Description
The Gramercy Park Mystery
Book Summary
Immerse yourself in 19th-century New York high society with Anna Katharine Green, a pioneer of the detective genre. In "The Gramercy Park Mystery," a woman is found dead in the parlor of the Van Burnam mansion, her face disfigured by a fallen sideboard. The family's son denies that the victim is his wife, sparking a complex investigation. The eccentric Miss Butterworth, a neighbor and astute observer, becomes an amateur detective who challenges the police to unravel the truth. A masterpiece of intrigue and suspense, considered a precursor to the legendary Miss Marple.
What is it about?
The wealthy Van Burnam family returns from a trip abroad to find a macabre scene in their own home: a woman lies dead beneath a heavy piece of furniture. The prime suspect is Franklin Van Burnam, whose secret marriage to a young woman of a lower class has been a source of conflict. However, he insists the woman is not his wife, despite evidence pointing in that direction. Miss Butterworth, an intelligent and meticulous spinster living next door, begins to follow clues that the police have overlooked. Through interrogations, observations of seemingly insignificant details, and relentless logic, the amateur investigator untangles a web of lies, false identities, and family secrets. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists that maintain tension until the final resolution, where the victim's true identity and the motive for the crime are revealed.
Main Themes
- Detective investigation and deductive reasoning in the Victorian era.
- Secrets and conflicts within a wealthy family.
- The role of women as observers and active agents in solving crimes.
- Deceptive appearances and the construction of false identities.
- Justice in the face of class and gender prejudice.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is ideal for lovers of classic crime novels and period mysteries. Readers who enjoy detective plots pre-dating Agatha Christie, with a detailed Victorian setting and a shrewd, unconventional female protagonist. It is also perfect for those seeking a slow-burn suspense read, focused on deduction and character psychology.
What this book offers
- Discovering one of the foundational authors of the detective genre, who predates Conan Doyle.
- A classic intrigue with a "whodunit" structure that maintains interest until the end.
- A pioneering female character, Miss Butterworth, who anticipates the amateur detective archetype.
- An immersion into the social atmosphere and customs of late 19th-century New York.
- A read that combines entertainment with the pleasure of following a logical puzzle.
- Author: ANNA KATHARINE GREEN
- Publisher: Editorial dÉpoca
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: CLASSIC TEXTS, MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CLASSIC FICTION
- Collection: PERIOD MYSTERIES
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication Date: June 2014
- Number of pages: 430
- Weight: 852 g
Technical Data
Editorial Review
"The Gramercy Park Mystery" is a fundamental work for understanding the evolution of the detective novel. Anna Katharine Green, known as the "mother of the detective novel," offers a solid and well-constructed plot that, while lacking the speed of modern works, captivates through its atmosphere and ingenuity. Miss Butterworth is a triumph: an intelligent and observant heroine who breaks with the stereotypes of her era. For the reader interested in the origins of the genre, this hardcover edition from Editorial dÉpoca is a valuable acquisition, both for its content and the quality of its presentation.