If you're looking for another traditional mystery with which to scare yourself silly as Halloween approaches, may I recommend a classic from 1944, "Rim of the Pit," by Hake Talbot? It's a truly amazing mystery.
I reviewed "Rim of the Pit" earlier this year, but it's worth pointing out again. It has one of the best opening lines of any mystery I have read: "I came up here to make a dead man change his mind." And that is meant literally. A small group of people is stranded (of course!) at a remote New England lodge in a blizzard. There are seances. There are apparent demonic possessions. There are impossible murders. There is a terrifying flying...something. There are trails of footprints that begin - and end - in unbroken fields of snow.
And yet, despite all the horrifying and blood-curdling atmosphere of the book...it is all part of a traditional, impossible-crime mystery, with plenty of clues. There is even a back-cover map, showing the layout of the land and the location of key scenes. And, oh, that atmosphere - worthy of John Dickson Carr at his most blood-curdling. That's why I say, I really can't think of better Halloween reading for a mystery lover.
Okay, you sold me, Les. I am definitely going to look for a copy of this. Never heard of it before, but that's never stopped me. :)
Posted by: Yvette | October 27, 2011 at 03:03 PM
It's worth searching for, Yvette. I know Amazon still has it. The publisher is Ramble House, run by Fender Tucker; on his website, he says "The best way to buy Ramble House books is to e-mail me ([email protected]) and give me your mailing address and the titles of the books you want. Most titles are $18. Shipping is free to the US; actual cost to elsewhere." Hopefully, though, your library can get it for you.
Posted by: Les Blatt | October 27, 2011 at 08:33 PM