Overview

Cynthia Wakeham's Money is a detective novel written by Anna Katharine Green, first published in 1892. Green was one of the earliest American writers of detective fiction and is often credited with helping to shape the genre. Her works are known for their intricate plots, legal accuracy, and strong character development. The novel revolves around a mysterious inheritance and a series of suspicious events surrounding the fortune of Cynthia Wakeham. The story begins with a young woman, Eleanor (Nellie) Sterling, who is informed that she is the heir to Cynthia Wakeham's wealth-a surprising revelation since Nellie had no prior knowledge of any connection to the deceased woman. However, the inheritance comes with a strange condition: Nellie must live in Cynthia's old house for a certain period before she can claim the money. As Nellie settles into the house, she begins to uncover unsettling secrets about Cynthia's past, including possible foul play surrounding her death. The mystery deepens when a detective, possibly Ebenezer Gryce (a recurring character in Green's novels), gets involved to investigate whether Cynthia was murdered and whether the inheritance is part of a larger scheme. Clues are hidden in letters, wills, and the behavior of suspicious relatives, leading to a dramatic resolution. While not as famous as The Leavenworth Case (Green's breakthrough novel), Cynthia Wakeham's Money is a solid example of early detective fiction. It showcases Green's skill in weaving suspense with social commentary, paving the way for later writers like Agatha Christie. About the Author Anna Katharine Green (November 11, 1846 - April 11, 1935) was an American poet and novelist. She was one of the first writers of detective fiction in America and distinguished herself by writing well plotted, legally accurate stories. Green has been called ""the mother of the detective novel"". Green was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 11, 1846. She had an early ambition to write romantic verse and corresponded with Ralph Waldo Emerson. When her poetry failed to gain recognition, she produced her first and best known novel, The Leavenworth Case (1878), praised by Wilkie Collins, and the hit of the year. She became a bestselling author, eventually publishing 37 books over 40 years. On November 25, 1884, Green married the actor and stove designer, and later noted furniture maker, Charles Rohlfs (1853 - 1936). Rohlfs toured in a dramatization of Green's The Leavenworth Case. After his theater career faltered, he became a furniture maker in 1897, and Green collaborated with him on some of his designs. Together they had one daughter and two sons: Rosamund Rohlfs, Roland Rohlfs, and Sterling Rohlfs. Her daughter Rosamund married Robert Twitty Palmer. Green died on April 11, 1935, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 88. Her husband died the following year. In 2002, Buffalo Literary Walking Tours began an annual series of weekend walking tours highlighting authors with local connections. Green is included along with Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Herman Melville, Taylor Caldwell, and others. Green's short story ""The Intangible Clue"" featuring Violet Strange was adapted by Chris Harrald for the second series of BBC Radio 4's drama series The Rivals and starred Jeany Spark as Violet Strange. (wikipedia.org)

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