Devil in Velvet

by John Dickson Carr

Book Overview

Professor Nicholas Fenton enters a pact with Satan and goes back in time to bawdy, turbulent Restoration London to prevent a murder that is about to take place. But he falls in love with the intended victim and resolves to alter the course of history. "Breathless pace and ingenious plotting".--New York Times.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0881843288
• ISBN13: 9780881843286
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A swashbuckling tale of high adventure

This type of book is quite different for John Dickson Carr, but he has done a superb job of creating a travel-back-in-time tale that takes a man from the 1920's into the era of Charles II. (spring of 1675 to be exact). A college history professor makes a deal with the devil to go back in time and assume the character of one of his own relatives. He goes back to prevent a murder that he has read about in his history books, and finds himself in the middle of political upheaval. Restoration England was riff with espionage and secrets, and Professor Nicholas Fenton finds he's having to defend himself and his household from all these outside influences that threaten them. The plot is ingenious, and the action never stops in this book. Poor Nicholas Fenton has no idea who to trust in the seething turmoil around him. Good stuff here!

Much nostalgia

This is one of those delicious books of the travel back in time genre. My father loaned it to me to read back in the 1950's, I guess. The author must be long dead by now. Re-reading it and giving it to my wife to read was a real pleasure. I would think that this book is a pioneer of the genre in the English Language. Very good reading!! Respectfully submitted, Arthur Herbruger

Don't let this title go out of print!

This is the sort of wonderfully realized novel, a nearly perfect synthesis of history, adventure, romance, drama and comedy, that you can (and will!) recommend to every book lover you know. My poor tattered copy, having passed through innumerable hands, has finally disappeared into the miasma and what do I find when trying to purchase a new copy? The publisher is out of stock and has been for close on 12 months! This title is obviously popular if you're out of stock. Bring back Carr's greatest masterpiece (and all of his others as well, while you're at it)!

Carr's Best

Did you ever wonder what would happen if you made a deal with the devil? Well, here is your chance to find out. The Devil In Velvet is vintage John Dickson Carr. Our hero, 58 year old Nicholas Fenton, makes a deal with old Satan himself, and finds himself a spry 26 year old in the year 1675. He started his journey in the year 1925. He quickly finds that old Sir Nicholas Fenton was a harsh, brutal man of his times, who openly kept a mistress and virtually ignored his wife. Infused with the new Nicholas Fenton, Sir Nicholas becomes a man of honor, courage, integrity and deep passion. He must also solve the mystery of his wife's poisoning. His journey is not without danger and adventure as only Carr can write it. Carr uses old English to accentuate the difference in times. This is also his steamiest novel as he builds the tension turned passion between Sir Nicholas, Lydia and Mary. And has Nicholas discovered a way to outwit the devil? Don't miss this one! This is Carr at his best!