S. S. Van Dine

S.S. Van Dine was the pseudonym of Willard Huntington Wright, an American art critic and author. He is best known for his detective novels featuring the fictional amateur sleuth Philo Vance.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Bishop Murder Case

    A Philo Vance Story

    "The Bishop Murder Case" is a thrilling detective novel that follows the brilliant detective Philo Vance as he investigates a perplexing murder case. When a wealthy bishop is found dead in his study, Vance is called upon to unravel the complex web of clues and suspects. With his sharp intellect and keen observation skills, Vance navigates through a maze of deceit, greed, and hidden motives to uncover the truth behind the bishop's murder. As the investigation unfolds, Vance's deductive reasoning and unconventional methods keep readers on the edge of their seats, making this a captivating and suspenseful read.

    The 4390th Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. The Canary Murder Case

    In this classic detective novel, the suave and erudite sleuth Philo Vance is called upon to unravel the mystery behind the murder of a glamorous Broadway actress known as "The Canary." As Vance delves into the tangled web of deceit, jealousy, and ambition surrounding the victim, he encounters a colorful cast of suspects, each with their own motives and secrets. With his keen intellect and unconventional methods, Vance navigates the complexities of high society and the underworld, ultimately revealing the surprising truth behind the murder in a gripping and sophisticated tale of intrigue.

    The 17152nd Greatest Book of All Time
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  3. 3. The Benson Murder Case

    A Philo Vance Story

    In this classic detective novel, the astute and erudite amateur sleuth, Philo Vance, is called upon to unravel the mysterious murder of a wealthy stockbroker found dead in his luxurious New York apartment. As Vance delves into the intricate web of deceit, jealousy, and betrayal surrounding the victim's life, he employs his keen intellect and psychological insight to sift through a cast of suspicious characters, each with their own motives and secrets. With his characteristic wit and methodical approach, Vance navigates the complexities of high society and human nature to uncover the truth behind the seemingly impenetrable case.

    The 17152nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  4. 4. The Scarab Murder Case

    In this gripping mystery, the astute detective Philo Vance is called upon to unravel a perplexing murder case set against the backdrop of a prestigious Egyptian museum in New York City. When a prominent Egyptologist is found dead, surrounded by the enigmatic artifacts of ancient Egypt, Vance must navigate a web of academic rivalries, hidden motives, and cryptic clues. As he delves deeper into the world of archaeology and the secrets of the past, Vance's keen intellect and unorthodox methods lead him to uncover a shocking truth, revealing the killer's identity and the dark secrets that lay buried beneath the sands of time.

  5. 5. The Greene Murder Case

    In a stately mansion on New York's Upper West Side, the wealthy and eccentric Greene family finds itself at the center of a chilling murder mystery. When the family matriarch is found dead, followed by a series of subsequent murders, the brilliant detective Philo Vance is called upon to unravel the tangled web of secrets, motives, and deceit. As Vance delves deeper into the Greene family's history and dynamics, he must navigate through a maze of greed, jealousy, and betrayal to uncover the truth behind the sinister events that threaten to destroy the family from within.

  6. 6. The Gracie Allen Murder Case

    In this intriguing mystery, the astute detective Philo Vance finds himself entangled in a perplexing murder case that unfolds in the glamorous world of high society. When a prominent socialite is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Vance is called upon to unravel the web of deceit and hidden motives. With the charming and witty Gracie Allen as an unexpected ally, Vance navigates through a series of clever twists and turns, employing his keen intellect and sharp observational skills to uncover the truth behind the murder, all while maintaining his characteristic poise and sophistication.

  7. 7. The Kidnap Murder Case

    A Philo Vance Story

    In this gripping mystery, the astute detective Philo Vance is called upon to unravel a perplexing case involving the disappearance of a wealthy young man, who is later found murdered. The investigation takes Vance through a labyrinth of deceit, where he must navigate through a web of family secrets, hidden motives, and unexpected twists. As he delves deeper, Vance's keen intellect and sharp observational skills are put to the test, leading him to uncover the truth behind the sinister plot and bring the cunning perpetrator to justice.

  8. 8. The Garden Murder Case

    A Philo Vance Story

    In this gripping mystery, the astute detective Philo Vance is called upon to unravel a perplexing murder that occurs during a high-stakes horse race at a wealthy socialite's garden party. As Vance delves into the intricate web of relationships and motives among the elite guests, he uncovers a series of deceptions and hidden agendas. With his keen intellect and sharp wit, Vance navigates through the layers of intrigue, ultimately revealing the surprising truth behind the murder, all while maintaining his characteristic charm and sophistication.

  9. 9. The Dragon Murder Case

    In this gripping mystery, the suave and astute detective Philo Vance is called upon to unravel a perplexing case involving a seemingly impossible murder at a secluded estate. When a guest at a lavish party vanishes during a midnight swim in a pool rumored to be haunted by a mythical dragon, Vance must navigate a web of secrets, rivalries, and superstitions. As he delves deeper into the lives of the eccentric characters surrounding the case, Vance employs his keen intellect and unerring logic to uncover the truth behind the chilling disappearance, revealing a tale of deception and intrigue.

  10. 10. The Casino Murder Case

    In this gripping mystery, the astute detective Philo Vance is called upon to unravel a perplexing case involving a series of murders linked to a high-stakes casino. The narrative unfolds with Vance's keen intellect and sharp wit as he navigates a web of deceit, betrayal, and greed. As he delves deeper into the lives of the wealthy and the desperate, Vance must piece together the clues to expose the cunning mastermind behind the sinister plot, all while maintaining his characteristic charm and composure. The story is a thrilling blend of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.

  11. 11. The Kennel Murder Case

    In this classic whodunit, the astute and debonair detective Philo Vance is called upon to unravel the perplexing murder of Archer Coe, a wealthy and influential collector found dead in his locked bedroom. As Vance delves into the intricate web of deceit, jealousy, and betrayal surrounding Coe's life, he encounters a colorful cast of suspects, each with their own motives and secrets. With his keen intellect and unconventional methods, Vance navigates through a series of red herrings and cleverly constructed alibis, ultimately revealing the surprising truth behind the seemingly impossible crime.

  12. 12. Twenty Rules For Writing Detective Stories

    An influential set of twenty rules for fair-play detective fiction that privileges logical deduction and transparency, requiring that all clues be available to the reader and forbidding sensational gimmicks. It bars supernatural explanations, excessive coincidence, secret societies, romantic subplots, and the detective as culprit, aiming to make the mystery a fair contest between reader and sleuth.