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Book Reviews of The Circular Staircase

The Circular Staircase
The Circular Staircase
Author: Mary Roberts Rinehart
ISBN-13: 9780486297132
ISBN-10: 0486297136
Publication Date: 7/15/1997
Pages: 192
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 6

3.6 stars, based on 6 ratings
Publisher: Dover Publications
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

7 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Circular Staircase on + 66 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first reading of Mary Roberts Rinehart and I thought it was absolutely delightful. The main character and her maid are hilarious. I do love some humor in my mysteries. The story is full of twists and turns and I had a big smile on my face every time I opened it up. Written in 1907 it is a vintage mystery. I will read more of Ms. Rinehart.
reviewed The Circular Staircase on + 37 more book reviews
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.
reviewed The Circular Staircase on + 53 more book reviews
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!
reviewed The Circular Staircase on + 15 more book reviews
Circular Staircase, The Man in Lower Ten & The Case of Jennie Brice
reviewed The Circular Staircase on + 813 more book reviews
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.
reviewed The Circular Staircase on + 57 more book reviews
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.
philomene avatar reviewed The Circular Staircase on + 23 more book reviews
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.