S.S. Van Dine's 'Philo Vance Murder Mysteries - Complete Collection (Illustrated)' is a seminal work in the genre of classic detective fiction, providing readers with a series of captivating mysteries that showcase the brilliance of the amateur detective, Philo Vance. The book is characterized by intricate plots, detailed investigation methods, and a focus on psychological analysis, setting it apart from other crime novels of the era. The vivid illustrations accompanying each story add to the immersive experience, enhancing the reader's connection to the characters and settings. Van Dine's writing style is engaging and sophisticated, incorporating elements of wit and intellectualism that make the narratives both entertaining and thought-provoking. As a whole, this collection offers a comprehensive glimpse into the Golden Age of detective fiction, making it a must-read for fans of the genre and those interested in the development of literary mysteries. S.S. Van Dine, a pseudonym for author Willard Huntington Wright, drew inspiration from his background in art and literature to create the enigmatic character of Philo Vance and craft the intricate puzzles that define the series. His expertise in the cultural and intellectual spheres is evident throughout the collection, enriching the stories with layers of depth and complexity. Van Dine's attention to detail, clever plotting, and engaging characterizations make the 'Philo Vance Murder Mysteries' a standout contribution to the genre, solidifying his place as a master of detective fiction. I wholeheartedly recommend this complete collection to anyone seeking a classic and captivating read filled with intrigue, intellect, and timeless mystery.

S.S. Van Dine's 'The Complete Philo Vance Murder Mystery Series (Illustrated Edition)' is a collection of intricate and intellectually stimulating detective stories that captivate readers through their clever plot twists and attention to detail. The literary style of the book reflects the traditional whodunit mystery genre popular in the early 20th century, with each story presenting a new puzzle for the brilliant detective, Philo Vance, to solve. The detailed descriptions of crime scenes and the complex character development add depth to the narratives, making this collection a must-read for fans of classic detective fiction. The inclusion of illustrations enhances the reader's experience, bringing the stories to life in a visually engaging way. S.S. Van Dine's meticulous attention to detail and clever storytelling make this series a standout in the realm of murder mystery literature. Born Willard Huntington Wright, S.S. Van Dine was a literary critic and art historian who drew on his vast knowledge of literature and aesthetics to create the character of Philo Vance. His background in art and culture is reflected in the sophisticated themes and references found throughout his works, adding an intellectual layer to the traditional murder mystery genre. Fans of classic detective fiction and those interested in exploring the evolution of the genre will appreciate the timeless appeal of 'The Complete Philo Vance Murder Mystery Series (Illustrated Edition).'

Philo Vance is a stylish, even foppish dandy, a New York dilettante and bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent he likes to use for solving some quite complicated crimes. His methods are unusual and often in contradiction to the firm police rules and official requirements, but his wit always gets him a step further. Philo Vance novels were chronicled by his friend Van Dine, who appears as a kind of Dr. Watson figure in the books. Table of Contents: Introduction Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories The Philo Vance Series The Benson Murder Case The Canary Murder Case The Greene Murder Case The Bishop Murder Case The Scarab Murder Case The Kennel Murder Case The Dragon Murder Case The Casino Murder Case The Garden Murder Case The Kidnap Murder Case The Gracie Allen Murder Case The Winter Murder Case S. S. Van Dine is the pseudonym used by American art critic Willard Huntington Wright when he wrote detective novels. He was an important figure in avant-garde cultural circles in pre-WWI New York, and under the pseudonym he created the immensely popular fictional detective Philo Vance.

This carefully crafted ebook: "PHILO VANCE MURDER MYSTERIES - Complete Collection (Illustrated)” is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. Philo Vance is a stylish, even foppish dandy, a New York dilettante and bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent he likes to use for solving some quite complicated crimes. His methods are unusual and often in contradiction to the firm police rules and official requirements, but his wit always gets him a step further. Philo Vance novels were chronicled by his friend Van Dine, who appears as a kind of Dr. Watson figure in the books. Table of Contents: The Benson Murder Case The Canary Murder Case The Greene Murder Case The Bishop Murder Case The Scarab Murder Case The Kennel Murder Case The Dragon Murder Case The Casino Murder Case The Garden Murder Case The Kidnap Murder Case The Gracie Allen Murder Case The Winter Murder Case S. S. Van Dine is the pseudonym used by American art critic Willard Huntington Wright when he wrote detective novels. He was an important figure in avant-garde cultural circles in pre-WWI New York, and under the pseudonym he created the immensely popular fictional detective Philo Vance.

Classic American Crime Writing of the 1920s—including House Without a Key, The Benson Murder Case, The Tower Treasure, The Roman Hat Mystery, The Tower Treasure, and Little Caesar—offers some of the very best of that decade’s writing. Earl Derr Biggers wrote about Charlie Chan, a Chinese-American detective, at a time when racism was rampant. S. S. Van Dine invented Philo Vance, an effete, rich amateur psychologist who flourished while America danced and the stock market rose. Edwin Stratemeyer, a man of mystery himself, singlehandedly created the juvenile mystery, with the beloved Hardy Boys series. The quintessential American detective Ellery Queen leapt onto the stage, to remain popular for fifty years. W. R. Burnett, created the indelible character of Rico, the first gangster antihero. Each of the five novels included is presented in its original published form, with extensive historical and cultural annotations and illustrations added by Edgar-winning editor Leslie S. Klinger, allowing the reader to experience the story to its fullest. Klinger's detailed foreword gives an overview of the history of American crime writing from its beginnings in the early years of America to the twentieth century.

Philo Vance, the snobbish art collector who happens to be the longtime friend of District Attorney John Markham, once more finds himself drawn into a criminal investigation. Margaret Odell, the beautiful and talented theatrical singer nicknamed “The Canary,” has been strangled during the night, and from the very beginning there are signs that nothing in the case is quite what it appears to be. Accompanied once more by Sergeant Heath, the unlikely trio struggle to make sense of the evidence. S. S. Van Dine found even more success with this novel, his sophomore outing as a mystery writer. Spending months on the bestseller lists, it was also the first of his books to be made into a movie, with William Powell starring as Philo Vance. At a time when a majority of successful mystery writers were English, Van Dine’s novels evoked an atmosphere that was distinctly American, with Vance’s cultured perspective colliding with Markham’s pragmatic sensibilities and Heath’s no-nonsense street smarts. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

This early work by S. S. Van Dine was originally published in 1933 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Kennel Murder Case' is one of Van Dine's novels of crime and mystery. S. S. Van Dine was born Willard Huntington Wright in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1888. He attended St. Vincent College, Pomona College and Harvard University, but failed to graduate, leaving to cultivate contacts he had made in the literary world. At the age of twenty-one, Wright began his professional writing career as literary editor of the Los Angeles Times. In 1926, Wright published his first S. S. Van Dine novel, The Benson Murder Case. Wright went on to write eleven more mysteries. The first few books about his upper-class amateur sleuth, Philo Vance, were so popular that Wright became wealthy for the first time in his life. His later books declined in popularity as the reading public's tastes in mystery fiction changed, but during the late twenties and early thirties his work was very successful.