Anna Katharine Green (1846–1935) was an American novelist and poet. Among the first writers of detective fiction in America, she is considered to be the “mother” of the genre for her legally-accurate and well-thought-out plots. Her novel “Hand and Ring” centres around the curious case of Widow Clemmens who is murdered in her parlour while the town's lawyers are congregating outside the courthouse. During the investigation, two possible culprits are identified, but whether or not either of them is really guilty and the role of the enigmatic Miss Imogene Dare are the subject of a rigorous courtroom debate. The fourth instalment of Green's detective series featuring Mr. Gryce, “Hand and Ring” is a riveting tale of mystery and justice not to be missed by fans of classic detective fiction. Other notable works by this author include: “The Leavenworth Case” (1878), “A Strange Disappearance” (1880), and “The Circular Study” (1900). Read & Co. Classics is proudly republishing this vintage detective novel now in a brand new edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.