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Ellery Queen Detective #18
The Murderer is a Fox
For the twelve years following the death of Davy's mother Jessica, and the trial of his father, Davy Fox has suffered inner torture. Davy knew he loved his wife...as well as he knew he was going to kill her. He didn't know just when it was going to happen--but when a man is born to be a murderer, it's only a matter of time before he claims his birthright. Love turns out to be a matter of life or death--and it's up to Ellery Queen to make the choice!
248 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1945
About the author
Ellery Queen
1,744 books500 followersaka Barnaby Ross.
(Pseudonym of Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee)
"Ellery Queen" was a pen name created and shared by two cousins, Frederic Dannay (1905-1982) and Manfred B. Lee (1905-1971), as well as the name of their most famous detective. Born in Brooklyn, they spent forty two years writing, editing, and anthologizing under the name, gaining a reputation as the foremost American authors of the Golden Age "fair play" mystery.
Although eventually famous on television and radio, Queen's first appearance came in 1928 when the cousins won a mystery-writing contest with the book that would eventually be published as The Roman Hat Mystery. Their character was an amateur detective who used his spare time to assist his police inspector father in solving baffling crimes. Besides writing the Queen novels, Dannay and Lee cofounded Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, one of the most influential crime publications of all time. Although Dannay outlived his cousin by nine years, he retired Queen upon Lee's death.
Several of the later "Ellery Queen" books were written by other authors, including Jack Vance, Avram Davidson, and Theodore Sturgeon.
(Pseudonym of Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee)
"Ellery Queen" was a pen name created and shared by two cousins, Frederic Dannay (1905-1982) and Manfred B. Lee (1905-1971), as well as the name of their most famous detective. Born in Brooklyn, they spent forty two years writing, editing, and anthologizing under the name, gaining a reputation as the foremost American authors of the Golden Age "fair play" mystery.
Although eventually famous on television and radio, Queen's first appearance came in 1928 when the cousins won a mystery-writing contest with the book that would eventually be published as The Roman Hat Mystery. Their character was an amateur detective who used his spare time to assist his police inspector father in solving baffling crimes. Besides writing the Queen novels, Dannay and Lee cofounded Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, one of the most influential crime publications of all time. Although Dannay outlived his cousin by nine years, he retired Queen upon Lee's death.
Several of the later "Ellery Queen" books were written by other authors, including Jack Vance, Avram Davidson, and Theodore Sturgeon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 23, 2016
نصفه رهایش کردم. به خواندنش نمی ارزید. برخلاف اسمش که بشدت مرموز بود و جذاب. داستان تا حد دهشت آوری کسل کننده بود .نه داستان قتل مهیج بود. نه خود کارآگاه شخصیت جالبی داشت. و نه مسیر یافتن قاتل چیز قابل وصفی بود. حیف آن همه تمثیلات لانه روباه و....برای این کتاب حوصله سر بر!
بهمن ماه 94/ژانویه 2016
June 3, 2020
An enjoyable whodunnit read.
Davy’s father has been in prison for twelve years for the murder of his wife Jessica. Davy returns from WW2 with post traumatic syndrome. He believes he has his fathers genes and will murder his wife Linda.
Ellery Queen is asked to reinvestigate the case as the couple believe if his father, Maynard is proved innocent then Davy will be cured of his murderous rages.
It all comes down to who put the poison digitalis into Jessica’s grape juice. A few red herrings and a good twist at the end. Chemistry sets for 10 years can be dangerous toys.
Davy’s father has been in prison for twelve years for the murder of his wife Jessica. Davy returns from WW2 with post traumatic syndrome. He believes he has his fathers genes and will murder his wife Linda.
Ellery Queen is asked to reinvestigate the case as the couple believe if his father, Maynard is proved innocent then Davy will be cured of his murderous rages.
It all comes down to who put the poison digitalis into Jessica’s grape juice. A few red herrings and a good twist at the end. Chemistry sets for 10 years can be dangerous toys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2023
Una bella storia su un soldato della prima guerra mondiale che torna a casa con un disturbo post-traumatico da stress. Anni prima, quando aveva 10 anni, suo padre era stato condannato per aver ucciso sua madre e, da allora il suo timore era che anche lui un giorno sarebbe diventato un assassino. L'ulteriore stress della guerra gli fa temere che crollerà e ucciderà sua moglie. E allora entra in campo Ellery che dovrà riprendere il mano il caso del padre.
Diversamente dal solito, Ellery non riesce a risolvere il caso facilmente, anzi, dovrà rivedere le sue supposizioni. Lettura interessante.
Diversamente dal solito, Ellery non riesce a risolvere il caso facilmente, anzi, dovrà rivedere le sue supposizioni. Lettura interessante.
September 20, 2024
Ellery Queen makes a late entrance, but his favorite town, Wrightsville makes an immediate and colorful entrance. A war hero is returning home from a brutal war, and his PTSD is aggravated by a murder in his past. An exceptional first act ends literally with a thunderbolt, and it is time for EQ to make his entrance.
What develops is a seemingly impossible murder to solve, with red herrings that all seem to come to nothing. Ellery perseveres, however, and soon discovers who is the murderous Fox.
This is EQ I think I like best, because none of the annoying tropes are here and the writing is exceptional. While this is written during the melancholy Ellery period, it’s a satisfying read rather than depressing.
What develops is a seemingly impossible murder to solve, with red herrings that all seem to come to nothing. Ellery perseveres, however, and soon discovers who is the murderous Fox.
This is EQ I think I like best, because none of the annoying tropes are here and the writing is exceptional. While this is written during the melancholy Ellery period, it’s a satisfying read rather than depressing.
November 26, 2009
یه رمان پلیسی که اونقدر جذابیت داشت که 350 صفه رو بیوقفه بخونم. یه جور خوبی بود یه جور خانوم مارپلیای
December 12, 2020
Clear, perfectly clued, and succinct. One of my favorites of the Wrightville books.
September 19, 2017
This was an excellent story about a WWI soldier who comes home with PTSD. His father was convicted of killing his mother when the soldier was 10, and he's always feared he, too, would be a killer. The added stressed of the War has him fearing he'll crack and kill his wife. She convinces him to go to Ellery Queen for help. This leads to Queen reopening the case against his father.
A great deal of the beginning focuses on Davey Fox and his PTSD, and I really grew to like him and his wife a lot. In fact I began to worry about who would turn out to be the murderer and what the effect would be on him.
Ultimately this was an excellent mystery, but I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Maybe it was clever and great, or maybe... not. So 4 stars for a really good book with an ending I'm not sure about.
A great deal of the beginning focuses on Davey Fox and his PTSD, and I really grew to like him and his wife a lot. In fact I began to worry about who would turn out to be the murderer and what the effect would be on him.
Ultimately this was an excellent mystery, but I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Maybe it was clever and great, or maybe... not. So 4 stars for a really good book with an ending I'm not sure about.
February 6, 2017
کتاب موضوع جالب و فوق العاده ای برای پیگیری مداوم داشت. بطوریکه تا لحظه تموم شدنش دلم نمیخاست رهاش کنم.معصومیت بچه و از طرفی رها کردن خوشبختی و سکوت یک پدر برای ارامش ابدی بچه ش و از طرفی سوئ تفاهم و نااگاهی برای پایان دادن زندگی یک نفر. بی نظیر بود.
December 19, 2018
دوستت دارم اما تو دیگر مرا نمی شناسی
. ذهنم طور دیگری شده .
دوستت دارم و احمق بودم که به تو شک بردم ، اما بی فایده است ، بی فایده است .
. ذهنم طور دیگری شده .
دوستت دارم و احمق بودم که به تو شک بردم ، اما بی فایده است ، بی فایده است .
June 15, 2020
Een verhaal uit de Wrightsville reeks, dat, hoewel erg spitsvondig, toch vooral opvalt door zijn sombere sfeer. Het duurt even voor Ellery Queen (de detective) ten tonele verschijnt en daartegen is de toon al gezet, dit wordt geen vrolijk verhaal. Ellery Queen (de schrijver) voert Wrighsville weer ten tonele maar buiten commissaris Dakin spelen de bekenden van uit de vroegere boeken geen of slechts een kleine rol. Ook vader Queen speelt slechts heel even mee, dus de interacties tussen vader en zoon ontbreken.
Ellery neemt een onmogelijke zaak aan: een moord van 12 jaar geleden (her)onderzoeken, terwijl de zaak destijds grondig werd uitgespit, er geen fouten in het onderzoek gebeurden en de schuld waterdicht bewezen was.
Uiteraard zal Ellery alles opnieuw nalopen en aan een los draadje beginnen trekken om uiteindelijk tot een heel andere conclusie te komen. Valse sporen, over het hoofd geziene sporen, een persoonlijke en fysieke aanval op Ellery, veel praten en een onverschillige hoofdverdachte make dit tot een spannende whodunit. Zoals gebruikelijk kan de zeer aandachtige lezer de zaak zelf oplossen en het juiste motief geven. Dat was voor mij in dit verhaal minder moeilijk dan in sommige andere.
Ellery neemt een onmogelijke zaak aan: een moord van 12 jaar geleden (her)onderzoeken, terwijl de zaak destijds grondig werd uitgespit, er geen fouten in het onderzoek gebeurden en de schuld waterdicht bewezen was.
Uiteraard zal Ellery alles opnieuw nalopen en aan een los draadje beginnen trekken om uiteindelijk tot een heel andere conclusie te komen. Valse sporen, over het hoofd geziene sporen, een persoonlijke en fysieke aanval op Ellery, veel praten en een onverschillige hoofdverdachte make dit tot een spannende whodunit. Zoals gebruikelijk kan de zeer aandachtige lezer de zaak zelf oplossen en het juiste motief geven. Dat was voor mij in dit verhaal minder moeilijk dan in sommige andere.
July 17, 2019
Davey Fox comes home a war hero to his town and family, but the truth is he is haunted by his father being a convicted murderer. Having been through the hell of war, he thinks that he will also become a murderer and his wife will be his victim.
His wife, Linda, thinks different and contacts Ellery Queen to see if he can prove that Davey's father is really innocent, and the trial wasn't cut and dried as it was treated. It has been twelve years since the trial, and Ellery has to rely on his investigating and old records. Records that aren't easy to access, and secrets that don't want to be revealed.
There is more character description in this book than usual. Davey would be considered to be suffering from PTSD today, but this is in the 1940s and treatment is lots of rest. Unfortunately it doesn't help when the person suffers nightmares on a reoccurring basis.
This was a different Ellery Queen that the ones I've read in the past. Ellery did not solve things as easily as before, but had to do quite a bit of thinking and error checking. Interesting read.
His wife, Linda, thinks different and contacts Ellery Queen to see if he can prove that Davey's father is really innocent, and the trial wasn't cut and dried as it was treated. It has been twelve years since the trial, and Ellery has to rely on his investigating and old records. Records that aren't easy to access, and secrets that don't want to be revealed.
There is more character description in this book than usual. Davey would be considered to be suffering from PTSD today, but this is in the 1940s and treatment is lots of rest. Unfortunately it doesn't help when the person suffers nightmares on a reoccurring basis.
This was a different Ellery Queen that the ones I've read in the past. Ellery did not solve things as easily as before, but had to do quite a bit of thinking and error checking. Interesting read.
March 2, 2021
Leider war das Buch nicht meins. Die Sprache und Ansätze zu veraltet.
June 4, 2020
More of the same a la Calamity town. Here, the puzzle provides even less to chew on and most of the mystery is solved before the big reveal. There were a couple of moments where Ellery spouts "Ah...don't you see what this means!", and I was thinking, "Yup, no kidding." It's generally not a good thing when you find yourself mocking the detective. Breezy, so I'll let it keep that third star.
July 2, 2024
One of the best Queen novels, written succinctly and with a minimum of melodrama. When I first read it, I don’t think I realized how hard it is to write this simply and grippingly. It doesn’t have the full emotional range of Ten Days’ Wonder or the intricacy of puzzle found in The Greek Coffin Mystery, but it has a quiet dignity and—very unusual for Queen—believable, sympathetic characters. I wish more of the books were like this one.
July 3, 2014
آفرین به نویسنده هاش احسنت .مجبور میشی بیوقفه همش رو بخونی 354صفحه
December 15, 2016
داستان معمایی جالبی بود و با اینکه در این زمینه مسلما کتاب های بسیار بهتری از نظر من پیدا میشود ولی برای اینکه بین دو کتاب خستگی در کنید این کتاب ساده و روان را با پایانی دلپذیر توصیه میکنم
April 22, 2026
Questo romanzo appartiene al ciclo di Wrightsville, una serie di romanzi (fra cui Dieci incredibili giorni e Il paese del maleficio) nei quali Queen, o meglio Dannay e Lee che gestirono collettivamente questo pseudonimo, vuole dimostrare di essere non solo un grande autore di gialli ma anche uno scrittore tout court
Questo romanzo da questo punto di vista risulta riuscitissimo, mentre ho visto delle perplessità nella pur ottima trama gialla.
Protagonista è un giovane ufficiale reduce dalla seconda guerra mondiale. Orfano di madre e col padre in carcere, è stato cresciuto dagli zii. Tornato alla vita civile ha una serie di ossessioni che se a prima vista appaiono la manifestazione dello stress post traumatico a cui sono sottoposti coloro che hanno vissuto in prima persona l’esperienza della guerra, sembrano anche legate al misterioso omicidio della madre avvenuto quando lui era un bambino.
Queen viene appunto chiamato per indagare sul passato e scoprire se le ossessioni del giovane sono fondate. E qui sta il punto debole, per me naturalmente, nel senso che Queen si trova a compiere perquisizioni e verifiche che qualsiasi investigatore dotato di senno avrebbe dovuto compiere dodici anni prima, lasciando un senso di irrealtà. Mentre invece atmosfera e qualità della scrittura sono eccellenti, e la soluzione all’enigma è davvero bella.
È il momento di valutare il romanzo, e qui mi viene in mente un episodio lontano, dei miei studi universitari. All’esame di scienza delle costruzioni feci un grave errore nello scritto, e poi un orale brillante. Al momento del voto l’insegnante mi guardò negli occhi e mi disse “con un errore del genere nello scritto non posso darle trenta” e poi, con una pausa che ricordava quelle di Suchet quando sta per svelare il nome del colpevole nei telefilm di Poirot, aggiunse “ma io glielo do lo stesso” (uno dei pochi trenta che presi, a fronte di una media voti non particolarmente alta). Quindi cinque stelle per questo Queen, che consiglio a tutti. Anche, perché no, a chi non ha mai letto un giallo in vita sua.
Questo romanzo da questo punto di vista risulta riuscitissimo, mentre ho visto delle perplessità nella pur ottima trama gialla.
Protagonista è un giovane ufficiale reduce dalla seconda guerra mondiale. Orfano di madre e col padre in carcere, è stato cresciuto dagli zii. Tornato alla vita civile ha una serie di ossessioni che se a prima vista appaiono la manifestazione dello stress post traumatico a cui sono sottoposti coloro che hanno vissuto in prima persona l’esperienza della guerra, sembrano anche legate al misterioso omicidio della madre avvenuto quando lui era un bambino.
Queen viene appunto chiamato per indagare sul passato e scoprire se le ossessioni del giovane sono fondate. E qui sta il punto debole, per me naturalmente, nel senso che Queen si trova a compiere perquisizioni e verifiche che qualsiasi investigatore dotato di senno avrebbe dovuto compiere dodici anni prima, lasciando un senso di irrealtà. Mentre invece atmosfera e qualità della scrittura sono eccellenti, e la soluzione all’enigma è davvero bella.
È il momento di valutare il romanzo, e qui mi viene in mente un episodio lontano, dei miei studi universitari. All’esame di scienza delle costruzioni feci un grave errore nello scritto, e poi un orale brillante. Al momento del voto l’insegnante mi guardò negli occhi e mi disse “con un errore del genere nello scritto non posso darle trenta” e poi, con una pausa che ricordava quelle di Suchet quando sta per svelare il nome del colpevole nei telefilm di Poirot, aggiunse “ma io glielo do lo stesso” (uno dei pochi trenta che presi, a fronte di una media voti non particolarmente alta). Quindi cinque stelle per questo Queen, che consiglio a tutti. Anche, perché no, a chi non ha mai letto un giallo in vita sua.
May 9, 2023
My favorite thing about the book is that the title is purposefully and technically correct. The plot was fine. I didn't love, no wait, I actually hated that Not a personal fan of how often the Ellery Queen Authors (Ellery and Ellery Queen, I presume) keep . I don't love it. Also, the racism was horrible, and I know it isn't the time period's fault that no one knew how to respond to with no one responding appropriately made me crazy!
Also, were those grape juice cup/pitcher combos really a thing? All purple with stylized grapes on them? Isn't that a little on the nose?
Also, were those grape juice cup/pitcher combos really a thing? All purple with stylized grapes on them? Isn't that a little on the nose?
February 5, 2018
Another great Ellery Queen who-dun-it. Perhaps, one of his finest. This story is Ellery at his best, full of red herrings, convoluted relationships, last minute clues and Queen's solving of the crime with a twist. Written over 70 years ago, Ellery Queen's stories still provide entertainment and enjoyment for his Legion of fans. A very good read.
July 23, 2018
This is the first book I read from the series. I like the layout and how the authors display the time for the evidence. Of course, you would want to know who the killer is but at the same time, it's just painful to know the truth... It's not the first time I read the story like this. I kind of understand why there are things should forever stay in the dark...
September 5, 2021
I haven't read many Ellery Queen novels, but "The Murderer is a Fox" was a bit of a disappointment. The pacing in the first half is way too slow, the way in which the 12-year-old clues drop into the detective's lap too contrived, and I had guessed the true identity of the "murderer" far too early in the story.
Overall, an entertaining read, but I was expecting something more.
Overall, an entertaining read, but I was expecting something more.
June 30, 2024
A great convoluted mystery
I first read this book as a teen. It was my introduction to Ellery Queen. It’s always been my favorite of his books, because of the well-drawn characters and convoluted mystery. No overt sex or violence, just a great classic mystery. Some may find the negative comments on the Japanese offensive. Please remember the book was written in the 1940’s.
I first read this book as a teen. It was my introduction to Ellery Queen. It’s always been my favorite of his books, because of the well-drawn characters and convoluted mystery. No overt sex or violence, just a great classic mystery. Some may find the negative comments on the Japanese offensive. Please remember the book was written in the 1940’s.
June 14, 2019
Romanzo molto malinconico, molto scorrevole e basato su un cold case. Si nota un Ellery più flemmatico del solido. Purtroppo la soluzione finale rovina un po' il tutto, essendo sì molto teatrale, ma improbabile e non deducibile. Dunque 3 stelle.
March 1, 2019
It was boring for me. hardly tried to persuade myself to read it till the end.
Don't suggest.
Don't suggest.
April 21, 2020
A good who dun it!
January 17, 2021
No original, "The Murderer was a Fox", um vampiro vintage.
Ellery Queen em topo de forma, como já não o vi há alguns livros.
Ellery Queen em topo de forma, como já não o vi há alguns livros.
February 19, 2024
A fun read. I picked this up because my grandparents really loved Ellery Queen and it was an enjoyable throwback with an interesting conceit.
April 22, 2026
A classic detective story by a master of the classical whodunit.
October 5, 2022
Update: it didn't live up to its opening. Just an OK murder mystery.
I just started, and it's a surprisingly sophisticated opening for 1945: a war hero is arriving back in his U.S. hometown with severe PTSD and is about to be assaulted by a giant celebration he doesn't want or need. The subtlety is that while the army doctors attribute his PTSD to his combat experiences, he attributes it to childhood trauma 12 years earlier.
I don't know where the novelists will take it — I hope it doesn't go off the rails.
I just started, and it's a surprisingly sophisticated opening for 1945: a war hero is arriving back in his U.S. hometown with severe PTSD and is about to be assaulted by a giant celebration he doesn't want or need. The subtlety is that while the army doctors attribute his PTSD to his combat experiences, he attributes it to childhood trauma 12 years earlier.
I don't know where the novelists will take it — I hope it doesn't go off the rails.
January 6, 2022
After so long not reading physical books it was a little hard to get into however once the initial set up had been completed I really enjoyed Queen's investigative process.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews