Anna Katharine Green 
That Affair Next Door 

Anna Katharine Green first wrote the mystery novel That Affair Next Door in 1897. The novel centers on the wealthy Mrs. Van Burnam, who was murdered in her residence. Her neighbor, Mr. Van Burnam, is the primary suspect since he was sighted leaving her home around the same time as the murder. Nonetheless, numerous other individuals may have had a motive to commit the crime. Employing a variety of techniques, Detective Ebenezer Gryce resolutely perseveres in his effort to both unearth the truth and apprehend the guilty party. His arsenal includes shrewd observation, camouflaging himself, and the ability to detect tell-tale hints that others might overlook. This book is exceptional in its utilization of deductive reasoning and forensic science, methods that were novel at the period of its initial release. Keeping the reader guessing until the very end, the plot twists and turns in a way that can be unexpected.