The Finishing StrokeAt the tail end of the Roaring Twenties, a birthday bash for publishing heir John Sebastian, Jr., perfectly coincides with the twelve days of Christmas. Among the twelve invited guests is Ellery Queen, a newly published mystery writer planning to enjoy every last minute. But when an uninvited Santa Claus shows up on Christmas Eve and then mysteriously goes missing, the party takes a disturbing turn. Threatening clues masked as gifts begin to appear under the tree, and Queen - a novice crime fighter on his first solo case - must try to solve the killer's puzzle before someone gets murdered. After a dead body turns up, Queen is no closer to stopping the killer. If he can’t anticipate the next clue before it shows up, John Sebastian’s birthday will end up his funeral. |
Contents
About the Author Copyright Page | |
PART ONE Chapter I | |
Chapter IV | |
Chapter V | |
Chapter VI | |
Chapter VII | |
Chapter X | |
Chapter XI | |
Chapter XII | |
Chapter XIII | |
Chapter XIV | |
Chapter VX Chapter XVI | |
Chapter XVIII | |
Chapter XX | |
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Common terms and phrases
Arthur asked began believe brother Brown chair Christmas Claire coming course Craig Dark dead died doctor don’t door Ellen Ellery eyes face fact father Felton four Freeman Gardiner gifts going Hall hand happened head heard hour Inspector It’s January John Sebastian John’s knew later laughed least Lieutenant Luria listening living room looked Marius matter mean mind minutes Miss morning mother mouth murder murmured Mystery never night Olivette party Payn playing publisher Queen question remember Rusty Santa seemed Sergeant Devoe smiling snow sort sound stopped suppose sure talk tell There’s thing thought took true turned twelve understand upstairs Valentina voice waiting What’s wonder York you’re young