# The Greene Murder Case — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Greene Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/dedication.md): The chapter is a brief dedication to Norbert L. Lederer, accompanied by a Greek epigram.
- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The chapter opens with a quotation from Shakespeare's Hamlet, setting a tone of foul, strange, and unnatural murder.
- [Characters of the Book](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/characters-of-the-book.md): This chapter lists the principal characters involved in the narrative, including the detective Philo Vance, District Attorney John F.-X. Markham, the Greene family members, household staff, and various police and medical
- [The Greene Murder Case](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/the-greene-murder-case.md): The chapter introduces the Greene family and the initial investigation into a series of murders, with Philo Vance and John Markham becoming involved after Chester Greene seeks help.
- [I: A Double Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/i-a-double-tragedy.md): The narrator introduces the Greene tragedy as one of the most unique and hidden murder mysteries of modern times, revealing that the inside story has never been told. He explains his role as Philo Vance's attorney and wi
- [The Investigation Opens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/ii-the-investigation-opens.md): Chester Greene visits District Attorney Markham to request a personal investigation into the shooting of his two sisters, expressing a vague unease that contradicts the police's burglar theory. Sergeant Heath reports the
- [At the Greene Mansion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/iii-at-the-greene-mansion.md): Vance, Markham, Heath, and the narrator visit the Greene mansion to investigate the murder. They meet Chester Greene, who describes the servants, and then interview the bedridden Mrs. Tobias Greene, who complains about h
- [IV: The Missing Revolver](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/iv-the-missing-revolver.md): Vance interviews the servants Sproot, Gertrude Mannheim, Hemming, and Barton, probing for insights into the shooting. Chester Greene reveals that his revolver is missing, and Vance emphasizes its significance despite Mar
- [V: Homicidal Possibilities](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/v-homicidal-possibilities.md): The investigation continues at the Greene mansion as Vance, Markham, and Heath interview Sibella Greene. Sibella displays a cynical and flippant attitude toward the murders, openly admitting the family's deep dysfunction
- [VI: An Accusation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/vi-an-accusation.md): Vance, Markham, Heath, and Van Dine interview Ada Greene in her bedroom about the attack. Ada describes waking in the dark, feeling a threatening presence, and being shot after a hand touched her. Sibella interrupts with
- [Vance Argues the Case](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/vii-vance-argues-the-case.md): Vance passionately argues with Markham that the double shooting at the Greene mansion is not a random burglary but a calculated crime rooted in the toxic, decaying atmosphere of the household. He points to numerous unexp
- [VIII: The Second Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/viii-the-second-tragedy.md): Early on Friday, November 12, Markham informs Vance that Chester Greene has been murdered, shot through the heart at close range in his bedroom around 11:30 p.m. Vance, who had been troubled by premonitions, joins the in
- [IX: The Three Bullets](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/ix-the-three-bullets.md): The chapter opens with Doctor Doremus examining Chester Greene's body and estimating the time of death. Vance and Markham interview Mrs. Tobias Greene, who shows callous indifference to her son's murder and instead compl
- [X: The Closing of a Door](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/x-the-closing-of-a-door.md): Vance and Markham interview the servants, focusing on Mrs. Mannheim, whose evasiveness and emotional outburst suggest hidden knowledge about Tobias Greene's past. Vance probes the connection between old Mannheim and the 
- [A Painful Interview](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xi-a-painful-interview.md): Markham, Vance, and Heath interrogate Mrs. Tobias Greene, who expresses vindictive satisfaction at the murders of her children. They then question Rex Greene about the night of the shooting, but Rex becomes agitated and 
- [A Motor Ride](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xii-a-motor-ride.md): Two weeks after Chester Greene's murder, the case has stalled. Vance makes unofficial visits to the Greene mansion, observing the family and gathering psychological impressions. He joins a motor ride with Sibella, Ada, a
- [XIII: The Third Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xiii-the-third-tragedy.md): On November 28, Markham, Inspector Moran, Heath, Vance, and the narrator meet at the Stuyvesant Club to discuss the Greene murders. Vance argues that the lack of obvious clues is itself a significant clue, and predicts f
- [XIV: Footprints on the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xiv-footprints-on-the-carpet.md): Markham, Vance, and Heath bring Ada Greene to the Greene mansion after Rex's murder. They question Sproot and Doctor Von Blon, discovering that Rex was shot shortly after Markham's phone call. Footprints in the snow lead
- [XV: The Murderer in the House](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xv-the-murderer-in-the-house.md): Following Rex Greene's murder, Vance, Markham, and Heath interview Sibella Greene, who insists on staying despite the danger. Doctor Von Blon provides an alibi for Sibella, and a plan is made to install a police nurse. T
- [The Lost Poisons](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xvi-the-lost-poisons.md): Vance explains his reasoning behind finding the galoshes in the linen-closet, arguing that the footprints were deliberately made by someone in the Greene household to mislead the police. He and Markham discuss the implic
- [Two Wills](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xvii-two-wills.md): A conference at the Stuyvesant Club brings together Inspector Moran, Sergeant Heath, Markham, Vance, and the narrator to discuss the investigation into Rex Greene's murder. The theft of poisons from Doctor Von Blon is re
- [XVIII: In the Locked Library](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-locked-library.md): Vance insists on entering Tobias Greene's locked library, which has been sealed for twelve years. Despite Mrs. Greene's fierce resistance, Markham bluffs with a fake search warrant to obtain the key. Inside, they find th
- [XIX: Sherry and Paralysis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xix-sherry-and-paralysis.md): Vance, Markham, and Heath return to Mrs. Greene's room to find her sleeping, then go downstairs. Ada Greene reveals she saw her mother walking near the library door late at night, holding a key, despite her supposed para
- [XX: The Fourth Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xx-the-fourth-tragedy.md): Ada Greene is poisoned with morphine but survives thanks to a prearranged signal and the quick response of Doctor Drumm. The household is kept in the dark about the incident as the investigators hope to question Ada once
- [XXI: A Depleted Household](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxi-a-depleted-household.md): Markham informs Vance and Van of Mrs. Greene's death by strychnine poisoning, discovered that morning. The household is further depleted as Hemming leaves and Sibella departs for Atlantic City, leaving only Ada, Sproot, 
- [XXII: The Shadowy Figure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxii-the-shadowy-figure.md): At a conference at the Stuyvesant Club, Chief Inspector O'Brien proposes that Mrs. Tobias Greene faked her paralysis, murdered her children, and committed suicide when her plan to poison Ada failed. Vance argues the theo
- [XXIII: The Missing Fact](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiii-the-missing-fact.md): Vance reveals that Sibella Greene and Arthur Von Blon were secretly married a year ago, a fact he considers the missing piece in his analysis of the Greene case. He then delivers a lecture on aesthetic composition, drawi
- [A Mysterious Trip](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiv-a-mysterious-trip.md): Vance, after a sleepless night of intense concentration, reveals to Markham that he has traced the design of the Greene murders, though he hesitates to accept the horrifying truth. He requests specific books from Tobias 
- [XXV: The Capture](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxv-the-capture.md): Vance returns to New York after an eight-day trip and reveals he knows the identity of the murderer. He, Markham, and Heath rush to the Greene mansion, then pursue a car containing Sibella and Ada. They intercept the veh
- [XXVI: The Astounding Truth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxvi-the-astounding-truth.md): Vance reveals that Ada Greene is the murderer, having been inspired by Hans Gross's criminology manual found in Tobias Greene's library. He explains that Ada's motive was a combination of hatred, jealousy, and a desire f
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide a series of annotations and references that elaborate on details from the main narrative, including citations of criminological and psychological texts, clarifications about characters and events, an
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md): This chapter provides a list of illustrations including floor plans of the second floor, Julia's bedroom, Ada's bedroom, Chester's bedroom, Rex's bedroom, and examples of criminal graphic symbols.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters