The two endings of the stories were both very effective, but in addition extremely different. First of all, in Lamb to the Slaughter, the ending is unclear as to whether Mary Maloney will get caught or not. It is assumed she will escape, but it is quite open. The detectives obviously aren't as good at observing clue, such as comparing how long Patrick has been dead, with how long the leg of lamb has been in the oven, and Mary's visit to the shop. The detectives are also breaking the rules by eating on the job, which also shows they aren't as good as Sherlock Holmes is at detective work. Her complete change in character is effective because she loves her victim very much and seems quite frail. The fact we side with the murderer is unusual and effective in a murder mystery because they are normally the brutish character who the reader dislikes.
In the Speckled Band, the ending is more clear. Miss Stoner avoids the same fate as her sister. We are aware she doesn't die, but does she get the estate? The ending is clear about Doctor Roylott; he dies from an adder bite after it goes through the vent, a threat of his own making. It's a very traditional ending. The murderer was brought to justice with a sort of closed ending and the killer is exactly who you expected. The death of the killed however, isn't expected, and the source proves almost impossible to work out. This makes it less effective, as most people reading a murder mystery story want to know what happens before the end, as they are impatient. “Sat, Doctor Grimesby Roylott, clad in a long grey dressing gown, made neither sound, nor motion” At the end, Sherlock Holmes gives a short speech about how he died, and about how it wont pray upon his conscience that he indirectly murdered someone. Again this is an unusual twist for anyone to be untroubled by such an act - especially the hero of the story.
In my opinion, Lamb to the Slaughter, is the more effective of the two, because the story is short and simple, but still gets to the point with plenty of detail about the actual murder. It has a twist in it, but no red herrings because the reader already knows the killer and method. Mary Maloney has an alibi, she has everything sorted out quickly, so its more like a real murder than the speckled band. I preferred this one more because its more realistic with a simpler storyline and plot than The Speckled Band.
