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A review by sathyasekar
The Benson Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine
2.0
New York early twentieth century is the setting for this mediocre murder mystery. The book is a let down at multiple levels. First, the detective.
Vance is just an American caricature of multiple British detectives of an earlier period. He combines the seductive skills of Sherlock Holmes and the upper class refinement of Lord Wimsey. But he emerges neither as intriguing and engaging a personality as Holmes nor as charming and amusing as Wimsey. He is just a most irritating, stuck-up snob who has this annoying habit of knowing everything there’s to know. There is no humanity about the man.
The plot is thin. The murder of an unlikeable playboy holds little appeal. But I ploddedin the hope that the author may spring an ingenious surprise. But alas. No such luck. The author pretty much lays a case against every suspect- and as though picking a lottery winner, chooses the final murderer. There is no logical elimination of the suspects. It’s all only because Vance says so.
It was a quick read which is the reason it manages a 2 star.
Vance is just an American caricature of multiple British detectives of an earlier period. He combines the seductive skills of Sherlock Holmes and the upper class refinement of Lord Wimsey. But he emerges neither as intriguing and engaging a personality as Holmes nor as charming and amusing as Wimsey. He is just a most irritating, stuck-up snob who has this annoying habit of knowing everything there’s to know. There is no humanity about the man.
The plot is thin. The murder of an unlikeable playboy holds little appeal. But I ploddedin the hope that the author may spring an ingenious surprise. But alas. No such luck. The author pretty much lays a case against every suspect- and as though picking a lottery winner, chooses the final murderer. There is no logical elimination of the suspects. It’s all only because Vance says so.
It was a quick read which is the reason it manages a 2 star.