THE CANARY MURDER CASE
by S.S. Van Dine published in 1929
This modern detective story - hugely popular in its day - is the basis for the 1929 Malcolm St. Clair film starring William Powell (as detective Philo Vance) and Louise Brooks (as the murdered showgirl - the so-called "Canary"). Van Dine - a well respected art critic and magazine editor of the 1920's - wrote numerous "entertainments" featuring the ace detective Philo Vance.
