The only reputedly good Sir Henry Merrivale I had not read, HWKP had been set aside by me as a little treasure to be opened someday. I decided to read this weekend and I quite enjoyed it. Now all I have left are A Graveyard to Let, Behind the Crimson Blind and The Cavalier's Cup, all of which I started at one time or another and didn't like enough to finish. Doug Greene has noted the problems with the later HM novels, particularly the last two.
But back to HWKP....
This is the one involving a mysterious gassing deaths in a locked and sealed room of a London zoo director and a snake named Patience. It's soon suspected that murder is involved! HM, who appears in the first few pages is on hand to solve the crime, along with Inspector Masters, who does very little, and a pair of rival magicians, one make and one female, who provide Carr's much favored bickering love interest. I found the obligatory bickering lovers easier to take here because they are theatrical people to start with (and the man actually is not that bad). No memorable characters outside a splendidly misanthropic zoo caretaker, but they are sufficient and not irritating (except for a middle-aged woman who at least is meant to be irritating).
The is some fine slapstick humor at HM's expense in the beginning of the tale and HM is in good form throughout it. The zoo setting is nicely none, amusing and sinister by turns, and it is merged with the the current London Blitz very effectively. Near the end something happens which may seem absurd, but it is all beautifully explained a few pages later.
Ironically, the weakest part of this book may be the sealed room problem, the explanation of which may disappoint some by being not quite so miraculous. But it is fairly clued, as is the identity of the murderer. This may not be considered one of the great Carrs, but, all in all, I found it one of his more entertaining tales.
Curt Evans.
See also: http://thepassingtramp.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/carr-talk-four-capsule-carr-reviews.html
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