# The Bishop Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine
This issue presents the opening section of "The Bishop Murder Case," a mystery featuring the amateur detective Philo Vance as he investigates a series of murders linked to nursery rhyme references. After returning from Switzerland in early April, Vance is interrupted from translating Menander when District Attorney Markham calls with urgent news of a crime. The victim is Joseph Cochrane Robin, killed by arrow—connecting to the nursery rhyme "Who Killed Cock Robin?"
Vance quickly consults references on archery, a German dictionary, and children's verse compilations, deducing the case involves a killer using Mother Goose themes as inspiration. He theorizes the murders follow a pattern based on nursery rhymes, making this a "medieval tragedy in modern New York." The narrative establishes the mystery's unusual methodology and Vance's deductive process as he prepares to investigate what promises to be a complex, seemingly incomprehensible series of crimes.
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About this artifact
- Date
- November 1929
- Rights
- Public domain — free to view, share, and reuse.
- Restoration
- Digitally restored and hosted by ComicBooks.com · high-resolution version available.
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