Trent's Own Case

Trent's Own Case is a British detective novel published in 1936, co-written by E. C. Bentley and H. Warner Allen. It acts as a follow-up to Bentley's renowned 1913 work, Trent's Last Case.

Plot

The story follows Philip Trent, an artist with a keen interest in criminology, as he delves into the murder of a cruel philanthropist whose portrait he had created. Trent’s investigation spans locations across England and France, involving the pursuit of the rare champagne Felix Poubelle 1884, uncovering two further fatalities, and searching for a missing actress, ultimately leading him to solve the homicide.

Business and Literary Connections

In this continuation, Trent is depicted as married to Mabel, the widow introduced in the earlier novel, maintaining character development that resonates with returning readers. Co-author Herbert Warner Allen was distinguished for his wine expertise and authored multiple publications on the subject, including The Romance of Wine (1932). Allen also penned detective stories featuring William Clerihew, a wine connoisseur who makes an appearance in Chapter XIII of Trent's Own Case, offering pivotal insights that propel the case forward. This partnership utilized Allen’s specialized knowledge of the wine trade to add depth and credibility to the narrative while enhancing its commercial attractiveness.

Sequel

The novel was succeeded by the 1938 short story collection titled Trent Intervenes.