REVISED 09-22-13: As other reviewers have indicated, both the author and his detective were rather eccentric. As a result, these quirky novels are something of an acquired taste, especially for modern readers who may not, at first, be attracted to or particularly admire the erudite Vance's effusive display of encyclopedic knowledge which he uses to help his friend, District Attorney Markham, solve crimes. Vance is a dilettante detective not unlike Peter Wimsey and in manner like the foppish, early Ellery Queen; given his peculiarities, he does tend to take some getting used to.