The Kennel Murder Case

Philo Vance's dog fails to reach the final of the Long Island Kennel Club show, leaving Archer Coe disappointed and eager to savor a victory over Vance. The loss stirs underlying tension among Coe's rivals and hints at the competitive motives at the heart of the case. The stage is set for conflict that will soon turn deadly.

The next morning, Archer Coe is found dead and locked inside his bedroom. Police assume suicide because he was shot and a pistol lies in his hand, but Philo Vance suspects foul play from the outset. The apparent certainty of suicide is immediately challenged by the suspicious circumstances.

The coroner reveals that Coe bled to death internally from a stab wound, not a self-inflicted gunshot. This contradicts the suicide verdict and strengthens Vance's case that murder is involved. The contradictory evidence forces investigators to look beyond appearances.

Vance catalogs a host of potential killers from Coe's circle, including his niece, a jealous lover, a secretary in love, a plumber, a cook, and a scheming brother and servant. Each character exhibits motive, opportunity, or an entitlement that could drive murder. The list underscores the tangled web of relationships surrounding Coe.

Brisbane Coe becomes the prime suspect when his alibi of taking a train at the murder time appears unreliable. The suspect's travel record is questioned, which opens the door for further evidence to challenge the case. The train alibi collapse signals a turning point in the investigation.

Later that same night Brisbane is found dead in a coat closet. Among his effects, Vance discovers a book titled Unsolved Murders with a bookmarked page detailing a door-locking method, suggesting two men plotted to kill Coe. The discovery hints at a deliberate, coordinated crime rather than a single impulsive act.

An attack is launched on Sir Thomas MacDonald in his own bedroom using the same dagger associated with Coe's death. The incident confirms that the conspiracy involved multiple attackers and raises the stakes for solving the case. The threat adds urgency to Vance's investigation.

A Doberman belonging to Doris Delafield is found severely injured in the Coe library, apparently struck by a fireside poker. The animal's condition suggests a confrontation or staged scene, contributing another layer of suspicion for Vance. The library becomes a focal point for clues and danger.

Raymond Wrede, Coe's secretary, presents an alibi claiming he sought to end his employment with Coe the night of the murder. The claim introduces a potential motive and a possible window of opportunity, though it must be weighed against the broader set of clues. Vance keeps this lead in mind as he narrows the evidence.

Vance concludes that two men sought to end Coe's life that night. One attacker succeeded; the other remained unseen, creating confusion over who stood at the heart of the crime. The theory reconciles the multiple near-misses and the staged elements of the death.

The killer and Coe clash, with Coe stabbed and attempting to survive after waking. Brisbane is killed in a later misstep as the killer returns, mistaking him for Coe. Delafield's dog interrupts, breaking the killer's hold and providing a crucial interruption that helps shift the investigation toward the truth.

To trap the killer, Vance orchestrates a staged quarrel between Sir Thomas and Wrede over Hilda Lake. When Wrede lunges for a weapon, the dog springs into action and forces him to surrender. Wrede confesses that Coe struck him, and Brisbane's death is deemed a tragic mistake, sealing the case against him.