The Casino Murder Case 1935

Anonymous letter arrives prompting investigation

Philo Vance receives an anonymous letter claiming that Lynn Llewellyn will be in danger when he appears at the casino. The message spurs Vance to start investigating potential threats. This letter sets the plot in motion.

Vance visits the Llewellyn estate

Vance travels to the Llewellyn estate, which is run by Mrs. Priscilla Kinkaid-Llewellyn. He observes a family torn by quarrels and simmering tensions. The atmosphere foreshadows the secrets behind Virginia's troubles.

A bitter quarrel erupts and Virginia plans to depart

During the bitter quarrel, Virginia argues with Lynn and Mrs. Llewellyn while she announces she will leave the house for Chicago. The dispute highlights competing motives and the fragility of the household. Vance notes the volatility surrounding Virginia's impending departure.

Doris is introduced to Philo Vance

Doris, Mrs. Llewellyn's secretary, is introduced to Vance during the tensions at the estate. She quickly takes a liking to him, hinting at a potential alliance. The meeting foreshadows Doris's later involvement in the case.

Doris accompanies Vance home and identifies the letter's origin

Vance brings Doris to his home to examine the mysterious letter. Doris recognizes the return address as the Llewellyn townhouse in Closter, and notes that the letter was typed on her own typewriter. This links the letter directly to the Llewellyn family and private spaces.

Sergeant Heath and the casino stakeout; Lynn collapses

Vance enlists Sergeant Heath to stake out the casino that night, hoping to observe Lynn's behavior. However, their presence does not prevent Lynn from suddenly collapsing at the card table. The evening's events bring Virginia's death into focus and intensify the investigation.

Virginia dies at the Llewellyn house; shock deepens the case

At roughly the same time, Doris informs Vance that Virginia has died at the Llewellyn house. The death adds a new layer of mystery and potential poisoning to the unfolding drama. Vance begins to suspect that multiple murders are connected.

Markham questions the family; motives emerge

District Attorney Markham begins his formal investigation by questioning Mrs. Llewellyn and Amelia about their quarrels with Virginia. The testimonies reveal grudges and possible motives tied to inheritance and status. The inquiry expands beyond a single crime.

Doris discovers an altered will

Doris finds Mrs. Llewellyn's recently altered will, which disinherits Kinkaid and makes Lynn and Amelia the primary beneficiaries. This discovery sharpens the sense that the motive may involve family fortune. The issue begins to point toward a calculated plot rather than a spontaneous act.

Clues surface: poison-related items and a gun

Investigators uncover a cluster of suspicious items, including Kinkaid's unusual collection of books on chemistry and poisons and a loaded gun found in Virginia's bedroom. These clues hint at a poisoning scheme or dangerous experiments. The trail points investigators toward a scientific angle in the case.

Mrs. Llewellyn's suicide note implicates Virginia's murder

Mrs. Llewellyn is found dead in her room from an apparent suicide, accompanied by a note bearing her signature that confesses to Virginia's murder. Vance remains unconvinced by the suicide explanation and vows to continue the investigation. The note complicates the timeline and assigns blame.

A hidden laboratory reveals heavy water production

Vance discovers a secret laboratory where Kinkaid has been producing heavy water, suggesting a new kind of poison or chemical threat. The discovery shifts suspicion away from a straightforward crime to lab-based deception. The revelation deepens the complexity of the plot.

Lynn's plan to pin the crimes on Kinkaid backfires; final confrontation

Lynn lures Vance and Doris to the Closter townhouse to carry out what he believes will be a perfect murder. Vance reads a letter in which he had explained his theory and identifies Lynn as the killer. Heath and others spring the ambush and shoot Lynn dead, ending the main threat.

Becky helps ensure the plan was a blank-firing deception; romance resumes

Becky reveals that Lynn's gun had been loaded with blanks, preventing the last murder. With the killer defeated, Vance thanks Becky and resumes his relationship with Doris. The case closes on a note of personal resolution for the leads.