Customer Reviews

The Emperor's Snuff-Box (Carr, John Dickson)

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

 

 

This is an unusual Carr one meet in "The Emperor's Snuff-Box". No locked room or any other kind of impossible crime here. No Gideon Fell or Henry Merrivale. "Snuff-Box" is a stand-alone, one of those experimental books that Carr attempted now and then. And one of his very masterpieces.
I doubt that there are some people who don't like JDC. But if such people exist, they have to read this book at once: it will have their eyes open. Carr creates fully-drawn characters you won't forget, such as Eve Neill, Ned Atwood, Toby Lawes or Dermot Kinross. He also provides a touching love story, and some really moving scenes, yet humor is never absent. Look at the ending, one of Carr's best ones. Atmosphere is as well done as usual. And the plot... Ah, that plot! Misdirection of the finest sort, that's all I can say. Carr is the all-time greatest mystery writer, and here's another proof. Read it!

Better atmosphere than many of his books, but not quite the top drawer puzzle as in many of his other books.

John Dickson Carr who also wrote under the Carter Dickenson name was superb at "locked room" mysteries. This one isn't one of that type, but it still is a masterfully plotted puzzler with lots of red herrings and colorful characters. A divorced woman, preparing for a 2nd marriage, gets an unwelcome visit from her first husband and the two see the bloodied body of her future father-in-law in the house across from where she's staying. The ex husband then suffers an accident which puts him in a coma from which he may not recover while she becomes the primary suspect in the nurder. The sleuth in this case isn't one of the author's regulars, but all in all, this is a very rewarding read.

This mystery is old fashioned - a 1940's period piece, but written by one of the old masters of the genre. The plot's the thing, keeping you guessing until the great and satisfying "Aha!"