The origin of evil

About “The origin of evil”

Laurel Hill asks Ellery Queen to investigate a series of unusual anonymous gifts received by her father, Leander Hill, a partner in the wholesale jewelry business Hill and Priam. The latest gift—a dead dog with a note—causes Leander to have a heart attack and die. His partner, Roger Priam, who uses a wheelchair, and his wife Delia, who attracts Ellery, begin receiving similar gifts, including poisoned food, a green alligator wallet, a burned book, and worthless stocks. The gifts are linked to a past event that started the business. Ellery uncovers the significance of the gifts and the connection between the notes, leading to a dramatic confrontation that reveals the criminal, though the true culprit remains a surprise until the end.