Murder in the Submarine Zone
 First US edition | |
| Author | John Dickson Carr writing as "Carter Dickson" |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Henry Merrivale |
| Genre | Mystery fiction, Detective fiction |
| Publisher |
Morrow (US, 1940) Heinemann (UK, 1940) |
Publication date | 1940 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Preceded by | And So To Murder |
| Followed by | Seeing is Believing |
Murder in the Submarine Zone (also published as Nine—And Death Makes Ten and Murder in the Atlantic) is a mystery novel by the American writer John Dickson Carr (1906–1977), who published it under the name of Carter Dickson. It is a whodunnit and features the series detective Sir Henry Merrivale.
Plot summary
Nine oddly-assorted passengers aboard the S.S. Edwardic are crossing the Atlantic during World War II, with the constant threat of attack by German submarines. When one passenger is murdered, apparently for a military secret, Sir Henry Merrivale must solve the mystery. But can he contend with the fact that the killer's fingerprint doesn't match anybody on the ship?
Literary significance and criticism
"One of the author's most straightforward stories. The action ... consists in finding out who murdered whom for a military secret -- except that the motive takes an unexpected turn. The several characters are well differentiated and suspicion fairly distributed. Shipboard life in the blackout is especially well done."[1]
References
- ↑ Barzun, Jacques and Taylor, Wendell Hertig. A Catalogue of Crime. New York: Harper & Row. 1971, revised and enlarged edition 1989. ISBN 0-06-015796-8