Fell Favourites

Ranking the Dr Fell novels

May 30, 2026

After 2 years, I’ve reached the end of my chronological readthrough of John Dickson Carr’s 23 novels featuring Dr Fell, the shovel-hat sleuth with the bandit’s moustache. Archons of Athens!

At his peak, Carr was a definite master of the locked-room mystery genre who thoroughly deserves his reputation. I’ve enjoyed being entertained by his combination of fiendish puzzles, grotesque atmospheres and wild humour. Later in his career, his mystery powers faded, but even his worst novels have merit and I reached the end of my readthrough without abandoning any books or even giving any a solitary star rating.

Like many bibliophiles, I enjoy making lists, so for the benefit of my lovely Substack readers, here is my official ranking of Dr Fell’s cases. I hope at least a few of my rankings are controversial.

23. Dark of the Moon (1967)

The final Fell case also proved to be my least favourite. There are a lot of promising ingredients, including a missing scarecrow, a piratical ghost and an intriguing impossible murder, but getting through the novel is hard work.

22. The Case of the Blind Barber (1934)

Novel #4 provided the first moment of disappointment in the Dr Fell canon. Carr presents us with a chaotic adventure aboard the Queen Victoria (the ship, not the monarch). A confusing farce rather than an enjoyable mystery.

21. Below Suspicion (1949)

Poisonings, Satanic rites, marijuana and billiard room brawls. And don’t forget the insufferable Patrick Butler. Reviewer Maurice Richardson summed it up well: “Mr. Dickson Carr is entitled to an off day if ever anyone was.”

20. In Spite of Thunder (1960)

Someone who is suspected of causing a historic death attempts to clear her name, but only manages to cause another death. A promising premise that unfolds in a less promising (but highly emotional) way.

19. The House at Satan’s Elbow (1965)

Justice Wildfare’s ghost has been stalking his Hampshire home at Satan’s Elbow, with unfortunate results for the current residents. An ok mystery, with the highlight being the classic line: “Come off it, my pretty; enough of this rannygazoo.”

18. Panic in Box C (1966)

A theatrical mystery that combines a clever plot with mediocre writing. The murder is delayed by excessive trivia about crossbows and fencing and Romeo and Juliet, though it does lead to a satisfying finish in an amusement park’s ghost ride.

17. The Dead Man's Knock (1958)

Dr Fell returns after a 9-year hiatus to solve a mystery related to an unwritten novel by Wilkie Collins. The Collins lore is interesting, and the puzzle is good, but the underwhelming atmosphere and confusing characters drag the plot down.

16. The Mad Hatter Mystery (1933)

A murder at the Tower of London, a strange mystery involving hats, an Edgar Allen Poe manuscript theft and a mysterious voice. There’s a lot to keep track of here, to the point of overwhelm, but it all leads to a great solution.

15. The Arabian Nights Murder (1936)

The 7th Dr Fell case doesn’t actually involve much Dr Fell, as the mystery of the murder in the museum is recounted, Wilkie Collins style, by three different detectives. A good read, but it would have been better with more Fell.

14. The Seat of the Scornful (1941)

A Devonshire mystery, which asks the question: “Was the judge himself a killer?” Justice Ireton is a fascinating character, and the plot is enjoyable — until the last few chapters, that is.

13. Death-Watch (1935)

A man is murdered with the minute hand of a large clock, in circumstances replete with coincidences. A good read with a wonderfully chaotic first half, though the second half is less enjoyable.

12. The Sleeping Sphinx (1947)

On his return to civilian life, Donald Holden discovers he is officially dead and the love of his life is reputedly insane. The ensuing mystery may not be mind-blowing, but it has a suitably macabre atmosphere and a memorable locked-room puzzle.

11. The Man Who Could Not Shudder (1940)

Longwood House — the kind of place where the butler swings from a chandelier, a clock resumes ticking after a long silence, and a pistol jumps off the wall and fires a fatal shot. Largely forgettable characters, but an engaging investigation.

10. The Problem of the Wire Cage (1939)

Frank Dorrance’s dead body is found in the middle of a tennis court. His fiancée Brenda and a man called Hugh cause chaos for the official investigation. A fun mystery with an interesting structure, and a fairly outrageous solution.

9. The Eight of Swords (1934)

It all begins with a bishop sliding down the banisters and a poltergeist attacking someone with a bottle of ink. A good performance from Dr Fell, with some wonderful fourth-wall breaking, though the final exposition is disappointingly brief.

8. The Crooked Hinge (1937)

John Farnleigh has his identity challenged by someone claiming to be the real John Farnleigh, and then one of them is killed in impossible circumstances. Yes, the plot is a bit ridiculous and the ending isn't entirely fair, but it’s still magnificent.

7. Hag's Nook (1932)

A brilliant introduction to the old lexicographer, as he investigates a supposed family curse. An unsettling atmosphere, with a sprinkling of humour and romance, and a strong mystery.

6. To Wake the Dead (1938)

Christopher Kent tries to steal some breakfast from a hotel, and ends up discovering a dead body. Awkward. This embarrassing mistake launches a fabulously convoluted mystery, which becomes increasingly elaborate and perplexing.

5. He Who Whispers (1946)

The first post-war Fell novel, in which Miles Hammond accidentally employs a murder suspect as his librarian. An intriguing mix of cold case and present danger, with some great surprises and clever pieces of misdirection.

4. The Case of the Constant Suicides (1941)

Angus Campbell has fallen to his death from a locked room in a castle tower: Was it suicide, accident or murder? The search for an answer involves a delicious mix of mystery and humour, with a nice incorporation of the wartime setting.

3. Till Death Do Us Part (1944)

Dick Markham finds himself wrestling with the age-old question: Am I engaged to a murderous psychopath? Carr cleverly obscures the true answer to this question, giving several false moments of clarity before the satisfying solution is revealed.

2. The Problem of the Green Capsule (1939)

Marcus Chesney is murdered during a demonstration of the fallibility of eyewitness testimony. The test he has prepared leaves multiple layers of clues to untangle. A nicely plotted mystery, with a mild taste of the macabre.

1. The Hollow Man (1935)

This is Carr at his best — two impossible crimes, an increasingly baffling mystery, and an outlandish solution, carefully explained by pointing out all the clues you had no hope of piecing together. Plus, you get Dr Fell’s famous lecture as a bonus. What’s not to like?