QED, Queen's Experiments in Detection: Stories

When Godfrey Mumford retired to focus on his chrysanthemums, he was worth a little over $5 million. A decade later, his family gathered for his birthday, he delivers shocking news: Thanks to poor investments on behalf of his financial manager, every penny is gone. The house is mortgaged, the stocks are sold—the only valuable item remaining is a priceless chrysanthemum pendant that once belonged to the emperor of Japan. It is Mumford's prized possession, and it will be his doom.

Soon after Mumford is paralyzed by a stroke, he is found murdered. The bizarre death catches the eye of world-famous detective Ellery Queen, who will unravel the mystery of this novella, Mum's the Word, with the same elegance that he brings to each of the stories in this marvelous collection.

"Ellery Queen clearly is, after Poe, the most important American in mystery fiction." —Otto Penzler, editor of The Best American Mystery Stories

"A new Ellery Queen book has always been something to look forward to for many years now." —Agatha Christie

"Ellery Queen is the American detective story." —Anthony Boucher, author of Nine Times Nine