A sprawling Manhattan mansion becomes the stage for terror in The Greene Murder Case, one of the most chilling installments in S. S. Van Dine's celebrated Philo Vance Mystery series. The wealthy Greene family, bound by money, secrets, and resentment, is struck by a series of shocking murders that transform their home into a fortress of fear. One by one, the heirs fall victim to a cunning and ruthless killer who seems to move invisibly through locked doors and guarded halls. Enter Philo Vance-the urbane, razor-sharp detective of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction-who is called upon to untangle the web of greed, suspicion, and long-buried grudges. With his trademark brilliance, psychological insight, and icy composure, Vance dissects the lies and rivalries of one of New York's most infamous families. Packed with dark atmosphere, ingenious puzzles, and pulse-pounding suspense, The Greene Murder Case cemented Van Dine's reputation alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ellery Queen. This classic 1920s whodunit is a must-read for fans of locked-room mysteries, family inheritance thrillers, and noir detective tales.

Autorentext

S. S. Van Dine was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright (1888-1939), an American art critic, editor, and novelist whose influence on Golden Age detective fiction remains profound. Trained as a literary critic and steeped in art and philosophy, Wright turned to mystery writing during a period of convalescence-and reinvented himself as one of the most sophisticated voices in the genre. In 1926, he introduced the world to Philo Vance, the aristocratic amateur sleuth whose razor intellect, biting wit, and refined tastes set him apart from more conventional detectives. Beginning with The Benson Murder Case, Van Dine's novels quickly became international bestsellers, praised for their intricate plotting, psychological depth, and stylish prose. Beyond the page, Van Dine's influence extended to the silver screen. His Philo Vance mysteries inspired a series of popular Hollywood films in the 1930s, starring actors such as William Powell, Basil Rathbone, and Warren William. Today, his work endures as both an essential part of American crime fiction history and a window into the glittering yet shadowed world of 1920s New York high society. S. S. Van Dine remains celebrated as one of the leading architects of the classic detective novel, bridging the gap between puzzle-driven whodunits and the more character-driven mysteries that would follow.