Ellery Queen is stuck with a manuscript to won't go when his father presents him with a puzzle in A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE.
Nino Importuna is a self-made man who carries with him superstitions from his childhood. One of his brothers is murdered and the other hangs himself in a confession of guilt for the crime. This leaves Importuna the sole processor of a fortune worth millions. On the evening of his birthday and fifth wedding anniversary Importuna presents his young wife with a new will naming her as his sole beneficiary and he is bludgeoned to death with a sculpture resembling a nine nine times.
Inspector Queen starts receiving notes about Importuna's past that contain the numeral nine and cannot be verified. Ellery is played like a puppet on a string by a master who calls the dance.