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 17
... look which was all the more remarkable from the fact that it was one of those wooden - like countenances which under ordinary circumstances are capable of but little expression . She was not a stranger to me ; that is , I had seen her ...
... look which was all the more remarkable from the fact that it was one of those wooden - like countenances which under ordinary circumstances are capable of but little expression . She was not a stranger to me ; that is , I had seen her ...
Page 23
... Look in the parlor , sirs . ' ' They were already as far as the threshold of that room and needed no further encouragement to enter . The heavier man went first and the other followed , and you may be sure I was not far behind . The ...
... Look in the parlor , sirs . ' ' They were already as far as the threshold of that room and needed no further encouragement to enter . The heavier man went first and the other followed , and you may be sure I was not far behind . The ...
Page 30
... 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 appearance , but for all that it has ...
... 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 appearance , but for all that it has ...
Page 31
... look . " " And I repeat it . " “ Then allow me to pay you my compliments . These were picked up here . " " But where ? " I cried . " I thought I had looked this carpet well over . " He smiled , not at me but at the gloves , and the ...
... look . " " And I repeat it . " “ Then allow me to pay you my compliments . These were picked up here . " " But where ? " I cried . " I thought I had looked this carpet well over . " He smiled , not at me but at the gloves , and the ...
Page 32
... look indifferent , and doubtless made out pretty well , for he added , after a sly look in my face : “ You do not care to stay any longer ? " " No , Mr. Van Burnam , we mean what 32 THAT AFFAIR NEXT DOOR.
... look indifferent , and doubtless made out pretty well , for he added , after a sly look in my face : “ You do not care to stay any longer ? " " No , Mr. Van Burnam , we mean what 32 THAT AFFAIR NEXT DOOR.
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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