Books like The Black Spectacles by John Dickson Carr

*The Black Spectacles* (released in the United States as *The Problem of the Green Capsule*) follows Dr. Gideon Fell as he investigates a baffling murder staged by Marcus Chesney. After a brief performance witnessed by several guests, none can accurately recall essential details of the crime, including the identity of a figure wearing black spectacles, the exact time marked on a mantel clock, or the nature of an object described variously as a pen, a pencil, or a blowpipe dart. The murder is linked to a series of poisonings terrorizing the village of Sodbury Cross, with Chesney’s niece Marjorie Wills suspected yet possessing an alibi. Fell, prompted by Inspector Elliot, employs his deductive prowess to untangle the contradictory testimonies and uncover the murder’s perpetrator. The novel showcases Carr’s intricate plotting and Fell’s methodical reasoning, making it a classic example of the Golden Age detective story in which perception, memory, and logical analysis collide to expose guilt.

First publish date: 1969