After I read the first book with Philo Vance, The Benson Murder Case, I wanted to give him a second chance. He irritated me with the way he spoke and his condescending attitude, but I feel like the mystery was enough to make me want to try again.
A woman is murdered in her home. A quartet of suspects muddy the waters of a crime that is too perfect. Vance tries to point out that even though it looks like a robbery, it's a calculated crime, and the killer is smarter than they think.
Vance wasn't near as annoying this time. The mystery had me intrigued, and I had an inkling of where it was going at times, so it wasn't so far out there that I was 100% shocked and amazed. Sprinkled throughout the book are diagrams that I immediately forgot once I turned the page, so they didn't add anything for me.
In all, Vance has 12 books. Since public domain is up to 1929 now, there are still two more books available in this series if I decide to dive into this character more. Next up is The Greene Murder Case followed by The Bishop Murder Case. I have tons of things to read, so I may or may not add these to the list. But you can never have too many books waiting, can you? Good Book!
