The Curse of the Bronze Lamp

Rating:
Summary: A mystery with a touch of Poirot
Review: Helen brought home a bronze lamp from an Egyptian tomb, which was said to blow wrong owners into dust. And she did disappear, leaving her raincoat and the lamp on the floor, just as she walked into her own house. Detective Masters said that she had been murdered, yet Sir H.M. insisted that she was alive and had a good idea of her whereabout. But when her father also disappeared under same suspicious circumstance, even H.M. was shaken.

For a reader familiar with Carr's work, it is easy to figuer out the daughter's disapperance, which is practically same as that in one of Carr's short stories. The father's disappearance reminds one a Poirot case, in which explorers died in a row under some ancient Egyptian curse until Poirot sensed something fishy. Nevertheless, this is a well written novel, in which one definitely finds Carr's typical atmosphere. Even if one guesses the answer much early, one will not be too bored to finish it.

Rating:
Summary: Remarkable gothic atmosphere wreathes this classic mystery
Review: The brooding, somber gothic atmosphere dominates this great mystery, which is filled with the mystery of Egyptian archaeology and mysterious "curses." The brooding, ancient English manor where much of this story takes place also adds to the flavor. Carr wrote during a classic time of American mysteries, and it's reflected in his well-tuned plot and ample clues. You CAN solve this one if you read carefully. There are some wonderful innovative "turns" such as the dead who are NOT dead, and the kidnapped who are NOT kidnapped . . . I will say no more lest I spoil it for anyone. If you love "spooky" mysteries, you will love this one. It's a real pleasure to see these classics still in print.

Rating:
Summary: definitely worth reading if you like carr
Review: This is about the third mystery I have read by Carr and again was not disappointed. Not only do you need to figure out whodunnit but who's dead. Most of Carr's tales seem to deal with an impossible happening that is later plausibly explained. This mystery falls into that category. In addition, the characters are wonderfully developed although somewhat dated (I can't imagine "My wench" would go over to well in addressing ladies), and, there is, of course, undercurrents of relationships among the characters that become important as the story progresses. My only complaint is that there are not a whole lot of characters, and, as in one of the Carr books I read previously, one of the most undeveloped (or ignored characters) has too much to do with the finale. Definitely a fun read.