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locallag's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
cimorene1558's review against another edition
2.0
I'm giving up on this book. I'm not sure why, since things happen at a great rate, but I find it pretty dull.
violinknitter's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best mystery novels I've read in a while. The protagonist is a feisty single woman of advancing years, and her voice as she tells the story is one of the best things about the book. It starts out with the atmosphere of a late 19th cent. ghost story, but there's nothing supernatural about this tale. There are some disturbing (to my sensibilities) racist undertones towards some of the secondary characters, which is to be expected of the time period, but was the most negative part of the book for me.
ewg109's review against another edition
2.0
Although Rachel had her moments for the most part I found this a long hard slog.
skullsnbats's review against another edition
1.0
Did not finish because it’s chock full of racist caricatures. Not great on women either. Even for the time period it’s extremely racist. Soured the mystery too much to continue.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
“People that trust themselves a dozen miles from the city, in strange houses, with servants they don't know, needn't be surprised if they wake up some morning and find their throats cut.”
This mystery was a trip back in time to an era I have never experienced except through books. The characters lived lives that most people did not live during that time period and now their lives just seem weird. Who travels to the country for a vacation and takes their own china with them? How many people own china in this day of fast food and microwaves?
The woman who recommended this novel to my book group suggested that the plot reminded her of Nancy Drew. I can see that comparison. I read Nancy Drew mysteries in the 1960’s and even then, they were a bit dated. I don’t think I knew what a roadster was. (I just looked up Nancy Drew’s car on the Internet. It was a blue roadster, then a blue convertible and then a blue Mustang. I guess you can tell when you read the books based on what car Nancy drove.) Nancy lived a life I didn’t have and couldn’t fully understand – just like Rachel Innes, the main protagonist in The Circular Staircase does.
I am glad we read this book in my discussion group. It was interesting to hear what others thought of the story. Also I have heard about Mary Roberts Rinehart for years. Now I know why she is considered the American Agatha Christie. I also learned that I have a few tenuous connections to her through the city of Pittsburgh.
This is a fun book and well worth a few hours of reading time, especially if you like mysteries or old-fashioned times.
This mystery was a trip back in time to an era I have never experienced except through books. The characters lived lives that most people did not live during that time period and now their lives just seem weird. Who travels to the country for a vacation and takes their own china with them? How many people own china in this day of fast food and microwaves?
The woman who recommended this novel to my book group suggested that the plot reminded her of Nancy Drew. I can see that comparison. I read Nancy Drew mysteries in the 1960’s and even then, they were a bit dated. I don’t think I knew what a roadster was. (I just looked up Nancy Drew’s car on the Internet. It was a blue roadster, then a blue convertible and then a blue Mustang. I guess you can tell when you read the books based on what car Nancy drove.) Nancy lived a life I didn’t have and couldn’t fully understand – just like Rachel Innes, the main protagonist in The Circular Staircase does.
I am glad we read this book in my discussion group. It was interesting to hear what others thought of the story. Also I have heard about Mary Roberts Rinehart for years. Now I know why she is considered the American Agatha Christie. I also learned that I have a few tenuous connections to her through the city of Pittsburgh.
This is a fun book and well worth a few hours of reading time, especially if you like mysteries or old-fashioned times.
michael5000's review against another edition
2.0
An old-school and fairly pulpy mystery packed with enough contrivance and coincidence to make Charles Dickens blush. Rineheart gets points, though, for crafting a lively character in her rich, ditsy, spoiled, not always likable but ultimately decent narrator.
daisythebrownie's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
debjazzergal's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed the twists and turns of this novel. Some very light-hearted writing as well as suspense.