The detective story "Cynthia Wakeham's Money" was written by Anna Katharine. The plot centres on investigator Ebenezer Gryce's inquiry into Cynthia Wakeham's untimely death and the locations of her sizable inheritance. As Gryce does his investigation, he learns that Cynthia's relatives and friends are harbouring a lot of secrets and ulterior purposes, including a disputed will and a missing heir. He starts to believe that there is a connection between Cynthia's death and the whereabouts of her money. The book is noted for its strong female characters, especially Cynthia's cousin and closest confidante, and for its examination of topics including inheritance, greed, and familial ties. Green constructs a complicated web of hints and red herrings throughout the novel, keeping the reader wondering right up to the very end. "Cynthia Wakeham's Money" is widely regarded as a great piece of detective fiction and a showcase for Anna Katharine Green's talent as a mystery author.
The American author Anna Katharine Green (1846–1955), who is recognized as one of the forerunners of detective fiction, was raised in a sophisticated and educated household and was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her debut book, "The Leavenworth Case," which was released in 1878, quickly rose to popularity. She produced countless short pieces in the genre in addition to almost 40 books. Intricate riddles, brilliant storytelling, and the use of forensic evidence were hallmarks of her books, which also often included characters like detective Ebenezer Gryce and the single sleuth Amelia Butterworth. Along with her contributions to the genre, Green pioneered the exploration of gender and social class issues in mysteries, often utilizing her characters to remark on societal injustices. She was on the executive committee of the New York State Suffrage Association and sponsored issues including public health and education, demonstrating her commitment to women's suffrage and charity. Her contributions to the detective fiction genre are still respected and recognized in modern times.
