The Bishop Murder Case

By S.S. Van Dine

Book Overview

"The Bishop Murder Case" by S. S. Van Dine stands as a pivotal entry in the canon of classic detective fiction. This captivating Philo Vance story plunges readers into a labyrinthine murder investigation, masterfully orchestrated by one of literature's most memorable private investigators. S. S. Van Dine crafts a true whodunit, where the brilliant fictitious character, Philo Vance, applies his unique intellect to untangle a web of perplexing clues and elusive suspects, making for an unforgettable challenge for any armchair detective.

Set in the vibrant, detailed landscape of New York, this novel invites enthusiasts of mystery and crime fiction to engage directly with the thrill of the chase. The investigation unfolds with a precision that defines the genre, allowing readers to experience the rigorous process of deduction alongside Vance. As a cornerstone of detective and mystery stories, "The Bishop Murder Case" offers an immersive journey into the pursuit of truth, showcasing the enduring appeal of the private investigator genre. This carefully presented print edition ensures the timeless quality of S. S. Van Dine's masterful storytelling, making it an essential acquisition for those who appreciate a meticulously constructed murder mystery.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025235584
• ISBN13: 9781025235585
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.8" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

Mathematics and Nursery Rhymes = Good Myster

The Bishop Murder book focuses around a series of murders that are connected to nursery rhymes in the house of a mathematics professor. All of the victims are themselves mathematicians, and Philo Vance is attracted to this case because of mathematics solutions are connected to these nursery rhymes. He solves the equations, thereby producing the murderer. Philo Vance in his complex explanation of the crime says, "In order to understand these . . . we must consider the stock-in-trade of the mathematician, for all his speculations and computations tend to emphasize the relative insignificance of this planet and the unimportance of human life." This is the focus of the mind and personality of Philo Vance, the human intellect at work solving the crime.

Mathematics and Nursery Rhymes = Good Mystery

This book is the first of Van Dine's mysteries, and it introduces Van Dine's sleuth, Philo Vance. Vance is a wealthy, but rather cynical, connoisseur in the arts and finer things of life. He has another hobby, though, helping the New York assistant district attorney solve complex murders. This book focuses more on Philo Vance, showing the reader what to expect in the mysteries to follow. S.S. Van Dine, whose real name was Willard Hunting Wright, while writing mysteries, was also an art critic, and it shows in this book. The whole first chapter concerns Vance's view of the art world. This book plot, though, focuses around a series of murders that are connected to nursery rhymes in the house of a mathematics professor. All of the victims are themselves mathematicians, and Philo Vance is attracted to this case because of mathematics solutions are connected to these nursery rhymes. He solves the equations, thereby producing the murderer. Philo Vance in his complex explanation of the crime says, "In order to understand these . . . we must consider the stock-in-trade of the mathematician, for all his speculations and computations tend to emphasize the relative insignificance of this planet and the unimportance of human life." This is the focus of the mind and personality of Philo Vance, the human intellect at work solving the crime.

5 Stars for Silliness

"Cozy" mysteries don't get much sillier than this, but it's probably the most entertaining of the Philo Vance novels in spite of the hokum. Ultimately, nearly all of the suspects are killed off, so figuring out whodunit isn't a major...uh, undertaking. But if you enjoy a good old-fashioned mystery, complete with bizarre (and not quite believable) goings-on, you'll probably like this one.

Van Dine A Master-Juggler

S. S. Van Dine was one of the leading practitioners of the American detective story, and who inspired Ellery Queen and C. Daly King to write. This book, dealing with a series of murders taking place at secluded houses along Riverside Drive, New York, is similar to Van Dine's earlier "Greene Murder Case," in that the murders are committed to a pattern - in the former book, Grost's handbook on criminology; in "Bishop," according to Mother Goose (the original title was "The Mother Goose Murders," though Van Dine changed them, as he did not want his readers to believe that he was writing for children). Besides being one of the first of the nursery-rhyme murders (c.f. both Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen), the book is also ingenious and bizarre, both in the commission of the murders and the unmasking of the murderer. Some of the scenes, though, owe small ideas to H. C. Bailey, as in the "Little Miss Muffet" murder (c.f. "The Violet Farm," "The Little House," "The Bird in the Cellar," etc.). People have claimed to view Philo Vance as an infuriating snob, but he is no worse in this respect than Dorothy L. Sayer's Peter Wimsey, and a great deal better - Van Dine, for one, did not think of Philo Vance as the ultimate lover. In short, plenty of detection, plenty of atmosphere (despite Van Dine's rules, contained in "The Winter Murder Case"), and a fascinating glimpse of old-fashioned New World.