Anna Katharine Green - Complete Works of Anna Katharine Green

The Complete Works of

ANNA KATHARINE GREEN

(1846-1935)

Contents

Delphi Classics 2017

Version 1

The Complete Works of

ANNA KATHARINE GREEN

By Delphi Classics, 2017

with introductions by Gill Rossini
www.gillrossini.com

Complete Works of Anna Katharine Green (US Version)

First published in the United Kingdom in 2017 by Delphi Classics.

Delphi Classics, 2017.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form other than that in which it is published.

ISBN: 9781786560759

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(1897)

(1898)

(1900)

A preindustrial Winter Scene in Brooklyn by Francis Guy, c.1819 Anna Katharine Green was born in Brooklyn, New York on 11 November, 1846.

Brooklyn, 1827

Brooklyn today

This novel, Greens first, was published in 1878 by Putnam of New York and was subtitled The Lawyers Story; it was published in Britain by A Strahan in 1884. It is sometimes described as the first American bestseller, selling over 700,000 copies within fifteen years and eventually selling over one million copies. Likewise, Green is regarded as one of the first American crime novelists, eventually writing thirty-five detection stories in her career and setting the bar for other detective and mystery writers to reach. Wilkie Collins and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle held her in high regard Doyle and Green more than likely met when he visited America in 1894 and Agatha Christie also cited Green as an author that had influenced her own writing. This novel has also been described as a locked room mystery.

Anna Katharine Green was born in Brooklyn, the daughter of a distinguished attorney, who in the early days of her career as a novelist was also her primary source of information for the legal details of her fiction however, her inside knowledge of forensic, medical and ballistic evidence was considered by some to be unsuitable subject matter for a female writer. In 1891, Green adapted this story for the stage and cinematic versions were made in 1923 and 1936, although they do not seem to have been big budget movies.

The narrative begins in brisk style, as we learn very quickly that Mr. Horatio Leavenworth has been murdered in his study with his own revolver, after his two nieces, with whom he resides, retired to bed. His secretary, Harwell, hurries to the offices of lawyers Veeley, Carr and Raymond, to seek the help of Mr. Veeley. Unfortunately, the lawyer is away and our narrator, Veeleys colleague Mr Raymond, offers to take his place.

The two men travel to Leavenworths home and there the narrator meets the beautiful nieces, Mary (Leavenworths heir) and Eleanore. He is also surprised to find that Mr. Gryce, notable New York detective, is already at the house and investigating the murder. Detective Gryce is of portly build and benevolent aspect; a fatherly-looking man and not at all the person one would be likely to associate with the police. Yet he could take the lead very naturally; he seems self-effacing and has a strange habit of staring at odd and seemingly irrelevant things whilst talking, thus putting his suspects off their guard. Everything points to the killing having been perpetrated by a member of the household all doors and windows were secured and the gun has disappeared. The inquest is held at the house, after the jury and coroner have visited the scene of the crime; whilst giving his evidence, Harwell is distressed to have to reveal information that implicates Eleanore in the murder; in addition, the cook reveals that Hannah, the maid, has disappeared overnight. Eleanore is further highlighted as the chief suspect when she is connected to a missing key and a mysterious document she was apparently seen with; also now mysteriously on the scene is a tall, lean, well-dressed man.

Meanwhile, our narrator, Raymond, finds himself falling hopelessly in love with Eleanore, so much so that he decides to find the murderer himself, in order to prove the beleaguered Eleanores innocence: Eleanore must be saved at all hazards, he writes. His first act will be to track down Hannah, the missing servant, but at the same time, Raymond realises that Eleanore may be covering for a third party for whom she has, or has had, romantic feelings. Raymond calls on Gryce and reveals his intention to do his own detection and at first Gryce is reluctant to allow this. However, he soon finds a role for Raymond to investigate the tall, elegant stranger who is now revealed to be a Mr Clavering, from London. Raymond will now play the gentleman detective to go into venues that the humble police officer is not welcomed in; however, another of Gryces agents, the mysterious and gifted Q (short for Query, due to the detectives skill in interrogation), will also play a vital role in solving the mystery