Ellery Queen #1

Ellery Queen confronts a criminal racket known as the Legion of the Damned, which operates a chain-letter murder scheme: wealthy individuals seeking to eliminate rivals pay the organization to commit murders under the guise of chain-letter killings attributed to other members. Queen uncovers the conspiracy and exposes those responsible, including an old woman with an incurable ailment and various corrupt businessmen who used the scheme for personal gain. The criminals are apprehended and face justice in court as Queen successfully dismantles the lethal operation.