thegothiclibrary's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
ssejig's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I quite enjoy the classic radio mysteries featuring Philo Vance and thought this book might be fun. It was really interesting and definitely a product of its time, especially since Vance solves this case using a type of psychology which, lo these many years later, is suspect at best.
The writing was certainly interesting and, since I was listening to the story I can't be sure, but it seemed like the room the murder occurred in got as much if not more descriptive lines than Philo Vance himself.
The general conceit of the story is that the author got to tag along on these cases and, many years later, is finally publishing their exploits a la Dr. Watson. This time, though, the author takes great pains to tell us that Philo Vance is a pen name.
For the first story in the series, there is a gentleman, Mr. Benson, who has been murdered in his home. As with many mysteries, there are many people who might have wanted him dead. The police are stymied and Vance is dropping oblique clues. And they really are oblique; I might be able to catch them in future books but didn't get it until close to the end.
The writing was certainly interesting and, since I was listening to the story I can't be sure, but it seemed like the room the murder occurred in got as much if not more descriptive lines than Philo Vance himself.
The general conceit of the story is that the author got to tag along on these cases and, many years later, is finally publishing their exploits a la Dr. Watson. This time, though, the author takes great pains to tell us that Philo Vance is a pen name.
For the first story in the series, there is a gentleman, Mr. Benson, who has been murdered in his home. As with many mysteries, there are many people who might have wanted him dead. The police are stymied and Vance is dropping oblique clues. And they really are oblique; I might be able to catch them in future books but didn't get it until close to the end.
wagmore's review against another edition
3.0
Philo was not very likable; not nearly so much as portrayed by William Powell!
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
4.0
It is about 1925 in New York City. The district attorney finds himself faced with the murder of a prominant man, Alvin Benson. The detective in charge and the DA determine the murderer is a woman, but Philo Vance, the DA's friend suggests making that arrest is a mistake. Vance then leads them through a chase from possible suspect to possible suspect..
There appears to be a love hate relationship with Philo Vance.. I am not a connoisseur of mysteries, but I have read quite few and find myself in the love camp, although the long explanations and similarities to Lord Peter Wimsey got old.. This dip into American golden age mysteries has been fun for me.
There appears to be a love hate relationship with Philo Vance.. I am not a connoisseur of mysteries, but I have read quite few and find myself in the love camp, although the long explanations and similarities to Lord Peter Wimsey got old.. This dip into American golden age mysteries has been fun for me.
mistrum_crowe's review against another edition
1.0
What could have been at least an average murder mystery is completely ruined by having the detective be an odious snob with no redeeming qualities, joined by a chronicler who might as well not be there. Don't bother with it.
danielshelsel's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cmbohn's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first novel I've read by this author, although I might have read some short stories by him. The main character, Philo Vance, is a bit like Peter Wimsey. The mystery wasn't all that great, but I enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one by this author.