The Benson Murder Case

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The Benson Murder Case (1926) by S.S. Van Dine is the first novel to feature the erudite amateur detective Philo Vance.

The story begins with the murder of wealthy stockbroker Alvin Benson, found shot in his New York City apartment. Though the case initially appears straightforward, Vance-assisting the district attorney and the police-quickly uncovers a web of lies, motives, and misleading clues.

With his sharp intellect, psychological insight, and disdain for conventional police methods, Vance systematically eliminates suspects and exposes hidden relationships. The investigation leads to a dramatic confrontation, where Vance reveals the identity of the killer through logical deduction rather than physical evidence.

The novel is notable for its cerebral, puzzle-like structure and its portrayal of the sophisticated sleuth archetype popular in the Golden Age of detective fiction.