Anna Katharine Green was a superstar of detective fiction in her day, often called the 'mother of the mystery novel.' A Difficult Problem is a perfect example of why. It's a short story that packs a big punch, focusing entirely on a single, impossible crime.

The Story

The famous detective Mr. Gryce is called to a grim scene. In a locked room, a man lies dead from a stab wound. In the same room, a baby sleeps peacefully in its crib. There's no murder weapon. No sign of forced entry. No blood anywhere but on the victim. It's a clean, quiet, and utterly baffling setup. The story follows Gryce as he interviews the household, examines every tiny detail, and wrestles with the sheer impossibility of it all. The solution hinges on a clever, almost scientific piece of deduction that feels satisfyingly fair.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a thriller. It's a brain-teaser. I love it because it strips away all the flash and drama and asks one simple, brilliant question: 'How?' Green forces her detective (and the reader) to look past the obvious. The characters are sketches, serving the puzzle, but Mr. Gryce is a delight—an older, methodical thinker who relies on observation over action. Reading this feels like sitting across from a clever friend who's laid out a riddle and is waiting for you to catch up. It's a glimpse into the very foundation of the 'locked room mystery' genre.

Final Verdict

Perfect for classic mystery fans and anyone who enjoys a good, clean logic puzzle. If you like Agatha Christie's clever plots or the cerebral mysteries of Sherlock Holmes, you'll see where some of that inspiration started. It's also a great, quick read for a commute or an evening when you want your mind gently challenged. Just don't expect car chases or romance—expect to be outsmarted by a writer from 1900, and to enjoy every minute of it.