# Book I: The Problem explained — The Leavenworth Case

> Chapter companion for The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

The narrator is introduced to the murder of Mr. Leavenworth and begins investigating the case alongside Mr. Gryce, uncovering initial suspicions and the disappearance of the maid Hannah.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Investigation

The chapter establishes the central mystery and the initial steps of the investigation into Mr. Leavenworth's murder.

### Secrecy and Truth

The disappearance of Hannah and the hidden circumstances of the murder highlight themes of secrecy and the search for truth.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The narrator is drawn into the investigation of Mr. Leavenworth's murder.

### Mr. Gryce

Mr. Gryce takes charge of the investigation and involves the narrator.

### Horatio Leavenworth

Mr. Leavenworth is found murdered, setting the story in motion.

### Hannah

Hannah, the maid, disappears shortly after the murder.

### Mary Leavenworth

Mary Leavenworth is present in the household and becomes a person of interest.

## Key lines

> Mr. Leavenworth was found dead in his library.

The body of Mr. Leavenworth was discovered in his library.

_This event initiates the entire plot._

> Hannah, the maid, had vanished.

The maid named Hannah had disappeared without a trace.

_Hannah's disappearance raises immediate suspicion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/book-i-the-problem
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters