Otto Penzler presents American Mystery Classics THE RED WIDOW MURDERS, has its detractors. Contrarians maybe. They say it starts off slowly. For some of these it starts sardonically and lapses in to stupidity by mid point. Others consider it ludicrous. However, if you read between their comments and those who admire this book, you will find a consensus. The pay off at its conclusion is exceptional. A group of assorted people meet in a house near Curzon Street in London’s Mayfair. A sealed room, hanged with horror and mystery said to be haunted by the “Red Widow”—a legendary figure who was married to the executioner who guillotined French aristocrats. It is to be opened and one of these people is to stay inside for a set number of hours. They will draw cards to see who will be locked into a room. When the chosen person victim is found dead, locked inside the room which had been under continuous observation, its a puzzle needing solving. Sir Henry Merrivale is the man to solve the mystery.

I for one must thank my and your lucky stars for Otto Penzler. For, as they say, behind every curtain is a window and what it looks out on can be humdrum or exceptional, he has found a work of majesty. Firstly the oft labelled ‘Plot issue’. The set up is perfect for the containment of the piece. I never felt that the cadence in plot unbalanced the narrative. You are held by the symphony of a group of people in a place of perverse antiquity. The story holds its space with devilish delight, the plot ruminating on the motivations and mental faculties of each player. You dont question it while reading it and this is Dickson Carr talent more that the talents of Sir Henry Merrivale. He might have much skill in solving a most devious case in smog filled London of the 1930s aside but Dickson Carr is the catalyst. He uses such sleight of the written hand, to distil information, character and narrative without say the obvious thrust of thriller writers of today. He builds every chapter, leaving you hanging at the end (sometimes this makes the tension to unbearable).  

What it evens out on, is a conclusion that is dynamite. Really superb and refreshes the reader. You might never return to it but on balance, like me, you likely will. To glean all missed and grasp the pay off delight.

Well done to our friends at Otto Penzler press. Another superb edition, that looks good and reads as it always did, with delight!