The Mystery of the Hasty Arrow (ePub)

Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935) was a pioneering figure in the American detective fiction genre, predating even the likes of Agatha Christie. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Green pursued an early passion for poetry before her writing path took a turn towards mystery and intrigue. Her first novel, 'The Leavenworth Case' (1878), is widely regarded as the first detective novel written by a woman in the United States and set a standard for the genre, marrying domestic details with legal puzzles (Ammons, E., 1992). Green's careful structuring of plot and complex characterizations have earned her the moniker 'the mother of the detective novel' (MacShane, F., 1976). 'The Mystery of the Hasty Arrow' (1917), which reflects Green's literary style, is another testament to her talent for crafting engrossing narratives that blend intellectual challenge with emotional depth. Green's work was characterized by her attention to detail, strong female characters, and a scrupulous adherence to the unfolding of the investigative process. Although her literary output has been somewhat overshadowed by the success of later authors in the detective fiction genre, Green's contributions remain foundational, and she continues to be a subject of scholarly interest for her role in the development of crime writing as a literary art form (Kestner, J., 1987).