01 - Dark Hollow by Anna Katharine Green

The townsfolk of Shelby are still haunted by the gruesome murder of Algernon Etheridge, a distinguished citizen, which took place twelve years ago. His beaten and robbed corpse was discovered at Dark Hollow bridge. The local innkeeper was hastily accused, found guilty, and sentenced to death by Algernons closest friend, Judge Ostrander. However, a mysterious woman clad in purple arrives in town with a singular mission - to persuade the Judge to exonerate the condemned man. But why? The man is already dead. Undeterred, she delves into the circumstantial evidence used in the trial, even taking a position as the Judges housekeeper to uncover the truth. She is relentless in her quest to clear the name of the deceased man, regardless of the consequences. - Summary by Doreen Marcotte