The Chuckling Fingers

by Mabel Seeley

Rediscover one of the great mystery authors of the twentieth century in this Depression-era tale of a wealthy family's dark secrets turning deadly on their remote lakeside estate. Voted Mystery of the Year in 1941.

An urgent note from a friend spurs Ann Gay to visit her recently married cousin, Jacqueline Heaton. Upon her arrival at Fiddler's Fingers, a remote, pine-grown estate on Lake Superior, Ann immediately senses her cousin's fear--someone has been playing increasingly malicious tricks on the Heatons, a proud family of Minnesota lumber tycoons, and all signs point to Jacqueline as the instigator.

Ann quickly resolves to take Jacqueline and her young daughter, Toby, away from the danger. But what began as seemingly trivial pranks--ruined clothes, a burnt bed, a smashed boat--escalates to direct attacks and ultimately murder. Everyone on the estate and nearby resort, including the entire Heaton family, becomes a suspect. Potential motives are revealed as Ann learns more about the Heaton family, and with no chance of anyone leaving Fiddler's Fingers until the killer is caught, Ann realizes that the only way to prove her cousin's innocence is by snaring the murderer herself.

The trap is set; with herself as bait, Ann's door creaks open in the night as a cloaked figure moves silently toward her bed....

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Classics, Crime, The United States Of America, Thriller

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Mabel Seeley was born Mabel Hodnefield in Herman, Minnesota. Her family moved to St. Paul in 1920, and she attended Mechanic Arts High School. Her first book, The Listening House, was published in 1938. In 1941, she won the Mystery of the Year Award for her book The Chuckling Fingers. Over the course of her career, she wrote seven mysteries, all between 1938 and 1954, and all of them period pieces set in the Midwest.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chuckling Fingers, originally published in 1941, is set on Minnesota's North Shore, among the generation of (what I think of as) the children of the robber barons who deforested so much of the Great Lakes shoreline. The scars of that are felt through the generations, even to murder.

Besides having an amazing title, The Chuckling Fingers has lots of twists and turns, with mysterious happenings and murders. I didn't guess the culprit and was quite shocked at the reveal. It was a bit slow in the first half, but things heat up in the second half.

I do wish this novel had been a little more atmospheric--I love this setting and Seeley set it in her own backyard--but as I am familiar with the general area it wasn't hard to imagine. The characters could have been a little more fleshed out. Pretty much every bit of character development related to the mystery, and I like having more of a sense of who the characters are when folks aren't falling left and right.

Seeley had one quirk that I noticed in Mary Roberts Rinehart's The Wall (1938). The first-person narrator lays some heavy-handed foreshadowing ("little did I know this would be the last time..." "later I would learn...") especially regarding objects that become clues. I thought this was a Rinehart signature, but perhaps it was a stylistic technique among American women mystery writers with independent, headstrong heroines. It is a lot of fun reading American mystery novels from this era imagining that this is what girls who read Nancy Drew grew up to read (the first Nancy Drew was published in 1930); then I realize, well, I'm one of them!

Seeley was the first director of Mystery Writers of America, and I look forward to finding more of her novels.

[Rachel Libke · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable mystery for easy reading to get your mind off things. Really loved the Grand Marais setting.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored Mabel Seeley’s most famous book, The Listening House, so I jumped at the chance to read The Chuckling Fingers when it was reissued.

The novel begins with a bit too much dum-dum-DUM foreshadowing. Our protagonist, Ann Gay, has rushed to Minnesota’s North Shore because her cousin Jacqueline has been subject to some dirty tricks. As soon as Ann starts seeing the dirty tricks for herself, though, things really get going. Someone’s trying to frame Jacqueline for some nasty vandalism — and eventually much worse. I won’t ruin the surprise by delivering more details. I will say that Seeley packs the novel with plenty of twists, and I never, ever guessed the culprit.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Terrific atmosphere in this historical mystery, where a series of mean-spirited pranks played on members of a town's wealthy family eventually escalates to murder.

Anne travels to a small town outside of Minneapolis to see how her cousin Jacqueline is faring (an anonymous note sent to Ann alarmed her about Jacqueline's welfare). Almost immediately, Anne discovers tensions within the family, and suffers from the pranks herself, with murders soon occurring of various family members.

The author conveyed the growing tension well, and the animosity and difficult relationships within the family. I’m not sure if I would have predicted the killer’s identity based on the facts provided, but for a 1940s-written mystery, this was pretty good.

[Kidlitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seeley was overdue for a rediscovery; so glad she's getting the fancy trade paperback editions with the jazzy covers. I'm not as mad for this one as I was for The Listening House, mostly because however smart the heroine is here, the mystery she solves can't compare to the seedy splendour of the House's plot, not least there is no one to compare to The Worse Landlady EVER. But I can't wait for the next reissues to arrive, as Seeley's books are atmospheric, fast-paced and surprisingly gritty, as well as proudly regional in their celebration of Minnesota and its charms.

[Laura Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atmospheric had-I-but-known mystery with a touch of the gothic; grateful for the list of suspects and family tree at the start - those familial connections were a doozy.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: this was written in 1941 so expect weird turns of phrase that Google can't help you with.

Ann receives an urgent note telling her to visit her newly married cousin on Fiddler's Fingers. There she discovers that someone has been pulling cruel pranks and pinning the blame on her cousin. Before Ann can get her to leave, someone is murdered. Suspicion is thrown on Ann's cousin and Ann has to prove her cousin's innocence.

For a slow beginning, once murder happens the pace goes full steam. The characters are interesting but I kept on confusing the men. Fortunately, at the beginning of the book is a character list with notes. This was an enjoyment saver. Ann is constantly thinking on her feet which is a good thing because someone is either being killed or something is being used as a red herring. The identity of the killer was clever.

Review based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

[Yibbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have known. It’s all so terribly obvious. But hats off to Seeley, I didn’t see that ending coming till about two sentences before the reveal. I completely fell for that ever so innocent red-herring. Beware, you just might also.
But before that… or in between really, we get introduced to a wonderful cast of characters. There is the crazy hermit cousin, a wealthy seemingly benevolent or crazy patriarch, jealous friends and children, loyal sisters, and loads of clues. Or are they? Who is behind all the sinister pranks? What is their real point? Why? Why?
It was really a neat little mystery. I would highly recommend it.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic murder mystery from my grandmas collection. Enjoyed the writing very descriptive and kept me guessing until the end.
One of my grandmas favorite books, re reading it and loved it. Suspenseful and keeps you guessing until the very end!

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very scary story. I like that the location was such a creepy entity.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book is a lavender-scented epsom bath for your soul. A bonkers plot, a convoluted family tree, and a proto-Scooby-Doo ending where the killer is unmasked mid-attack. I really wish Douglas Sirk or Alfred Hitchcock had directed a film adaptation in the 50s. It would have upended the Oscars.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the appeal of reading The Chuckling Fingers by Mabel Seeley (1941) is the setting. I've been to Grand Marais, Minnesota with a bunch of boy scouts. Of course, we went paddling in the wilds of the Boundary Waters hunting for adventure instead of a murderer and we came back with as many people as we started with--but it did give me a feel for the area described in what was described (at the time) as "the mystery novel of year."

Seeley's story begins with Ann Gay arriving in Grand Marais in response to a letter she receives from Jean Nobbelin warning her that her cousin and best friend Jacquelin Heaton may be in danger. Jacqueline has recently married for the second time, wedding Bill Heaton, lumber tycoon. Several ugly incidents have occurred that make it seem as though Jacqui may be a bit unbalanced...or someone wants her to seem that way. Acid is used to make holes in Bill's suit, a bed is set on fire, and Ann's robe is cut to ribbons--among other things.

There are tensions surrounding the whole family. Between Jacqui and her new husband. Between Jacqui and her university-age stepson, Fred. Between Fred and his father. Between Phillips Heaton (Bill's cousin) and just about everyone he meets. But is there enough tension and unrest to explain murder when it happens? And happens it does...with every bit of evidence pointing directly at Jacqui. Sheriff Paavo Aakonen seems to accept the evidential pointers, though he is, wisely, slow to arrest the most obvious suspect. Ann has her work cut out for her to prove her cousin's innocence and make sure that the proper villain is identified.

Overall, this is a most satisfying mystery with interesting characters, fine-tuned timing, good mechanics--with just one quibble that I share with Curt over at The Passing Tramp* (more on this in moment), and an intelligent heroine who keeps her wits about her throughout the horrible events. There is plenty of suspicion to go around, several members of the family who might have motives, but it appears that most of them have alibis. The difficulty which both Curt and I have with the book is that the culprit isn't really discovered through a careful sifting of clues and logical puzzle-solving. Ann (with the help of Jean and Jacqui) must set a trap to trick the murderer. Otherwise, s/he may not have been caught. ★★★ and a half.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to discover long-forgotten authors, and spreading the word about them seems to be an appropriate way to honor their hard work and talents. Molly Young's column in the "NYT" last April recommended this novel. Mabel Seeley, who published a number of books from the 1930's through the mid 1950's, was a well known and well respected mystery writer during this time. "Chuckling Fingers," published in 1941, is a murder mystery with a smart protagonist, a complicated plot, and a range of characters within a carefully defined, powerful setting. "Fiddler's Fingers," the scene of the many crimes, is a beautiful, stately home on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota, surrounded by rock, dense forest, and dangerous water. So much tension is created by the setting throughout the novel.

The Heatons are a wealthy family, beset by tragedy in the past, that had almost fallen from grace before Bill Heaton took charge of the family and legacy. Recently married to a young widow with a toddler, he is committed to the care and protection of his extended family and also has a heroic vision of safeguarding the forest in Minnesota while taking care of the local community. Unfortunately a number of events, pranks and worse, has occurred in the past few months that makes him question the sanity of his wife, Jacqueline. Jacqueline's cousin, Ann Gay, is called in for assistance and is soon witness to more serious, unexplained events including several murders, making Jacqueline appear guiltier by the minute, spurring Ann on to find the culprit. Dark behavior, sinister motives and secrets, the evil driving the murderer coupled with the physical surroundings, and skillful writing propelled me to read at a breakneck speed.

Finally, a comment about the actual book I read, borrowed by my son from the LA Public Library; the pages are yellowed, fragile, some repaired with tape years ago, some stained with food eaten by former patrons. Notes inside the book indicated it is "copy 14," purchased by the library on March, 16, 1962, and has the old pocket glued inside the cover for an IBM card identifying the due date for return. A few phone numbers are also penciled on the other page along with a man's name. I "googled" it, of course, and discovered a picture of him online working at the library in the mid 1990's. Why his name recorded, I wonder? So, a newly discovered author and a book with a long history, well used by book lovers, what could be more satisfying?

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Chuckling Fingers, increasingly hostile pranks are played on a rich Michigan family. All eyes turn to the new bride, Jacqueline. Level-headed Ann comes to the family’s compound to clear her cousin’s name by unmasking the real perpetrator.

Whenever I read one of these golden age mysteries it is difficult to not compare them to Dame Agatha. Christie’s plots were always challenging mysteries. The clues were obscured. However, it was possible for the observant reader to solve the crime. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for The Chuckling Fingers. Even after the killer is revealed, there is no way for an armchair detective to get there other by random guessing. For that reason, this book gets 3 stars from me.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Marilyn Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Chuckling Fingers very much. Mabel Seeley was a Minnesota mystery writer from the 1930s to 1950s who defied the stereotypes of women during that time, characterizing women as strong and independent. Yes, the book is a little over the top, with every chapter having a cliffhanger at the end. But, the characters are real and interesting. I didn't completely guess who the culprit was, but it made sense. The book was a bit long, but worth it.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This murder mystery dates back to 1941, but since the writer has been compared to Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers I thought I would give it a try. It's very much a period piece, with slow pacing, theatrical writing and a huge cast of characters, several of whom I kept getting mixed up. That said, I did not guess the murderer and I thought the last 30 pages were really well done.

[Jessica Janeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a “whodunnit” that will blow your mind! This is my first book by her, and will definitely not be my last. The Fingers is such a creepy yet beautiful place. The two main female characters relationship was done so good. READ THE FIRT CHAPTER AND TRUST ME YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️
Un peu long, mais délicieux!

[Jay Gabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for Keeley's Camp Spooky Readathon (July assignment: read a book set near a spooky body of water), and let me tell you, the North Shore vibes are exquisite.

A lodge with an audible underground stream and five creepy stone "fingers" rising out of the ground? A driverless car rolling into Lake Superior? Multiple desperate drives to Grand Marais? Here for it. Best quote: "My head ached, and my mouth felt like the inside of a ski boot, including the extra woolen sock."

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5

Mabel Seeley was a mystery writer who published a few novels beginning in the late 1930's through the early 1950's. The Chuckling Fingers was first published in 1941. In it, the Heaton family (Minnesota lumber tycoons) experience some strange goings-on at their remote estate (called "Fiddler's Fingers") along the shore of Lake Superior.
Ann Gay has received a letter warning her that her cousin and friend, Jacquelin "Jacqui" Heaton, may be in danger. Jacqui is newly married to Bill Heaton and Ann wants to make sure everything is okay. Ann arrives to the Heaton estate to find tensions everywhere and minor, but irritating incidents occurring - acid has burned a hole in Bill's suit, a bed has been set on fire, and even Ann is not able to escape the incidents as her robe is cut to ribbons. Jacqui, meanwhile, appears to be unstable and all the evidence to the incidents points right to her. But Ann suspects something else may be behind this.

I'm not a tremendous fan of mysteries from this period - perhaps that's why it took me awhile to actually enjoy the genre - but overall I liked Seeley's style. She created some great atmosphere and some fun characters to root for and to hate. I also found the format - the narrative from a relative outsider - to be intriguing and memorable. It may have helped that I read a large portion of this while sitting in a resort along Lake Superior myself, so I was deeply rooted in the setting.

However, my main problem with mysteries like this is the tendency to have an ending that comes essentially out of nowhere. The resolution is not something that we the reader have seen all along, but instead it's a bit of sudden discovery and revelation that wraps it all up in a nice little bow. perhaps readers of the time expected and accepted this, but for modern readers, this is an uncomfortable jolt.

I'd never heard of Mable Seely before this, but based on the general style and writing, I'm glad that her work is seeing new light and hopefully finding a new audience. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Looking for a good book? The Chuckling Fingers by Mabel Seeley is classic 1940's mystery fiction seeing a new light. It suffers from the period style of surprising the reader with new evidence to find the resolution, but is an enjoyable read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Kira Nerys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely cannot express to you how badly I want to "forget" to return this to the library.

I was on a bit of an Agatha Christie kick, but I'm starting to worry I'll run out of her books--I mean, they're no longer increasing in number--so other, classic, female mystery writers are catching my eye. I love this recently-republished edition of The Chuckling Fingers and am honestly obsessed with the cover artwork. Anyway.

I am almost certain I stumbled across this book in a New York Times article, which I'm sad to now observe labels The Chuckling Fingers as Seeley's best work. I am saddened although not surprised; this book featured some of the most beautiful prose I've ever encountered. From the first sentence, I was in awe of Seeley's grasp of language, and that never abated. Nor did the immediate, haunting suspense set up in the second paragraph: never again do I want to witness these deceptive clues, these horrid mysteries. I would not label this a "whodunnit" in the way I would classify Christie, given I made some fairly good guesses as I read, but the intensity of drama and character exploration certainly follows Christie's fascination with the human psyche. Books like this make me want to write analyses comparing these 1940s mysteries with the intense drama of the sublime that I studied in books like Frankenstein.

I will certainly be following Molly Young (the NYT article author)'s recommendation of Seeley's book The Listening House. I may try more of her other work, as well--she only published 7 mysteries in total. Young also recommended the recently-released The Old Woman with the Knife, which I may check out simply due to strongly agreeing with her taste.

[Byrd Nash · Rating 1 out of 5]

Published in 1941, and winner of mystery novel of the year, this one simply does not stand up to modern reading standards. Too many characters, not enough plot, a weak (pretty much non-existent) romance, and a character being framed who is left alone at all times. Worse? The writing isn't even clever (something you can say about Patricia Wentworth's books).

First, the book has far too many characters. At any given point there are about 2 dozen people roaming about in the book and new ones introduced about every chapter. I had to laugh when the MC brings back a CHICKEN for dinner that serves almost 10 people! That was some chicken!

Second, the plot that Ann's cousin is being framed for murder (3 in this book - Good Gosh Midsummer Murders!) could be solved by doing one easy thing - stop leaving her alone! Why the cousin is left alone to her own devices in each chapter so she has no alibi when yet another 'trick' is played is mind-crushingly stupid.

Third, why is there a small girl in this story with a boy's name who adds nothing to the plot?

In regards to the mystery, I had the suspect pinned pretty quickly on despite the red herring given in the first chapter.

I sincerely don't understand the love for this book. It is appallingly bad.

Considering the author has been dead since 1991 there is no excuse for the over-priced ebook.

(The Listening House is much better even though it also has one ludicrous stupidity in it).

[Kumari de Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Mabel Seeley a lot, and so will you if you enjoy film noire. This book won mystery of the year in 1941, on the plus side every time I was absolutely sure I knew who it was, my person was eliminated from possibility so yes I was kept guessing until the reveal. On the minus side I did not think this book was as good as the first one I read: the Listening House. There are 14 suspects when we start out and in my opinion, that's too many. It was too hard to keep track of all of them and not enough descriptors so I was having trouble imagining them - except Octavia.

This is a thoroughly entertaining book although it isn't life changing, or what people would call an "important" book. It hides no social message, it's just a mystery. The main character spends a wee bit too much time re-iterating her lack of comprehension, kind of like Michael J Fox' character in the first "Back To The Future." Not quite as bad, because Ann knows where she is and why, but she repeats herself, a lot.

Still, Ann is likable, as is her cousin Jacqueline and Bill and Jean. And Ann has gumption and courage the way women in books and movies of the period often did, before the real pushback of the 1960s. By the 1980s women were definitely ornamental and hardly ever main characters. Read this book on a rainy day when you have a plate of cookies and nice cup of tea.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about this 1941 mystery in a recent NYT book newsletter by Molly Young: “This is Nancy Drew for adults. A rich family has gathered at a pine-enclosed estate on the shores of Lake Superior, only to find their idyll ruptured by a series of malicious pranks that escalate to murder. Only one woman, the indomitable Ann Gay, is plucky enough to finger the culprit. THE CHUCKLING FINGERS, which has been somewhat forgotten, possesses puzzle twists and crisp dialogue. After gulping it, I read all of Mabel Seeley’s books and found only one of equal quality (THE LISTENING HOUSE). The rest are subpar. But no matter; we can all agree that two excellent mysteries are a major contribution to society.” It was fun, but I sure wouldn’t call it “a major contribution to society.”😁 [Irrelevant aside: I loved that the library copy I read was a first edition from 1941 and still in circulation. It had that great “old book” smell — not mildew or mold — just lovely, intoxicating old book scent! Nice thick paper, too. A new edition was published in 2021, but I much preferred reading the 81-year old edition!]

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Called to the aid of her cousin Jacqui who is newly married to a widowed lumber tycoon, intrepid heroine Ann Gay arrives at the family estate (map provided!) upon Minnesota’s picturesque North Shore. There Ann finds a welter of distrust, as a series of malicious pranks—a tripwire, slashed clothing, a vandalized boa—swiftly escalate to murder. Refusing to accept the mounting evidence of her cousin Jacqui’s criminal insanity, Ann sifts her way through a profusion of colorful suspects (cast list provided!) on her way to solving this elaborate, not-quite-fair–play puzzler. Adapting Golden Age conventions to middle-class, middle-American settings, Seeley (1903–91) enjoyed great popularity during her brief career, and this skillfully calibrated and cleverly appointed 1941 entertainment shows why. From its foreboding had-I-but-known opening to the suspenseful and romantically satisfying climax (more Douglas Sirk than Alfred Hitchcock), this stylish time capsule, together with Seeley’s also newly reissued The Listening House, represents the cream of plush, popular mid-century crime fiction.

[Lisa Kucharski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would say 3.5. The use of foreshadowing at the start is a bit heavy handed, and it should have gone away once the first chapter was finished but there was bit sprinkled throughout the book, which was for me-un-necessary. However, once the story was underway and lethal events took place it moved well. It was a specific circle of people that could have done it, then of course, one by one the circle is diminished. I picked two people as "my who did it." And one of them was it. But it was quite difficult to determine who and why, the people who were investigating (not the police) weren't quite as smart as the murderer. However, it was a fun whodunit. And you get to see everything and try and detect along. Lots of suspense and really creepy events.

A woman is asked to come up and help out a friend in MN as there seems to be something wrong going on. She arrives and boom, right into the thick of things.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never heard of her--or only vaguely--before, but this was surprisingly good, in a vein about halfway between the hard-headed, gothic New England heroines of Mary Roberts Rinehart and the hard-headed folksy Cape Cod locals of Phoebe Atwood Taylor. Taylor is funnier and Rinehart is better at atmosphere, but this has weird, claustrophobic locations (those chuckling fingers), strong heroines, suitable chills, and occasional dry wit. Nothing at all like Agatha Christie, no matter what anyone tells you.

Features a real 3-year old. I really like that the heroine's sense of smell helps solve the crime--that was so weird. And the villain is really villainous.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun! I thought MS was a new author when she popped up on my Goodreads, but apparently The Chuckling Fingers is a re-published novel from 1941. As a result, it does read a bit outdated, but I liked it nonetheless. Ann, the protagonist, was scrappy and brave and enjoyable to follow down her investigative path. My only complaint is there were almost too many characters— it took me far too long to sort Carol from Cecile from the entire Heaton family tree. Otherwise, a solid detective story!

[Jan Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published in 1941 and was awarded the Mystery of the Year. It's the story of the wealthy Heaton family's dark secrets which result in a series of murders. Ann Gay, a stenographer in an insurance office and cousin to the prime suspect Jacqueline Heaton, steps in to help her cousin. There are a lot of characters in this story which is set in Fiddler's Fingers, a remote private estate on the north shore of Lake Superior. Thankfully there's a list of characters as well as a family tree at the beginning of the book. I found the book quite enjoyable. It has certainly aged well.