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The House of Sudden Sleep
During District Attorney Pulver's vacation, the sleepy little town of Dartford was startled by the unusual events surrounding the death of David Ribblesdale, one of its prominent citizens Rodney Colt, young, enthusiastic, and a sentimentalist at heart, found in his office as Assistant District Attorney the necessity for running to earth the criminal whose activities caused Ribblesdale's lovely residence to become known as The House of Sudden Sleep- a house where one by one the inmates were threatened with a death that quietly, yet suddenly ended their worldly activities.
It is with such a series of events that John Hawk, already well known for his ability to proved the thousands who read his every book with new thrills, is at his best.
It is with such a series of events that John Hawk, already well known for his ability to proved the thousands who read his every book with new thrills, is at his best.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1930
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 17, 2018
The House of Sudden Sleep (1930) by John Hawk gives Assistant District Attorney, Rodney Colt, the chance he's been waiting for--the opportunity that he can take on a big murder mystery and solve it like a pro. His boss is away on vacation when David Ribblesdale is found dead at his desk. Ribblesdale appears to have just lain his head down for a little nap and, quite literally, slept himself to death. Was it natural causes? Suicide? Or maybe even murder? Ribblesdale's partner (and Colt's friend), Jimmy Armstrong is convinced that murder has been done and he is the one who brings Colt into the case. Two more members of the household also die under similar circumstances and the killer makes an attempt on one more before Colt gets his man/woman.
Hawk makes an effort to give this fairly straight forward detective novel a sinister atmosphere. Somehow Colt (and the readers) are supposed to believe that the house is having some kind of odd effect on its inhabitants. An effect that makes them sleep themselves to death. But our observant hero notices little clues here and there that cause him to know there is a human agent behind the deaths. As he investigates, various suspects emerge.
There are rumors of infidelity--but did David cheat on his wife or did Suzanne cheat on him? Had his wife tired of his philandering? Or did she just get tired of him? The rumors include Suzanne's half-sister Dorcas. It seems that she and David were fond of one another. Just how fond? Did she kill him because she couldn't have him? Or perhaps he wanted her more than she wanted him and she killed out of frustration. Of course, there's also Jimmy. When it's revealed that he and Dorcas are deeply attached, Colt has to wonder if his friend eliminated the unwanted competition. And then...letters from Cynthia appear. Who is this mysterious woman and why was she threatening David? And if she did kill him, how did she get in the house and why did she feel the need to kill others?
Hawk does a good job of providing several suspects in a rather limited field (especially once the deaths start piling up). The atmosphere is good--though just a tad overdone in the beginning--and Rodney Colt is a likable protagonist. We're definitely rooting for him to solve the murders before his boss gets back in town. The ending was a bit perplexing--not in solution (which makes perfect sense) but in the way the climax was handled. It seemed to me that it was contrived to make the denouement exciting--even though it made little sense that certain precautions were not taken to prevent a final near-murder. [sorry--can't be more specific without spoilers] Overall a very entertaining read and I would be interested to know if Hawk wrote any other mysteries starring Rodney Colt. ★★★ and 1/2.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Hawk makes an effort to give this fairly straight forward detective novel a sinister atmosphere. Somehow Colt (and the readers) are supposed to believe that the house is having some kind of odd effect on its inhabitants. An effect that makes them sleep themselves to death. But our observant hero notices little clues here and there that cause him to know there is a human agent behind the deaths. As he investigates, various suspects emerge.
There are rumors of infidelity--but did David cheat on his wife or did Suzanne cheat on him? Had his wife tired of his philandering? Or did she just get tired of him? The rumors include Suzanne's half-sister Dorcas. It seems that she and David were fond of one another. Just how fond? Did she kill him because she couldn't have him? Or perhaps he wanted her more than she wanted him and she killed out of frustration. Of course, there's also Jimmy. When it's revealed that he and Dorcas are deeply attached, Colt has to wonder if his friend eliminated the unwanted competition. And then...letters from Cynthia appear. Who is this mysterious woman and why was she threatening David? And if she did kill him, how did she get in the house and why did she feel the need to kill others?
Hawk does a good job of providing several suspects in a rather limited field (especially once the deaths start piling up). The atmosphere is good--though just a tad overdone in the beginning--and Rodney Colt is a likable protagonist. We're definitely rooting for him to solve the murders before his boss gets back in town. The ending was a bit perplexing--not in solution (which makes perfect sense) but in the way the climax was handled. It seemed to me that it was contrived to make the denouement exciting--even though it made little sense that certain precautions were not taken to prevent a final near-murder. [sorry--can't be more specific without spoilers] Overall a very entertaining read and I would be interested to know if Hawk wrote any other mysteries starring Rodney Colt. ★★★ and 1/2.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
August 6, 2015
2.5 stars.
I feel bad; I rarely give books such a low rating, but this just wasn't that good. It was an easy read, and there was some suspense, but the resolution wasn't exciting or surprising. The characters were interesting, and the actual murders and the method of them were relatively unique. But the "climax" came way too early, and the rest of the book sort of just petered out from there. When Agatha Christie is one of your favorite authors, and you've read at least five of her books, it's glaringly obvious when a mystery writer just isn't up to par.
I recommend this book to people who love old mysteries. This book is cool because of the time period during which it was written and its references to Prohibition and the cars of the era and for highlighting the culture of 1930s America. It is a decent mystery, but don't expect a thrilling denouement or a shocking revelation.
I feel bad; I rarely give books such a low rating, but this just wasn't that good. It was an easy read, and there was some suspense, but the resolution wasn't exciting or surprising. The characters were interesting, and the actual murders and the method of them were relatively unique. But the "climax" came way too early, and the rest of the book sort of just petered out from there. When Agatha Christie is one of your favorite authors, and you've read at least five of her books, it's glaringly obvious when a mystery writer just isn't up to par.
I recommend this book to people who love old mysteries. This book is cool because of the time period during which it was written and its references to Prohibition and the cars of the era and for highlighting the culture of 1930s America. It is a decent mystery, but don't expect a thrilling denouement or a shocking revelation.
April 23, 2014
I wanted to check out this book cause I hadn't heard of the author before and thought the title was cool. The mystery itself is pretty interesting but the book feels like it was written earlier than 1930, due to the very formal and romantic touches throughout the storytelling. Also, the book lead investigator didn't do a very good job of searching for things, or interviewing people so that you the reader could investigate along.
If you want to read a bit of early America (closer to 1920's in feel) this may be a book for you.
If you want to read a bit of early America (closer to 1920's in feel) this may be a book for you.
December 22, 2022
Death comes from a mysterious method which is not quite explained ... and book contains references to medical terms unfamiliar today. (What is 'twilight sleep' anyway? Seems to be some sort of sedative). The mysterious love letters add a unique twist. For a handy reference list of characters and a synopsis, see my blog post here: http://themysteryleague.blogspot.com/...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews