Be forewarned! Castle Skull is not your typical John Dickson Carr mystery.
It has many melodramatic elements tacked onto the traditional golden-age mystery. A castle that looks like a skull. Its owner, a magician, missing from a train car who is later found drowned in a nearby river. A close neighbor shot and set aflame at the Castle, who then falls to his death. A mansion full of suspects, a private detective and his chronicler, a competing German police detective, and loads of spooky atmosphere.
As long as you forget this book was written by Carr, there is much fun to be had within Castle Skull. It’s so outlandish, it seems like a parody. Or maybe, as the excellent introduction by famed Martin Edwards states, it shows the exuberance of a youthful author. Either way, it is an enjoyable ride that is not to be missed. 5 stars!
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.