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Trapped on a burning mountain, the Queens take refuge with a killer. Dashing detective Ellery Queen and his father are driving over the pothole-scarred Arrow Mountain road when they come face to face with a wall of flame. They tear back in the other direction, fire at their fenders, and finally find safety in a clearing, at the home of Dr. Xavier, a renowned surgeon. He is a genial man, but his distracted, mysterious smile conceals dark secrets. Passing through one of the drafty hallways, show more Ellery's father is startled by a pair of eyes burning in the darkness-the eyes of a monster. Could they be trapped on some kind of mountain of Dr. Moreau? Dr. Xavier introduces them to the rest of his household, including his wife, brother, and medical assistant. Everyone's welcoming, but they also seem anxious and cagey. When the good doctor is found shot to death in his study, Queen realizes that he and his father have more to fear than a pair of sinister eyes. The Queens might have escaped the forest fire, but they have leapt into a situation that's every bit as hot. show lessTags
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On their way back to New York from a vacation in Canada, Ellery Queen and his father, Inspector Queen, are trapped on a burning mountain seemingly with no way out. The only way to go is up, where they discover a large house with strange occupants. The owner, Dr. Xavier, reluctantly opens his home to them when he realizes that fire gives him no alternative. Dr. Xavier is murdered during the night, and the investigation gives Ellery and the Inspector something to do while they're trapped by the fire.
Ellery Queen mysteries are usually convoluted, and this one is even more convoluted than most. The dying man leaves a cryptic clue, the murderer leaves complex red herrings, and another unrelated crime complicates matters. All the while the show more fire keeps creeping closer. It's so poorly plotted that it's laughable. Just ask the friends who listened to most of this with me on a road trip. show less
Ellery Queen mysteries are usually convoluted, and this one is even more convoluted than most. The dying man leaves a cryptic clue, the murderer leaves complex red herrings, and another unrelated crime complicates matters. All the while the show more fire keeps creeping closer. It's so poorly plotted that it's laughable. Just ask the friends who listened to most of this with me on a road trip. show less
In the reviewer’s opinion there is little reason to read this book unless one is a particular fan of Queen, or feels a pressing need to read every book in this series, or is interesting in development of American detective stories or wishes to peer into one aspect of popular culture at the time the book was written. Although The Siamese Twin Mystery was published within a year of the first Nero Wolfe novel there is little to suggest that Queen and Wolfe lived in the same city. And while Stout’s sparse style reveals an amazing amount of about characters Queen’s more convoluted writing results in two-dimensional characters that are often little more than stereotypes.
Both authors center most of their books around a detective who, the show more reader is told, is brilliant. Stout manages to demonstrate Wolfe’s brilliance so convincingly that it is often only later that the reader notices any holes in his arguments or gaps in his logic. Queen’s deductions not only require credulity they are too often obviously overstretched or simply wrong.
The broad setup of this book is strangely reminiscent of Murder in the Calais Coach/Murder on the Orient Express. In both cases the detective (Poirot/Queen) is cut off from the outside world with a small number of people among whom is a murderer. In both cases the detectives are without access to information, backup, and forensic analysts. While Christie’s book is by no means among my favourites it is technically competent. Queen’s is neither technically competent nor well-paced and contains some egregious forensic/medical errors and a truly disturbing level of prejudice. In addition to the normal catalog of simplifications, over-generalizations and stereotypes the reader comes to expect in books published in this period there are constant, incessant and gratuitous reminders of how “fat” one of the characters is. There is scarcely a passage in which that character appears in which his weight is not brought up--often in the most vivid and denigrating fashion.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Queen (the detective) overlooks a simple and obvious clue/detail when the first body is discovered. This reviewer noticed it immediately for the simple reason that the knowledge necessary to “catch” the clue was central to discovering the murder in an earlier Queen novel. That Ellery Queen forgets and then remembers that diabetes speeds up the onset of rigor mortis allows him to first ‘buy into’ clumsy attempts to frame different individuals as murderers and then to ‘brilliantly’ debunk those same attempts. The reader can be forgiven for not knowing or remembering a rather obscure forensic fact but an individual (Queen) whose memory and knowledge of such details is central to his characterization cannot. Queen also apparently thinks that kleptomania is hardly distinguishable from the type of mania that leads to paranoia and murderous rages.
In addition to all of the other problems in this book there is basic lack of good sense on the part of everyone unable to leave a house where a murder has taken place. Ellery is at one point surprised to find that one of the women has locked her bedroom door before going to sleep. The reviewer was surprised to find out that not everyone did so. Nor did any of the characters feel a need to avoid being alone with any of their housemates.
In addition to the problems touched on above this book is dreadfully paced. Pages are devoted to the literary equivalent of treading water. Finally, after the author demonstrating that Ellery is not a particularly a good detective by having him “solve” the murder incorrectly several times, the real murderer finally confesses under laughably unbelievable circumstances and brings about her own death so that Ellery has no need to find the kind of clues or information that would have been necessary to actually arrest the culprit.
Five minutes after finishing the book the reader will realize that the fire that destroyed the house in which most of the action took place also destroyed most of the evidence against the murderer. The only persons left who could be charged with a crime are Ellery and his father since between them they brought about the death of the brother of murdered man. show less
Both authors center most of their books around a detective who, the show more reader is told, is brilliant. Stout manages to demonstrate Wolfe’s brilliance so convincingly that it is often only later that the reader notices any holes in his arguments or gaps in his logic. Queen’s deductions not only require credulity they are too often obviously overstretched or simply wrong.
The broad setup of this book is strangely reminiscent of Murder in the Calais Coach/Murder on the Orient Express. In both cases the detective (Poirot/Queen) is cut off from the outside world with a small number of people among whom is a murderer. In both cases the detectives are without access to information, backup, and forensic analysts. While Christie’s book is by no means among my favourites it is technically competent. Queen’s is neither technically competent nor well-paced and contains some egregious forensic/medical errors and a truly disturbing level of prejudice. In addition to the normal catalog of simplifications, over-generalizations and stereotypes the reader comes to expect in books published in this period there are constant, incessant and gratuitous reminders of how “fat” one of the characters is. There is scarcely a passage in which that character appears in which his weight is not brought up--often in the most vivid and denigrating fashion.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Queen (the detective) overlooks a simple and obvious clue/detail when the first body is discovered. This reviewer noticed it immediately for the simple reason that the knowledge necessary to “catch” the clue was central to discovering the murder in an earlier Queen novel. That Ellery Queen forgets and then remembers that diabetes speeds up the onset of rigor mortis allows him to first ‘buy into’ clumsy attempts to frame different individuals as murderers and then to ‘brilliantly’ debunk those same attempts. The reader can be forgiven for not knowing or remembering a rather obscure forensic fact but an individual (Queen) whose memory and knowledge of such details is central to his characterization cannot. Queen also apparently thinks that kleptomania is hardly distinguishable from the type of mania that leads to paranoia and murderous rages.
In addition to all of the other problems in this book there is basic lack of good sense on the part of everyone unable to leave a house where a murder has taken place. Ellery is at one point surprised to find that one of the women has locked her bedroom door before going to sleep. The reviewer was surprised to find out that not everyone did so. Nor did any of the characters feel a need to avoid being alone with any of their housemates.
In addition to the problems touched on above this book is dreadfully paced. Pages are devoted to the literary equivalent of treading water. Finally, after the author demonstrating that Ellery is not a particularly a good detective by having him “solve” the murder incorrectly several times, the real murderer finally confesses under laughably unbelievable circumstances and brings about her own death so that Ellery has no need to find the kind of clues or information that would have been necessary to actually arrest the culprit.
Five minutes after finishing the book the reader will realize that the fire that destroyed the house in which most of the action took place also destroyed most of the evidence against the murderer. The only persons left who could be charged with a crime are Ellery and his father since between them they brought about the death of the brother of murdered man. show less
This is one of the earlier mysteries in the Ellery Queen series. It seemed to have more drama, was more drawn out in descriptions and in action.
Ellery and his dad, Inspector Queen, are on the way home from a vacation, driving through a mountain area. They find they have gotten caught in a wild fire and end up taking shelter at a home that is built at the top of a mountain.
The inhabitants are an odd group: Dr. Xavier - the owner, his wife - who appears jealous of one of their guests, Dr. Percival Holmes - assistant to the Dr., Mark Xavier - Dr. Xavier's brother, Mrs. Marie Carreau - the guest Mrs. Xavier is jealous of, Francis and Julian Carreau - sons of Mrs. Carreau, Ann Forrest - Mrs. Carreau's secretary, and a Mr. Smith - who seems show more to have some sort of connection. There is also the domestic staff. It is quite a cast.
The day after the Queens' arrival, Dr. Xavier is discovered dead in his study. He is clutching a clue - the dying clue. When Inspector Queen calls down the hill to notify the local law, he is told that the fire is getting out of control and there is no idea when someone can make it up the mountain. the Inspector is given authority over the situation.
The various characters seem to have secrets of their own, and there is a strange atmosphere to the house...and it isn't just due to the smoke and increasing heat of the approaching fire. This all plays together to add tension to the story. Will the mystery be solved? Will the fire be extinguished? Will the characters survive. All the while there is the question of who is the murderer and why.
This seem to have a great many more twists and turns, and a few dead ends, that usual. It was not a book to be read quickly due to so much going on. show less
Ellery and his dad, Inspector Queen, are on the way home from a vacation, driving through a mountain area. They find they have gotten caught in a wild fire and end up taking shelter at a home that is built at the top of a mountain.
The inhabitants are an odd group: Dr. Xavier - the owner, his wife - who appears jealous of one of their guests, Dr. Percival Holmes - assistant to the Dr., Mark Xavier - Dr. Xavier's brother, Mrs. Marie Carreau - the guest Mrs. Xavier is jealous of, Francis and Julian Carreau - sons of Mrs. Carreau, Ann Forrest - Mrs. Carreau's secretary, and a Mr. Smith - who seems show more to have some sort of connection. There is also the domestic staff. It is quite a cast.
The day after the Queens' arrival, Dr. Xavier is discovered dead in his study. He is clutching a clue - the dying clue. When Inspector Queen calls down the hill to notify the local law, he is told that the fire is getting out of control and there is no idea when someone can make it up the mountain. the Inspector is given authority over the situation.
The various characters seem to have secrets of their own, and there is a strange atmosphere to the house...and it isn't just due to the smoke and increasing heat of the approaching fire. This all plays together to add tension to the story. Will the mystery be solved? Will the fire be extinguished? Will the characters survive. All the while there is the question of who is the murderer and why.
This seem to have a great many more twists and turns, and a few dead ends, that usual. It was not a book to be read quickly due to so much going on. show less
I thought I had solved the murder here. I thought this would be the easiest - read worst - mystery ever. The fact that it's not the cleverest either doesn't deter from the fact that the actual worth of the story is readable. The writers tried to add some filler to stretch this book to acceptable proportions. Nonetheless (SPOILERS) the old french adage "cherchez la femme" is doubly meant. I leave you with a recommendation and my taciturnity; I'll say no more.
One of the most atmospheric of the Ellery Queen mysteries, the action is haunted by the forest fire which prevents any help from reaching the remote house where Ellery and Inspector Queen have stumbled onto a strange house party.
Ellery Queen has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. I used to watch the series on Sunday evening. Recently, I watched the series again on Amazon Prime.
While I was at a local library book sale, I came across the book, The Siamese Twin Mystery. Looking for a good mystery to read, I bought it. I certainly was not disappointed. Read more
While I was at a local library book sale, I came across the book, The Siamese Twin Mystery. Looking for a good mystery to read, I bought it. I certainly was not disappointed. Read more
De vacaciones, a los Queen les atrapa un fuego en la cima de una montaña. Llegan a una casa donde son recibidos por un médico famoso y su colección de inquietantes invitados, pero esa noche el anfitrión es asesinado. El padre inspector y el hijo detective asumen la investigación y, mientras el fuego les va cercando cada vez más, muere el hermano del médico...
El recurso al aislamiento imposible de romper es ya tópico en la literatura negra, pero aquí los autores lo hacen más dramático, apretando psicológicamente a todos los personajes, incluidos los Queen. Además, éstos dan unos cuantos palos de ciego, acusando falsamente en varias ocasiones. Algunos personajes extraños, cuyo papel no aparece claro hasta la parte final de show more la obra, completan una novela muy bien construida, en linea ascendente que llega a la angustia al final, con todos los personajes (los vivos) encerrados y rodeados por el fuego.
No es tan divertido como "El cadáver fugitivo", pero sin duda es una estupenda novela policiaca, digna de los autores. show less
El recurso al aislamiento imposible de romper es ya tópico en la literatura negra, pero aquí los autores lo hacen más dramático, apretando psicológicamente a todos los personajes, incluidos los Queen. Además, éstos dan unos cuantos palos de ciego, acusando falsamente en varias ocasiones. Algunos personajes extraños, cuyo papel no aparece claro hasta la parte final de show more la obra, completan una novela muy bien construida, en linea ascendente que llega a la angustia al final, con todos los personajes (los vivos) encerrados y rodeados por el fuego.
No es tan divertido como "El cadáver fugitivo", pero sin duda es una estupenda novela policiaca, digna de los autores. show less
Nov 26, 2010 (Edited)Spanish
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- Canonical title
- The Siamese Twin Mystery
- Original title
- The Siamese Twin Mystery
- Original publication date
- 1933
- People/Characters
- Ellery Queen; Richard Queen (Inspector); Dr. John S. Xavier; Sarah Isére Xavier; Mark Xavier; Mrs. Wheary (show all 14); Dr. Percival Holmes; Bones; Marie Carreau; Francis Carreau; Julian Carreau; Ann Forrest; Mr. Smith; Winslowe Reid
- Important places
- Arrow Mountain; Osquewa
- Epigraph
- Part I
"The human element is the only factor that keeps this world from being overrun by untouchable murderers. The complexity of the criminal mind is also its greatest weakness. Show me a so-called 'clever' murderer an... (show all)d I will show you a man already condemned to death."
--Crime and the Criminal by Luigi Persano (1928).
Part II
"Psychology never errs. The chief difficulty is knowing your subject. Psychology is an exact science with infinite ramifications."
--Minds Human and Inhuman by Stanley Whyte, D.Sc.
Part III
"It is as if you batter away at a stubborn door with all your strength and after exhaustive effort break it down. For a moment the light blinds you and you think you are seeing reality. Then your eyes become in... (show all)ured and you see that the details had been wispiest illusion, that it is merely an empty compartment with another stubborn door on the opposite side. . . . I daresay that every investigator of crime has experienced this same feeling on a case which has more than the average subtlety."
--From Rambles in the Past (p. 233) by Richard Queen.
Part IV
"I felt as if I was going crazy. Just plain crazy. I sat there and they stood over me and nobody said anything and all the while that damned bloody shirt lay there with the light on it and I could see his face e... (show all)ven though he was a stiff in the Morgue. So I came through. I couldn't stand it. I felt as if I was going crazy. I confessed."
--A. F.'s statement to the press while awaiting execution at Sing Sing Prison, November 21, 19--. - First words
- The road looked as if it had been baked out of rubbly dough in a giant's oven, removed in all its snaky length, unwound and laid in coils around the flank of the mountain, and then cheerfully stamped upon.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"It's raining."
- Original language*
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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