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annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
It Walks by Night is the first Henri Bencolin Paris mystery by John Dickson Carr. Originally released in 1930, this reformat and re-release from Poisoned Pen Press is 272 pages and due out 3rd March 2020. This edition will be available in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions available in other formats). This book is one of the books in the British Library Crime Classics series and it's really nice to see these gems being brought back into print and presented to new readers. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
As the others in the series, there is an introduction by mystery history maven Martin Edwards. As engaging as these classic mysteries have been, I have also looked forward in equal measure to Mr. Edwards' insightful commentary.
Carr is well known (with good reason) for his 'impossible' locked room mysteries. This is another such. Despite being almost 100 years old, it wears well, and still provides a load of atmosphere (in some places, positively creepy). The first murder is quite gory (a beheading) and there's a varied cast of suspects and a load of red herrings along the way.
The dialogue and style are admittedly a bit dated and true to the period, but I found it charming. For fans of golden age mysteries, it'll definitely be a plus, not a detraction.
Very well done. I have read a lot of Carr's work, but somehow had missed this one. Worth a read, especially for fans of the golden age.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
It Walks by Night is the first Henri Bencolin Paris mystery by John Dickson Carr. Originally released in 1930, this reformat and re-release from Poisoned Pen Press is 272 pages and due out 3rd March 2020. This edition will be available in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions available in other formats). This book is one of the books in the British Library Crime Classics series and it's really nice to see these gems being brought back into print and presented to new readers. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
As the others in the series, there is an introduction by mystery history maven Martin Edwards. As engaging as these classic mysteries have been, I have also looked forward in equal measure to Mr. Edwards' insightful commentary.
Carr is well known (with good reason) for his 'impossible' locked room mysteries. This is another such. Despite being almost 100 years old, it wears well, and still provides a load of atmosphere (in some places, positively creepy). The first murder is quite gory (a beheading) and there's a varied cast of suspects and a load of red herrings along the way.
The dialogue and style are admittedly a bit dated and true to the period, but I found it charming. For fans of golden age mysteries, it'll definitely be a plus, not a detraction.
Very well done. I have read a lot of Carr's work, but somehow had missed this one. Worth a read, especially for fans of the golden age.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
bmip666's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
muggsyspaniel's review
4.0
I'm not sure why I never read anymore of the Henri Bencolin series, I enjoyed this one a lot.
It's a locked room mystery a sub genre of which John Dickson Carr is considered by many to be the master.
This had an enjoyably old fashioned feel with hints at the supernatural before everything is very precisely resolved in an entirely posible (if not believable) fashion.
It's a locked room mystery a sub genre of which John Dickson Carr is considered by many to be the master.
This had an enjoyably old fashioned feel with hints at the supernatural before everything is very precisely resolved in an entirely posible (if not believable) fashion.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I read a lot of Dickinson Carr's mysteries but not this one.
Even if it shows its age sometimes its a gripping and entertaining read, well written and with a solid and complex mystery.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Even if it shows its age sometimes its a gripping and entertaining read, well written and with a solid and complex mystery.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
han_cat's review
2.0
Oh, I'm hovering between a 1 and a 2 star rating! More a 1 but having said that I don't regret reading it so I'll go with 2.
Can tell it's a first novel, very much in the style of Poe or Conan-Doyle and it's this trying too hard that probably is where it fails. Quite difficult to follow and read; the narrator you know nothing about is annoying, characters all unlikeable. But there's potential in amongst all that. Glad it's first Dickson Carr I've read it leaves room to progress!
Can tell it's a first novel, very much in the style of Poe or Conan-Doyle and it's this trying too hard that probably is where it fails. Quite difficult to follow and read; the narrator you know nothing about is annoying, characters all unlikeable. But there's potential in amongst all that. Glad it's first Dickson Carr I've read it leaves room to progress!
alexclare's review
3.0
Ooh la la, these crazy Parisians. Unbelievable, rollocking fun, to not take too seriously...
zoer03's review
Nope nope this is just awful.. I don’t understand how people like this guys stuff so much it’s appalling and terrible. The characters are either stiff or vaudeville villainesque to the point where I am just bored. The detective is up his own backside and almost psychotic which would have been hilarious if it turned out to be him. There’s no humanity or even feeling in any of them it’s just crap.
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