The Case of the Constant Suicides by John Dickson Carr: A Review

Angus Campbell may have committed suicide by jumping out the window of the tower room in which he slept. Or he may have been murdered. If Angus was murdered, his brother Colin and his  companion and common law wife Elspath will inherit a considerable and much needed amount of money from his insurance policies. If his death was suicide, they will receive nothing. The door of the tower room was locked. An empty pet carrier was found under Angus'  bed. There were no pets in the castle. His diary on the desk stated that he had had a disagreement with Alec Forbes, his partner in some questionable business dealings. They were currently trying to manufacture tartan ice cream. Angus has apparently been in bed, had gotten up, and flung himself out of the window.


Elspath and Colin have invited several people to Castle Shira in the Western highlands of Scotland to consider this problem. Distant cousins, Alan Campbell and Kathryn Campbell have been invited for some reason which is unknown to them and to the reader. Alan and Kathryn who are both historians are engaged in an ongoing controversy about the Duchess of Cleveland and Charles II. Aunt Elspath also invited a newspaper reporter, Charles E. Swan, because she trusts his paper and does not trust the police. Joining the party are the family lawyer and a representative of the insurance company. Last to arrive at this gathering is Dr. Gideon Fell, well know for his solution to locked room mysteries.

 Way too much strong Scotch whiskey is consumed by the members of this gathering. Colin, having drunk too much, declares that he can spend a night in the tower room with no problems. He is found the next morning, injured but alive, at the base of the tower. A murder, which appears to be a suicide, is also committed before Dr. Gideon Fell arrives at the solution. 

There is a great deal of humor in this book which makes it great fun to read. This book was published in 1941. It is still available as a paperback from Rue Morgue Press.