The Benson Murder Case book - Flame Tree Publishing

The FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CRIME CLASSICS pocket collection has been curated to create a stunning and timeless library of gifts featuring classic thrillers and mysteries. Each dazzling, unabridged edition includes luxurious cover finishes, ribbon markers, deluxe endpapers, and gilded edges.

The series’ best-selling title, The Benson Murder Case (1926) by SS Van Dine, part of the Philo Vance detective mysteries, was inspired by the real unsolved murder of Joseph Bowne Elwell (1873-1920), in which the victim was shot inside his locked house. The intellectual dandy and amateur detective Vance – “a man of extraordinary culture and wit” – finds the case of the murdered stockbroker and playboy Alvin Benson fascinating, especially intrigued by the absence of a wig and false teeth… Vance kindly offers his help to his friend, District Attorney Markham, and decides to track down the killer using his brainpower of deduction, unlike the short-sighted methods of the police.

A specially commissioned biography of the author and a glossary of Victorian and literary terms make this new edition essential for all fans of classic crime fiction!

Original titles and a very wide range of authors reflect Flame Tree Publishing’s portfolio.

“The aim… is to wipe the dust of everyday life from our souls” – Pablo Picasso.

“Flame Tree Publishing has been dusting off the mundane for over twenty years, creating illustrated books since 1992, art calendars since 1998, and illustrated e-books since 2009. Their extensive list features powerful and eloquent artists such as Erté and Alphonse Mucha, complemented by broad licensing agreements in their award-winning calendar lines, including collaborations with Tate, V&A, RSC, RA, and many others.

With a wide range of authors, editors, and writers—from Vladimir Ashkenazy and Steve Hackett to John Howe, Sir George Martin, Brian May, Paul du Noyer, Paco Peña, Stanley Sadie—the company strives to create illustrated projects that are affordable, useful, and beautiful. In addition to printed titles, their exceptional selection of practical cookbooks, music, pop culture, and lifestyle books is increasingly available in digital formats. The publisher believes that well-reviewed, thoughtfully curated content should be available in many formats to meet their readers’ needs.