# Endnotes explained — The Greene Murder Case

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

## What happens

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, and additional context about the investigation and the Greene family history.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detection and Rational Inquiry

The endnotes include references to criminological texts, forensic methods (e.g., Gross's handbook on criminalistics), and the scientific analysis of footprints and wounds, highlighting the rational and systematic approach to solving the crimes.

### Psychological Motivation and Insanity

Numerous citations of works on criminal psychology, insanity, and moral insanity (e.g., Krafft-Ebing, Lombroso, Savage) underscore the theme of psychological motivation and the intersection of madness with criminal behavior.

### Secrecy and Hidden Truth

Notes about hidden evidence (e.g., the cyanide tablets, the rearranged sequence of items, and Mannheim's secret promise to Tobias) emphasize the theme of concealed facts and the uncovering of truth.

## Character check-ins

### Philo Vance

Referenced in notes about his admiration for Clive Bell's work and his use of a Scriptural expletive, as well as his role in rearranging items for a final sequence.

### John F.-X. Markham

Mentioned as the recipient of Vance's rearranged sequence of items.

### Ada Greene

Noted as having taken cyanide tablets from Doctor Von Blon's darkroom and as being cared for by Mrs. Mannheim after Mannheim's promise from Tobias.

### Sibella Greene

Referenced in a note about Tobias Greene's will and the requirement to live on the estate.

### Ernest Heath

Mentioned as the Sergeant in charge of the Benson and Canary cases, who developed a respect for Vance.

### Chester Greene

Referenced indirectly in the context of the Greene family events.

### Rex Greene

Mentioned in the context of the Greene shootings and the investigation.

### Doctor Von Blon

Noted as an amateur photographer who used cyanide tablets, and who later discovered one missing.

## Key lines

> Doctor Blyth was one of the defense witnesses in the Crippen trial.

Doctor Blyth testified for the defense in the Crippen case.

_Provides context for a reference in the main text._

> It will be remembered that in the famous Molineux poisoning case the cyanide of mercury was administered by way of a similar drug⁠—to wit: Bromo-Seltzer.

The Molineux case involved cyanide of mercury given through Bromo-Seltzer, a comparable method.

_Draws a parallel to the poisoning method in the Greene case._

> We later learned from Mrs. Mannheim that Mannheim had once saved Tobias from criminal prosecution by taking upon himself the entire blame of one of Tobias’s shadiest extralegal transactions, and had exacted from Tobias the promise that, in event of his own death or incarceration, he would adopt and care for Ada.

Mrs. Mannheim revealed that Mannheim took the blame for one of Tobias's illegal deals, securing Tobias's promise to adopt Ada if Mannheim died or was imprisoned.

_Explains the backstory of Ada's adoption and Mannheim's influence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters