Anybody But Anne by Carolyn Wells
Author: Carolyn Wells
Published: 1914
Genre: Mystery
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Anybody But Anne is a novel by Carolyn Wells, published in 1914 and part of the Fleming Stone mysteries.
1. Anybody But Anne Synopsis
Anybody But Anne by Carolyn Wells is a mystery novel set at Buttonwood Terrace, where Raymond Sturgis attends a house party hosted by Anne Van Wyck. The story unfolds as tensions rise within the household, especially after Anne’s husband, David, plans to give away his fortune. The plot thickens when David is found dead in his study, leading to a murder investigation with multiple suspects, including family members and guests. The arrival of the famous detective Fleming Stone adds a new dimension to the investigation, as he employs his skills to unravel the mystery surrounding the murder, the missing pearls, and the motives of those involved.
2. Anybody But Anne Summary
Chapter 1: Buttonwood Terrace
Raymond Sturgis receives an invitation to a house party at Buttonwood Terrace hosted by his old acquaintance Anne Mansfield, now Anne Van Wyck. He reminisces about their past and decides to attend, curious about Anne’s life as Mrs. Van Wyck. Upon arrival, he is impressed by the grand estate and its formal atmosphere. Anne greets him warmly, and they reminisce about their school days. Raymond observes the dynamics of the house party guests and begins to sense that Anne’s lightheartedness may be a facade covering a deeper unhappiness.
Chapter 2: The Van Wyck Household
Raymond engages in conversations with various guests, including the serious Beth Fordyce and the flirtatious Mrs. Stelton. He learns more about the dynamics of the Van Wyck household, including Anne’s relationship with her stepchildren and her husband’s eccentricities. The chapter ends with the introduction of the renowned detective Fleming Stone, who is visiting the house.
Chapter 3: All About A Fan
During the house party, Fleming Stone demonstrates his detective skills by deducing details about a person from a fan. Anne is impressed and requests a private tour of the house for Stone. The chapter explores the relationships and tensions among the guests, particularly focusing on Anne’s strained relationship with her husband, David Van Wyck.
Chapter 4: The Decision of David Van Wyck
Anne reveals to the guests that David Van Wyck plans to give away his fortune to build a library, leaving the family with limited means. The guests, particularly Anne and her stepchildren, are distressed by this decision. Tensions rise as they try to persuade David to reconsider, but he remains firm in his resolve. The chapter highlights the power dynamics within the family and the guests’ attempts to influence David’s decision.
Chapter 5: The Crime In The Study
Sturgis wakes up in the Van Wyck mansion and admires the beautiful morning. He goes for a walk in the gardens, hoping to see Anne Mansfield, but instead encounters the housekeeper, Mrs. Carstairs, acting suspiciously near the garage. She denies looking for anything when questioned. Morland Van Wyck informs Sturgis that his father, David Van Wyck, is locked in his study and hasn’t been seen since the previous night. They break into the study to find David Van Wyck dead, with a gunshot wound but no weapon in sight. The room was locked from the inside, suggesting suicide, but Morland insists it was murder.
Chapter 6: Surmises
Sturgis and others discuss the possibility of murder versus suicide. Dr. Mason, the family physician, suggests that Van Wyck was stabbed rather than shot, but there is no weapon to be found. The absence of a weapon leads to speculation about how an intruder could have entered and exited the locked room. Anne, David Van Wyck’s wife, insists that her husband would not have committed suicide. The discovery of missing valuable pearls from the study safe leads to further speculation about a burglary, but the locked room mystery remains unsolved.
Chapter 7: The Mysterious Motor Car
Beth Fordyce, a guest at the mansion, recounts seeing a mysterious motor car and a cloaked figure near the house around midnight. This sighting raises suspicions about a possible connection to David Van Wyck’s death. Sturgis urges Beth to keep her story private until the coroner’s inquest. The chapter ends with preparations for the inquest and the arrival of a detective to investigate the case.
Chapter 8: Enter, A Detective
Sturgis observes Carstairs, the valet, acting suspiciously near the stables, similar to his mother’s earlier behavior. The family decides to hire a detective, Markham, to investigate the case. The coroner’s inquest is set to take place in the afternoon, with the hope of uncovering more details about the mysterious death and the missing pearls.
Chapter 9: The Inquest
The inquest begins with tension among the household members. The coroner, Mr. Mellen, conducts the proceedings, questioning various witnesses. Carstairs, the valet, provides a nervous testimony, raising suspicions about his and his mother’s involvement in the mystery. Ranney, the garage mechanic, also seems to hide something, especially when interacting with the Carstairs. Dr. Mason testifies that David Van Wyck’s death was likely caused by a sharp, pointed instrument, not a bullet or a dagger, and he believes it was not a suicide.
Chapter 10: Further Evidence
Barclay Lasseter, the secretary, reveals that David Van Wyck planned to donate a large sum for a village library, a plan that was met with opposition from his family. Lasseter’s testimony brings Morland Van Wyck under suspicion, as he contradicts Morland’s account of the last time he saw his father. The inquest continues with the guests and the Van Wyck family members presenting their theories and accounts, further deepening the mystery.
Chapter 11: Archer’s Theory
The inquest proceeds with the village committee members and the guests providing their testimonies. Beth Fordyce shares her observation of a mysterious motor car and a cloaked figure, adding a new clue to the investigation. Condron Archer, a guest, suggests an unusual theory involving an icicle as the murder weapon, which, although initially considered plausible, is dismissed by the detective, Markham. The focus shifts to finding the last person who saw David Van Wyck alive and the motive behind the murder.
Chapter 12: Anne’s Testimony
Anne Van Wyck’s testimony reveals her strained relationship with her husband and his sarcastic remarks before his death. Mrs. Carstairs, the housekeeper, implies that several people, including herself and her son, might have had motives for David Van Wyck’s death. The detective confronts Mrs. Carstairs about her and her son’s suspicious behavior, adding another layer of intrigue to the case.
Chapter 13: An Adjournment
The inquest continues with Sturgis testifying about finding a shot on the floor near David Van Wyck’s body, but this is dismissed as irrelevant by Detective Markham. Dr. Mason confirms that Van Wyck was stabbed, not shot. Sturgis admits to seeing Van Wyck arguing with his son Morland before his death. The detective reveals a stiletto, found in Anne Van Wyck’s dressing room, as the possible murder weapon, causing suspicion to shift toward the women of the family, particularly Anne.
Chapter 14: A Mysterious Disappearance
Sturgis and Condron Archer discuss the case, with Sturgis expressing doubts about the detective’s capabilities compared to Fleming Stone, a renowned detective. Morland Van Wyck insists on not wasting money on another detective and believes the case might be unsolvable. The chapter ends with Sturgis finding Archer’s room empty, leading to suspicions about Archer’s whereabouts.
Chapter 15: Who Wrote The Letter?
Sturgis finds a mysterious letter addressed to Anne, hinting at a plan and protection, which raises suspicions about her involvement in the crime. Despite doubts about its implications, the letter adds another layer of mystery to the case.
Chapter 16: Telltale Typewriting
Sturgis and Detective Markham discuss evidence against Mrs. Van Wyck. Sturgis remains skeptical and decides to examine a suspicious letter, discovering it was likely forged. Mrs. Carstairs tries to retrieve the letter, but Sturgis refuses. He shares his findings with Markham, who agrees it’s an important clue. Sturgis grapples with his feelings for Anne and the complexity of the case.
Chapter 17: The Search For The Pearls
The atmosphere at Buttonwood Terrace is gloomy following David Van Wyck’s death. The inquest is to be resumed, but there’s little evidence. A search for missing pearls begins, with Anne and Archer joining the effort. Archer accuses Anne of taking the pearls, but she denies it. The search is thorough but fruitless, leading to suspicions about Anne’s involvement. Markham insists on searching Anne’s rooms, but nothing is found. The chapter ends with doubts about who might be responsible for the murder and the missing pearls.
Chapter 18: Fleming Stone Arrives
Sturgis decides to send for the famous detective Fleming Stone to clear Anne’s name. Despite opposition from the household, Stone agrees to take the case. Upon arrival, he focuses on the study, quickly identifying the bill file as the murder weapon. Stone’s investigation raises more questions about how the murderer entered and exited the sealed room. He also inquires about a glass vase Sturgis brought for Anne, hinting at a possible connection to the case. The chapter concludes with Stone’s determination to pursue the investigation, regardless of where it leads.
Chapter 19: The Two Carstairs
Fleming Stone investigates a mysterious letter, suspecting it to be a decoy. He interrogates Mrs. Carstairs, the housekeeper, and her son, the valet. Stone deduces that Mrs. Carstairs wrote the letter to cast suspicion on Anne, the widow of David Van Wyck. Stone’s examination of Mrs. Carstairs’ writing reveals her as the author. The motive behind the letter remains unclear, but Stone suspects it was to protect her son and due to her hatred for Anne.
Chapter 20: The Mystery Solved
The missing pearls are found in a photograph album. Anne admits to taking them but denies murdering her husband. Stone reveals a secret passage used by the murderer to exit the locked study. Morland confesses to taking a deed from his father’s desk but denies killing him. The suspicion narrows down to Anne and Morland. Stone demonstrates the secret exit’s mechanism, which leads to Archer’s room. Archer is revealed as the murderer through a letter, confessing to killing Van Wyck to protect Anne from his cruelty. Archer flees, and the case is closed. Anne and the narrator plan to marry, and the Van Wyck family disperses.
