff with espionage and secrets, and Professor Nicholas Fenton finds he's having to defend himself and his household from all these outside influences that threaten them. The plot is ingenious, and the action never stops in this book. Poor Nicholas Fenton has no idea who to trust in the seething turmoil around him. Good stuff here!

This is one of those delicious books of the travel back in time genre. My father loaned it to me to read back in the 1950's, I guess. The author must be long dead by now. Re-reading it and giving it to my wife to read was a real pleasure. I would think that this book is a pioneer of the genre in the English Language. Very good reading!!

Respectfully submitted,
Arthur Herbruger

Well, thank heaven that's over. I have had a copy gathering dust for decades. I number some of Carr's mysteries (The Three Coffins, Problem of the Green Capsule, The Judas Window) among my favorite reads. But I'd never managed to get into this book of his.

I know those who love this book will be unhappy, but I found it to be a chore. Like when we were in grammar school and had to read a book, then submit a review with colored covers made out of heavy paper (well, I did, anyway.)

Somewhat a mystery, Carr is too besotted with the historical time he sets his story in. I admit I skimmed the sword-fighting parts, since they didn't seem necessary to the plot. I found the book interesting mostly for some of the details I just faulted it for. Contradictory, I know, but I certainly do not recommend this to anyone who loves Carr's (well-written) impossible crime stories. If you are into historical fiction, it will be more to your liking.

I'm just glad I got through it at last.