Book Anatomy · The Leavenworth Case
The Leavenworth Case: Story and structure
20 lenses on story and structure for The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A17 A18 A19 A20
A1. Where do the big beats fall as a % of the book: inciting incident, midpoint, low point, climax? Both
Midpoint at about 55% (Ch 25). See the full lens on the book page.
A2. What is the inciting incident and how many words in does it land? Both
The inciting incident occurs in Chapter 2 when Raymond learns of Mr. Leavenworth's murder and is asked to help his nieces at the inquest. It lands at approximately 3,000 words into the 111,107-word novel.
Chapters: Ch 2
For this is going to be a great case, mind you, a great case. (Ch 2, para 60)
A3. How many acts or parts, and how long is each? Both
5 named parts or acts. The longest is BOOK I. / II. THE CORONER’S INQUEST 11 / III. FACTS AND DEDUCTIONS 17 / IV. A CLUE 36 / V. EXPERT TESTIMONY 43 / VI. SIDE-LIGHTS 51 / VII. MARY LEAVENWORTH 57 / VIII. CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE 65 / IX. A DISCOVERY 80 / X. MR. GRYCE RECEIVES NEW IMPETUS 90 / XI. THE SUMMONS 101 / XII. ELEANORE 108 / XIII. THE PROBLEM 115 / BOOK II. / XIV. MR. GRYCE AT HOME 123 / XV. WAYS OPENING 136 / XVI. THE WILL OF A MILLIONAIRE 146 / XVII. THE BEGINNING OF GREAT SURPRISES 151 / XVIII. ON THE STAIRS 162 / XIX. IN MY OFFICE 170 / XXI. A PREJUDICE 183 / XXII. PATCH-WORK 191 / XXIII. THE STORY OF A CHARMING WOMAN 210 / XXIV. A REPORT FOLLOWED BY SMOKE 220 / XXV. TIMOTHY COOK 230 / XXVI. MR. GRYCE EXPLAINS HIMSELF 239 / BOOK III. / XXVII. AMY BELDEN 251 / XXVIII. A WEIRD EXPERIENCE 258 / XXIX. THE MISSING WITNESS 272 / XXX. BURNED PAPER 278 / XXXI. Q 285 / XXXII. MRS. BELDEN’S NARRATIVE 296 / XXXIII. UNEXPECTED TESTIMONY 325 / BOOK IV. / XXXIV. MR. GRYCE RESUMES CONTROL 332 / XXXV. FINE WORK 351 / XXXVI. GATHERED THREADS 364 / XXXVII. CULMINATION 373 / XXXVIII. A FULL CONFESSION 384 at 31,146 words.
| Part | From chapter | Chapters | Words | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOOK I. / II. THE CORONER’S INQUEST 11 / II | 1 | 14 | 31146 | 28% |
| BOOK II. HENRY CLAVERING | 15 | 7 | 18097 | 16% |
| XXII. PATCH-WORK / III. That they had been seen while there | 22 | 5 | 15920 | 14% |
| BOOK III. HANNAH | 27 | 7 | 23297 | 21% |
| BOOK IV. THE PROBLEM SOLVED | 34 | 6 | 22647 | 20% |
The book has four parts: Book I (Chapters 2 to 13, roughly 27,000 words), Book II (Chapters 14 to 26, roughly 28,000 words), Book III (Chapters 27 to 33, roughly 22,000 words), and Book IV (Chapters 34 to 39, roughly 34,000 words).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 14, Ch 27, Ch 34
A4. Scene log: goal, conflict and outcome for every scene. AI
39 chapters logged. See the full lens on the book page.
A5. Which scenes shift a value (safe to unsafe, love to hate) and which stay flat? AI
Scenes shift value in Chapters 9 (Eleanore faints, suspicion peaks), 25 (Timothy Cook identifies Mary, not Eleanore, as the bride), 29 (Hannah found dead, evidence destroyed), and 36 (Harwell confesses, guilt revealed). Breather chapters include 14, 16, 23, and 27, which develop character and backstory without major plot turns.
Chapters: Ch 9, Ch 25, Ch 29, Ch 36, Ch 14, Ch 16
Why! here she is; this is her, sirs,” and turning around saw him hurrying towards us with Mary’s picture in his hands. (Ch 25, para 53)
In short, that her cousin, the exquisite Mary, is the murderer of Mr. Leavenworth, and by inference of Hannah Chester also. (Ch 36, para 19)
Tearing down the clothes, I laid my hand upon her heart. It was pulseless as stone. (Ch 29, para 22)
A6. What changes at the midpoint and how does the lead's plan change? AI
At the midpoint (Chapter 25), Timothy Cook reveals Mary, not Eleanore, was secretly married to Clavering. Raymond's plan shifts from proving Eleanore innocent to finding Hannah Chester as the key witness to expose the true killer.
Chapters: Ch 25, Ch 26
Why! here she is; this is her, sirs,” and turning around saw him hurrying towards us with Mary’s picture in his hands. (Ch 25, para 53)
who then but Mary Leavenworth; or, if you like it better, Mrs. Henry Clavering? Are you so much surprised? It has been my thought from the beginning. (Ch 25, para 86)
A7. How do the subplots weave? Thread map by chapter. Both
6 threads. See the full lens on the book page.
A8. Setups and payoffs: what is planted, where, and where it pays off. AI
8 setups traced. See the full lens on the book page.
A9. How many try and fail cycles before the goal is met? AI
Raymond and Gryce attempt to solve the case through five major cycles: suspecting Eleanore (Chapters 2 to 13), investigating Clavering (Chapters 14 to 25), searching for Hannah (Chapters 26 to 29), examining Hannah's confession (Chapters 30 to 35), and finally trapping Harwell (Chapter 36).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 14, Ch 26, Ch 30, Ch 36
A10. How do the stakes rise chapter by chapter? AI
Stakes rise as suspicion moves from Eleanore to Mary to Harwell: Chapter 9 (Eleanore's handkerchief found), Chapter 25 (Mary revealed as Clavering's bride), Chapter 29 (Hannah poisoned, witness lost), Chapter 34 (confession proven forged), Chapter 36 (Harwell confesses to murder and Hannah's poisoning).
Chapters: Ch 9, Ch 25, Ch 29, Ch 34, Ch 36
I decline answering the question,” she quietly said. (Ch 9, para 135)
Why! here she is; this is her, sirs,” and turning around saw him hurrying towards us with Mary’s picture in his hands. (Ch 25, para 53)
Tearing down the clothes, I laid my hand upon her heart. It was pulseless as stone. (Ch 29, para 22)
A11. Do scenes link by "but" and "therefore", or only "and then"? AI
Scenes link primarily through 'and then' sequences of investigation and discovery. Causal 'but' and 'therefore' connections appear in Chapters 10 to 11 (key found, therefore Eleanore questioned) and 34 to 36 (confession forged, therefore Gryce stages trap), but most chapters advance through accumulation rather than logical consequence.
Chapters: Ch 10, Ch 11, Ch 34, Ch 36
Till I found this!” opening his large hand, and showing me a broken-handled key. (Ch 10, para 74)
This pretended confession of Hannah’s is a fraud! (Ch 34, para 27)
A12. Map to the 15 Save the Cat beats. AI
Opening: Chapter 1 (illustrations). Catalyst: Chapter 2 (murder announced). B story: Chapter 7 (Eleanore introduced). Fun and games: Chapters 8 to 25 (investigation unfolds). Midpoint: Chapter 25 (Mary revealed as bride). Bad guys close in: Chapters 26 to 29 (Hannah search, her death). All is lost: Chapter 29 (Hannah dead, evidence burned). Dark night: Chapter 30 to 33 (confession examined, forged). Break into three: Chapter 34 (Gryce proves forgery). Finale: Chapter 36 (Harwell trapped, confesses). Final image: Chapter 39 (reconciliation, love).
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 7, Ch 8, Ch 25, Ch 26
For this is going to be a great case, mind you, a great case. (Ch 2, para 60)
Seated in an easy chair of embroidered satin, but rousing from her half-recumbent position, like one who was in the act of launching a powerful invective, I beheld a glorious woman. (Ch 7, para 13)
Why! here she is; this is her, sirs,” and turning around saw him hurrying towards us with Mary’s picture in his hands. (Ch 25, para 53)
A13. Map to Yorke's five acts. AI
Act One: Chapters 2 to 13 (murder, inquest, Eleanore suspected). Act Two: Chapters 14 to 25 (Clavering investigated, Mary revealed as bride). Act Three: Chapters 26 to 33 (Hannah found dead, confession examined). Act Four: Chapters 34 to 36 (forgery exposed, Harwell trapped). Act Five: Chapters 37 to 39 (confession, reconciliation, resolution).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 14, Ch 26, Ch 34, Ch 37
For this is going to be a great case, mind you, a great case. (Ch 2, para 60)
who then but Mary Leavenworth; or, if you like it better, Mrs. Henry Clavering? Are you so much surprised? It has been my thought from the beginning. (Ch 25, para 86)
the secret of the Leavenworth murder hangs upon it.” Then, with a lingering look towards the mass of burned paper, “Who knows but what that was a confession? (Ch 30, para 45)
A14. Map to the hero's journey stages. AI
Call to adventure: Chapter 2 (asked to help nieces). Refusal: Chapter 10 (Raymond doubts Gryce's methods). Meeting mentor: Chapter 14 (Gryce proposes investigation strategy). Crossing threshold: Chapter 26 (Raymond sent to find Hannah). Ordeal: Chapter 29 (Hannah found dead). Reward: Chapter 36 (Harwell confesses). Return: Chapter 39 (Raymond reunites with Eleanore).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 10, Ch 14, Ch 26, Ch 29, Ch 36
For this is going to be a great case, mind you, a great case. (Ch 2, para 60)
The object of your suspicions is an innocent woman. (Ch 15, para 16)
Come at once; Hannah Chester is found. (Ch 26, para 74)
A15. Crisis choices: what hard choice does the lead face in each act? AI
Act One: Raymond must choose between duty to investigate and love for Eleanore (Chapter 10). Act Two: Raymond must decide whether to trust Gryce's theory that Mary is guilty (Chapter 25). Act Three: Raymond must accept Hannah's death destroys his case (Chapter 29). Act Four: Raymond must believe Gryce's trap will expose the true killer (Chapter 34). Act Five: Raymond must forgive and move forward with Eleanore (Chapter 39).
Chapters: Ch 10, Ch 25, Ch 29, Ch 34, Ch 39
I would say whatever was necessary (Ch 10, para 32)
who then but Mary Leavenworth; or, if you like it better, Mrs. Henry Clavering? Are you so much surprised? It has been my thought from the beginning. (Ch 25, para 86)
Tearing down the clothes, I laid my hand upon her heart. It was pulseless as stone. (Ch 29, para 22)
A16. Reveals and twists: where they fall and how they were hinted. AI
Major twists: Chapter 9 (Eleanore's handkerchief found, hinted by Harwell's testimony in Chapter 4). Chapter 25 (Mary, not Eleanore, married Clavering, hinted by Clavering's visit in Chapter 18). Chapter 29 (Hannah dead, hinted by her disappearance in Chapter 5). Chapter 34 (confession forged, hinted by its convenient appearance in Chapter 33). Chapter 36 (Harwell is murderer, hinted by his violent reaction to Clavering in Chapter 19).
Chapters: Ch 9, Ch 25, Ch 29, Ch 34, Ch 36, Ch 4
I decline answering the question,” she quietly said. (Ch 9, para 135)
Why! here she is; this is her, sirs,” and turning around saw him hurrying towards us with Mary’s picture in his hands. (Ch 25, para 53)
Tearing down the clothes, I laid my hand upon her heart. It was pulseless as stone. (Ch 29, para 22)
A17. Timeline: story time against page time, gaps and flashbacks. Both
Story time spans roughly two months from murder to confession. Page time compresses the inquest (Chapters 2 to 13) into intense days, expands the investigation (Chapters 14 to 35) over weeks, and accelerates the climax (Chapters 36 to 39) into hours. Flashbacks appear in Chapter 23 (Veeley's account of Leavenworth's first wife) and Chapter 32 (Mrs. Belden's narrative of Mary's secret marriage).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 13, Ch 14, Ch 35, Ch 23, Ch 32
In twenty-four hours after that girl was married, her husband, coming drunk into the house, found her in his way, and knocked her down. (Ch 23, para 11)
Hannah Chester, coming direct to my door from the scene of violence, begged me to take her in and secrete her from public inquiry, as I loved and desired to serve Mary Leavenworth. (Ch 32, para 204)
A18. Sequences: which runs of chapters form one mini story? AI
Sequence one: Chapters 2 to 13 (inquest and Eleanore's suspicion). Sequence two: Chapters 14 to 25 (Clavering investigation and Mary's revelation). Sequence three: Chapters 26 to 33 (Hannah search and confession examination). Sequence four: Chapters 34 to 39 (Harwell's trap, confession, and resolution).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 14, Ch 26, Ch 34
A19. Ratio of plot chapters to breather chapters. Both
34 plot chapters (tension 3 or more) against 5 breather chapters (tension 1 or 2): about 6.8 plot chapters for each breather.
Tension (AI, 1 to 5), chapter by chapter
Plot chapters (investigation, discovery, confrontation) comprise roughly 28 of 39 chapters. Breather chapters (character development, backstory, reflection) comprise roughly 11 chapters. Ratio is approximately 2.5:1 plot to breather.
A20. Luck count: where does chance help or hurt the lead? AI
Luck helps Raymond when Fobbs finds the broken key in Chapter 10, when Timothy Cook identifies Mary in Chapter 25, and when Raymond discovers Hannah's stockings in Chapter 28. Luck hurts when Hannah dies in Chapter 29 and the barn fire nearly destroys evidence in Chapter 28. Gryce's trap in Chapter 36 relies on Harwell's emotional response, a calculated risk rather than chance.
Chapters: Ch 10, Ch 25, Ch 28, Ch 29, Ch 36
Till I found this!” opening his large hand, and showing me a broken-handled key. (Ch 10, para 74)
Why! here she is; this is her, sirs,” and turning around saw him hurrying towards us with Mary’s picture in his hands. (Ch 25, para 53)
Do not start when I say I saw the letter H plainly marked upon them. (Ch 28, para 6)
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