The Dragon's Teeth, subtitled A Problem in Deduction, is a mystery novel written by the pseudonymous author Ellery Queen, first published in 1939. It is the fifteenth novel in the long-running Ellery Queen series, which features the author's namesake detective and his father, Inspector Richard Queen of the New York Police Department. The story is notable for its intricate plot, which involves a missing heir, a strange will, and a series of murders connected to a wealthy and eccentric family.
The novel is a classic example of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, characterized by its fair-play clueing and a complex, puzzle-like structure. Ellery Queen, the detective, is presented as a brilliant amateur sleuth who uses pure logic and deduction to solve crimes that baffle the police. The Dragon's Teeth is particularly remembered for its clever central conceit and a solution that hinges on a subtle but crucial piece of evidence, solidifying its reputation among fans of the genre.
As with all early Ellery Queen novels, the book includes a formal 'Challenge to the Reader' just before the final revelation, a signature device where the author directly addresses the audience, stating that all clues necessary to solve the mystery have now been presented. This interactive element was a hallmark of the series and contributed significantly to its immense popularity and the author's status as a master of the detective story.
