Dead Letter

Published in 1866, 'The Dead Letter: An American Romance' by Metta Victoria Fuller Victor, writing as Seeley Regester, is recognized as the first full-length American crime fiction novel. The story follows Richard Redfield, a clerk in the Dead Letter Office, who uncovers a mysterious letter that he believes is linked to a brutal murder from two years prior. This early example of the genre features melodramatic writing and reflects the societal opinions of its time, marking a significant contribution to American literature.