White Wine or Red? (Or, Wait in the Carr)

There has been an interesting discussion lately among members of the Golden Age of Detection mail group on Yahoo about two particularly fine books by John Dickson Carr, the master of the locked room/impossible crime genre. The debate is about which is better - "The Three Coffins" (known in the UK as "The Hollow Man) or "The Judas Window."

To me, it's like having an argument over which is better - white wine or red. I would have to agree that both books are among Carr's best plotted and written.

For "red wine" lovers, there's "The Three Coffins," a book whose opening paragraph defines the mysteries within and challenges the reader to solve them. The detective is Carr's main series detective, Dr. Gideon Fell. It's also famous for the chapter called "The Locked Room Lecture," in which Dr. Fell expounds on the various ways in which seemingly impossible crimes can be created - and explained. Unfortunately, it is out of print - and getting harder to find.

For those who prefer "white wine," there's "The Judas Window," written by Carr using the name "Carter Dickson," and featuring his other primary series character, Sir Henry Merrivale. This doesn't pose the same direct challenge to the reader, but it is one of the best-plotted mysteries I have ever read - and the reader's nose will be rubbed quite thoroughly in the concept of a "judas window,"  through which murder can be committed in a locked room, before the solution is explained. This one IS still available, thanks to the Rue Morgue Press.

Which is "better"? Both. As a matter of personal preference, I still like "The Three Coffins," because Carr manages to create such a frightening and uncanny atmosphere around the events of the story. On the other hand, "The Judas Window," with some classic Merrivale humor, can be quite funny even as the central character's life and freedom are threatened. But both books are well plotted - and both give the reader all the necessary clues, marvelously hidden. to solve the puzzle - if you can.

White wine? Red wine? Both can complement a meal very nicely, thank you. No need to choose - enjoy them both!

Comments

[Les Blatt]

There's good news and bad news about "The Three Coffins." Apparently it IS still available - through the Mystery Guild Book Club. I still belong to the club, mostly because it does occasionally offer classic reprints, such as this book, which includes three Carr novels - "The Three Coffins," "To Wake the Dead," and "The Skeleton in the Clock." The other two, in my opinion, don't quite match "The Three Coffins," but IF you're a club member, it's a fast and easy (and pretty inexpensive) way to get "The Three Coffins." You can always join the club for the book, but be warned (the bad news part): the club is still a negative option club - every few weeks, you have to actively refuse shipment of books you don't want. Those books are usually new books by the same collection of "best-selling" authors. Nothing wrong with 'em if you like that kind of mystery; it's not my favorite stuff.

[Les Blatt]

Whoops - forgot to link to the book's page on the club website - http://bit.ly/P8WWKR

[hollins]

"The Three Coffins" is also available in at least one library (Durham, NC.)

"The Judas Window" is available for the Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Judas-Window-Merrivale-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0089EB9W2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344707438&sr=8-2&keywords=judas+window

[MarkB]

My suburban public library is part of a local network, and I was able to access a copy of The Three Coffins through it from other town libraries. Sadly, The Judas Window and other classic Carr books are not held by any library in the system. I assume that over the years, these favorites were lost to borrowers.

[Les Blatt]

Glad to hear that The Three Coffins is available through your library network, Mark. I'm surprised The Judas Window isn't as well, particularly as it is in print (from the Rue Morgue Press) and not particularly expensive. I know libraries generally prefer hardbacks; I'm not sure if The Judas Window is available that way as well. In any case, it's worth hunting for.