Sun 25 Sep 2016
Reviewed by William F. Deeck: S. S. VAN DINE – The Kennel Murder Case.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[3] Comments
William F. Deeck
S. S. VAN DINE – The Kennel Murder Case. Charles Scribner’s Sons, hardcover, 1933. Reprinted many times, including Bantam #60, paperback, 1946. Film: 1933, with William Powell as Vance.
The circumstances of the death of Archer Coe indicate suicide. He was, after all, in a room locked on the inside, with the revolver with which he was shot still in his hand. Fortunately, Philo Vance is asked to observe the scene, and he claims it was murder — but not caused by the bullet.
One of the clues is a badly hurt Scottish terrier found in the house. The reader learns a lot about terriers and show dogs as Vance lectures on the animals. At the end, the dog leads, in a manner of speaking, Vance to the murderer.
In my opinion, Van Dine is undeservedly maligned. What’s wrong with a highbrow mystery containing occasional and intentional amusement and fair, albeit far-fetched, play? That’s what we have here, and I think it’s most enjoyable.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Me too. A lot of fun.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
I read most of the S.S. Van Dine books when I was in junior high and reading a lot of classic mysteries, and I remember enjoying them quite a bit. Vance never annoyed me as much he seemed to annoy some readers. No idea how they’d hold up now, though.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:32 pm
Rex Stout was another Vance fan.
This one is surprisingly modern in racial attitudes, a feature of the Van Dine school.
The Powell film is the best of the film series as well, remade as CALLING PHILO VANCE with James Stephenson.