He Who Whispers: Book Review

Another read from the British Library Crime Classics collection, this time written by the master of the locked room mystery, John Dickson Carr. In this murder mystery, a man has been impossibly murdered atop a tower and a strange, persecuted woman is suspected, while another woman is determined to get to the truth. He Who Whispers is classic John Dickson Carr, his famous impossible murder blending with a truly Gothic atmosphere more reminiscent of a Radcliffe novel.

Let me begin by saying I enjoyed this book. I was, however, perplexed by it being billed as 'Dr Gideon Fell' murder mystery as it felt to me that he was a side character rather than the main sleuth. This is the first John Dickson Carr novel I've read, so maybe this is how it is. I shall read more and find out.

The characters are very well drawn in this novel, particularly the main male character. The surprises are actually very surprising and the resolving of the murder mystery is very well thought out and very clever. Like A Scream in Soho, this was written in the 1940s, and so is a little later than classic Golden Age crime novels, yet strangely feels a lot earlier. Unlike Scream, there's nothing very seedy or sordid about the various settings; in fact, it all feels rather genteel, almost Brief Encounter-esque, and I really liked this about the book.

It was very well written, kept me turning the pages, and a very satisfying read. Highly recommended. 

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