A Strange Disappearance

Although I have enjoyed other books by Anna Katherine Green, this one seemed a little contrived and perhaps that made the style seem more than a little out-dated. While I am fond of mystery elements in books, I will also readily admit that mystery as a genre is not my bent. The plotting seemed very much in the lines of Sherlock Holmes, but without the personality that draws you into that character.

I was disappointed that Mr. Gryce, for whom I had developed a liking in The Leavenworth Case, played a minor role in this one. The story is related to us, instead, through a secondary police officer, Q (with none of the pizzazz of a Star Trek alien). None of the main characters reacts to any situation as I would expect a real person to react, show more so that all the actions and emotions seem over-the-top or incredulous.

This one hovered just a tad above okay–a 2.5 star read. Still, I read it through to the end, with curiosity as to how Ms. Green was going to tie it up, so I have settled on a 3-star instead of a 2-star rating. show less

Although this book breathes the pace and morals of its time, it is an enjoyable read. Anna Katherine Green was a master in the detective-writing trade (she seems to have been the great example of Agatha Cristie) and that makes the book still good readable in our time. The plot is solid and there is enough mystery.

When a female servant goes missing from the household of a Mr Blake, the housekeeper Mrs Daniels asks for the police help in finding her. But where will the clues lead to.
An enjoyable mystery first published in 1880