John Dickson Carr
The Devil in Velvet
The Devil in Velvet
“Carr's personal favorite among his own novels, merging rigorous Restoration London historical scholarship with a Faustian detective puzzle.”
The Publication Ledger & Historical Editions
| Year | Title | Country | Publisher | Format | Acquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | The Devil in Velvet | UK | Hamish Hamilton | First Edition | — |
| 1951 | The Devil in Velvet | US | Harper & Brothers | First Edition | — |
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Nicholas Fenton, an elderly Cambridge professor of history, makes a pact with the devil in 1925 to travel back in time to the London of 1675. His singular mission: to inhabit the body of Sir Nicholas Fenton and prevent the poisoning murder of Lady Lydia Fenton, an unsolved crime recorded in historical archives. Upon arriving in the turbulent court of Charles II, Fenton discovers history is not easily altered—and a cunning murderer is already striking.
Impossible Crime Problem Classification
The Solution to “The Devil in Velvet” Remains Sealed
This dossier contains exhaustive, scholarly revelations regarding the locked-room architecture, mechanical trickery, and identity of the perpetrator. Do not unseal if you have not yet read the novel.