THE CHINESE ORANGE MYSTERY: A Problem in Deduction by Queen, Ellery - 1934

N.Y.: Fredrick A. Stokes Company, 1934. First Edition. A near fine copy with a small stain at rear corner, previous owner's gift inscrition at front, else a fine bright, tight copy in original dust jacket, not price clipped -- original $2.00 price intact. Jacket is lightly sunned at spine, with a small chip at the top and bottom spine, some tape repairs on the verso, and a small red stain at rear wear book has bled onto jacket. Contains both a forward by 'J. J. McC' and the 'Challenge to the Reader' that characterizes the earlier books in the series. Includes map of the scene of the crime. This is a classic locked room mystery. A mysterious stranger comes to call, is left alone to wait and then is discovered murdered. Several people were nearby but no one could have entered the room unobserved and there was no apparent motive for any one to kill the stranger. Of course Ellery Queen manages to solve the crime but not before traveling down a delightfully twisting path, and uncovering some deep dark secrets along the way. This is one of the novels that contains both a forward by the mysterious 'J. J. McC' and the 'Challenge to the Reader' that characterize the earlier books in the series.. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good. Book.