The Mad Hatter Mystery by John Dickson Carr (1933)

 

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About the author: John Dickson Carr (1906 – 1977) was an American author, who also published using the pseudonyms Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, and Roger Fairbairn. He lived in England for a number of years, and is often grouped among "British-style" mystery writers. Most (though not all) of his novels had English settings, especially country villages and estates, and English characters. His two best-known fictional detectives (Dr. Gideon Fell and Sir Henry Merrivale) were both English. (excerpt from this Wikipedia article.)

Major characters:

Sir William Bitton, book and document collector

Philip C. Driscoll, his nephew, a newspaper reporter (the victim)

Lester & Laura Bitton, his brother and sister-in-law

Sheila Bitton, his daughter 
Robert Dalrye, Sheila's fiancé
Julius Arbor, American document colletor 

Mrs. Amanda Georgette Larkin, a witness

General Mason, Deputy Governor of the Tower of London 

Dr. Gideon Fell

Tad Rampole, Fell's American associate

Chief Inspector Hadley

Locale: London

Synopsis: Dr. Gideon Fell is called in by Scotland Yard to investigate a theft. A manuscript has been stolen from the desk of Sir William Britton. The manuscript is alleged to be a valuable unpublished story by Edgar Allan Poe, and Sir William's right to it is a bit shaky - having paid some workmen - who didn't realize its value - only $20 for it.

Meanwhile, a strange series of thefts is in the news. Someone, dubbed 'The Mad Hatter',  has been stealing expensive hats, and placing them in odd locations: on statues, on a horse, etc. A story appeared in the press about it, written by Philip C. Driscoll, Sir William's nephew. And Sir Williams had his hat stolen, as well.

General Mason, Deputy Governor of the Tower of London, finds a body on the steps of the gate. It turns out to be Driscoll - shot with a crossbow bolt (similar to an arrow). Not only is wearing an incongruous golfing outfit, but also has Sir William's stolen hat on his head. A witness to the murder, Mrs. Amanda Georgette Larkin, is a bit huffy with the authorities, but describes what she saw exactly. However, she seems to be more than she appears; especially when it is found she occupies the flat adjacent to Driscoll's. 

Review: This story consists of two plot lines running in parallel: the hat thefts and the Driscoll murder. The only thing connecting them is that Driscoll wrote a news story about the thefts, but that was not enough to justify a murder. Something else connects the two plots, and it takes most of the book to unveil it. 

I liked the pacing of the story - it went along very quickly until eventually bogging down with the minute examinations of who was exactly where at the murder, with several of the characters in the immediate vicinity. It took wayyyyyyy too long. The episode where Dr. Fell pretends to be Inspector Hadley while interviewing a witness is hilarious - especially as Hadley stands by observing quietly. 

I also enjoyed learning about the various locations at the Tower of London. A map and detailed explanations are provided. This would be a good book to read prior to an actual visit.

As is common in some of Carr's novels, a complete explanation is provided as to how A committed the murder. Of course, this is at the 3/4 point of the book, so you know that theory is not correct. Then an explanation of how B committed the murder. Still lots of pages left, so you know there is more to come. Ah, yes, C walks in and confesses. Moral: Don't believe early dénouements if there are more than ten pages remaining!

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