# Mary Leavenworth — The Leavenworth Case character guide > Mary Leavenworth in The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Mary Leavenworth, Molly, Mary, Molly O'Flanagan, the two Misses Leavenworth, Mary Leavenworth **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-the-problem ## Snapshot The elder niece of the murdered millionaire, dazzling and elusive, whose charm conceals a capacity for manipulation that unsettles every man who tries to read her. ## Who they are Mary Leavenworth is the beautiful, socially gifted niece whose composure under suspicion strikes observers as either innocence or extraordinary self-command. She deflects inquiry with sweetness and retreats behind notes and headaches when pressed, leaving the narrator unsure whether she is a victim, an accomplice, or something worse. Her evasions and her secret ties to Henry Clavering make her the emotional and moral puzzle at the center of the investigation. ## Relationships ### [Eleanore Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/eleanore_leavenworth) _family_ Eleanore and Mary are cousins living together, with Eleanore protective and Mary more worldly and secretive, creating a tense sibling-like bond. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mr_gryce) _rivalry_ Mary Leavenworth is a prime suspect who actively tries to deceive and outmaneuver Mr. Gryce during the investigation. ### [Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/hannah) _professional_ Hannah is Mary's personal maid, loyal but increasingly frightened by Mary's actions and the murder investigation. ### [Amy Belden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/amy_belden) _social_ Amy Belden is a local acquaintance of Mary Leavenworth, sharing gossip and social interactions within the community. ### [Eleanore Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/eleanore_leavenworth) _family_ Eleanore and Mary are cousins living together, with Eleanore protective and Mary more worldly and secretive, creating a tense sibling-like bond. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mr_gryce) _rivalry_ Mary Leavenworth is a prime suspect who actively tries to deceive and outmaneuver Mr. Gryce during the investigation. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mr_gryce) _rivalry_ Mary Leavenworth is a prime suspect who actively tries to deceive and outmaneuver Mr. Gryce during the investigation. ### [Amy Belden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/amy_belden) _social_ Amy Belden is a local acquaintance of Mary Leavenworth, sharing gossip and social interactions within the community. ### [Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/hannah) _professional_ Hannah is Mary's personal maid, loyal but increasingly frightened by Mary's actions and the murder investigation. ### [Eleanore Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/eleanore_leavenworth) _family_ Eleanore and Mary are cousins living together, with Eleanore protective and Mary more worldly and secretive, creating a tense sibling-like bond. ### [Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/hannah) _professional_ Hannah is Mary's personal maid, loyal but increasingly frightened by Mary's actions and the murder investigation. ### [Amy Belden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/amy_belden) _social_ Amy Belden is a local acquaintance of Mary Leavenworth, sharing gossip and social interactions within the community. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/book-i-the-problem) Mary Leavenworth is present in the household and becomes a person of interest. ### [A Great Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/i-a-great-case) Mentioned as one of the nieces; the narrator is asked to assist the ladies. ### [II: The Coroner’s Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/ii-the-coroner-s-inquest) Mentioned indirectly; the narrator imagines her likeness in a portrait on the wall. ### [III: Facts and Deductions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/iii-facts-and-deductions) Mentioned as the sole heiress; not present during the discovery according to Thomas. ### [VI: Sidelights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/vi-sidelights) Accuses Eleanore of moral responsibility for the murder, then shifts to a sweet, winning demeanor when addressing the narrator and Mr. Gryce, attempting to downplay her earlier accusation. ### [VII: Mary Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/vii-mary-leavenworth) Testifies at the inquest, denying any knowledge of the murder or suspicion of anyone, and reveals Eleanore had charge of the uncle's apartments. ### [VIII: Circumstantial Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/viii-circumstantial-evidence) Present at the inquest, shows agitation and does not assist her cousin when she faints. ### [IX: A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/ix-a-discovery) Shows fear and grief; suggests Eleanore's manner is suspicious but insists on her innocence; offers to lie to protect her cousin. ### [X: Mr. Gryce Receives New Impetus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/x-mr-gryce-receives-new-impetus) Anxious and pleading; offers a reward and urges Mr. Gryce to find the burglar; writes and mails a secret note. ### [The Summons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xi-the-summons) Visited by the narrator; initially reluctant but agrees to return home to support Eleanore. ### [XII: Eleanore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xii-eleanore) Opens the door for the narrator at the beginning of the chapter. ### [XIII: The Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xiii-the-problem) Arrives in the parlor, confronts Eleanore with pride and coldness, declares they cannot live together, and flees weeping. ### [XIV: Mr. Gryce at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xiv-mr-gryce-at-home) Recalled fleeing indignantly from Eleanore's presence; contrasted with Eleanore in the narrator's thoughts. ### [Ways Opening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xv-ways-opening) Receives the narrator with familiarity, expresses anxiety about Hannah, discusses her wealth and guilt, and reveals the strain of her separation from Eleanore. ### [XVI: The Will of a Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xvi-the-will-of-a-millionaire) Mentioned as the primary heir to the estate. ### [The Beginning of Great Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xvii-the-beginning-of-great-surprises) Shows agitation, haughty and feverish behavior; reveals Eleanore told her about the key; denies knowledge of Eleanore's motives; becomes defensive when reminded of her accusation. ### [XVIII: On the Stairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xviii-on-the-stairs) Sends a note to the narrator declining further explanation and asking to bear burdens apart. ### [XX: “Trueman! Trueman! Trueman!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xx-trueman-trueman-trueman) Mentioned as the person from whose presence Henry Clavering was seen leaving. ### [XXIII: The Story of a Charming Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxiii-the-story-of-a-charming-woman) Mentioned as the subject of Eleanore's concern; she is reportedly well but troubled, and has been receiving visitors including Mr. Clavering. ### [A Report Followed by Smoke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxiv-a-report-followed-by-smoke) Mentioned in the narrator's summary as having acknowledged a family secret and then refusing to discuss it further. ### [XXV: Timothy Cook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxv-timothy-cook) Identified by Timothy Cook as the bride in the secret marriage to Mr. Clavering; Mr. Gryce accuses her of the murder. ### [Mr. Gryce Explains Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxvi-mr-gryce-explains-himself) Implied to be the guilty party in Mr. Gryce's theory; the narrator doubts her guilt but acknowledges she might confess if accused. ### [XXXI: Q](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxi-q) Implied to have written a letter urging Mrs. Belden to destroy evidence, raising suspicion. ### [Mrs. Belden’s Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxii-mrs-belden-s-narrative) Described as dazzling, capricious, and determined to marry Henry Clavering in secret; she manipulates Mrs. Belden and clashes with Eleanore. ### [Unexpected Testimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxiii-unexpected-testimony) Implied to have sent Hannah to Mrs. Belden's house and to have a secret marriage. ### [Book IV: The Problem Solved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/book-iv-the-problem-solved) Her role in the events is clarified as the truth emerges. ### [XXXV: Fine Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxv-fine-work) Revealed through the diary to have secretly married Henry Clavering, providing a motive for the murder. ### [Gathered Threads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxvi-gathered-threads) Identified by Mr. Gryce as the true criminal, accused of murdering her uncle and Hannah. ### [Culmination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxvii-culmination) Confesses her selfish fears and silence that implicated Eleanore, and is declared innocent by Henry Clavering. ### [A Full Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-full-confession) The narrator's obsession; her secret marriage to Henry Clavering and desire for wealth drive the plot. ### [XXXIX: The Outcome of a Great Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxix-the-outcome-of-a-great-crime) Humbled and forgiving; welcomes Eleanore, acknowledges the circumstantial evidence against her, and wishes to give the fortune to Eleanore. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mary_leavenworth - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters