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A review by shanaqui
The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm glad I got round to reading Anna Katharine Green's The Leavenworth Case, because it's one of the early detective novels, and one of the rarer female voices that hasn't been totally forgotten from the early years of the genre. That said... I'm glad I read it via Serial Reader, and thus in small bites, because it's pretty tedious at times -- overwrought, and of course, sexist.
Even with a female author, you ask? Yes: the detective ultimately says he didn't really suspect a woman because (drumroll) a woman would never clean a pistol after firing. All the women are beautiful angels with amazing manners (though Mary Leavenworth does show a bit of spirit and isn't totally vilified for... well, I won't spoiler, even at this late date).
Really, it's just very much of its time. The culprit was fairly obvious to me, and it was a bit excruciating how long it took to gather up the evidence.
In the end, glad I read it, but glad it's finished.
Even with a female author, you ask? Yes: the detective ultimately says he didn't really suspect a woman because (drumroll) a woman would never clean a pistol after firing. All the women are beautiful angels with amazing manners (though Mary Leavenworth does show a bit of spirit and isn't totally vilified for... well, I won't spoiler, even at this late date).
Really, it's just very much of its time. The culprit was fairly obvious to me, and it was a bit excruciating how long it took to gather up the evidence.
In the end, glad I read it, but glad it's finished.