S. S. Van Dine Libri

Secondo dei dodici romanzi che hanno per protagonista Philo Vance, "La canarina assassinata", del 1927, è considerato da molti appassionati il miglior libro di S.S. Van Dine. Quando Margaret Odell, stella di Broadway, viene trovata strangolata nel suo lussuoso appartamento di New York, il procuratore distrettuale John F.-X. Markham e il sergente Heath comprendono subito di avere di fronte un caso tutt'altro che facile e pertanto sono costretti ad affidarsi alle brillanti deduzioni di Philo Vance, l'esteta, intellettuale e raffinato amico che sarà il solo in grado di gettare luce sul caso e svelare l'arcano.

1927. Illustrated with scenes from the Paramount photoplay. Around 1925 Willard Huntington Wright, critic and writer, underwent a long illness. As part of his convalescence he wrote The Benson Murder Case, in which he created the character of Philo Vance, a master sleuth. So that the book would not be compared to his other works he adopted the pseudonym S.S. Van Dine. By the time The Canary Murder Case, the second in the series was published, Van Dine had become a best seller. He wrote a total of twelve Philo Vance novels. The book begins: In the offices of the Homicide Bureau of the Detective Division of the New York Police Department, on the third floor of the Police Headquarters building in Center Street, there is a large steel filing cabinet; and within it, among thousands of others of its kind, there reposes a small green index-card on which is typed: ODell, Margaret. 184 West 71st Street. Sept. 10. Murder: Strangled about 11 p.m. Apartment ransacked. Jewelry stolen. Body found by Amy Gibson, maid.

New York, un misterioso caso sembra proiettare gli investigatori in un fosco e irreale regno di demoni e di superstizioni; un regno pieno di mostri e orribili vendette... Nella tenuta degli Stamm un uomo si immerge nello "Stagno del Drago" e scompare: è l'inizio di una sequela di tragici avvenimenti, e Philo Vance si trova alle prese con vecchie, terrificanti credenze.

In this engaging narrative, a sophisticated New Yorker embarks on his fifth and sixth investigative adventures. As he navigates through intriguing mysteries, the story unfolds with a blend of wit and charm, revealing the complexities of urban life and the eccentric characters he encounters. The cases challenge his intellect and offer a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of city living, showcasing the protagonist's keen observational skills and his knack for solving puzzles amidst the bustling backdrop of New York.

Exploring the evolution of modern art, this work delves into the techniques and philosophies that define contemporary painting. The author examines influential artists and movements, highlighting their contributions to the art world. With insightful analysis, it addresses the cultural and historical contexts that shaped modern artistic expression, making it a valuable resource for art enthusiasts and scholars alike. The book serves as both a critical commentary and a celebration of the transformative power of modern painting.

Gracie Allen breaks the Philo Phormula in a number of ways. First is its title: this is the only book in the series to modify "Murder Case" with more than one word, much less with the name of a character. And then there's that character: Gracie Allen was a very real, much-loved comedienne in the 1930s, famous for her double act with George Burns, and in fact the plot revolves around her. Gracie's centrality is no accident: Van Dine wrote the story as a vehicle for Allen, and actually created the novel only after the film had come out. So do all these departures pay off? We'd be lying if we said that Gracie hits every single mark, but Van Dine does a surprisingly entertaining job of translating Ms. Allen's delicious Ditzy Blonde persona to the page, and she makes a charming foil for Philo's evergreen erudition.

Like The Gracie Allen Murder Case before it, Winter was first written as a screenplay, in this case a vehicle for the figure skater Sonja Henie. However, while Allen's scatterbrained persona made a charming foil for Philo's stuffed-shirt pretensions, Ms. Henie provided no such inspiration. Van Dine did not live long enough to see her outed as a Nazi supporter, but her ice-princess act offered less for Philo to play against. It should be noted that Winter was published posthumously to close out the series, and though it went to press without Van Dine's usual repeated revisions, it is true vintage Philo--utterly distinctive in style and its own very genuine kind of pleasure.