# The Roman Hat Mystery — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/dedication.md): The author expresses gratitude to Professor Alexander Goettler, Chief Toxicologist of the City of New York, for his assistance in the preparation of the story.
- [Lexicon of Persons Connected with the Investigation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/lexicon-of-persons-connected-with-the-investigation.md): A reference list of all individuals involved in the Monte Field murder case, provided by Ellery Queen for the reader's convenience to track characters who may become significant in the solution of the crime.
- [Explanation for the Map of the Roman Theatre](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/explanation-for-the-map-of-the-roman-theatre.md): This chapter presents a detailed map of the Roman Theatre, drawn by Ellery Queen, labeling key locations such as actors' dressing-rooms, seats of various individuals (Frances Ives-Pope, Benjamin Morgan, Monte Field, Pars
- [The Roman Hat Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/the-roman-hat-mystery.md): The chapter opens with a quote from Tamaka Hiero's 'A Thousand Leaves,' comparing the policeman's duty to that of the fool-bird who persists despite danger, emphasizing thoroughness in investigation.
- [I: In Which Are Introduced a Theatre-Audience and a Corpse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-one-i-in-which-are-introduced-a-theatre-audience-and-a-corpse.md): On a rainy September evening, the Roman Theatre is packed for the crime drama 'Gunplay'. During the second act, a commotion arises at the rear; a policeman discovers a dead man (later identified as Monte Field) and detai
- [In Which One Queen Works and Another Queen Watches](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-one-ii-in-which-one-queen-works-and-another-queen-watches.md): Inspector Richard Queen arrives at the Roman Theatre to take charge of the murder investigation. He methodically secures the scene, interviews witnesses, and gathers initial evidence, including a mysterious ginger ale bo
- [In Which a “Parson” Comes to Grief](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-one-iii-in-which-a-parson-comes-to-grief.md): Inspector Queen and his team interrogate the audience and search the theatre for evidence. A man known as 'Parson Johnny' is caught trying to sneak out and is brought before the Inspector. Jess Lynch, an orangeade boy, p
- [IV: In Which Many Are Called and Two Are Chosen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-one-iv-in-which-many-are-called-and-two-are-chosen.md): Inspector Queen and Ellery examine audience lists provided by Sergeant Velie, discovering that Benjamin Morgan was Monte Field's former law partner. The Inspector orders a thorough search of the theatre by cleaning women
- [In Which Inspector Queen Conducts Some Legal Conversations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-one-v-in-which-inspector-queen-conducts-some-legal-conversations.md): Inspector Queen conducts interviews in the manager's office, questioning Parson Johnny Cazzanelli and his girlfriend Madge O'Connell about their whereabouts during the murder, and then interrogates Benjamin Morgan, a for
- [In Which the District Attorney Turns Biographer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-one-vi-in-which-the-district-attorney-turns-biographer.md): District Attorney Henry Sampson, despite being ill, visits Inspector Queen to share his knowledge of Monte Field's criminal past. Sampson reveals Field's early partnership with the shady Cohen, Cohen's murder, Field's su
- [The Queens Take Stock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-one-vii-the-queens-take-stock.md): Ellery and Inspector Queen, along with District Attorney Sampson, review the evidence in the Monte Field murder case. Ellery systematically analyzes the crime scene, the locked doors, the missing top hat, and the suspect
- [In Which the Queens Meet Mr. Field's Very Best Friend](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-two-viii-in-which-the-queens-meet-mr-field-s-very-best-friend.md): The chapter opens with a description of the Queens' apartment on West 87th Street, a comfortable and intellectual home run by their devoted factotum Djuna. The next morning after Monte Field's murder, Inspector Queen rec
- [In Which the Mysterious Mr. Michaels Appears](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-two-ix-in-which-the-mysterious-mr-michaels-appears.md): The chapter introduces Charles Michaels, Monte Field's valet, who is caught entering the apartment early in the morning with a suitcase. Under questioning by Inspector Queen and Ellery, Michaels claims he came to collect
- [In Which Mr. Field's Tophats Begin to Assume Proportions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-two-x-in-which-mr-field-s-tophats-begin-to-assume-proportions.md): Inspector Queen and Ellery visit Monte Field's law office, where they interview office manager Oscar Lewin and learn about Field's business and personal habits. They examine evidence from the theatre, including a program
- [In Which the Past Casts a Shadow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-two-xi-in-which-the-past-casts-a-shadow.md): Inspector Queen and Ellery meet with financier Stanford Ives-Pope, who requests a private interview at his home to allow his daughter Frances to explain her connection to Monte Field. Later, they interview Benjamin Morga
- [In Which the Queens Invade Society](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-two-xii-in-which-the-queens-invade-society.md): The Queens visit the Ives-Pope mansion on Riverside Drive to interview Frances Ives-Pope about her evening bag found in Monte Field's pocket. Inspector Queen apologizes for his harsh treatment of Frances on Monday night 
- [Queen to Queen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-two-xiii-queen-to-queen.md): Dr. Prouty and Dr. Thaddeus Jones visit the Queens to report their startling toxicological findings on Monte Field's remains, revealing a unique poison. Later, Inspector Queen and Ellery discuss the case, focusing on the
- [In Which the Hat Grows](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-three-xiv-in-which-the-hat-grows.md): On the third morning after the murder, Inspector Queen and Ellery rise early and, after a hasty breakfast, arrange to meet Louis Panzer and Mrs. Phillips at the Roman Theatre. They conduct a thorough search of the premis
- [XV: In Which an Accusation Is Made](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-three-xv-in-which-an-accusation-is-made.md): Detective Hagstrom arrests Mrs. Angela Russo at Benjamin Morgan's office and brings her to Inspector Queen's headquarters. Under interrogation, she admits to lying earlier and reveals that she overheard Benjamin Morgan t
- [In Which the Queens Go to the Theatre](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-three-xvi-in-which-the-queens-go-to-the-theatre.md): Ellery and Inspector Queen dine with Benjamin Morgan, who finally explains his presence at the theatre on the night of the murder and his threat to Monte Field. Later, the Queens attend a performance of 'Gunplay' at the 
- [In Which More Hats Grow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-three-xvii-in-which-more-hats-grow.md): Inspector Queen, Ellery Queen, and Assistant District Attorney Cronin search Monte Field's apartment for hidden blackmail documents. Despite an exhaustive search of the foyer, living-room, bedroom, kitchenette, and bathr
- [XVIII: Stalemate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-three-xviii-stalemate.md): Inspector Queen is frustrated by the lack of physical evidence in the Monte Field case, despite being confident in his deductions. Ellery prepares for a vacation to Maine, but a final search by a housebreaker yields noth
- [Interlude](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-three-interlude.md): The author directly addresses the reader, challenging them to solve the murder of Monte Field using the clues presented so far. Inspector Richard Queen's reflections on the perfect criminal are quoted, emphasizing the ra
- [In Which Inspector Queen Conducts More Legal Conversations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-four-xix-in-which-inspector-queen-conducts-more-legal-conversations.md): Inspector Queen, irritable and depressed due to Ellery's departure, conducts further interviews at the Roman Theatre. He questions Parson Johnny, Madge O'Connell, William Pusak, and Jess Lynch, gathering small clues. Aft
- [XX: In Which Mr. Michaels Writes a Letter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-four-xx-in-which-mr-michaels-writes-a-letter.md): Inspector Queen returns to work refreshed after a weekend outing with Djuna. He summons Sergeant Velie and brings in Michaels, Field's valet, for a private interview. After half an hour, Michaels emerges pale and trembli
- [XXI: In Which Inspector Queen Makes a Capture—](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-four-xxi-in-which-inspector-queen-makes-a-capture.md): Inspector Queen orchestrates a sting operation in Central Park, disguising himself as a black-clad man to meet a contact. After a tense exchange, the contact draws a gun and fires, wounding the disguised Inspector. Queen
- [XXII: —and Explains](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-four-xxii-and-explains.md): Inspector Queen, in a reflective mood, explains the reasoning behind the Field case to District Attorney Sampson and Timothy Cronin. He details the significance of the missing top hat, the blackmail motive, and the event
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide editorial commentary and clarifications on the narrative, including references to the fictional crime, Ellery Queen's role, a Shakespearean allusion, the source of the frontispiece map, and a correct
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md): This chapter presents a list of illustrations including a map of the Roman Theatre drawn by Ellery Queen, a play program with handwritten notes referencing Monte Field and numbers 930, 815, and 50,000, and a line drawing

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