Ellery Queen
Biography
Ellery Queen was the joint pseudonym of American cousins Frederic Dannay (1905–1982) and Manfred Bennington Lee (1905–1971), who created one of the most successful detective fiction franchises in history. "Ellery Queen" served triple duty as their pen name, the name of their detective protagonist, and the title of their mystery magazine. Beginning with The Roman Hat Mystery (1929), they published dozens of novels featuring the brilliant amateur detective Ellery Queen, known for his "Challenge to the Reader" that invited audiences to solve the mystery before the solution was revealed. They also edited Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, the most influential mystery periodical ever published.
Common themes in Ellery Queen's work
Detective Fiction
A recurring theme throughout Ellery Queen's writing.
Golden Age Mystery
A recurring theme throughout Ellery Queen's writing.
American Crime Fiction
A recurring theme throughout Ellery Queen's writing.
Fair Play Mystery
A recurring theme throughout Ellery Queen's writing.
Books
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Why Ellery Queen is still read today
Ellery Queen is one of the most important names in the history of detective fiction, both as authors and through their magazine, which published virtually every major mystery writer of the twentieth century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ellery Queen?
Ellery Queen was the pen name of cousins Frederic Dannay and Manfred Lee, who created one of the most successful detective fiction franchises in history.
What is The Roman Hat Mystery about?
The first Ellery Queen novel—a murder at a Broadway theater that the detective must solve using logical deduction. Read it free on TextStack.
What is the Challenge to the Reader?
A feature in Queen novels where the authors pause the narrative to inform readers they now have all the clues to solve the mystery.
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