Initials Only — Anna Katharine Green

Initials Only is a mystery novel by Anna Katharine Green, first published in 1911. Green was a pioneering American writer often credited with shaping the detective fiction genre, and she is best known for her novel The Leavenworth Case (1878).

The story revolves around a mysterious death in a New York City hotel. A young woman named Miss Challoner dies under suspicious circumstances, and the initial assumption is suicide. However, her father refuses to accept this and seeks the truth.

Enter Owen Brotherson, a brilliant but enigmatic inventor, who was romantically linked to the deceased. The investigation is led by Detective Ebenezer Gryce, a recurring character in Green's works, along with other officials. Clues are sparse, and the case hinges on a handkerchief marked only with initials -- hence the title.

As the mystery unfolds, secrets about love, jealousy, and revenge emerge, leading to a surprising resolution.

While not as famous as The Leavenworth Case, Initials Only is a solid example of Green's skill in crafting intricate mysteries. Her influence can be seen in later writers like Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle.