Trent's Last Case

Trent's Last Case, written by E. C. Bentley and first published in 1913, is a detective novel featuring amateur sleuth Philip Trent. The story follows the investigation into the murder of Sigsbee Manderson, a wealthy financier found dead under suspicious circumstances. Notable for being the first major parody of the detective genre, the novel subverts traditional tropes by having Trent fall in love with a suspect and arrive at incorrect conclusions despite his thorough investigation. This work laid the groundwork for future detective fiction and is recognized for its clever plotting and social commentary.