The Scarab Murder Case

S.S. Van Dine

Summary

These Egyptian hieroglyphics spell “murder.” “Classic, almost textbook, golden age detective fiction. The plotting is ingenious and fiendishly convoluted.” —Vintage Pop Fictions In 1922, English anthropologist Howard Carter discovered the long-hidden tomb of King Tutankhamun, and the world went Egypt-crazy. Just a few years later, New York is not immune to the craze, and even Philo Vance, that eminent scholar-sleuth, has some sympathy for the fad—though of course he knows lots more about the topic than Carter ever did. When a wealthy Egyptologist is murdered, with mysterious inscriptions and artifacts dotted round, it’s only natural that John FS Markham calls Philo for help. After all, Markham is merely the New York District Attorney, whereas Philo Vance is . . . well, Philo Vance.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

Available since: 09/25/2019.

Print length: 256 pages.

Other books that might interest you

I Will Find You - An addictive...

Amanda Ashby, Sally Rigby

Three sisters…One terrible secret 
Ashleigh: A creative, free spirit and loyal. But Ash is tormented by her demons and a past that refuses to be laid to rest. Jessica: Perfect wife and loving mother. But although Jessica might seem to have it all, she lives a secret life built on lies.Grace: An outsider, always looking in, Grace has never known the love of her sisters and her resentment can make her do bad things.When Ashleigh goes missing, Jessica and Grace do all they can to find their eldest sister. But the longer Ashleigh is missing, the more secrets and lies these women are hiding threaten to tear this family apart.Can they find Ashleigh before it’s too late or is it sometimes safer to stay hidden?

Show book

Bones In The Blackout - A...

Emma Jameson

Murder in Haunted Cornwall
On the eve of World War II, Dr. Benjamin Bones is at war with himself. While most young men are being sent away to fight the Germans, Ben is chosen to serve on English soil. Ordered to move to wild, beautiful Cornwall, he must trade his posh London office and stylish city life for the tiny village of Birdswing, which has a population of 1,221 souls.
But leaving his home and shelving his career ambitions aren't the only sacrifices he faces. His unfaithful wife, Penny, is accompanying him to Cornwall in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage. But moments after their arrival, Penny is run down in the street, and Ben is almost fatally injured. And while the villagers assume Penny's death to be an accident, Ben quickly deduces it was murder.
As he convalesces in Fenton House, which the locals call haunted, Ben meets Birdswing's eccentric inhabitants. Mr. Gaston, the volunteer air warden who's obsessed with defending his remote village against Nazi spies; Mrs. Cobblepot, a thoroughly practical housekeeper who believes in fairies; and Lady Juliet Linton, a prickly, headstrong aristocrat who won't take no for an answer.
While adapting to life during Britain's "War at Home," a time of ration books, victory gardens, bomb shelters, and the Blackout, Ben sets about solving the mystery of Penny's murder - with a little help from Lady Juliet and the Fenton House ghost.
From Emma Jameson, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Lord & Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series, comes this delightful new amateur sleuth, Dr. Benjamin Bones.
Previously published as MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER.

Show book

Mercenary - Thriller

Felix A. Münter

Carter can be bought. He has been working as a mercenary for years and knows that you do not ask too many questions - assuming the price is right. His newest contract brings him to New York, where a wealthy client relies on his professional services.
The job does not seem to be extraordinary; he is one of many. But soon, Carter realizes that it's about more than just the investigation of a bank robbery, which was too much for the police to handle, according to the client. And indeed, the mercenary learns a short time later what it means to follow a really hot trail. Carter chases clues all over New York, encountering gangs, the mafia and much more dangerous situations. The professional gets caught up in a web of deceptions, lies and the greed of unscrupulous people.
He puts his own life at risk – and in the end he has to ask himself if you can really buy morality.
"Carter is not my real name, by the way."

Show book

The Scandal Plan - Or: How to...

Bill Folman

A presidential candidate behind in the polls concocts an outrageous scandal to improve his chances in this hilarious political satire in the spirit of Primary ColorsSenator Ben Phillips is the perfect man for the presidency. If only he weren't such a straight arrow. He's getting battered in the polls, and with only a few months until Election Day, his staff is growing desperate. Enter Thomas Campman, political guru. On a sudden inspiration, the eccentric Campman is convinced he can revitalize the candidate's image by creating a fake sex scandal for him. Nothing too over-the-top—just a little scandal to make Phillips seem more human. Maybe even cool.Though it takes some convincing, Phillips gives Campman the green light. The plan is set in motion, and, right on schedule, a phony former mistress steps forward to accuse the senator of infidelity. But scandals—even the premeditated kind—rarely go as planned. Before long, Campman's scheme snowballs into a three-ring circus complete with a linguistically challenged Mexican chauffeur who thinks he's James Bond, a highly sexed middle-aged woman who's convinced she'll never land one of the really good guys, and a political cub reporter for TeenVibe magazine who's sure he's on the trail of the biggest story since Watergate.For those too well acquainted with politics-as-usual, The Scandal Plan is the perfect antidote. It's a witty political farce in the tradition of Jon Stewart and Dave Barry that will have readers—and even candidates—laughing all the way to the polls.

Show book

Black Pawl

Ben Ames Williams

This riveting novel takes place on a whaling ship, where its captain, Black Pawl, has a troubled relationship with the first mate, his son. A minister is permitted aboard for the homeward-bound journey along with a young woman who is accompanying him. Before long, unforeseen complications and electrifying events ensue.  Williams, an American author, wrote hundreds of short stories, many appearing in popular magazines, and over 30 novels, several of which were made into motion pictures.

Show book

Case of the Vampire's Curse The...

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Nora Godwin

Baron Collingwood's eldest son and title heir dies from a mysterious illness. Now that the second eldest son is also in bad condition, it seems that a curse has befallen the family. Neither doctors nor police are able to find the cause. Confronted with a riddle the Baron hires Holmes and Watson to solve the mystery before it is tool late.

Show book