Set of 6 Philo Vance Vintage Mystery Books by S.S. Van Dine - 1927-1939

A terrific collection of six vintage Philo Vance mystery novels by S. S. Van Dine, spanning 1927 through 1939 and representing some of the most recognizable titles from the celebrated Golden Age detective series. These classic mysteries feature the sophisticated amateur detective Philo Vance, an erudite New York socialite known for solving extraordinarily complicated crimes through logic, psychology, and careful observation.

S. S. Van Dine was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright, an American writer, literary editor, and art critic. His Philo Vance novels became enormously popular during the 1920s and 1930s, appearing in books, films, and radio adaptations. The series eventually comprised twelve novels, beginning with The Benson Murder Case in 1926 and concluding with The Winter Murder Case in 1939.

This set includes:

The “Canary” Murder Case — 1927, 343 pages. The second Philo Vance mystery centers on the murder of Margaret Odell, a glamorous nightclub singer known as “the Canary.” A seemingly straightforward robbery becomes a locked-room-style puzzle that challenges both the police and Vance. The novel was a major bestseller and was later adapted into a film starring William Powell.

The Bishop Murder Case — 1929, 349 pages. The fourth Philo Vance mystery revolves around a series of murders connected to the nursery rhyme “Who Killed Cock Robin?” and is often recognized as an early example of the nursery-rhyme mystery.

The Scarab Murder Case — 1930, 328 pages. This fifth installment brings Vance into another elaborate murder investigation and is an important title in the progression of the series. The novel follows The Bishop Murder Case and precedes The Kennel Murder Case.

The Kennel Murder Case — 1933, 307 pages. One of the best-known Philo Vance mysteries, this story presents a classic locked-room puzzle involving two deaths, a wounded Scottish Terrier, a Doberman Pinscher, and a mysterious piece of broken Chinese porcelain.

The Garden Murder Case — 1935, 332 pages. In this installment, Vance investigates a murder connected to a wealthy New York family, a rooftop garden, horse racing, and a seemingly inexplicable gunshot.

The Winter Murder Case — 1939, 174 pages. The final Philo Vance novel, bringing the series to its conclusion after more than a decade of mysteries.

The first five books in this particular collection were published by Grosset & Dunlap in New York, while The Winter Murder Case was published by Charles Scribner’s Sons in New York. The books range in size from 5.25 x 7.5 inches to 5.75 x 8.25 inches.

All six books are in fair to good vintage condition with signs of age and use, including the expected wear associated with books that are nearly a century old.