The story in one page
Monte Field, a lawyer with a side hustle in extortion, drops dead in seat LL32 during the second act of a Broadway play. When Inspector Richard Queen seals the Roman Theatre, he finds a dead man but no silk top hat, despite the victim having arrived wearing one. The Inspector’s son, Ellery, joins the investigation, focusing on why a murderer would risk capture just to steal headwear. The search uncovers a web of blackmail involving a disgraced attorney, a wealthy socialite, and a stash of incriminating documents. Through a methodical elimination of every person in the theatre, Ellery proves that the missing hat wasn't just a garment, but a transport device for the evidence that prompted the murder.
Who's who
- Ellery Queen
An analytical book-lover who assists his father using cold logic.
- Inspector Richard Queen
A veteran New York police detective who relies on snuff and procedure.
- Monte Field
The unscrupulous victim who blackmailing several prominent New York citizens.
- Benjamin Morgan
A paunchy former criminal lawyer being extorted by the victim.
- Stephen Barry
The fiancé of Frances Ives-Pope with his own hidden motives.
- Djuna
The Queens' young domestic assistant who manages their household.
What it's really about
- Logical Deduction
- The belief that pure reason can solve any human crime.
- Social Reputation
- The lengths elites go to protect their public standing from scandal.
Why it's memorable
- The Inspector ordering a full-body search of every single theatre-goer for a missing hat.
- A map of the Roman Theatre seats used to track the killer's movements.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Ellery reveals Stephen Barry killed Field to retrieve blackmail papers, hiding them in the victim's hat; he then wore the hat out while discarding his own, later destroying the evidence. Inspector Queen reflects on his son's brilliance before returning to the lonely routine of police headquarters.
For your book club
- Does the focus on the physical hat distract from the human motives of the suspects?
- How does the dynamic between the father and son influence the efficiency of the investigation?