It’s that time of year again, where me and my fellow classic crime book bloggers make the case for the Reprint of the Year. Now this year my compatriots have an advantage as, alas, there was no Brian Flynn book re-released, so I’ll have to work a little harder to find something worth championing.

Well, how about THE BEST BOOK THAT JOHN DICKSON CARR EVER WROTE*?

There’s actually a good argument for this also being the last great book that Carr wrote. His Gideon Fell books go into a steady decline – The Sleeping Sphinx is a good mystery but a rubbish impossibility, Below Suspicion has the unbearable Patrick Butler in it and then… well, Panic In Box C is OK, I guess. As Carter Dickson, there was still The Skeleton In The Clock and My Late Wives is really good if you don’t have the cover with the spoiler on it, but not of these come close to his best work.

He Who Whispers is a rollercoaster of a read, starting with a mysterious meeting at the legendary Murder Club, continuing with the tale of an impossible murder (unless the killer was a vampire) on top of an isolated tower, one of the most devilish murder methods ever and a well-hidden killer. It’s all wrapped around the tale of the mysterious Fay Seton, and then the whole thing is covered in a dark gothic atmosphere.

It’s also a superbly clued mystery, with everything you need right in front of you, even if you don’t spot it. On my first read, I spotted/guessed the murderer but there is so much more to the story. Even as something as simple as “so that was the point of the [INSERT ODD OCCURRENCE HERE]” gives the reader a feeling of satisfaction when it’s pointed out the them exactly what they should have spotted.

I think I’ve read this book three times now – at least three times – and I admire it more and more every time. It’s a masterpiece that shows just how far ahead of the competition Carr was when he was on top form. A brilliant puzzle, great characters and a chilling atmosphere. What more could you ask for?

Kate will be handling the voting for the Reprint Of The Year 2023, so give it until Monday 18^th December, and then head on over and vote for this book. Or next week’s nomination, up to you…**

* As voted for by readers of In Search Of The Classic Mystery Novel – i.e. you!

** Other nominations are available, but let’s face it, they’re not as good as this one. Or next week’s.