The Bishop Murder Case

Murder cloaked in rhyme and terror grips New York in The Bishop Murder Case, the fourth thrilling entry in S. S. Van Dine’s legendary Philo Vance Mystery series. A fiendish killer is on the loose—one who leaves behind cryptic nursery rhymes at the scenes of his crimes. Each victim falls according to a chilling verse, and the press soon dubs him “The Bishop.”

Enter Philo Vance, the most brilliant and enigmatic sleuth of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. With his razor intellect, mastery of psychology, and disdain for conventional police work, Vance takes on a case unlike any other. As the body count rises and the city trembles, he must untangle a web of symbolism, riddles, and hidden motives before the Bishop claims his final victim.

Packed with noir atmosphere, ingenious puzzles, and page-turning suspense, The Bishop Murder Case stands alongside the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ellery Queen as one of the cornerstones of classic American detective fiction. A dazzling blend of high society intrigue, literary allusion, and relentless murder mystery, it is a must-read for fans of whodunits, crime thrillers, and pulp-era mysteries.

About the author:
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.