The Leavenworth Case

In the first novel of the "Mr. Gryce" series, millionaire Horatio Leavenworth is murdered in his library, shot in the back of the head with his own pistol, suggesting he knew his assailant well enough not to turn around. Detective Ebenezer Gryce investigates, deducing that the victim recognized the footsteps of his killer. Written by pioneer detective fiction author Anna Katharine Green, this story showcases her knack for well-plotted and legally accurate narratives, helping to define the genre's classic form.