The first novel featuring the detective Dr. Gideon Fell. It's an enjoyable combination of Gothic thriller in the style of Edgar Wallace and cozy detective novel in the British tradition of the Golden Age of Detection (the author is American, but he's clearly an anglophile).

Very atmospheric descriptions and some horror and humor make it a fast and entertaining read. The insta-love in the central romance and some rushed writing (it reads like pulp fiction) prevents me for giving it 5 stars.

The mystery reminded me of the Sherlock Holmes story "The Musgrave Ritual". It centers on a curse against the Starberth family of Chatterham and their ghastly involvement in the hangings at that prison. Their ruthless ancestors, as prison governors, enjoyed mistreating and hanging the prisoners. In turn, they died in a horrible fashion, always with their neck broken. Since then, a family ritual has to be followed by the male heir, and the deaths have returned.

It all started back in 1797 when Anthony Starberth was Governor of Chatterham Prison followed by his descendent, Martin Starberth in 1821. They instituted these merciless hangings without remorse which according to legend brought a curse on the Starberth family. However, the legend actually begins with the untimely death of Timothy Starberth in a most unsettling manner. ( )

A good Carr. And that is good. Every person who likes intelligent puzzle mysteries should read his books. I would say this is one of the better. ( )

Not only was this a locked room mystery with a wonderfully creepy atmosphere but the culprit was such a surprise! I have read several other Gideon Fell books but I am glad that I have finally read this first one. ( )

So this one left me feeling a little disappointed. The book was fairly short, which left little room for developing the character of Dr. Fell, our detective. I felt more connected to the lesser character of Mr. Rampole. I'm not sure if he'll be a recurring character or not, but I would lived to have seen more insight into the main character. ( )

A mystery, set in England, concerning a creepy old abandoned prison on a family's property. A series of deaths in the family over many years seem shrouded in uncertainty. Who killed who? For that matter, who IS who? ( )