The French Powder Mystery

The French Powder Mystery

In "The French Powder Mystery" by Ellery Queen, the story unfolds with a murder investigation led by Inspector Richard Queen and his son, Ellery Queen. The narrative begins with a meeting at the Queen apartment, where various law enforcement officials discuss the recent changes and challenges within the police department, particularly under the new commissioner, Scott Welles. The conversation shifts to a narcotics investigation and a recent murder case involving a man named O'Shaughnessy. The plot thickens when a woman's body is discovered in a department store window display at French's, a prominent Fifth Avenue store. The victim is identified as Mrs. French, the wife of the store's owner, Cyrus French. The discovery is made during a public demonstration of modern furniture, which draws a large crowd. The body is found in a wall-bed, and the scene causes a public uproar. Inspector Queen and Ellery are called to the scene to investigate. They learn that Mrs. French had not been seen since the previous night and that her daughter, Bernice Carmody, is also missing. The investigation reveals several clues, including a lipstick marked with the initial "C," which is linked to Bernice. The Queens suspect that the murder did not occur in the window but possibly in Cyrus French's private apartment within the store. As the investigation progresses, the Queens uncover a complex web of relationships and motives. They discover that Bernice may be involved in drug use, and her disappearance becomes a focal point of the investigation. The Queens also explore the possibility of a connection between the murder and the business dealings of Cyrus French, particularly a merger with another company. Throughout the investigation, Ellery employs his keen deductive skills to piece together the evidence. He examines various clues, such as the missing apartment key, the absence of blood at the crime scene, and the presence of Bernice's personal items in the apartment. The Queens also consider the possibility of a staged crime scene to mislead the investigation. The narrative is rich with details about the characters' interactions, the dynamics within the French family, and the broader social context of the time. The story delves into themes of power, corruption, and the impact of personal relationships on criminal behavior. Ultimately, "The French Powder Mystery" is a classic whodunit that challenges readers to follow the clues and unravel the mystery alongside the Queens. The resolution of the case hinges on Ellery's ability to see beyond the obvious and uncover the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface of the crime.

By Ellery Queen · First published 1939 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime Fiction · 38 chapters · 112,574 words

First lines

"_Parenthetically speaking. in numerous cases the sole difference between success and failure in the detection of crime is a sort of. osmotic reluctance (on the part of the detective's mental perceptions) to seep through the cilia of_ WHAT SEEMS TO BE _and reach the vital stream of_ WHAT ACTUALLY IS. " -- From A PRESCRIPTION FOR CRIME, _By_ Dr. Luigi Pinna

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The French Powder Mystery is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ellery Queen, dated 1939 CE.

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mystery · detective · crime · suspense · whodunit · investigation · classic · puzzle · red herrings · plot twists · forensic · deduction

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More by Ellery Queen