The Benson murder case

"The Benson Murder Case" by S. S. Van Dine is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces Philo Vance, a sharp-witted amateur sleuth, who becomes embroiled in the investigation of the murder of Alvin H. Benson, a prominent Wall Street broker. The novel is set against the backdrop of New York City and explores themes of mystery and intrigue, as Vance employs his analytical skills to unravel the complexities of the case. The opening of the novel sets the stage for the murder mystery, beginning with a breakfast meeting between Vance and his legal advisor. Vance exhibits a casual yet keen interest in art and is soon thrust into the investigation when he learns of Benson’s murder. The narrative then shifts to the immediate aftermath of the crime where important characters, including District Attorney John F.-X. Markham, are introduced. The discovery of Benson's body reveals details about the scene, indicating a puzzling murder characterized by its unexpectedness and the presence of curious evidence—a pearl-handled revolver and a mysterious lady's handbag. As the investigation unfolds, the dynamics among Vance, Markham, and the detectives reveal the complexities of their relationships and hint at the deeper implications of the crime itself. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

S. S. Van Dine is the pseudonym used by American art critic Willard Huntington Wright when he wrote detective novels. Wright was active in avant-garde cultural circles in pre-World War I New York, and under the pseudonym he created the fictional detective Philo Vance, a sleuth and aesthete who first appeared in books in the 1920s, then in films and on the radio.