"Agatha Webb" by Anna Katharine Green is a suspenseful mystery novel written during the late 19th century. The story unfolds in the quaint seaport town of Sutherlandtown, centering around the shocking murder of Agatha Webb, a beloved figure in the community. The narrative begins with the aftermath of a dance, where events spiral into chaos with the announcement of her death, setting the stage for an exploration of secrets, motives, and the search for justice. At the start of the novel, the atmosphere is lively yet ominous as the dancers leave a party, and a figure named Frederick rushes past, muttering distressingly about a "night of horror." This foreshadows the impending tragedy when news spreads that Agatha Webb has been murdered. The chaos escalates as locals converge to comprehend the incident, leading to speculation about the circumstances surrounding her death and the involvement of her husband, Philemon Webb. The opening chapters introduce various characters, hinting at their connections and potential motives, effectively immersing the reader in a web of intrigue and suspicion that invites further exploration into the unfolding mystery. (This is an automatically generated summary.)