Ellery Queen

This celebrated mystery author was, in fact, a shared pseudonym for two cousins, Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee, who dedicated forty-two years to writing, editing, and anthologizing under the name. Their collective work stands as a pinnacle of the Golden Age "fair play" mystery, characterized by intricate plotting and logical deduction. The fictional detective, an amateur sleuth assisting his police inspector father, became synonymous with baffling crimes solved through keen intellect. Beyond their novels, they co-founded a highly influential crime fiction magazine, cementing their legacy in the genre.