Deze mysterie-serie uit de Gouden Eeuw speelt zich af in het bruisende New York van 1925-1935. Het volgt de zaken van de briljante maar excentrieke Philo Vance, die zijn buitengewone intellect en encyclopedische kennis gebruikt om de meest ingewikkelde moorden op te lossen. Het is een klassieker in het genre, die lezers verrukt met zijn elegante deductieve redeneringen en de sfeer van die tijd.
Intellectual dandy Philo Vance comes to the aid of District Attorney Markham in the case of murdered stockbroker Alvin Benson fascinating - shot from within his locked house and missing toupee and false teeth. Phenomenally popular when first published, this is a thrilling classic for all crime and mystery fans. New Glossary and biography.
Secondo dei dodici romanzi che hanno per protagonista Philo Vance, "La canarina assassinata", del 1927, è considerato da molti appassionati il miglior libro di S.S. Van Dine. Quando Margaret Odell, stella di Broadway, viene trovata strangolata nel suo lussuoso appartamento di New York, il procuratore distrettuale John F.-X. Markham e il sergente Heath comprendono subito di avere di fronte un caso tutt'altro che facile e pertanto sono costretti ad affidarsi alle brillanti deduzioni di Philo Vance, l'esteta, intellettuale e raffinato amico che sarà il solo in grado di gettare luce sul caso e svelare l'arcano.
Dandy Philo Vance s detektivními schopnostmi vyšetřuje napínavý případ rodiny Greenů, jejíž členové byli postupně s úděsnou přesností vražděni. Jedná se tu o jeden z toho druhu zločinu, které bývají řazeny mezi téměř dokonalé.
In the 1920s, the world went Egypt-crazy, and even Philo Vance, that eminent scholar-sleuth, has some sympathy for the fad--though of course he knows lots more about the topic than anyone else. When a wealthy Egyptologist is murdered, with mysterious inscriptions and artifacts dotted round, it's only natural that John FS Markham calls Philo for help. After all, Markham is merely the New York District Attorney, whereas Philo Vance is...well, Philo Vance.
Philo Vance was drawn into the Scarab murder case by sheer coincidence, although there is little doubt that John F.-X. Markham—New York's District Attorney—would sooner or later have enlisted his services. But it is problematic if even Vance, with his fine analytic mind and his remarkable flair for the subtleties of human psychology, could have solved that bizarre and astounding murder if he had not been the first observer on the scene; for, in the end, he was able to put his finger on the guilty person only because of the topsy-turvy clews that had met his eye during his initial inspection. Those clews—highly misleading from the materialistic point of view—eventually gave him the key to the murderer's mentality and thus enabled him to elucidate one of the most complicated and incredible criminal problems in modern police history. The brutal and fantastic murder of that old philanthropist and art patron, Benjamin H. Kyle, became known as the Scarab murder case almost immediately, as a result of the fact that it had taken place in a famous Egyptologist's private museum and had centred about a rare blue scarabaeus that had been found beside the mutilated body of the victim. This ancient and valuable seal, inscribed with the names of one of the early Pharaohs (whose mummy had, by the way, not been found at the time), constituted the basis on which Vance reared his astonishing structure of evidence. The scarab, from the police point of view, was merely an incidental piece of evidence that pointed somewhat obviously toward its owner; but this easy and specious explanation did not appeal to Vance. "Murderers," he remarked to Sergeant Ernest Heath, "do not ordinarily insert their visitin' cards in the shirt bosoms of their victims. And while the discovery of the lapis-lazuli beetle is most interestin' from both the psychological and evidential standpoints, we must not be too optimistic and jump to conclusions. The most important question in this pseudo-mystical murder is why—and how—the murderer left that archaeological specimen beside the defunct body. Once we find the reason for that amazin' action, we'll hit upon the secret of the crime itself." (excerpt)
New York, un misterioso caso sembra proiettare gli investigatori in un fosco e irreale regno di demoni e di superstizioni; un regno pieno di mostri e orribili vendette... Nella tenuta degli Stamm un uomo si immerge nello "Stagno del Drago" e scompare: è l'inizio di una sequela di tragici avvenimenti, e Philo Vance si trova alle prese con vecchie, terrificanti credenze.
Philo Vance, erfolgreicher Amateurdetektiv, erhält einen mysteriösen Brief, der ihn in das berühmte New Yorker Kinkaids Kasino an der West 73rd Street lockt. Dort wird er Zeuge, wie der junge Lynn Llewellyn zusammenbricht. In derselben Nacht stirbt Llewellyns Frau. In beiden Fällen war offensichtlich Gift im Spiel. Ein wahrhaft giftiger Fall für den berühmten Detektiv.
According to one review, Garden runs on "passion, avarice, ambition and horse-racing." It also runs on pure 1930s octane, because this is a classic house-party murder mystery, that staple of the Golden Age. As befitting a Philo yarn, of course, it's a very Manhattan house-party, with an actress and a socialite on hand, and a bookie on the telephone. There's also a losing bet on the ponies, and an ensuing suicide...but Philo, natch, is not sure just who pulled the trigger. A joy, as always, for readers who delight in Philo's spectacular brand of awfulness--is there anyone snootier? Snobbier? More taken with himself?--but also for fans of the Impossible Crime.
"Philo Vance: Man of Action," said nobody never. And yet Kidnap shows real signs of Van Dine's responding both to the changing times--friends, it's not the Jazz Age any more--and to the public's changing tastes, as Philo does much less sitting around pontificating and much more running around chasing bad guys. To accommodate this new, Action Philo, the plot is somewhat simplistic, featuring not only a purloined playboy but also a demand that the ransom be left at midnight in a hollow tree. However, Philo's newfound skills with a pistol are additions to his bag of tricks, rather than replacements for the tricks we know and love; rest assured that he retains every ounce of his customary implausible charm. Kidnap is the last of the Philo Vance novels to have been written as a book, with a film to follow (the remaining two were written after the movies were made). Given the ability that Van Dine shows here to adapt his style--and his protagonist's--as the times dictate, it's a great pity that we never got a chance to see Philo go up against the Nazis.
4-The Dragon Murder Case & the Casino Murder Case
Set against a backdrop of intrigue, this story intertwines the thrill of games of chance with the enigmatic character of Philo Vance. As Vance navigates a world filled with dragons—both literal and metaphorical—he confronts a deadly game that tests his intellect and resolve. The narrative explores themes of strategy, deception, and the high stakes of competition, as Vance seeks to unravel the mysteries surrounding the deadly game while facing formidable opponents and unexpected twists.
3-The Scarab Murder Case & the Kennel Murder Case
In this engaging narrative, a sophisticated New Yorker embarks on his fifth and sixth investigative adventures. As he navigates through intriguing mysteries, the story unfolds with a blend of wit and charm, revealing the complexities of urban life and the eccentric characters he encounters. The cases challenge his intellect and offer a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of city living, showcasing the protagonist's keen observational skills and his knack for solving puzzles amidst the bustling backdrop of New York.
2-The Greene Murder Case & the Bishop Murder Case
The narrative follows renowned detective Philo Vance as he investigates the Greene family mansion, where a series of murders drastically reduces the family members. Titled the "Greene Murder Case," the story unfolds with escalating tension and intrigue. The subsequent tale, "The Bishop Murder Case," features a chilling connection to nursery rhymes, beginning with the death of Christopher Robin, reminiscent of Cock Robin's fate. As Vance navigates these complex cases, more characters fall victim, leading to a gripping resolution.
6-The Gracie Allen Murder Case & the Winter Murder Case
In the concluding adventures of Philo Vance, the renowned detective faces a series of complex mysteries that challenge his intellect and deductive skills. As he navigates through intricate plots and a cast of intriguing characters, Vance must unravel clues that lead to unexpected revelations. The stories delve into themes of justice and morality, showcasing Vance's unique approach to solving crimes. Fans of classic detective fiction will appreciate the clever twists and the culmination of Vance's investigative journey.
5-The Garden Murder Case & the Kidnap Murder Case
Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this collection features two captivating murder mysteries that delve into the complexities of crime and justice. Each story weaves intricate plots filled with suspense, intriguing characters, and unexpected twists, inviting readers to solve the puzzles alongside the protagonists. The urban setting adds a rich layer of atmosphere, making for an engaging and thrilling reading experience.