 he Finishing
Stroke (1958)
 The most baffling mystery ever encountered by Ellery Queen, the one he couldn't solve even though he knew the answer. On the 8th night of Christmas your true love sends to you a head with one closed eye--a warning you will die... A gay Christmas party in a snowbound mansion turns grim when a guest begins sending anonymous gifts to his hosts. The presents are mysterious, the messages accompanying them cryptic, but the meaning behind it all is very clear. It is a slow, deliberate warning of murder--scheduled to arrive on the 12th night with the final gift--the finishing stroke. |
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| "Queen has combined memory and research to create a detailed and delightfully accurate picture of America at the end of the 1920's ... and how good it is to be back there and
then." -- The New York Times "A neat baffler." -- The Saturday Review "TRICKS AND A TREAT -- for the Queen's quorum." -- Virginia Kirkus |
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| Above left to right: dust and 3 hardcovers for Simon and Schuster; dust and hardcover for Gollancz (1956) and dust cover Gollancz (1976). (Click on the covers to see the differences) * | |
| The East Hampton Star,
"What's New in New York" by Dorothy Quick February 27, 1958 "Ellery Queen has written a book, 'The Finishing Stroke'. This is one of the best Inner Sanctum books and certainly one of the best of Ellery Queen's, I have ever read, which is high praise for this pair of writers who have turned out some splendid ones. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this mystery. It grips the reader at once, keeps piling suspense on suspense in, adroit and compelling fashion. It deals with the 12 days of Christmas and a series of fantastic gifts which intrigue and frighten Ellery. There is also a dead man nobody knows. Twelve people in the house and many other associations with that number and a whiplash surprise ending that is truly arresting. This is a book to own because it's going to make a place for itself in the history of mysteries and will someday be a collector's item. This is most unusual in the time element as well as every other facet. It has meat and brilliance. Congratulations. Mr. Queen." |
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| Ellery Queen’s The Finishing Stroke
is one of the most memorable entries in the legendary series, combining
suspense, clever plotting, and a fascinating historical backdrop. Set during
the 12 days of Christmas in 1929, the story unfolds in a snowbound mansion
where a joyful holiday party turns sinister. Anonymous gifts arrive for the
hosts, each accompanied by cryptic messages. With every day, the tension
escalates, culminating in a chilling warning: on the Twelfth Night, someone
will die. At the heart of the novel is Ellery Queen’s struggle to unravel a mystery that spans nearly 30 years. The story begins in Queen’s youth and concludes in 1958, with him solving a case that haunted him for decades. The interplay between past and present gives the novel a unique, almost "epic" quality, enriched by its exact historical references and attention to period detail. The plot is driven by the recurring "12" motif—twelve guests, twelve days, twelve mysterious gifts—and a dead man whose identity baffles everyone. As the mounting unease forces the guests to stay in the house, Ellery must confront an intricate web of secrets and suspicions. Critics praised the book's carefully crafted suspense, with The New York Times highlighting its “detailed and delightfully accurate picture of America at the end of the 1920s.” The novel was also celebrated for its inventive structure and gripping surprises. Dorothy Quick of the East Hampton Star called it "one of the best Inner Sanctum books," praising its ability to captivate readers from start to finish with its suspense, brilliant clues, and a "whiplash surprise ending." The Finishing Stroke is significant not only for its engaging mystery but also for its introspective portrayal of Ellery Queen. This story presents a more vulnerable, fallible version of the famous sleuth, making him particularly relatable. Ellery Queen creators Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee originally intended The Finishing Stroke to be their final novel, as advances in forensic science and criminology made the traditional sleuth seem outdated (so it reached back to his "second" case, actually his third). Yet, this book stands out in their canon, balancing intricate plotting with a deeply human touch. Although some critics noted the plot’s occasional straightforwardness and a slightly stretched final solution, the book remains a favorite among fans. It’s a celebration of classic detective fiction, blending playful themes, historical detail, and an unforgettable ending—an essential read for Ellery Queen enthusiasts. |
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This is one of my personal favorites, as it features a much more likable and fallible version of Ellery. It was the first story I read, and its playful plot, abundant clues, and the way every character seemed suspicious quickly turned me into a fan. While I rank it highly among Queen’s works, it is only surpassed by some of the earlier stories. However, upon re-reading it, I found it didn’t quite live up to my initial expectations. The playfulness is still there, and the clever integration of the “number 12” theme with all the suspects is undeniably enjoyable. The plot itself is quite straightforward, and without the 30-year span that anchors the narrative, much of its charm might have been lost. It’s hard to believe John Sebastian thought his guests would endure a 12-day stay in a house plagued by such bad luck and unpleasantness. That said, the discovery of a body and the enforced stay of the guests really allowed the story to flourish. The climax is quintessential Queen, elevating the book beyond the ordinary. However, the final solution stretches the rules of fair play a bit, and the explanation behind the initial body left me somewhat unsatisfied. Still, for Queen fans, there are many other elements that make this a remarkable book. |
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Elements for "The Game" The book contrasts to most of the other works by using exact dates (years) and references to recognizable "historic" occurrences. It not only describes the birth of the male protagonist in 1905 but the cousins must have included some hints to their own background. The first part takes us to Rye. In the second part Ellery passes to Westchester, Mount Kidron, Mammaroneck, White Plains to Alderwood. (White Plains where Frederic Dannay died). This is done even more clearly when we are introduced to their first publisher and some aspects of this profession are explained. Ellery whistles Greensleeves and frequently quotes in Latin. The Inspector only sideways enters the story as he is involved in the Arnold Rothstein-murder. Is this anniversary-issue the Duesenberg reappears. (Ellery's car was serviced in a garage situated in West 87th street. He had American snow chains installed). Some critics are mentioned and the writers eagerly provide some recommendations of other writers and their books throughout the story. As best-sellers of 1905 : The Crossing by Winston Churchill, John Fox Jr.'s The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Mr.Wiggins and other modern young writers (Jack London, Barr McCutchean, Lincoln Steffens and Joseph C. Lincoln). Different other figures from the movies, theater, music, sport... are mentioned (Clara Bow, Elisabeth Rethberg and Lauri-Volpi, Babe Ruth, Notre Dame,...). Basically the interests Djuna shared. We find Ellery reading Anthony Berkeley's The Case of the Poisoned Chocolates enjoying "his skillful elaborations". |
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 Other articles on this book (1) Reading Ellery Queen - The Finishing Stroke Jon Mathewson (Jan 2016) (2) Beneath the Stains of Time TomCat (December 23. 2021) (3) My Reader's Block Bev Hankins (December 13. 2014) |
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