Tue 27 May 2014
Reviewed by William F. Deeck: S. S. VAN DINE – The Winter Murder Case.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[4] Comments
William F. Deeck
S. S. VAN DINE – The Winter Murder Case. Charles Scribner’s Sons, hardcover, 1939, with introduction and “Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories.” Reprint editions include: Otto Penzler Books, paperback, 1993.
According to the introduction by an anonymous editor, Van Dine went through three stages with a novel — a 10,000-word synopsis of the plot, a second, longer development of the novel, and then the final, full-length version.
Published posthumously, Winter had reached only the second stage. Thus, the footnotes, furbelows, and elaboration of character and incident one expects from Van Dine are missing here. So, too, I would contend, is anything but a rudimentary plot.
As a Van Dine admirer, ostensibly one of the few extant, I was embarrassed for him by the publication of The Gracie Allen Murder Case. This one adds to my embarrassment. For Philo Vance completists only.
Editorial Comment: Those wishing to read this book and decide for themselves may find an e-version online here.
May 27th, 2014 at 12:21 pm
A “furbelow” might best be defined as a frill. Never heard of the word before. Nor, for that matter, has my spellchecker.
May 27th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Interestingly a small part of the plot was supposedly used in a musical of all things (Springtime in the Rockies I think).
I liked Gracie Allen better than that because she livened up old Philo a bit, and it worked better than most stunts. The movie was actually fun with Warren William obviously enjoying playing off her.
Winter is more interesting to writers studying how a golden age detective novel develops than anything else, but as a completist I’m glad it was published, less so as a reader.
May 30th, 2014 at 9:33 am
The dictionary defines it thus:
furbelow |ˈfÉ™rbəˌlÅ| – noun
a gathered strip or pleated border of a skirt or petticoat.
• ( furbelows) showy ornaments or trimmings : frills and furbelows just made her look stupid.
verb [ trans. ] [usu. as adj. ] ( furbelowed) poetic/literary
adorn with trimmings.
ORIGIN late 17th cent.: from French falbala ‘trimming, flounce,’ of unknown ultimate origin.
May 30th, 2014 at 10:09 am
Only Bill Deeck would have used the word furbelow in a mystery review, but not surprisingly, it fits perfectly.