quando si leggono gialli da quasi 40 anni si sa a cosa fare attenzione e purtroppo la lunga pratica toglie un po' di suspense alla lettura; Dickson Carr rimane una garanzia del giallo classico

Papa La-Bas is a term for Satan. The protagonist is a British Consul in New Orleans. The story takes place a couple of year before the Civil War and, the "detective" in the tale is a Senator, who is a historical figure that becomes Secretary of State in Jefferson Davis's Cabinet. There are suggestions of voodoo and a story of revenge. The characters are well drawn and the plot interesting. The villain is suspect rather early in the story and yet well-concealed. ( )