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avanders's review
3.0
This is a fun classic murder mystery. What I really liked about this one is that it was FUN! It was funny, light, and moved quickly. There weren't long and involved explanations of the scenery or drawn-out descriptions of the personalities... it was just a story that quickly moved from one scene to the next, creating, complicating, and then resolving the mystery.
In the book, several people have been called to a castle in Scotland for a "family meeting" to discuss the death and after-affect of a certain family member. There is a dispute about whether the man committed suicide or was murdered and the various characters are quickly drawn into the activity, the mystery, and the frivolity.
Recommended for people looking for a quick and fun classic murder mystery.
In the book, several people have been called to a castle in Scotland for a "family meeting" to discuss the death and after-affect of a certain family member. There is a dispute about whether the man committed suicide or was murdered and the various characters are quickly drawn into the activity, the mystery, and the frivolity.
Recommended for people looking for a quick and fun classic murder mystery.
daphne2000's review
4.0
Not the best mystery book I have ever read, but very enjoyable. I thought the mystery was clever and I really liked the characters and writing. The structure was kind of weird though. The detective didn't show up until halfway through the book and a huge portion of this was devoted to a romance between two of the characters instead of the mystery. I still liked this though!
Sidenote: I think this is physically the oldest book I've ever read. I have a first edition that was published in 1941!
Sidenote: I think this is physically the oldest book I've ever read. I have a first edition that was published in 1941!
muggsyspaniel's review
4.0
This is a fun murder mystery set in Scotland during WWII. The lead characters have a "meet cute" to set things up and when Gideon Fell arrives the fun kicks up to another level.
It's more locked room mystery stuff so you have to accept that it's all going to be a little far fetched but there's a breezy quality about this one that is quite pleasing.
It's more locked room mystery stuff so you have to accept that it's all going to be a little far fetched but there's a breezy quality about this one that is quite pleasing.
bhavani's review
3.0
Rating: 3.5 stars
The first half of this book is a pure joy to read. JDC has a sense of humor that I think is similar to P.G. Wodehouse. The story gets serious around the 50% mark with the arrival of Dr. Gideon Fell. However, there are light-hearted moments during the investigation, especially between Alan, Kathryn, and Colin Campbell, and Charles Swan. While I loved the humorous language and scenes, the book's investigation portion fell (pun not intended) flat for me, hence the 3.5 stars rating. If not, I'd have given it 4 stars.
One of this story's biggest pull for me is the setting, both the place and time. I don't think I've ever read a murder mystery set during WWII's early years. One paragraph, early in Chapter 1, caught my attention completely.
"Not that anyone had cause for apprehension. It was only the first of September, and the heavy raiding of London had not yet begun. We were very young in those days. An air-raid alert meant merely inconvenience, with perhaps one lone raider droning somewhere, and no barrage."
I love the sense of nostalgia and the ominous hint of things to come conveyed in this paragraph. Another thing I loved about this book is its vocabulary. I learned so many new words, which doesn't happen often. The description of the hangover in Chapter 9 is marvelous! I didn't like the underlying misogyny in the character's comments towards Kathryn and Elspat.
The introduction mentions that The Case of the Constant Suicides is a book many regard as the most entertaining JDC ever wrote. I don't know if this is the most entertaining book he ever wrote because I've only read this book, but it is highly entertaining, and I'd recommend it if you love locked room mysteries with a lot of humor and gorgeous settings.
The first half of this book is a pure joy to read. JDC has a sense of humor that I think is similar to P.G. Wodehouse. The story gets serious around the 50% mark with the arrival of Dr. Gideon Fell. However, there are light-hearted moments during the investigation, especially between Alan, Kathryn, and Colin Campbell, and Charles Swan. While I loved the humorous language and scenes, the book's investigation portion fell (pun not intended) flat for me, hence the 3.5 stars rating. If not, I'd have given it 4 stars.
One of this story's biggest pull for me is the setting, both the place and time. I don't think I've ever read a murder mystery set during WWII's early years. One paragraph, early in Chapter 1, caught my attention completely.
"Not that anyone had cause for apprehension. It was only the first of September, and the heavy raiding of London had not yet begun. We were very young in those days. An air-raid alert meant merely inconvenience, with perhaps one lone raider droning somewhere, and no barrage."
I love the sense of nostalgia and the ominous hint of things to come conveyed in this paragraph. Another thing I loved about this book is its vocabulary. I learned so many new words, which doesn't happen often. The description of the hangover in Chapter 9 is marvelous! I didn't like the underlying misogyny in the character's comments towards Kathryn and Elspat.
The introduction mentions that The Case of the Constant Suicides is a book many regard as the most entertaining JDC ever wrote. I don't know if this is the most entertaining book he ever wrote because I've only read this book, but it is highly entertaining, and I'd recommend it if you love locked room mysteries with a lot of humor and gorgeous settings.
akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Boring as all hell. Don’t bother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
The case of the constant suicides by John Dickson Carr was originally published in 1941.
Three deaths all look like suicides. However, some questions remain.
Dr. Fell arrives to investigate. An insurance policy payout hangs in the balance as the deaths are ruled suicide or murder.
I love these old 1940's detective novels. This one is one of those infamous locked room murders.
Very ahead it's time , cleverly plotted, mystery with sharp dialogue and quick wit, plus a little romance.
A very good classic mystery. Overall an A
Three deaths all look like suicides. However, some questions remain.
Dr. Fell arrives to investigate. An insurance policy payout hangs in the balance as the deaths are ruled suicide or murder.
I love these old 1940's detective novels. This one is one of those infamous locked room murders.
Very ahead it's time , cleverly plotted, mystery with sharp dialogue and quick wit, plus a little romance.
A very good classic mystery. Overall an A
anjana's review
4.0
After the previous two books that I read by the author, this was a surprisingly more comfortable read. There was a thread of humour through most of the narration. The side story of the warring Campbells was quite an efficient distraction while not being unwelcome from the main storyline. Gideon Fell does not make an appearance until we are well and truly settled into the plot and I am guessing it might have helped. When I was looking at the book on Goodreads, I noticed an edition with a cover page which effectively reveals the entire plot! I will not mention which one it was, but it left me puzzled as to why any publisher would do that, however long ago it was!
Alan Campbell has been summoned to Scotland on a tenuous family connection that nevertheless deemed his presence essential in a house mourning a loss. On the way, he picks up a companion or two, the introduction of each is equally humorous. Then we meet the members of the family, also chaotic. The chaos was not off-putting but gave the actual mystery some time to simmer. The head Campbell was found outside, at the foot of his tower, dead. There is an extra clause on his life insurance, and this has everyone trying to figure out the solution. I was misled to focus too much on a red herring, and this might help me the next time I read one of Carr’s books. Once again, I saw the same type of conclusion as the previous two I have read. The criminal(s) are not precisely brought to justice in the truest sense, although this was more satisfying than the last two cases. I am going to wait a bit before I start another of his books just so that if this happens again, I will be a little less bothered.
I am really enjoying reading books written by authors in this period. I am hoping to discover more favourites for the rest of the year!
Alan Campbell has been summoned to Scotland on a tenuous family connection that nevertheless deemed his presence essential in a house mourning a loss. On the way, he picks up a companion or two, the introduction of each is equally humorous. Then we meet the members of the family, also chaotic. The chaos was not off-putting but gave the actual mystery some time to simmer. The head Campbell was found outside, at the foot of his tower, dead. There is an extra clause on his life insurance, and this has everyone trying to figure out the solution. I was misled to focus too much on a red herring, and this might help me the next time I read one of Carr’s books. Once again, I saw the same type of conclusion as the previous two I have read. The criminal(s) are not precisely brought to justice in the truest sense, although this was more satisfying than the last two cases. I am going to wait a bit before I start another of his books just so that if this happens again, I will be a little less bothered.
I am really enjoying reading books written by authors in this period. I am hoping to discover more favourites for the rest of the year!
unsweettea's review
4.0
Really enjoyable and very funny; I don't think I've laughed so much at a mystery in quite a long time. And I'm curious to try the Doom of the Campbells now.
cspiwak's review
3.0
a ghost, scotland, 2 locked room mysteries. This was my first gideon fell but will not be the last
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