# The Benson Murder Case — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Benson Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph presents a dialogue between Mr. Mason and an unnamed speaker, where the speaker thanks Mason for saving his life, and Mason responds that he had no interest in the man's life itself, only in the adjustment o
- [Publisher's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/publisher-s-note.md): The publisher introduces the Benson Murder Case as the first in a series of criminal cases involving former District Attorney Markham and Philo Vance. The note explains that Vance's lawyer, S. S. Van Dine, has only recen
- [Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/introductory.md): The narrator introduces John F.-X. Markham, the District Attorney of New York, and reveals that the true solver of many famous crimes was a private individual, referred to as Philo Vance. The narrator, Vance's legal advi
- [Characters of the Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/characters-of-the-book.md): This chapter lists the principal characters involved in the murder case of Alvin Benson, including law enforcement officials, suspects, and associates.
- [The Benson Murder Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/the-benson-murder-case.md): The chapter introduces the murder of Alvin Benson and the initial investigation. Philo Vance, a friend of District Attorney Markham, becomes involved in the case, offering his unconventional psychological insights. The d

> 27 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_benson_murder_case_se_1092kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [I: Philo Vance at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/i-philo-vance-at-home.md)
- [At the Scene of the Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/ii-at-the-scene-of-the-crime.md)
- [III: A Lady's Handbag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/iii-a-lady-s-handbag.md)
- [The Housekeeper's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/iv-the-housekeeper-s-story.md)
- [Gathering Information](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/v-gathering-information.md)
- [VI: Vance Offers an Opinion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/vi-vance-offers-an-opinion.md)
- [VII: Reports and an Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/vii-reports-and-an-interview.md)
- [Vance Accepts a Challenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/viii-vance-accepts-a-challenge.md)
- [IX: The Height of the Murderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/ix-the-height-of-the-murderer.md)
- [X: Eliminating a Suspect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/x-eliminating-a-suspect.md)
- [A Motive and a Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xi-a-motive-and-a-threat.md)
- [The Owner of a Colt-.45](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xii-the-owner-of-a-colt-45.md)
- [The Grey Cadillac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xiii-the-grey-cadillac.md)
- [Links in the Chain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xiv-links-in-the-chain.md)
- [XV: Pfyfe—Personal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xv-pfyfe-personal.md)
- [Admissions and Suppressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xvi-admissions-and-suppressions.md)
- [XVII: The Forged Check](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xvii-the-forged-check.md)
- [XVIII: A Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xviii-a-confession.md)
- [XIX: Vance Cross-Examines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xix-vance-cross-examines.md)
- [XX: A Lady Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xx-a-lady-explains.md)
- [XXI: Sartorial Revelations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxi-sartorial-revelations.md)
- [XXII: Vance Outlines a Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxii-vance-outlines-a-theory.md)
- [XXIII: Checking an Alibi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiii-checking-an-alibi.md)
- [The Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiv-the-arrest.md)
- [XXV: Vance Explains His Methods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxv-vance-explains-his-methods.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/endnotes.md)
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters