That Affair Next Door and Lost Man's LaneAnna Katharine Green was the most famous and prolific writer of detective fiction in the United States prior to Dashiell Hammett. Her first novel, The Leavenworth Case, was the bestseller of 1878. Green is credited with a number of “firsts” within the mystery genre, including the gentleman murdered as he makes out his will and the icicle as murder weapon. She created the first female detectives in American fiction. Her amateur spinster sleuth, Amelia Butterworth, became the prototype for numerous women detectives to follow, including Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Nosy, opinionated, and tenacious, Amelia Butterworth engages in a sustained rivalry with Ebenezer Gryce, a police detective. In the interaction between these characters, Green developed two more conventions adopted by future generations of mystery writers: the investigation as battle between the sexes and between the professional and the unexpectedly sharp, observant amateur. This volume presents two of Green’s Amelia Butterworth tales: That Affair Next Door (1897) and Lost Man’s Lane (1898). |
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Page 7
... hand . " While there are many gothic elements in the story , including the un- detectable psychopath , the gothicism of the novel centers on issues of female imprisonment . All of the female characters in the story are trapped in one ...
... hand . " While there are many gothic elements in the story , including the un- detectable psychopath , the gothicism of the novel centers on issues of female imprisonment . All of the female characters in the story are trapped in one ...
Page 23
... hands , and letting it fall again . " Still " he cast a side look at his companion , who gave him a meaning nod ... hand over the poor bruised breast . " No life , " he murmured . " She has been dead some hours . Do you think we had ...
... hands , and letting it fall again . " Still " he cast a side look at his companion , who gave him a meaning nod ... hand over the poor bruised breast . " No life , " he murmured . " She has been dead some hours . Do you think we had ...
Page 25
... hand . " And how come you to be cleaning the house ? " he asked . “ Is the family coming home ? " “ They are , sir ... hand . " Now , no nonsense ! " he protested , as she com- menced to tremble and plead . “ You were the first one to ...
... hand . " And how come you to be cleaning the house ? " he asked . “ Is the family coming home ? " “ They are , sir ... hand . " Now , no nonsense ! " he protested , as she com- menced to tremble and plead . “ You were the first one to ...
Page 29
... hand after death . Nothing clear , you see . I was doubtful of all ; and yet my suspicions tended most toward murder . I had eaten my luncheon before interfering in this matter , which was fortunate for me , as it was three o'clock ...
... hand after death . Nothing clear , you see . I was doubtful of all ; and yet my suspicions tended most toward murder . I had eaten my luncheon before interfering in this matter , which was fortunate for me , as it was three o'clock ...
Page 30
... hand for the hat . " Let me look at it for a moment , ” said I. Mr. Gryce at once handed it over , and I took a good look at it inside and out . " It is pretty badly crushed , ” I observed , “ and does not present a very fresh ...
... hand for the hat . " Let me look at it for a moment , ” said I. Mr. Gryce at once handed it over , and I took a good look at it inside and out . " It is pretty badly crushed , ” I observed , “ and does not present a very fresh ...
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Amelia Butterworth ANNA KATHARINE GREEN answer asked astonishment began brother carriage CHARLES ROHLFS coach consider Coroner cried crime Deacon Spear Desberger detective detective fiction door doubt dreadful dress drew entered evidently expected eyes face fear feel felt Flower Parlor Franklin Van Burnam gave gentleman girl glance Gramercy Park Gryce hand head heard Howard Van Burnam interest James Pope knew Knollys family lady Lena look Loreen Lost Man's Lane Lucetta ma'am madam matter mind minutes Miss Althorpe Miss Butterworth Miss Knollys Miss Oliver morning Mother Jane murder mystery never night once passed perhaps person police present reason remarked reply rings Saracen secret seemed seen showed sight Simsbury smile stood stopped surprise suspicion talk tell thing thought took Trohm turned wife William window wish witness woman words young وو