The Benson Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine

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.

Three and a half stars

This book came out April 4, 1926

Followed by The Canary Murder Case

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own