JOHN DICKSON CARR: THE LOST GALLOWS — (pb) — Berkley Medallion Ed: August 1965
$ 3.44
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JOHN DICKSON CARR: THE LOST GALLOWS — (pb) — Berkley Medallion Ed: August 1965. The car screeched to a stop in front of that creaky relic of ancient horrors, the Brimstone Club. It was a perfect case for Bencolin, a detective who preferred fantastic murders. THE LOST GALLOWS. The problem is that there is no such place in the city -- so where is El Moulk?. JOHN DICKSON CARR THE LOST GALLOWS Berkley Medallion Ed: August 1965 #2 in the Henri Bencolin series mysteries CONDITION: GOOD paperback book with shelfwear at edges and corners, binding somewhat cocked but still good; no markings. It started when El Moulk's automobile roared crazily through a London fog, its driver dead as a herring. The car screeched to a stop in front of that creaky relic of ancient horrors, the Brimstone Club. Through its cavernous rooms and gaslit passages a murderer hunted victims for a private gallows. The calling cards of a notorious hangman, a miniature gibbet, a length of rope, and an inscription from the tomb of Egyptian kings warned El Moulk and his dazzling French mistress that death was on their trail. It was a perfect case for Bencolin, a detective who preferred fantastic murders. Commentaries on line: … earlier that evening, a call had come in reporting that "Nezam El Moulk has been hanged on the gallows in Ruination Street." The problem is that there is no such place in the city -- so where is El Moulk? As they head out into the dark city streets to try to find him, Bencolin and Marle find themselves in a race against time and a modern-day, would-be Jack Ketch intent on upping the body count. And, as I've said before about this series, the books are just plain fun and provide solid entertainment for a few hours when I need an escape. The lead character in The Lost Gallows is Henri Bencolin, Surete detective and all around mysterious character. The narrator of this book, Jeff Marle, describes him as looking like Mephisto with his tall frame, dark mustache and pointed beard. Bencolin is one of those detectives who figures everything out from early on and lets his associates (and the reader) know that he knows...and then simply keeps on with the steps of the investigation. I must admit I was a good way into this before I could get my head round the plot at all – there seem to be an awful lot of people and lots of apparently unconnected incidents at first. But it all begins to come together about halfway through, and then moves into a spookily thrilling ending, full of Gothic horrors and an almost, but not quite, supernatural feel to it. Another winner from John Dickson Carr. Carr was a true master of the detective novel. Locked rooms are his specialty, but he shines in other mysterious realms as well. It’s Carr’s genius already set out really - complicated murder method explained diligently, hefty use of gothic trappings, an exceptionally good use of character names and incredibly readable and pacy. The solution is very surprising but also satisfying. A really good atmospheric whodunnit. Creepy and weird and unputdownable. I didn't guess the culprit and to be honest when I found out, it didn't really make sense but I don't care, the ride to get there was fantastic. Modern shipping charges keep going higher and higher. You can save on shipping by ordering two or three books at the same time (especially true of paperbacks!) {I'll always combine shipping costs and refund any excess shipping charges for multiple-copy book orders.} For all "buy it now" items, you may want to use ADD TO CART if you plan to order more than one item at the same time. WOW! I wrote a book!!! — Come on! Take a look!! ——— Just go here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CTHULHU'S-COUSINS-and-Other-Weirdnesses-W-Paul-Ganley-Wildside-Press-2016-/255154711891?hash=item3ace43fc32 Want to look at my other fantasy & mystery offerings (including Brian Lumley first editions)? CLICK HERE (and if you like what you see there, why not bookmark it for future visits!)
