The Benson Murder Case

<p><strong><em>The Benson Murder Case</em></strong> (1926) by S.S. Van Dine is the first novel to feature the erudite amateur detective <strong>Philo Vance</strong>.</p><p>The story begins with the murder of wealthy stockbroker <strong>Alvin Benson</strong> 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.   </p><p></p><p></p><p></p>