The Tragedy of Z
Cover Artist: not identifiedBy: Queen, Ellery pseudonym of Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee
Publisher: Pocket Books, Inc. (355)
Place of Publication:New York, NY
Catalog #: Kelley Box 357: PS3533 .U4 T75 1946
Contributor: C. Monaghan
General
Era: 1930sAuthor as on Cover: Ellery Queen
Publication:1946
Original Date: 1933
Setting: small town, countryside, and a wealthy residence
Plot Summary
After a lengthy stay abroad, Patience Thumm returns to New York City and teams up with her father, a retired NYPD homicide detective hired to investigate the activities of a wealthy businessman's silent partner. When they discover that a murder is involved, Inspector Thumm solicits the aid of his long-time friend, former actor and renowned crime solver, Drury Lane. Together the three are led down a path where they uncover several people who are also interested in the activities of the murdered senator, including the F.B.I. Aaron Dow, who ironically, is released from prison the day the senator is murdered, is hastily arrested and convicted. Back in prison, Dow manages to escape, and is again suspected of a second murder. With the help of the district attorney who was the victim's running mate for the senate seat, Dow is again arrested, convicted of a second murder, and sent back to prison. As Inspector Thumm, Patience, and Drury Lane attempt to prove Dow's innocence, they discover some unusual happenings at the prison. Inspector Thumm and Drury Lane seek help from their long-time friend, the governor of New York, but despite their efforts, destiny is the ultimate winner.Major Characters
Drury Lane adult male, age 70, tall, slow-moving, broad shoulders, thinning white hair, wrinkled hands and face. He has a hearing loss, but compensates by reading lips; sophisticated, charming, retired Shakespearean actor now internationally famous for his genius in solving crimes, detective.Inspector Thumm adult male, widowed, in his late 60s, father of Patience Thumm; with a nose that looks smashed. Formerly a detective with NYPD homicide, tough and rough around the edges, currently working as a private detective.
Patience Thumm adult female, early 20s, sophisticated, well-educated, well-traveled, honey blonde hair, blue eyes, size 16 figure, daughter of Inspector Thumm; over-confident at times which she later regrets.
Warden Magnus adult male, prison warden at Algonquin State Prison
Father Muir adult male, chaplain and librarian at Algonquin State Prison
Joel Fawcett adult male, middle-aged, big and beefy with an unhandsome obesity, New York State Senator, embezzler
Ira Fawcett adult male, physician, middle-aged, tall, cadaverous marked facial features like that of his dead brother, yellowed teeth, horsy smile, black van dyke beard, heavy smoker, womanizer; brother of Senator Joel Fawcett.
Aaron Dow adult male, small build, marked deformities are the result of an accident while in prison; one eye is permanently shut; right arm is atrophied and dangling
Fanny Kaiser adult female, middle-aged, carmel colored hair, tall, large Amazon-like build, involved with both the senator and the doctor