Carr wrote twenty-two novels in which  Sir Henry Merrivale handled the detective duties.  The first, The Plague Court Murders, was published in 1934.  Twenty years later HM solved his last case in The Cavalier's Cup. 

By 1933 Carr had been writing books for three years and he had already developed quite a following with his Bencolin and Fell mysteries.  His American publisher, Harper & Brothers, was not able to publish more than two of his novels a year and as a result Carr went to William Morrow with his newest detective, John Gaunt.  It was the first and last John Gaunt novel (I wish it wasn't; it was a very good mystery) but his next book for Morrow featured Sir Henry Merrivale and Morrow published all twenty-two Merrivale books.

For the Morrow books Carr had chosen the pseudonym of Christopher Wood.  However, without informing him, Morrow chose the rather ridiculous Carr Dickson and this is the name that appears on the American hardback editions. Carr (and Harper & Brothers) were none too happy and insisted on a different name.  Since the John Gaunt novel had done very well Morrow wanted a name that was similar to Carr Dickson. All parties finally agreed on the name Cartwright Dixon.  However, when The Plague Court Murders was published Morrow had again changed the name without informing Carr.  This time they picked Carter Dickson and this is the name that appears on this and all subsequent Carr books published by Morrow (and all of the British editions published by William Heinemann, including the John Gaunt novel).

All of the William Morrow first editions should have the date on the title page and copyright page.  The copyright page does not explicitly state "First Edition".  There should be no mention of later printings. If the title is in Red then the US edition is NOT the true first edition.

All of the paperback first editions are the US editions unless otherwise stated.

The Plague Court Murders (1934)