Finishing Stroke

Finishing Stroke

by Ellery Queen

In 1929, Ellery Queen accepts an invitation to a Christmas party at the Craig estate. On Christmas morning, all the packages have disappeared from under the tree. Then, a Santa appears in the doorway, laden with packages. Other packages, with mysterious markings, are delivered throughout the twelve days of Christmas. Ellery speculates on the frequency of the number 12 in this mystery. There are 12 guests, 12 months in the year--and all of the guests were born in a different month, so their gifts were gold money clips or brooches fashioned to order at a 5th Avenue jeweler and representing signs of the Zodiac. Other guests contribute to the theme: twelve good men and true, Hercules' twelve labors, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, since one of the guests is an actress. However, the mystery remains unsolved until 1957, when police headquarters is cleaning out some old files and the chief asks Ellery if he would like to look at them. This is a most satisfying and challenging mystery; the title is a clue to the solution. -- recommended by Rianne S. - Bennett Martin Public Library

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