this was really good until the end. ( )

A very fun, old-time mystery/detective novel, much in the vein of Wilkie Collins (though not quite as well done). I had solved the mystery of who-done-it and why about half way in, but that did not keep me from wanting to finish the story and see all the loose ends tied up.

In the flavor of books of this era, it is a bit too neatly tied up and unrealistic by modern day standards. It is always important to think about these books in reference to the time in which they were written and without the benefit of all the stellar mystery fiction that has followed them. Green has a delightful writing style and her detective Gryce was wearing Columbo's trench coat for me throughout the tale. I couldn't help wondering if Green envisioned him as quick-witted and playing a part or as very dense but getting there in the end.

It is hard to particularly like Victorian women when they are painted as creatures with the expected sensibilities of their time. I found both Eleanor and Mary's actions incomprehensible, and even the lesser characters of Hannah and Mrs. Belden behaved in a way that mystified me but that I believe might fit perfectly with the expected behavior for women of the era. I suppose I expected a bit more depth in the female characters from a female writer, but I feel the male writers of the time might have portrayed women more realistically. Perhaps the prevailing conventions made Green need to stay within the formula or suffer derision herself.

Green has created the quintessential Victorian fiction, featuring contrivances such as shocked gentlemen, over the top reactions, implausible misdirections, sinister mustached strangers, burned and torn-up letters that can be miraculously reassembled, and mysterious keys that unlock both mysteries and doors. I took the ride with her willingly and did not feel cheated in the end. ( )

Wealthy Horatio Leavenworth, is found dead one morning. Evidence seems to point to one of his nieces who lived with him. Everett Raymond a junior partner in an attorney firm decides he must provide her innocence.
An entertaining read of a book published in 1878 and introducing the reader to the detective, Ebenezer Gryce, who appears in many of her books.
A NetGalley book ( )

The Leavenworth Case is a well-written, entertaining story that will be appreciated by classic mystery fans.
The body of wealthy Horatio Leavenworth is found slumped over his desk. He has been shot through the head. Only a member of his household could have done it, but which one?
The actual detective is Mr. Gryce, who is more of a secondary character acting as a puppeteer behind-the-scenes rather than the starring investigator of the crime. Mr. Raymond is the protagonist/narrator and it is from his perspective that the details of this melodramatic tale unfold.
Mr. Raymond is a young attorney initially called in to provide legal counsel to the two Leavenworth nieces who reside with their uncle- the murdered man. Raymond neglects to give them any cogent legal advice, but does find himself recruited to act as Mr. Gryce’s investigative stooge, uncovering and confirming points of evidence to secure Gryce’s case. Raymond is a gullible fool whose naiveté and instant infatuation with Eleanore Leavenworth cloud his judgment.
For the seasoned mystery reader, the plot and the clues are rather obvious. Raymond’s inability to see what is going on right under his nose is always comical and occasionally tiresome. In fact, none of the central characters are particularly endearing, and this point does cause the book’s narrative to deflate at times. Overall, however, this is quite a pleasant read.
A word of warning: readers with short attention spans or only basic literacy skills will struggle to engage with this book and will probably prefer to avoid it. ( )

Creaky and melodramatic on the one hand; on the other hand, this book was innovative, in that many of the tropes that would soon become very familiar, most notably the "gather the suspects and I'll name the murderer" are done here for either the first time, or very early in its development. On that grounds (but largely on that grounds), this book should be read by fans of mystery fiction. ( )