Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935) was a pioneering figure in American detective fiction, predating Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes by a decade with her first novel, 'The Leavenworth Case' (1878). Born in Brooklyn, New York, Green sought to combine her keen interest in legal matters with a natural flair for storytelling. She attended Ripley Female College in Vermont before embarking on her writing career, which was encouraged by her poet father. Her work was acclaimed for its intricate plotting, legal knowledge, and the creation of engaging characters. Green's literary contribution extended considerably with her creation of one of the earliest 'spinster detectives,' the inquisitive Amelia Butterworth, in her celebrated mystery series, including 'That Affair Next Door' (1897), 'Lost Man's Lane' (1898), and 'The Circular Study' (1900). Green's novels showcased her signature literary style, which blended Gothic sensibilities with intellectual puzzles, ultimately setting the stage for the future of the genre. She challenged the norms of her time, not only as a professional woman writer but also by creating a series centered around a female amateur detective, influencing writers such as Agatha Christie. While perhaps not as widely remembered as her male counterparts, Green's work remains seminal in shaping detective fiction as a form of literature with both popular appeal and analytical depth.