User:Kjmims001/sandbox

The Mad Hatter Mystery Stub Link

The Mad Hatter Mystery, first published in 1933, is a detective story by American writer John Dickson Carr, featuring his series detective Gideon Fell. This novel is a mystery of the type known as a whodunnit.

Plot summary
A young newspaperman, Philip Driscoll, is gaining notoriety by writing up a series of bizarrely inconsequential crimes in which various hats are being stolen and returned in unlikely locations; he ascribes the crimes to "the Mad Hatter". Driscoll's uncle, Sir William Bitton, is infuriated to have lost two hats in three days. He meets with Gideon Fell to discuss his possession of the manuscript of an unpublished story by Edgar Allan Poe. During the meeting, it is learned that Philip Driscoll has been found murdered at the Tower of London, with Sir William's oversized hat pushed down over his ears. After sorting out the comings and goings of Sir William's household and other visitors to the Tower, Gideon Fell must determine the fate of the manuscript and of the murderer.

Character Overview
Essentially, John Dickinson Carr aimed to create a more likeable detective for his mystery novels, which resulted in the creation of Dr. Gideon Fell. In all, Dr. Gideon Fell was featured in 23 novels and remains one of Carr's most likeable characters to this day. Dr. Gideon Fell is a character who resides in the London suburbs. In terms of his physical appearance, Dr. Gideon Fell was modeled after G. K. Chesterton. Primarily, Dr. Gideon Fell is described as an overweight man who wears a cape and walks with two canes. Furthermore, it is stated that he embodies the spirit of Father Christmas or Old King Cole because of his jolly nature. Dr. Gideon Fell quickly became one of Carr’s most memorable detectives from his many novels. Initially, Dr. Gideon Fell was introduced and featured in Carr’s novel, Hag's Nook. However, The Mad Hatter Mystery was Carr’s second novel that featured Dr. Gideon Fell as the main protagonist.

Originally, Dr. Gideon Fell was described as a lexicographer; however, Carr gradually changed this description in his later novels. Dr. Gideon Fell is an amateur detective that the police occasionally work with in order to solve mysteries. In spite of this, the police quickly become frustrated with Dr. Gideon Fell because he refuses to reveal his findings until he has solved a case. In The Mad Hatter Mystery, Dr. Gideon Fell is first encountered in a bar, which appears to be the best place to find him at times. The reader learns very little about Fell in this novel given that Carr is more interested in the overall plot than the biographical details of his character. Of note, Fell seems to fit into the familiar trope of amateur detectives given that he is frequently called upon to solve otherwise baffling cases. Interestingly, this trope is similar to the memorable character of Sherlock Holmes; however, Dr. Gideon Fell does not consult with clients and instead only works with the police.

Critics and Reviews
According to Goodreads, The Mad Hatter Mystery has been rated by over 600 people. The novel averages a rating of 3.58 out of five stars. Only about 2% of readers have reported a one star review. On the other hand, Amazon reports a 4.4 out of five star review. A verified purchaser talked about another popular mystery novelist, Agatha Christian. On the Amazon site they claimed that “Agatha Christie would definitely have liked that one” in reference to The Mad Hatter Mystery. The lower star reviews on Goodreads vary in opinions and languages. For example, one reader stated that they “found this book immensely irritating.” Another reader questioned how the author got so many books in the series published. Also, one of the one-star reviewers left comments in Spanish. This reveals the international reach the author and novel had during and after the time of the book release.

The Mad Hatter Mystery appeared in various newspapers. An August 1933 New York Times writer wrote a quick book review and synopsis shortly after the novel’s publication. Writer Isaac Anderson titled his book review section, “New Mystery Stories” and included The Mad Hatter Mystery. After providing a brief summary of the 300 page book, he concluded with, “if they [readers of Carr's other books] do not wish to renew their acquaintance with him [the main character] it must be because there is something wrong with their heads.” This article also revealed that the book cost $2 in 1933. In another newspaper article, the mystery novel was listed as a new addition to a local, public New York library.

Also, in an August 13th, 1933 Hartford Courant newspaper, The Mad Hatter Mystery is highlighted in an article titled, “Striking Crime Story by Carr.” The author of the article talked about how Carr was an excellent author. They stated, “through the finished competence of his literary style, and his agreeable, well-bred humor, as well as through the ingenuity of his striking plots, Mr. J.D. Carr, still a young writer, is the leader among contemporary American authors of the tale of baffling crime and its detection .” In a Charlotte, North Carolina newspaper, an article mentioned described the book and stated that the plot may have seemed silly. However, the actual crime written was worth the read. This same newspaper mentioned that, “this [the novel] is one of the best.” Newspapers from the 1930s reveal that Carr was a slightly popular crime novelist at the time.

The works of John Dickson Carr, specifically that of The Mad Hatter Mystery, has received positive reviews from other well-known, historic mystery novelists. Dorothy L. Sayer was an important figure in getting Carr’s work recognized. In her book, Talking Detective, she stated that, “he can create atmosphere with an adjective, and make a picture from a wet iron railing, a dusty table, a gas-lamp blurred by the fog. He can alarm with an illusion or delight with a rollicking absurdity… every sentence gives a thrill of positive pleasure.” Both Carr and Sayer would become good friends.

Different Editions
•	The Mad Hatter Mystery is the first book in the installments of The Mad Hatter Mystery, there were in fact two editions. The first edition of The Mad Hatter Mystery was written in 1933 by John Dickson Carr as a “British style” detective novel. With a lighthearted and rather cheery note as the pranks of “The Mad Hatter” are considered mundane and later on the crimes of “The Mad Hatter” are considered heinous, as time goes on in the book it turns darker and takes a few twists and turns as Dr. Gideon Fell as he tracks down The Mad Hatter and searches all around for the elusive fiend. •	The second Edition of “The Mad Hatter Mystery” is more updated rather than the semi plain and joke like story of the first edition of “The Mad Hatter Mystery”, The character stays the same as in the first novel, yet he seems a bit crueler and more grimdark, The book has slightly been Re-Written over the years as time has gone on and more editions come out with updated wording or covers.

•	The editions are almost the same besides the words and languages used as well as how some phrases or words might have been interpreted. The second and first editions from 1933 and 1945 are roughly similar as they are only a decade (give or take two years) apart from each other.

•	The foreign language copies of the books could have had different endings or content such as censoring certain words that are offensive in nature. It is not very uncommon for any book that is translated to get something wrong or to even re-write a whole section due to censorship or because a certain phrase or word is banned in said country or deemed to offensive.

•	Lastly “The Mad Hatter Mystery” was the source for quite a few mystery novels after its creation as John Dickson Carr was an inspiration to many. One such book would be “The Hat Shop Mystery Series” by Jenn McKinlay and “Someone’s Mad at the Hatter” by Sandra Bretting.

About the Author
John Dickson Carr was born on November 30, 1906 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and died on February 27, 1977 at the age of 70. Of note, John Dickinson Carr was the son of Wooda Nicholas Carr, a U.S. congressman from Pennsylvania. Carr wrote a number of detective novels using the pseudonym Carr Dickson or Carter Dickinson. John Dickson Carr moved to England in the early 1930s where he married Clarice Cleaves. In all, John Dickinson Carr resided in England for 18 years and decided to begin his mystery-writing career during his time there. Importantly, Carr's detective fiction work, both intellectual and macabre, is considered some of the best in the genre.

In the year of 1963, John Dickinson Carr suffered from a stroke, which paralyzed the left side of his body. Despite this, Carr continued to write for several years by using only one hand. John Dickson Carr tragically died of lung cancer on February 27, 1977 in Greenville, South Carolina. It is important to note that Carr continues to be an inspiration for many novel writers and amateur novel writers alike. Over time, his detective fiction work gained massive popularity as more generations read his novels and were able to experience his notorious works of fiction.

Category:1933 American novels Category:Novels by John Dickson Carr Category:Hamish Hamilton books Category:Harper & Brothers books