# Mr. Gryce — The Leavenworth Case character guide > Mr. Gryce in The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Instantly Mr. Gryce, X Mr. Gryce Receives New Impetus, this Mr. Gryce, Ebenezer Gryce **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-the-problem ## Snapshot A veteran New York detective with a deceptively placid manner, he pursues the Leavenworth case with patience that masks an unshakable certainty about who is guilty. ## Who they are Ebenezer Gryce is the methodical police detective whose quiet, almost indifferent demeanor conceals a sharp and stubborn intelligence. He tolerates the narrator's interference with dry amusement but never abandons his own theory of the crime, even when the narrator insists he is wrong. His professional certainty becomes the wall the narrator must break through if Eleanore is to be spared. ## Relationships ### [Eleanore Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/eleanore_leavenworth) _professional_ Eleanore is a suspect interviewed by Mr. Gryce, who treats her with suspicion but also respect for her composure. ### [Mary Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mary_leavenworth) _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 interrogated by Mr. Gryce, who pressures her to reveal what she knows about the murder. ### [Eleanore Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/eleanore_leavenworth) _professional_ Eleanore is a suspect interviewed by Mr. Gryce, who treats her with suspicion but also respect for her composure. ### [Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/hannah) _professional_ Hannah is interrogated by Mr. Gryce, who pressures her to reveal what she knows about the murder. ### [Mary Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mary_leavenworth) _rivalry_ Mary Leavenworth is a prime suspect who actively tries to deceive and outmaneuver Mr. Gryce during the investigation. ### [Mary Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mary_leavenworth) _rivalry_ Mary Leavenworth is a prime suspect who actively tries to deceive and outmaneuver Mr. Gryce during the investigation. ### [Eleanore Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/eleanore_leavenworth) _professional_ Eleanore is a suspect interviewed by Mr. Gryce, who treats her with suspicion but also respect for her composure. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/book-i-the-problem) Mr. Gryce takes charge of the investigation and involves the narrator. ### [A Great Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/i-a-great-case) The detective on the case, portly and observant, who shares initial findings and hints at the case's significance. ### [A Clue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/iv-a-clue) Produces the half-burned paraffine candle found in the carriage yard, providing a crucial clue. ### [Expert Testimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/v-expert-testimony) Observes the proceedings, calms the cook, and instructs the narrator to be ready to fetch the young ladies. ### [VI: Sidelights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/vi-sidelights) Observes the scene with a steady, compassionate countenance, restrains the narrator from approaching Eleanore, and supports her as they go downstairs. ### [VII: Mary Leavenworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/vii-mary-leavenworth) Detective present at the inquest, noted for his demeanor and interaction with the witnesses. ### [VIII: Circumstantial Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/viii-circumstantial-evidence) Observes quietly, whispers to the coroner, and produces the soiled handkerchief as evidence. ### [IX: A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/ix-a-discovery) Directs the investigation; receives a report from Fobbs about Eleanore's actions; counts his fingers in a troubled manner. ### [X: Mr. Gryce Receives New Impetus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/x-mr-gryce-receives-new-impetus) Receives new impetus from the key discovery; confronts Eleanore and later accepts Mary's plea to pursue justice. ### [The Summons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xi-the-summons) Leaves the premises after the verdict; suspected of planning further action. ### [XIII: The Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xiii-the-problem) Mentioned as the investigator whose suspicions the narrator hopes to combat. ### [Book II: Henry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/book-ii-henry-clavering) Remains active in the investigation, interacting with Clavering. ### [XIV: Mr. Gryce at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xiv-mr-gryce-at-home) Receives the narrator at home; discusses the case and proposes the narrator cultivate Henry Clavering; admits his inability to pass as a gentleman. ### [Ways Opening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xv-ways-opening) Mentioned as having visited Mary and as the one who directed the narrator to watch Clavering; also reported to be hopeful about finding Hannah. ### [XVI: The Will of a Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xvi-the-will-of-a-millionaire) Requests the narrator's help in investigating the connection between the cousins and Mr. Clavering. ### [The Beginning of Great Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xvii-the-beginning-of-great-surprises) Mentioned as being present with the narrator when they overheard Mary's accusation. ### [XIX: In My Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xix-in-my-office) Raymond resolves to notify Gryce of Clavering's departure, though Gryce does not appear directly in the chapter. ### [Patchwork](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxii-patchwork) Suffering from rheumatism, discusses the torn letter and Clavering's departure; expresses concern about the narrator investigating alone. ### [A Report Followed by Smoke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxiv-a-report-followed-by-smoke) Listens to the narrator's evidence about Clavering and Eleanore; declares he believes Eleanore is innocent. ### [XXV: Timothy Cook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxv-timothy-cook) Leads the interrogation of Timothy Cook; orchestrates the identification of Mary Leavenworth as the bride in the secret marriage. ### [Mr. Gryce Explains Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxvi-mr-gryce-explains-himself) Explains his theory that Eleanore is shielding Mary, plans to arrest Eleanore unless a missing link is found, and sends the narrator on a mission to R⸺. ### [Book III: Hannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/book-iii-hannah) Leads the search for Hannah, piecing together clues about her disappearance. ### [XXX: Burned Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxx-burned-paper) Referenced as the one who must be informed of Hannah's death via telegram. ### [Book IV: The Problem Solved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/book-iv-the-problem-solved) The detective who pieces together the final clues leading to the solution. ### [Mr. Gryce Resumes Control](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxiv-mr-gryce-resumes-control) Arrives at R⸺ and resumes control of the investigation; questions Mrs. Belden and casts doubt on Hannah's written confession. ### [XXXV: Fine Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxv-fine-work) Leads the investigation, matches the confession paper to Mr. Leavenworth's library paper, and deduces Mary's guilt from Eleanore's diary. ### [Gathered Threads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxvi-gathered-threads) Delivers a detailed report of his investigation, concluding that Mary Leavenworth is the murderer. ### [Culmination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxvii-culmination) Reveals he arranged for Mary to meet her uncle's murderer, and holds back the report. ### [A Full Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-full-confession) Investigator whose suspicions the narrator fears but misjudges. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/mr_gryce - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters