The Greene Murder Case · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for The Greene Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

Read with companions Book page

Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.

Chapter 1
Dedication
The chapter is a brief dedication to Norbert L. Lederer, accompanied by a Greek epigram.
Chapter 2
Epigraph
The chapter opens with a quotation from Shakespeare's Hamlet, setting a tone of foul, strange, and unnatural murder.
Chapter 3
Characters of the Book
This chapter lists the principal characters involved in the narrative, including the detective Philo Vance, District Attorney John F.-X. Markham, the Greene family members, household staff, and various police and medical officials.
Chapter 4
The Greene Murder Case
The chapter introduces the Greene family and the initial investigation into a series of murders, with Philo Vance and John Markham becoming involved after Chester Greene seeks help.
Chapter 5
I: A Double Tragedy
The narrator introduces the Greene tragedy as one of the most unique and hidden murder mysteries of modern times, revealing that the inside story has never been told. He explains his role as Philo Vance's attorney and witness to the case. On the morning of November 9, Vance and the narrator visit District Attorney Markham. After a cross-examination of two gangsters, Vance learns of a shooting at the Greene mansion the previous night. Chester Greene, the elder son, is coming to see Markham about what police believe was a botched burglary attempt in which Julia Greene was killed and Ada Greene wounded. Vance expresses skepticism about the burglary theory and decides to stay for Chester's visit.

Free preview

27 more chapter companions sit beside the text in BetterReads — open a free preview to unlock the rest.

27 more companions → free preview