Altho' this was written a long time ago, it's still an excellent mystery and MRR is an amazing writer who captures the atmosphere better than anyone I've read!
A middle aged spinster has barely settled in at the country house when a series of events threaten to perturb her unflappable nature. Before this spine tingling tale ends five connected deaths shatter the normally placid atomosphere of the vacation retreat. One of many mysteries written by Mary Roberts Rinehart. An excellent read.
Circular Staircase, The Man in Lower Ten & The Case of Jennie Brice
Before Agatha Christie, before Dorothy L. Sayers, there was Mary Roberts Rinehart. And, frankly, her mystery novels are a great deal more realistic (in a fantastical way) than her successors. Too bad that her work is largely unsung today, except maybe at Gutenberg.com if you are into that. The unanswered questions build throughout, culminating in rather simple, yet plausible explanation at the end.
Slow moving, not terribly exciting. The writing was well done, and it's enjoyable, but not great.Very old fashioned tale, told by an elderly woman.
Loved rediscovering this old classic. It's spooky and puzzling with a nice dose of wry humor. I did not predict all the twists. Enjoyed the spunky main character.
Set in Victorian America, much of the local color adds to its charm, though the few references to the black butler remind us that ugly stereotypes were the norm in America back then.
