S. S. Van Dine was an American mystery novelist and art critic who wrote during the early 20th century. Synonyms for S. S. Van Dine could include his real name, Willard Huntington Wright, as well as his pseudonyms, including "Craig Rice" and "Huntly Haverstock". Wright was best known for his "Phil Vance" detective series, which featured a rich socialite solving mysteries in New York City. He was also a prominent critic of modern art, using the pen name "Aubrey Lawrence" to pen essays and reviews on the topic. Overall, S. S. Van Dine was a multifaceted writer who made significant contributions to both the mystery and art worlds.