A third title from John Dickson Carr’s incredibly popular ‘Inspector Bencolin’ series, this story takes place between previous British Library Crime Classic titles It Walks By Night and Castle Skull. 

John Dickson Carr remains one of the most influential and popular authors in Classic Crime fiction, and this fantastic early novel has been out of print for decades. This book also includes the extremely rare Dickson Carr short story, ‘The Ends of Justice’.

As the thick, autumnal fog chokes the capital, within the fire-lit lounge of London’s notorious Brimstone Club a bizarre tale is being spun for Inspector Bencolin and his friend Jeff Marle. A member of the club has been sent a model of a tiny gallows, and the word is that the folkloric hangman Jack Ketch has been stalking the streets for victims by night, his gibbet in tow.

The threat of this supposed bogeyman becomes thrillingly real when that same night Bencolin and Marle are almost run down by a limousine with a corpse behind the wheel. When an ominous message claims the car’s passenger has been taken to the gallows at Ruination St for hanging, the detective and his associate venture into the night to discover the truth behind the terrifying Ketch and a street which cannot be found on any map.

First published in 1931 at the outset of Carr’s legendary career in crime writing, this atmospheric mystery boasts all of the twists, tension and unforgettable scenes of a young master at work. 

Published: 10/11/2020

Author: John Dickson Carr

Brand: British Library Publishing

Number of pages: 256

Binding: Paperback

Dimensions: 190 x 130 mm