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Philo Vance #7
The Dragon Murder Case (Philo Vance Book 7)
A whodunit that "presents a good puzzle, and that, according to Mr. Vance and his tens of thousands of readers, is what murder mystery books are for" (The New York Times).
No question, The Dragon Murder Case showcases Our Philo at his most supremely irritating. The book is set at a Manhattan mansion complete with picturesque pool. Into that pool dives Sanford Montague, never to be seen again. Fools rush to blame the supernatural, noting that the "Dragon Pool," is supposedly home to a monster known to the Lenape Indians. Philo's not so He is (of course) an expert on both dragons and the Lenape Indians, with a sort of sideline expertise in pools and fish.
It is tempting to agree with Ogden Nash that "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pance" and by the time you reach the end of Dragon, you will almost certainly want to point your boot at his posterior. But you will have had a swell time getting there, and we've got a crisp greenback that says you'll be chuckling too hard to aim.
Praise for the Philo Vance series
"With his highbrow manner and his parade of encyclopedic learning, Philo Vance is not only a detective; he is a god out of the machine." --The New York Times
"The Philo Vance novels were well-crafted puzzlers that captivated readers . . . the works of S.S. Van Dine serve to transport the reader back to a long-gone era of society and style of writing." --Mystery Scene
"Outrageous cleverness . . . among the finest fruits of the Golden Age." --Bloody Murder
No question, The Dragon Murder Case showcases Our Philo at his most supremely irritating. The book is set at a Manhattan mansion complete with picturesque pool. Into that pool dives Sanford Montague, never to be seen again. Fools rush to blame the supernatural, noting that the "Dragon Pool," is supposedly home to a monster known to the Lenape Indians. Philo's not so He is (of course) an expert on both dragons and the Lenape Indians, with a sort of sideline expertise in pools and fish.
It is tempting to agree with Ogden Nash that "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pance" and by the time you reach the end of Dragon, you will almost certainly want to point your boot at his posterior. But you will have had a swell time getting there, and we've got a crisp greenback that says you'll be chuckling too hard to aim.
Praise for the Philo Vance series
"With his highbrow manner and his parade of encyclopedic learning, Philo Vance is not only a detective; he is a god out of the machine." --The New York Times
"The Philo Vance novels were well-crafted puzzlers that captivated readers . . . the works of S.S. Van Dine serve to transport the reader back to a long-gone era of society and style of writing." --Mystery Scene
"Outrageous cleverness . . . among the finest fruits of the Golden Age." --Bloody Murder
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1934
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298 people want to read
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March 14, 2022
“I can’t fit the pattern together yet. But something horrible is going on here, and there’s no telling what might happen if what we have just discovered became known.” — Philo Vance to John F.X. Markham, District Attorney
Perhaps just shy of the locked room murder puzzle masterpiece that is The Kennel Murder Case, culturally influential art critic Willard Huntington Wright’s (S.S. Van Dine) seventh Golden Age mystery featuring the dapper and borderline insufferably knowledgable amateur detective, Philo Vance, is an absolute blast in all respects. Those who’ve seen the early film adaptations with William Powell, and can picture him in their mind while reading, have a bit of an advantage, I’d say. Meticulously plotted and incredibly literate as always, Wright seems to be having great fun with a plot where the murder — if there is one — may have supernatural undertones.
During a party at a century-old estate, a man has gone missing after diving into the Dragon Pool — a mysterious body of water bathed in legends of a real dragon spirit living within the pool and guarding it. Markham and the erudite Vance are together when a frustrated Sergeant Heath, tired of questioning numerous party attendees who all seem to have a motive for a murder as yet unconfirmed — no body can be found; the man simply vanished in the pool, and never came up — asks for help. Intrigued, Vance accompanies Marham to the estate and finds the atmosphere more tied to the past than the present — and eerily so. Vance immediately realizes that body or no body, something at the Stamm estate is very wrong. The mysterious Dragon Pool is drained, but there is no body, despite it being impossible for the missing man to have escaped from the pool unseen by any of the guests! In a manner of speaking, Van Dine’s The Dragon Murder Case then becomes a locked-room mystery. Confusing everything, when the man’s body is finally discovered, in a mysterious place of caves and Indian legends, he has strange, talon-like markings on him. Even Vance isn’t sure yet what to make of it all:
“That’s a strange place, Markham. It’s full of infinite possibilities—with its distorted traditions, its old superstitions, its stagnant air of a dead and buried age, its insanity and decadence, and its folklore and demonology. Such a place produces strange quirks of the mind: even casual visitors are caught in its corroding atmosphere. Such an atmosphere generates and begets black and incredible crimes. You have seen, in the last two days, how every one with whom we talked was poisoned by these subtle and sinister influences.”
The death of Sanford Montague will not be the only fatality as Vance, Markham and Heath attempt to get to the bottom of things, without diving into the pool of the supernatural. Is the eldest Stamm female, who claims to have seen the great dragon, delusional, or is there truly something otherworldly at play here? Markham thinks not, but Heath is beginning to wonder — and becoming a bit uneasy about it. Though the analytical Vance feels there has to be a solution, his familiarity with rare fish and ancient aquatic life, and his nearly encyclopedic knowledge concerning dragons and their presence in mythology all over the world — Vance knows about pretty much everything — appears to Markham’s irritation, to have him sitting on the fence about the murders. At one point in the case, Vance even takes time out to inform Markham of dragon lore encompassing the globe. It goes on for page after page, like an info dump, yet Wright was such a terrific writer, that to skip over it is to miss some truly fascinating information.
What becomes clear, as Vance finally sees a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, is that The Dragon Murder Case will require something beyond the tried and true methods of detection. Vance comments on such when Heath admits to Markham that he isn’t sure how to handle the case, and rather than be miffed, Markham sympathizes with his Sergeant. That’s when Vance concurs:
“The usual methods are futile. The roots of these two crimes go down much deeper than that. The murders are diabolical—in more than one sense; and they are closely related, in some strange way, to all the sinister factors which go to make up this household and its influences…”
There’s some knowledge Wright doesn’t share with the reader, involving a trip into town by Vance where the high-brow detective figures it out, that might have a few purists shouting about fair play and all that, but with a Golden Age mystery from one if its true masters being so much fun, who cares? Wright’s sublime literate mysteries featuring the dapper Vance eventually gave way to the hardboiled detective, but nothing this good, nor as much fun, ever really goes out of fashion. Rediscover how much fun mysteries from another time and place can be by picking up The Dragon Murder Case. You’ll understand then, why they call it the Golden Age.
Perhaps just shy of the locked room murder puzzle masterpiece that is The Kennel Murder Case, culturally influential art critic Willard Huntington Wright’s (S.S. Van Dine) seventh Golden Age mystery featuring the dapper and borderline insufferably knowledgable amateur detective, Philo Vance, is an absolute blast in all respects. Those who’ve seen the early film adaptations with William Powell, and can picture him in their mind while reading, have a bit of an advantage, I’d say. Meticulously plotted and incredibly literate as always, Wright seems to be having great fun with a plot where the murder — if there is one — may have supernatural undertones.
During a party at a century-old estate, a man has gone missing after diving into the Dragon Pool — a mysterious body of water bathed in legends of a real dragon spirit living within the pool and guarding it. Markham and the erudite Vance are together when a frustrated Sergeant Heath, tired of questioning numerous party attendees who all seem to have a motive for a murder as yet unconfirmed — no body can be found; the man simply vanished in the pool, and never came up — asks for help. Intrigued, Vance accompanies Marham to the estate and finds the atmosphere more tied to the past than the present — and eerily so. Vance immediately realizes that body or no body, something at the Stamm estate is very wrong. The mysterious Dragon Pool is drained, but there is no body, despite it being impossible for the missing man to have escaped from the pool unseen by any of the guests! In a manner of speaking, Van Dine’s The Dragon Murder Case then becomes a locked-room mystery. Confusing everything, when the man’s body is finally discovered, in a mysterious place of caves and Indian legends, he has strange, talon-like markings on him. Even Vance isn’t sure yet what to make of it all:
“That’s a strange place, Markham. It’s full of infinite possibilities—with its distorted traditions, its old superstitions, its stagnant air of a dead and buried age, its insanity and decadence, and its folklore and demonology. Such a place produces strange quirks of the mind: even casual visitors are caught in its corroding atmosphere. Such an atmosphere generates and begets black and incredible crimes. You have seen, in the last two days, how every one with whom we talked was poisoned by these subtle and sinister influences.”
The death of Sanford Montague will not be the only fatality as Vance, Markham and Heath attempt to get to the bottom of things, without diving into the pool of the supernatural. Is the eldest Stamm female, who claims to have seen the great dragon, delusional, or is there truly something otherworldly at play here? Markham thinks not, but Heath is beginning to wonder — and becoming a bit uneasy about it. Though the analytical Vance feels there has to be a solution, his familiarity with rare fish and ancient aquatic life, and his nearly encyclopedic knowledge concerning dragons and their presence in mythology all over the world — Vance knows about pretty much everything — appears to Markham’s irritation, to have him sitting on the fence about the murders. At one point in the case, Vance even takes time out to inform Markham of dragon lore encompassing the globe. It goes on for page after page, like an info dump, yet Wright was such a terrific writer, that to skip over it is to miss some truly fascinating information.
What becomes clear, as Vance finally sees a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, is that The Dragon Murder Case will require something beyond the tried and true methods of detection. Vance comments on such when Heath admits to Markham that he isn’t sure how to handle the case, and rather than be miffed, Markham sympathizes with his Sergeant. That’s when Vance concurs:
“The usual methods are futile. The roots of these two crimes go down much deeper than that. The murders are diabolical—in more than one sense; and they are closely related, in some strange way, to all the sinister factors which go to make up this household and its influences…”
There’s some knowledge Wright doesn’t share with the reader, involving a trip into town by Vance where the high-brow detective figures it out, that might have a few purists shouting about fair play and all that, but with a Golden Age mystery from one if its true masters being so much fun, who cares? Wright’s sublime literate mysteries featuring the dapper Vance eventually gave way to the hardboiled detective, but nothing this good, nor as much fun, ever really goes out of fashion. Rediscover how much fun mysteries from another time and place can be by picking up The Dragon Murder Case. You’ll understand then, why they call it the Golden Age.
January 18, 2019
When I saw the title of this Philo Vance book, I knew it would be the next Van Dine novel I read. Dragons fascinate me, especially as a fantasy novel lover, so I was intrigued from the start. This book was exactly what I wanted it to be--fun, entertaining, and about dragons.
This is of the two types of mysteries that I prefer--when the murder happens right away, and the book is spent figuring out whodunnit rather than when it takes time for the murder to happen, and I keep wondering when someone is going to die already. The suspense is definitely stronger in the first kind, which can be good or bad, but I didn't look ahead this time, so that's something. I really wanted the story to build and to see if my guesses were correct (they were not...).
What I enjoyed most about this book, aside from Philo and the dragon stuff, was the history of a place close to my home and to my heart. I love New York City, and I obviously don't know everything there is to know about its history or about its current attractions. It was really fun to learn about Inwood, a neighborhood of Manhattan that I knew nothing about before. I've never been there, and I've never even heard about this highest point (altitude-wise) in the borough. Now, I'm looking forward to going to Inwood when it's a little warmer and to visiting Inwood Hill Park, which still has the original forests of Mannahatta, along with the glacial potholes left over from one of the Ice Ages. It also has amazing views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. So, this book taught me a lot about dragons but also about the city less than two hours from my home.
As for the writing, it's classic S.S. Van Dine. I like him because he's smart and assumes the reader knows things. Vance is completely unbelievable in the amount of knowledge he accrues on everything. The dragon history chapter reads like a page in an encyclopedia. At the same time, I love his character and the way he solves mysteries. I love his personality and his relationship with Heath and Markham, the chief of police and the D.A., respectively. Van Dine is the first-person narrator and is really there to Watson Vance, but I always appreciate a first-person point of view.
So, if you want a fun mystery with cool history and interesting information about dragons and fish with an amateur sleuth who acts like he doesn't care about anything but really does care, then, I highly recommend this book to you.
As a side note: I never realized that dragons had so permeated the human consciousness. It's really interesting to me how every culture seems to have some sort of dragon in their mythology, religion, or politics. Reading about the various versions of the creature made me think about early human history and the possibilities that, at some point, there were dragons on this planet. One of the writers that Van Dine cites via Vance claims that our stories about dragons come from our ancestral memory of prehistoric saurians (interesting common root with one of the most well-known literary villains ever, by the way), and I would buy that, definitely.
Sorry to ramble on here. I'm clearly fascinated, and you guys are the only group of people who will truly understand how it feels to read a book that is random but exactly what you wanted it to be. It doesn't always happen that way, especially when we base our choices off titles and covers, which are often misleading.
tl;dnr: A solid mystery with an interesting resolution, one that I did and did not expect. In this case, reading about how was much more interesting than finding out who, which doesn't always happen. I almost didn't even care who, but I was slightly disappointed about how (mostly because I think my idea was more interesting, but you know, I've never written a mystery before, so...).
This is of the two types of mysteries that I prefer--when the murder happens right away, and the book is spent figuring out whodunnit rather than when it takes time for the murder to happen, and I keep wondering when someone is going to die already. The suspense is definitely stronger in the first kind, which can be good or bad, but I didn't look ahead this time, so that's something. I really wanted the story to build and to see if my guesses were correct (they were not...).
What I enjoyed most about this book, aside from Philo and the dragon stuff, was the history of a place close to my home and to my heart. I love New York City, and I obviously don't know everything there is to know about its history or about its current attractions. It was really fun to learn about Inwood, a neighborhood of Manhattan that I knew nothing about before. I've never been there, and I've never even heard about this highest point (altitude-wise) in the borough. Now, I'm looking forward to going to Inwood when it's a little warmer and to visiting Inwood Hill Park, which still has the original forests of Mannahatta, along with the glacial potholes left over from one of the Ice Ages. It also has amazing views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. So, this book taught me a lot about dragons but also about the city less than two hours from my home.
As for the writing, it's classic S.S. Van Dine. I like him because he's smart and assumes the reader knows things. Vance is completely unbelievable in the amount of knowledge he accrues on everything. The dragon history chapter reads like a page in an encyclopedia. At the same time, I love his character and the way he solves mysteries. I love his personality and his relationship with Heath and Markham, the chief of police and the D.A., respectively. Van Dine is the first-person narrator and is really there to Watson Vance, but I always appreciate a first-person point of view.
So, if you want a fun mystery with cool history and interesting information about dragons and fish with an amateur sleuth who acts like he doesn't care about anything but really does care, then, I highly recommend this book to you.
As a side note: I never realized that dragons had so permeated the human consciousness. It's really interesting to me how every culture seems to have some sort of dragon in their mythology, religion, or politics. Reading about the various versions of the creature made me think about early human history and the possibilities that, at some point, there were dragons on this planet. One of the writers that Van Dine cites via Vance claims that our stories about dragons come from our ancestral memory of prehistoric saurians (interesting common root with one of the most well-known literary villains ever, by the way), and I would buy that, definitely.
Sorry to ramble on here. I'm clearly fascinated, and you guys are the only group of people who will truly understand how it feels to read a book that is random but exactly what you wanted it to be. It doesn't always happen that way, especially when we base our choices off titles and covers, which are often misleading.
tl;dnr: A solid mystery with an interesting resolution, one that I did and did not expect. In this case, reading about how was much more interesting than finding out who, which doesn't always happen. I almost didn't even care who, but I was slightly disappointed about how (mostly because I think my idea was more interesting, but you know, I've never written a mystery before, so...).
October 7, 2025
I was pleased to find this SS Van Dine mystery in a second-hand bookshop.
My two least favourite fictional private investigators are Lord Peter Wimsey and Ellery Queen.
Philo Vance seems to be a combination of the two!
This is an ingenious mystery but is beyond far-fetched.
My two least favourite fictional private investigators are Lord Peter Wimsey and Ellery Queen.
Philo Vance seems to be a combination of the two!
This is an ingenious mystery but is beyond far-fetched.
August 1, 2022
Ordinarily, a mystery from the late 1920s or early 1930s provides an opportunity for thick atmosphere and setting. There wasn't much of that here, alas. At least not to my taste. It's not that the murders themselves are without a clever storyline. But everything is so centered on such a few locales that I found little room for any sense of the exotic estate house to filter through. Not only that, but the characters were colorless and had little detail. I still have no idea what anybody looks like. Not even Philo Vance himself. Last, the murders are a tad bit overcomplicated, and even though Vance explains at the end why tedious lengths were spent describing fish and the history of dragons, that did not make the suffering of reading through all those pages satisfying in retrospect. Probably my last Philo Vance novel.
October 26, 2024
Il giallo è uno dei miei generi preferiti, in particolare quello classico, quindi questo romanzo sulla carta aveva tutti i presupposti per piacermi: sulla carta, appunto.
Non mi aspettavo un capolavoro, ma nemmeno un romanzo dove niente funziona come si deve: Philo Vance non ha carisma, è solo un insieme di vezzi e saccenza; sugli altri personaggi stendiamo un velo pietoso, sono poco più che comparse senza il minimo approfondimento psicologico; la trama poi non coinvolge, non c'è mai tensione ed anche la risoluzione del mistero è banale.
Perfino lo stile non va, è inutilmente ridondante e sfocia più volte nel ridicolo.
Ho letto in giro che i primi romanzi della serie sono decisamente più belli e che questo settimo segna l'inizio della "fase calante" dell'autore: stando così le cose potrei riprovare a dare una chance a Philo Vance, ma basandomi su quest'unico libro sono basita dal successo che ha avuto.
Non mi aspettavo un capolavoro, ma nemmeno un romanzo dove niente funziona come si deve: Philo Vance non ha carisma, è solo un insieme di vezzi e saccenza; sugli altri personaggi stendiamo un velo pietoso, sono poco più che comparse senza il minimo approfondimento psicologico; la trama poi non coinvolge, non c'è mai tensione ed anche la risoluzione del mistero è banale.
Perfino lo stile non va, è inutilmente ridondante e sfocia più volte nel ridicolo.
Ho letto in giro che i primi romanzi della serie sono decisamente più belli e che questo settimo segna l'inizio della "fase calante" dell'autore: stando così le cose potrei riprovare a dare una chance a Philo Vance, ma basandomi su quest'unico libro sono basita dal successo che ha avuto.
December 19, 2020
The Dragon Murder Case has an opening murder that is sure to intrigue the impossible crime lovers out there. Sanford Montagu, a handsome actor, and a host of others make up a weekend party at the estate of Rudolph Stamm. The Stamm property is known for its dragon pool--the center of various legends, some coming down from the Algonquin and Lenape Indians. It is said that a mysterious water monster (sometimes referred to as dragon) lives in the pool. Matilda Stamm, Rudolph's mother, has a fervent belief in the dragon and claims that it protects her family from those who wish it harm.
When Montagu and the others in the group (Bernice Stamm, Rudolph's sister; Mr. Leland, friend of the household; Alex Greeff, a stock-broker with dealings with Stamm; Kirwin Tatum, a dissipated hanger-on pining for Miss Stamm; Mrs. "Teeny" McAdam, a lady with designs--perhaps on Stamm; and Miss Ruby Steele, a former actress who may still be playing a part)...well, as I say, when the group decides to go for an evening swim, Montagu is the first to change into his suit and head to the pool. He strikes an athletic pose on the diving board, makes a graceful swan dive into the water....and never surfaces. The men (minus their host who had been drinking steadily all evening and was left in the house a sodden state) make diving searches to no avail. Montagu has simply disappeared.
Mrs. Stamm insists that the dragon got him--that Montagu was threatening the family's well-being by his attentions to Bernice. And when his body is later found exactly where she predicted it would be left by the monster and it has three long gashes on the chest which look remarkably like talon marks...well, what's a respectable police detective like Sergeant Heath to do? Bring in Philo Vance, of course. Vance uses his knowledge of mythological lore, creatures of the deep, and his insights into human psychology to bring a rational conclusion to a very bizarre case.
Admittedly, Philo Vance can be a bit trying at times. He seems to know everything about everything--in this case everything about Native American mythology to rare species of tropical fish. But his books do tend to offer up very good examples of early crime fiction. Dragon has a slightly weird feel to it with all the mythology and dragon talk, but the mystery's solution is very logical and must have been quite a puzzle for folks reading it for the first time in the 1930s. It is enjoyable to read an early impossible crime and especially an early American example. Most of the well-known (to the general public) Golden Age crime fiction novelists are British or (in the case of John Dickson Carr) use England as their setting, so it is good to see vintage American detective novels in reprints as well.
One thing that I personally love about this (and which I had forgotten about) is Dr. Doremus. He makes few appearances, but when he does it is amusing. I am a Star Trek fan as well as Golden Age detective novel enthusiast and the good doctor reminds me of Dr. McCoy. He tosses off "I'm a doctor, not a..." lines like a true ancestor of the Enterprise's chief medical officer (see examples in quotes below). He pulls off the crusty "country" doctor in a way that several more recent novels have tried and failed.
If you like detectives with esoteric knowledge, if you like impossible crimes, if you like examples of American vintage mysteries...then The Dragon Murder Case may be for you.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
When Montagu and the others in the group (Bernice Stamm, Rudolph's sister; Mr. Leland, friend of the household; Alex Greeff, a stock-broker with dealings with Stamm; Kirwin Tatum, a dissipated hanger-on pining for Miss Stamm; Mrs. "Teeny" McAdam, a lady with designs--perhaps on Stamm; and Miss Ruby Steele, a former actress who may still be playing a part)...well, as I say, when the group decides to go for an evening swim, Montagu is the first to change into his suit and head to the pool. He strikes an athletic pose on the diving board, makes a graceful swan dive into the water....and never surfaces. The men (minus their host who had been drinking steadily all evening and was left in the house a sodden state) make diving searches to no avail. Montagu has simply disappeared.
Mrs. Stamm insists that the dragon got him--that Montagu was threatening the family's well-being by his attentions to Bernice. And when his body is later found exactly where she predicted it would be left by the monster and it has three long gashes on the chest which look remarkably like talon marks...well, what's a respectable police detective like Sergeant Heath to do? Bring in Philo Vance, of course. Vance uses his knowledge of mythological lore, creatures of the deep, and his insights into human psychology to bring a rational conclusion to a very bizarre case.
Admittedly, Philo Vance can be a bit trying at times. He seems to know everything about everything--in this case everything about Native American mythology to rare species of tropical fish. But his books do tend to offer up very good examples of early crime fiction. Dragon has a slightly weird feel to it with all the mythology and dragon talk, but the mystery's solution is very logical and must have been quite a puzzle for folks reading it for the first time in the 1930s. It is enjoyable to read an early impossible crime and especially an early American example. Most of the well-known (to the general public) Golden Age crime fiction novelists are British or (in the case of John Dickson Carr) use England as their setting, so it is good to see vintage American detective novels in reprints as well.
One thing that I personally love about this (and which I had forgotten about) is Dr. Doremus. He makes few appearances, but when he does it is amusing. I am a Star Trek fan as well as Golden Age detective novel enthusiast and the good doctor reminds me of Dr. McCoy. He tosses off "I'm a doctor, not a..." lines like a true ancestor of the Enterprise's chief medical officer (see examples in quotes below). He pulls off the crusty "country" doctor in a way that several more recent novels have tried and failed.
If you like detectives with esoteric knowledge, if you like impossible crimes, if you like examples of American vintage mysteries...then The Dragon Murder Case may be for you.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
July 6, 2015
I'm not particularly fond of stories where the main hint is always so obvious the author tries to persuade you that 'is isn't like that'... and at the end it is actually like that. Anyhow, it was well written as always.
March 17, 2025
This is my favorite Philo Vance novel. The murders are so unique and outlandish, and all evidence points to the legendary dragon being the culprit. Philo Vance seeks out the truth by eliminating all other possibilities. The novel stays on topic for the most part, except for a several page diversion as Vance displays his knowledge of various tropical fish.
This is a locked-room mystery, but the room is a pool! Sanford Montague dives into the "Dragon Pool" (a small pond) on his property and never comes up. Where did he go? Is he dead or alive? He is thought to have run off with Ellen Bruett, who wrote a note arranging a meeting that night. When he does not reappear, the pool is drained, and his body is not in it. However, there are strange foot and claw marks on the hard bottom of the pool.
Matilda Stamm, elderly mother of hard-drinking Rudolf Stamm, is convinced there is a dragon that lives in the pool, and protects the Stamm family by killing its enemies. This is supported by the fact there have been two deaths in the pool already. She states the dragon then flies away with its victims to dispose of their bodies elsewhere. Despite the fantastic legend, all evidence points to it as being the truth.
This is a locked-room mystery, but the room is a pool! Sanford Montague dives into the "Dragon Pool" (a small pond) on his property and never comes up. Where did he go? Is he dead or alive? He is thought to have run off with Ellen Bruett, who wrote a note arranging a meeting that night. When he does not reappear, the pool is drained, and his body is not in it. However, there are strange foot and claw marks on the hard bottom of the pool.
Matilda Stamm, elderly mother of hard-drinking Rudolf Stamm, is convinced there is a dragon that lives in the pool, and protects the Stamm family by killing its enemies. This is supported by the fact there have been two deaths in the pool already. She states the dragon then flies away with its victims to dispose of their bodies elsewhere. Despite the fantastic legend, all evidence points to it as being the truth.
July 20, 2021
see review other edition
January 11, 2016
7th in the Philo Vance mystery series set during August 11 - 13 , 1934. Vance, an independently wealthy college educated, amateur detective, uses his deductive skills and psychological knowledge to help his New York City District Attorney friend to unravel the murder of Sanford Montague who dies at an New York City estate filled with Indian lore. The murderer has laid a convoluted plot which Vance is unable to unravel. As usual, the action is set in New York City. Vance’s methods are unconventional and go against the more rigid police investigative methods and lawyer legal requirements.
July 30, 2020
A mysterious dragon carries out apparently perfect murders! But Philo Vance does not believe in dragons...
A demented old mother, a rabid son, a coveted daughter with several "beaus", an incredible property in the middle of Manhattan where Indians had lived and died and been buried before it was expropriated by white men - all of these details turn this into the most mysterious Philo Vance case.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 30 July 2020.
A demented old mother, a rabid son, a coveted daughter with several "beaus", an incredible property in the middle of Manhattan where Indians had lived and died and been buried before it was expropriated by white men - all of these details turn this into the most mysterious Philo Vance case.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 30 July 2020.
March 13, 2024
The Disappearing Diver
Review of the Arni Books Kindle eBook edition (August 10, 2023) of the Scribner’s hardcover original (1933).
The opening premise here was actually pretty fantastic. At an evening party a man dives into a swimming pool and doesn't resurface. Others jump in to look for him but he has disappeared. The rather histrionic matron of the household insists that a legendary flying dragon has scooped up the body and flown away with it. The police are completely baffled of course and only amateur sleuth Philo Vance can untangle the myth from the reality.
Eventually a real world explanation is arrived at, even though it seems ridiculously improbable. To postpone the unravelling we have the now typical S.S. Van Dine delaying tactic of providing long lists of dragon myths throughout history and then a further detailed listing of the scientific names of tropical fish. Philo Vance is of course an expert in all of those areas.
The final reveal has the least likely suspect revealed as the culprit with a deus ex machina method of serving the course of justice. I can't even label these with an Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ as the S.S. Van Dine formula is now so predictable that you always know what you are going to get.
The front cover of the original Scribner’s first edition (1933). Image sourced from Wikipedia.
Footnote
* This appears to be an invented adjective form of the verb obfuscate: to make obscure, to confuse.
Trivia and Links
The Dragon Murder Case was adapted as the same-titled film The Dragon Murder Case (1934) directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring Warren William as Philo Vance. You can see the opening credits and opening scenes on YouTube here.
Willard Huntington Wright aka S.S. Van Dine is also the author of the Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories.
Review of the Arni Books Kindle eBook edition (August 10, 2023) of the Scribner’s hardcover original (1933).
Of all the cases I have thus far recorded none was as exciting, as weird, as apparently unrelated to all rational thinking, as the dragon murder. Here was a crime that seemed to transcend all the ordinary scientific knowledge of man and to carry the police and investigators into an obfuscous* and unreal realm of demonology and folklore - a realm fraught with dim racial memories of legendary terrors.
The opening premise here was actually pretty fantastic. At an evening party a man dives into a swimming pool and doesn't resurface. Others jump in to look for him but he has disappeared. The rather histrionic matron of the household insists that a legendary flying dragon has scooped up the body and flown away with it. The police are completely baffled of course and only amateur sleuth Philo Vance can untangle the myth from the reality.
Eventually a real world explanation is arrived at, even though it seems ridiculously improbable. To postpone the unravelling we have the now typical S.S. Van Dine delaying tactic of providing long lists of dragon myths throughout history and then a further detailed listing of the scientific names of tropical fish. Philo Vance is of course an expert in all of those areas.
The final reveal has the least likely suspect revealed as the culprit with a deus ex machina method of serving the course of justice. I can't even label these with an Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ as the S.S. Van Dine formula is now so predictable that you always know what you are going to get.
The front cover of the original Scribner’s first edition (1933). Image sourced from Wikipedia.
Footnote
* This appears to be an invented adjective form of the verb obfuscate: to make obscure, to confuse.
Trivia and Links
The Dragon Murder Case was adapted as the same-titled film The Dragon Murder Case (1934) directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring Warren William as Philo Vance. You can see the opening credits and opening scenes on YouTube here.
Willard Huntington Wright aka S.S. Van Dine is also the author of the Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories.
June 20, 2021
“– Quale drago, signora Stamm? – chiese Vance imperturbabile.
– E mi domanda anche quale drago! – proruppe la signora, con una risata rauca e sprezzante – Il drago che vive nel lago, sotto la mia finestra – l’additò vagamente con la mano. – Perché lei crede che si chiami Stagno del Drago? Glielo dirò io il perché. Perché è la dimora del drago, il vecchio drago acquatico che protegge le vite e la fortuna degli Stamm. Quando un qualsiasi pericolo minaccia la mia famiglia, il drago monta in furia.”
Van Dine viene spesso sottovalutato, ma ha l’indubbio merito di avere prefigurato tematiche e soluzioni poi adottate dai giallisti successivi
Infatti, tutti i romanzi dove viene evocato il soprannaturale per poi trovare una spiegazione razionale, (a cominciare da quelli di Carr per arrivare a Talbot e Rawson, per non parlare di quel capolavoro che è Un cavallo per la strega della Christie, ma anche nel mio libro del cuore, La rossa mano destra, ci sono queste suggestioni) si ispirano o riprendono i primi esempi di questo sottogenere, fra cui troviamo appunto questo romanzo del 1934.
Qui abbiamo una sparizione impossibile da manuale. Un uomo si immerge in un lago ben illuminato davanti a diversi testimoni, e non riemerge. Viene svuotato il bacino senza rinvenire traccia di cadavere ma solo strane orme, compatibili con la leggenda di un drago volante che vivrebbe nei pressi del lago.
Purtroppo, la struttura del romanzo gioca male la carta del soprannaturale, dato che fin da subito si dice che la spiegazione è razionale (molto belli invece quei romanzi come Un cavallo per la strega dove risula verosimile che i personaggi credano al soprannaturale. O quei nostri contemporanei che sanno giocare con il soprannaturale svelandoci se esiste o meno, non solo per i personaggi ma anche per il lettore, solo nelle ultime battute del loro libro, quando addirittura non ci lasciano col dubbio anche a libro finito). Ma l’impressione globale è gradevole, azzeccata anche se prevedibile per il lettore esperto la scelta dell’omicida e delle false piste (letto con Anna, avevamo capito il punto essenziale), un limite che abbiamo trovato ma tutto sommato non mi ha disturbato è che la dinamica è un po’ poco verosimile (ma nulla rispetto ad alcune scelte di altri, come Carr, che richiedono una grossa sospensione dell’incredulità, ancora maggiore che in questo romanzo) La dinamica dei fatti che prefigura anche, per un aspetto, il trick di uno dei più celebri Christie. E persino Vance stavolta è meno saccente e antipatico del solito.
– E mi domanda anche quale drago! – proruppe la signora, con una risata rauca e sprezzante – Il drago che vive nel lago, sotto la mia finestra – l’additò vagamente con la mano. – Perché lei crede che si chiami Stagno del Drago? Glielo dirò io il perché. Perché è la dimora del drago, il vecchio drago acquatico che protegge le vite e la fortuna degli Stamm. Quando un qualsiasi pericolo minaccia la mia famiglia, il drago monta in furia.”
Van Dine viene spesso sottovalutato, ma ha l’indubbio merito di avere prefigurato tematiche e soluzioni poi adottate dai giallisti successivi
Infatti, tutti i romanzi dove viene evocato il soprannaturale per poi trovare una spiegazione razionale, (a cominciare da quelli di Carr per arrivare a Talbot e Rawson, per non parlare di quel capolavoro che è Un cavallo per la strega della Christie, ma anche nel mio libro del cuore, La rossa mano destra, ci sono queste suggestioni) si ispirano o riprendono i primi esempi di questo sottogenere, fra cui troviamo appunto questo romanzo del 1934.
Qui abbiamo una sparizione impossibile da manuale. Un uomo si immerge in un lago ben illuminato davanti a diversi testimoni, e non riemerge. Viene svuotato il bacino senza rinvenire traccia di cadavere ma solo strane orme, compatibili con la leggenda di un drago volante che vivrebbe nei pressi del lago.
Purtroppo, la struttura del romanzo gioca male la carta del soprannaturale, dato che fin da subito si dice che la spiegazione è razionale (molto belli invece quei romanzi come Un cavallo per la strega dove risula verosimile che i personaggi credano al soprannaturale. O quei nostri contemporanei che sanno giocare con il soprannaturale svelandoci se esiste o meno, non solo per i personaggi ma anche per il lettore, solo nelle ultime battute del loro libro, quando addirittura non ci lasciano col dubbio anche a libro finito). Ma l’impressione globale è gradevole, azzeccata anche se prevedibile per il lettore esperto la scelta dell’omicida e delle false piste (letto con Anna, avevamo capito il punto essenziale), un limite che abbiamo trovato ma tutto sommato non mi ha disturbato è che la dinamica è un po’ poco verosimile (ma nulla rispetto ad alcune scelte di altri, come Carr, che richiedono una grossa sospensione dell’incredulità, ancora maggiore che in questo romanzo) La dinamica dei fatti che prefigura anche, per un aspetto, il trick di uno dei più celebri Christie. E persino Vance stavolta è meno saccente e antipatico del solito.
June 4, 2023
La scomparsa di un uomo, dopo il tuffo nel lago della tenuta che lo ospita, il famoso Lago del Drago, richiama l’attenzione di Philo Vance and company. Si entra nel fantastico mondo delle superstizioni, delle leggende, dei mostri o meglio dei draghi. Causa digressioni di varia natura, si deve arrivare al 51% del libro per sapere che lo scomparso viene finalmente ritrovato. Sì, ma cadavere. E poco tempo dopo la scoperta, un altro ospite della tenuta scompare e ... Insomma, una sequela di avvenimenti tragici, fino all’epilogo.
Vabbè, la soluzione è più terrena che mai, ma è talmente tirata... mi è sembrata una faticosa arrampicata sugli specchi.
L’ho trovato noioso e improbabile, con personaggi astiosi, reticenti più che mai e allucinati, improbabili anche loro come la storia.
Mmmm... aspetterò un po’ per leggere il prossimo... devo prima smaltire la delusione per questo.
🌎 LdM - Sfida 2023: USA
✍️ SSVD
Vabbè, la soluzione è più terrena che mai, ma è talmente tirata... mi è sembrata una faticosa arrampicata sugli specchi.
L’ho trovato noioso e improbabile, con personaggi astiosi, reticenti più che mai e allucinati, improbabili anche loro come la storia.
Mmmm... aspetterò un po’ per leggere il prossimo... devo prima smaltire la delusione per questo.
🌎 LdM - Sfida 2023: USA
✍️ SSVD
October 20, 2023
I don't want to say that Philo Vance has jumped the shark, but by episode 7 Van Dine had lost either interest or inspiration. In The Dragon Murder Case he just goes through the motions without the mojo of the earlier novels. I'll finish the series (12 books in all) but this one doesn't bode well for the rest.
February 24, 2018
The Dragon Murder Case was a solid enough story that could’ve been better had it not been weighed down by an annoying main character and pages upon pages of unrelated history.
I enjoyed how tricky the actual feat of the murder itself was. A guy dives into a pool in front of plenty of witnesses and doesn’t come back up. There were a rich cast of characters, although they were sadly underused – of the 6 or 7 people in the mansion at the time, you could easily have removed 4 of them and it would’ve made no difference. They didn’t contribute to the story, they didn’t have any drama, they were barely even seen. There’d be chapters and chapters before we heard again from Ruby Steel, some actress who was in the house and never given more than maybe two scenes, no broader connection, and nothing more to do. Why even include her?
Philo Vance, the main character and amateur detective, was likable at some points and nerve-grinding at others. He had to be a show-off. The level of smug know-it-all he achieved was actually the only thing that broke my suspension of disbelief for this book. It’s as if he’s a walking encyclopedia, or more accurately, as if Van Dine consulted a different subject in the encyclopedia for every long-winded speech Vance gave.
And oh, did he give long-winded speeches. There’d be six pages at a time devoted to nothing more than dragon mythology in different cultures, or the breeding of exotic fish. The other characters were all annoyed with him for talking so much, and so was I. Get on with it! I’m reading a murder mystery, not a cultural mythology textbook. It could be forgiven if these tangents had anything to do with the plot, but sadly they’re irrelevant.
It was also a weak ending. The conclusion of the mystery itself was satisfying, and I enjoyed that, but we never see the murderer react to being caught. There are also characters that know the plot this whole time that didn’t have very good motivations for not just giving it away. Lots of loose ends, which come from lots of extra characters that added nothing on their own.
Vance also has a way of talking with “y’know”s and leaving off the g’s of anything with an “ing” ending, which I get was supposed to set him apart, but really just made him seem foppish and annoying even more.
All this criticism aside, it was still a pretty enjoyable read and I would still recommend giving it a try. The actual text, when not long exposition, was well-written, and the mystery itself was entertaining enough to get by.
I enjoyed how tricky the actual feat of the murder itself was. A guy dives into a pool in front of plenty of witnesses and doesn’t come back up. There were a rich cast of characters, although they were sadly underused – of the 6 or 7 people in the mansion at the time, you could easily have removed 4 of them and it would’ve made no difference. They didn’t contribute to the story, they didn’t have any drama, they were barely even seen. There’d be chapters and chapters before we heard again from Ruby Steel, some actress who was in the house and never given more than maybe two scenes, no broader connection, and nothing more to do. Why even include her?
Philo Vance, the main character and amateur detective, was likable at some points and nerve-grinding at others. He had to be a show-off. The level of smug know-it-all he achieved was actually the only thing that broke my suspension of disbelief for this book. It’s as if he’s a walking encyclopedia, or more accurately, as if Van Dine consulted a different subject in the encyclopedia for every long-winded speech Vance gave.
And oh, did he give long-winded speeches. There’d be six pages at a time devoted to nothing more than dragon mythology in different cultures, or the breeding of exotic fish. The other characters were all annoyed with him for talking so much, and so was I. Get on with it! I’m reading a murder mystery, not a cultural mythology textbook. It could be forgiven if these tangents had anything to do with the plot, but sadly they’re irrelevant.
It was also a weak ending. The conclusion of the mystery itself was satisfying, and I enjoyed that, but we never see the murderer react to being caught. There are also characters that know the plot this whole time that didn’t have very good motivations for not just giving it away. Lots of loose ends, which come from lots of extra characters that added nothing on their own.
Vance also has a way of talking with “y’know”s and leaving off the g’s of anything with an “ing” ending, which I get was supposed to set him apart, but really just made him seem foppish and annoying even more.
All this criticism aside, it was still a pretty enjoyable read and I would still recommend giving it a try. The actual text, when not long exposition, was well-written, and the mystery itself was entertaining enough to get by.
December 29, 2016
I've read several posts about this and other S.S. Van Dine books...about being too detail-heavy, too much information and dialogue...but, I expect that's exactly what most people who love these books read them for....Sometimes I just read through the story---the unfamiliar words usually give themselves away in the context of the sentence...and the extra historical footnotes can be left as they are....but occasionally it is fun to sit with dictionary at the ready and check every word or phrase I don't know offhand....and maybe look up a few of the footnotes for more information. These are singular stories by a singular writer who knew exactly what he was doing....you either like and/or appreciate his writing, or you don't. This wasn't one of his best, but its a damn sight better than some of the fluff that passes for literature nowadays. I've read these first seven books...waiting for number eight to arrive in the mail....I will be so disappointed when I have read the last in the series. I highly recommend you at least give it a try...they are a treat!
September 14, 2021
A classic mystery with Philo Vance, the most aristocratic detective ever created. In this novel there's a bit of supernatural: the crime seems committed by...a dragon!
November 13, 2022
Ni me ha enamorado ni me ha disgustado, la trama es interesante, un hombre desaparece en un estanque y la leyenda apunta a que ha sido muerto por un dragón.
7 personajes presenciaron lo ocurrido y 1 estaba tan borracho que no fue consciente de lo que ocurrió.
Philo Vance investigará que hubo en torno a la muerte y si como todos apuntan el responsable fue el dragón que vive en el estanque.
Mi problema fue que la parte en la que explican todos los peces que el dueño de la casa tiene en su acuario personal se me hizo bastante denso, era una enumeración a mí parecer innecesaria puesto que no aportaba nada a la trama, más allá de que el escritor nos demostrará su maravilloso conocimiento submarino y su conocimiento de palabras científicas que me sacaban de la lectura.
Aparte también metía innumerables referencias a leyendas sobre dragones, que habría estado bien su hubieran sido una o dos, pero se hacían insufribles.
Por eso no le he puesto más nota, si hubiera prescindido de estos puntitos creo que la lectura habría sido más amena y más ágil.
7 personajes presenciaron lo ocurrido y 1 estaba tan borracho que no fue consciente de lo que ocurrió.
Philo Vance investigará que hubo en torno a la muerte y si como todos apuntan el responsable fue el dragón que vive en el estanque.
Mi problema fue que la parte en la que explican todos los peces que el dueño de la casa tiene en su acuario personal se me hizo bastante denso, era una enumeración a mí parecer innecesaria puesto que no aportaba nada a la trama, más allá de que el escritor nos demostrará su maravilloso conocimiento submarino y su conocimiento de palabras científicas que me sacaban de la lectura.
Aparte también metía innumerables referencias a leyendas sobre dragones, que habría estado bien su hubieran sido una o dos, pero se hacían insufribles.
Por eso no le he puesto más nota, si hubiera prescindido de estos puntitos creo que la lectura habría sido más amena y más ágil.
August 24, 2013
A Dragon that kills? Well, someone certainly wants you to think that but as usual the murderer is a person.
One of the last estates in New York City, large open land and old estates and of course a dragon pool that is supplied by a natural stream that runs through the estate. In this pool the first victim meets his fate. By chance Heath shows up and won't let it go, and it is this gut instinct on his part that draws in Vance and after Vance sees the situation. He too is hooked.
Some really quirky characters in this story, it's hard to believe they weren't all killed off. :) But the how the killing was done and why all the dragon references. This is one of the Van Dine stories where he has hit his stride.
One of the last estates in New York City, large open land and old estates and of course a dragon pool that is supplied by a natural stream that runs through the estate. In this pool the first victim meets his fate. By chance Heath shows up and won't let it go, and it is this gut instinct on his part that draws in Vance and after Vance sees the situation. He too is hooked.
Some really quirky characters in this story, it's hard to believe they weren't all killed off. :) But the how the killing was done and why all the dragon references. This is one of the Van Dine stories where he has hit his stride.
February 13, 2017
This is a bit different than the previous few entries in this series. Those were focused heavily on the suspects--observing, interviewing, even tricking them. This book was focused almost entirely on HOW the murder was carried out. In fact, the identity of the perpetrator almost seemed incidental. A nice change of pace, although a bit more balance would perhaps be preferable.
Van Dine likes to show off in these novels his expertise of disparate topics. In this book it was world religions, especially Asian, and tropical fish. Pretty random, but always enjoyable.
Van Dine likes to show off in these novels his expertise of disparate topics. In this book it was world religions, especially Asian, and tropical fish. Pretty random, but always enjoyable.
May 11, 2013
Brilliant.... Vance's tweaking of Markham is priceless
August 12, 2017
O SS Van Dine ameaça substituir Ellery Queen como o meu escritor policial americano antigo preferido.
Excelente história policial com um toquezinho de animais fantásticos.
Excelente história policial com um toquezinho de animais fantásticos.
March 17, 2023
"The Dragon Murder Case" by S.S. Van Dine is a classic mystery novel that will satisfy fans of the genre. The book follows the famous detective Philo Vance as he investigates the murder of wealthy businessman Montrose, who is found dead in his home with a mysterious symbol drawn in blood beside him.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is Van Dine's skillful plotting. The mystery is complex and intriguing, with multiple suspects and twists that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Vance's deductive reasoning and attention to detail are on full display, making him a compelling and intelligent protagonist.
The setting of the novel, a wealthy New York neighborhood in the 1930s, adds an extra layer of atmosphere to the story. Van Dine's descriptions of the neighborhood and its inhabitants are vivid and immersive, and the reader will feel like they are right there alongside Vance as he investigates the case.
The writing in "The Dragon Murder Case" is rich and detailed, with Van Dine's use of language adding to the book's overall charm. Additionally, the secondary characters, including the suspects and witnesses, are well-developed and add depth to the story.
However, some readers may find the book's pacing slow, as Van Dine takes his time in building the tension and developing the characters. Additionally, the book's dated language and attitudes towards race and gender may be off-putting to modern readers.
Overall, "The Dragon Murder Case" is a classic mystery novel that will delight fans of the genre. Van Dine's skillful plotting and immersive setting make this book a must-read for those looking for a classic whodunit.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is Van Dine's skillful plotting. The mystery is complex and intriguing, with multiple suspects and twists that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Vance's deductive reasoning and attention to detail are on full display, making him a compelling and intelligent protagonist.
The setting of the novel, a wealthy New York neighborhood in the 1930s, adds an extra layer of atmosphere to the story. Van Dine's descriptions of the neighborhood and its inhabitants are vivid and immersive, and the reader will feel like they are right there alongside Vance as he investigates the case.
The writing in "The Dragon Murder Case" is rich and detailed, with Van Dine's use of language adding to the book's overall charm. Additionally, the secondary characters, including the suspects and witnesses, are well-developed and add depth to the story.
However, some readers may find the book's pacing slow, as Van Dine takes his time in building the tension and developing the characters. Additionally, the book's dated language and attitudes towards race and gender may be off-putting to modern readers.
Overall, "The Dragon Murder Case" is a classic mystery novel that will delight fans of the genre. Van Dine's skillful plotting and immersive setting make this book a must-read for those looking for a classic whodunit.
September 28, 2025
A weekend party turns deadly when the attendees go for a nigh swim.
Rudolph Stamm has invited a few friends to a weekend house party at the old family estate. The 100 year old estate has not only an eerie appearance, it also comes with some bizarre history and legends. It is the home of the Dragon Pool.
Sanford Montague, actor, ladies’ man and engaged to Stamm’s sister. Making a show of the first dive, Montague doesn’t surface. The other guests dive in and search for him but find no body.
A phone call from an old and close Stamm family friend brings Philo Vance into the case, along with John F.-X. Markham, DA of New York County.
There are no footprints around the pool, and when it is drained, Montague’s body isn’t found. What is found on the floor of the pool further stirs up the old superstitions and legends of the pool being the home of the Lenape Indians’ devil monster.
The body is later found and is in a brutal condition. A second guest goes missing the next evening. No solid clues or explanations.
Using regular police investigating procedures, little is revealed. It is Vance’s knowledge of the mythology and human nature that bring more sense to the solution.
Written in the 1930s, S.S. Van Dine’s Philo Vance mysteries still are good. Twists, turns, red herrings, distractions all add to the adventure and make a good visit to the “Golden Era” of mystery writing.
Rudolph Stamm has invited a few friends to a weekend house party at the old family estate. The 100 year old estate has not only an eerie appearance, it also comes with some bizarre history and legends. It is the home of the Dragon Pool.
Sanford Montague, actor, ladies’ man and engaged to Stamm’s sister. Making a show of the first dive, Montague doesn’t surface. The other guests dive in and search for him but find no body.
A phone call from an old and close Stamm family friend brings Philo Vance into the case, along with John F.-X. Markham, DA of New York County.
There are no footprints around the pool, and when it is drained, Montague’s body isn’t found. What is found on the floor of the pool further stirs up the old superstitions and legends of the pool being the home of the Lenape Indians’ devil monster.
The body is later found and is in a brutal condition. A second guest goes missing the next evening. No solid clues or explanations.
Using regular police investigating procedures, little is revealed. It is Vance’s knowledge of the mythology and human nature that bring more sense to the solution.
Written in the 1930s, S.S. Van Dine’s Philo Vance mysteries still are good. Twists, turns, red herrings, distractions all add to the adventure and make a good visit to the “Golden Era” of mystery writing.
January 26, 2022
S.S. van Dine wrote 12 detective novels in the late 1920s and 1930s centered on private detective Philo Vance, a wealthy aesthete and connoisseur of the arts. The first six are very good: The Benson Murder Case (1926), The Canary Murder Case (1927), The Greene Murder Case (1928), The Bishop Murder Case (1929), The Scarab Murder Case (1930) and The Kennel Murder Case (1933). Less good but still interesting enough (although in declining order) are four more novels: The Dragon Murder Case (1933), The Casino Murder Case (1934), The Garden Murder Case (1935) and The Kidnap Murder Case (1936). Forgettable are the last two novels, both based on film scripts: The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1938) and The Winter Murder Case (1939).
S.S. van Dine was enormously popular between 1926 and 1936, something which is also demonstrated by how quickly Hollywood adapted his novels to the screen with such famous actors as William Powell. But in the 1930s Hammett and Chandler started the hard-boiled genre with violent detectives who would make Van Dine’s intellectual sleuth seem insignificant and a bit preposterous.
S.S. van Dine was enormously popular between 1926 and 1936, something which is also demonstrated by how quickly Hollywood adapted his novels to the screen with such famous actors as William Powell. But in the 1930s Hammett and Chandler started the hard-boiled genre with violent detectives who would make Van Dine’s intellectual sleuth seem insignificant and a bit preposterous.
March 18, 2024
The murder is mysterious (including the missing body itself) and the setting is murky (a poorly-lit pool on an estate), but the detection and unraveling of the crime is fabulous. Yes, the action is stilted, clumsily moving from the estate to Philo Vance's apartment, like the characters are actors walking across the stage to a different set; and most of the "detecting" is psychological. But that worked for Nero Wolfe, and that works just as well here with man-about-town Philo Vance, who must use all his brainmatter to solve: a) where the party guest who dived into the pool vanished to, and b) was he eaten by a dragon or a large fish? The answer is clever--and cleverly spooled out in a surprising denouement. Dashin' good, as Philo might say.
September 9, 2024
Giallo classico, con indizi chiari al lettore, dinamica degli eventi nota al lettore come al protagonista Philo Vance, esattamente come Van Dine riporta nel suo "Venti regole per scrivere romanzi polizieschi". É caratterizzato da una scrittura ricca, uno stile carico di nozioni e informazioni non propedeutiche alla risoluzione dell'enigma, ma che contribuiscono a creare il personaggio dell'investigatore infallibile, che non sbaglia un colpo, che conosce tutto.
Questo romanzo in particolare l'ho trovato un po' lento all'inizio, ci sono voluti parecchi capitoli prima di arrivare ai punti salienti della storia.
Questo romanzo in particolare l'ho trovato un po' lento all'inizio, ci sono voluti parecchi capitoli prima di arrivare ai punti salienti della storia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2025
Detective fiction always has a special place in my heart. Winter + Golden age detective fiction + tea is pure bliss!
A man mysteriously disappears after diving down the Dragon Pool during a house party. There are no traces of him anywhere around. There is a theory that a dragon abducts the enemies of Stamm (owner of Stamm's estate and host for the party) and takes them to a hideout that no one knows.
Detective Vance and the chief go to the spot that sets off the detection in motion.
Loved the writing, the aspect of mythological dragon and the logical solution at the end. Very crisply edited to not lose the traction. A good book to pick up on a cold chilly evening.
A man mysteriously disappears after diving down the Dragon Pool during a house party. There are no traces of him anywhere around. There is a theory that a dragon abducts the enemies of Stamm (owner of Stamm's estate and host for the party) and takes them to a hideout that no one knows.
Detective Vance and the chief go to the spot that sets off the detection in motion.
Loved the writing, the aspect of mythological dragon and the logical solution at the end. Very crisply edited to not lose the traction. A good book to pick up on a cold chilly evening.
March 20, 2022
Philo Vance is at it again, this time to investigate the disappearance of Monty Montague after he dives into a natural pool on an estate. Several people dive in after him, but there is no trace!
Philo Vance and the District Attorney come to investigate and decide to drain the pool. They are told that there are potholes near the pool, and Montague's body is found at the bottom of a very deep pothole. His body has claw marks on it, consistent with the superstition that a dragon inhabits the pool.
🎥 Movie version, 1934 with Warren William as Vance.
Philo Vance and the District Attorney come to investigate and decide to drain the pool. They are told that there are potholes near the pool, and Montague's body is found at the bottom of a very deep pothole. His body has claw marks on it, consistent with the superstition that a dragon inhabits the pool.
🎥 Movie version, 1934 with Warren William as Vance.
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