The Finishing Touch was published in 1958 but is set around Christmas / New Year 1929 to 1930, when Ellery Queen is invited to stay at a mansion with several guests, among them John Sebastian, an heir to a large fortune, involving an unknown body, mysterious christmas presents to Sebastian, which nobody seems to have sent and last but not least a twin, who might or might not exist.

The story is quite enjoyable, probably even more so if read during the holidays, since it is filled with holiday spirit, and each chapter is set during one day from Christmas Eve until January 6, and the finale even takes place 27 years later. Some of the clues are rather obscure and difficult to figure out, so some might call them unfair, but the plot is nevertheless quite logical, if somtimes a bit unbelievable. All in all a recommended Queen mystery in the classical tradition.

Have you read this book? Comment your thoughts on the book or Ellery Queen.