The Circular Staircase Audiobook

" Good classic, early-1900s mystery akin to Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone. This one is set in America, which was new for me, since I've focused primarily on British pre-WW2 mysteries in my past reading (a phase back in grad school). I liked that the story is told from the perspective of a nosy, stodgy aunt. Warning: contains some offensive racist material. "

" An enjoyable classic about a spinster woman who gets caught up in a murder mystery while on vacation. There is a little bt of humor and some nice twists and turns through out the book. "

" This book was intense and seemed very long to me because I had to ingest it a bit at a time so that I could keep everything straight and work as a detective to try to figure out who the murderer was. I guess I don't have to tell you that I never did figure it out myself. Very well written or maybe I'm just not a good detective. "

" Surprisingly enjoyable read for a mystery written in 1908. Spinster Innes is pleasantly wry and were this a series, I'd definitely read more. "

" Mary Roberts Rinehart is the queen of mystery/suspense novels. "

" Mary Roberts Rinehart is the queen of mystery/suspense novels. "

" This is the first book by Rinehart. Although the narrator was a feisty woman, she could not compensate for a confusing and complicated storyline. There were so many minor characters with similar names that I didn't know who was whom or vice verse. I have read later books by Rinehart, so I know she is an excellent writer of mysteries. This is not the best book to read if you want to be introduced to one of the early American women mystery writers. "

" This is what I will listen to on the way to/from work. "

" A very good mystery. I see my Rinehart is compared to Agatha Christie, and why my mom likes her. "

" One of the main characters in Ann Rivers Siddons' The Colony was reading Mary Roberts Rinehart novels, and this was the first time I had heard of her. What a surprise! I was actually afraid to walk around the room in the dark the night I started reading this! There's also real mystery and humor. Enjoyable read! "

" Middle-aged Rachel Innes rents a house outside a small town in New England for the summer while her home is under going renovations. Soon after moving in, her long time servant/companion, begins to fear the house is haunted and ghosts are roaming around with mysterious noises and occurrences happening. A murder is committed and Innes' niece and nephew are in the middle of everything. Fairly fast moving story. "

" I usually enjoy this author. It seemed dated to me. "

" Pretty good actually. Especially in comparison to McTeague and Wieland (I read all of them for the same course). Lots of twists and turns in the plot. Characters actions are sufficiently frustrating. "

" Very detailed. I enjoyed her style, so many red herrings, everytime I thought I had it figured out a new twist. "

" The main character is well realized and rounded, but also a creature of her time. Her general sense of curiosity & bravery made me like her, but then there's be a comment that would throw me out of the story entirely. Agatha Christie's sexism & racism were... somewhat more gently phrased. Still, an excellent mystery and a page turner. "

" It was okay, a little too vintage for me. I like a more fast paced mystery novel. "

" Not as good as I thought it would be. "

" I couldn't picture anything in this book in color -- written in 1909, it was reminiscent of one of the old black & white mystery TV shows that I used to watch as a kid. Plot was interesting, and it was truly a trip backin time. "

" Fun to read with lots of details and possible suspects. I enjoyed just going with the flow of the story, making a few guesses along the way (one of which turned out to be very true). A bit more sprightly than some of Dame Agatha's, it seemed to me. Not sure what age Aunt Rachel is meant to be (spinster aunt is so open-ended), but she certainly joined the fray. "

" This author was known for being the American Agatha Christie. The plot held my attention. I didn't have it figured out by the end so that's good. "

" A really interesting read with different twists and turns to keep the audience's interest and attention. "

" A good old fashioned who done it. Loads of fun. "

" Used to go to used bookstores in Long Beach, CA to look for Mary Roberts Rinehart's books. Maybe I should read this one again on Kindle. "

" I am not usually one for mysteries, however I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And a rarity in that I couldn't see the culprit or twists from a mile a way, at least not all of them. Fun read, particularly if you like Miss Marples-type stories. "

" If you like classic Mysteries this one is great. I found the movie The Bat with Vincent Price and Agnus Hoorehead on Hulu for free it is loosly based on the book. As always the book is better. but Price and Morehead are priceless in the movie. "

" Mary Roberts Rinehart is a master of mystery. This title was first published in 1908. "

" The characters in the story were great to read about as the writer developed each one. Surprising twists and turns, a circular staircase, and a secret hidden room made this a fun adventure to read. "

" Good mystery; first of her books I've read. "

" This was a wonderful older mystery. I think what made it so intriguing was the absence of modern technology and transportation. Without those conveniences, the "wait" seems to be more suspenseful. I'm very glad to have tried this author and will certainly read more of her works. "

" Pretty good murder mystery, especially considering when it was written. Strong female protagonist. Pretty enjoyable. "

" Awesome mystery. A real page turner! "

" So many events in the plot that I had to stay sharp (and perhaps it was a little trying), but overall nicely written and easily read. SO a pleasant mystery for light reading. "

" A rather exciting classic mystery page-turner here a middle-aged woman, after being persuaded by her niece and nephew to rent a country house for the summer, ends up in the middle of a murder/mystery... "

" Another great story by Rinehart ... I've downloaded all her books that are available free for Kindle. "

" Similar scenario to The Bat, but I still enjoyed this. "

" So far, I'm enjoying this book very much. Rachel Innes is a vaguely racist snob, but for a book written in 1908, she's positively progressive. "

" Middle-aged Rachel Innes rents a house outside a small town in New England for the summer while her home is under going renovations. Soon after moving in, her long time servant/companion, begins to fear the house is haunted and ghosts are roaming around with mysterious noises and occurrences happening. A murder is committed and Innes' niece and nephew are in the middle of everything. Fairly fast moving story. "

" Good old-fashioned mystery story with a likable main character (older "spinster" aunt -- gutsy, sharp and witty). This book was written in 1907, and it shows in the dialog as well as some highly offensive racial stereotypes about the "negro" servant (also referred to as a "darky") and derogatory comments about Indians. What saves it is the great "who done it" and the well-written first-person narrative. "

" A rather exciting classic mystery page-turner here a middle-aged woman, after being persuaded by her niece and nephew to rent a country house for the summer, ends up in the middle of a murder/mystery... "

" After all that build-up, the ending was such a let down. "

" There was much going on in this mystery of mysteries. If you can look over the prejudice remarks, common for the time period in which it was written, it has a great story-line and definitely keeps you turning the pages... speckled with good humor and well written. "

" A really interesting read with different twists and turns to keep the audience's interest and attention. "

" The racism in the book, satirical or not, threw me out of the story more than a few times. Otherwise an interesting and short read, though I enjoyed the Jenny Brice mystery a lot more -- perhaps because it was set in my hometown? "

" Pretty good murder mystery, especially considering when it was written. Strong female protagonist. Pretty enjoyable. "

" This is a great mystery taking place around the turn of the century. Keeps you guessing to the end. "

" Not bad for a free book. A little long winded but an entertaining mystery "

" Not as good as Bab: A Sub-Deb, but still funny. The is definitely more of a mystery than a comedy, but the author's droll voice comes through. I've decided I have to read more 1920s popular books, starting with everything Mary Roberts Rinehart has ever written. "

" A good old fashioned who done it. Loads of fun. "

" Wonderful classic mystery, kept me guessing until the end! "

" There was much going on in this mystery of mysteries. If you can look over the prejudice remarks, common for the time period in which it was written, it has a great story-line and definitely keeps you turning the pages... speckled with good humor and well written. "

" Very prolific writer with good, even plots, for the most part. Her appesl is more toward the feminine reader. "

" Not as good as I thought it would be. "

" Just a fun, fast murder mystery. "

" Very detailed. I enjoyed her style, so many red herrings, everytime I thought I had it figured out a new twist. "

" Very prolific writer with good, even plots, for the most part. Her appesl is more toward the feminine reader. "

" Really good storytelling, and for once, a mystery that kept me guessing-- "

" A really interesting read with different twists and turns to keep the audience's interest and attention. "

" Compelling classic mystery. The archetypical hysterical female characters were a little tiring, but overall pretty entertaining read. "

" Surprisingly enjoyable read for a mystery written in 1908. Spinster Innes is pleasantly wry and were this a series, I'd definitely read more. "

" It would be more appropriate to say 3.5 stars. "

" I couldn't picture anything in this book in color -- written in 1909, it was reminiscent of one of the old black & white mystery TV shows that I used to watch as a kid. Plot was interesting, and it was truly a trip backin time. "

" So many events in the plot that I had to stay sharp (and perhaps it was a little trying), but overall nicely written and easily read. SO a pleasant mystery for light reading. "

" Exceptionally written. I enjoyed the early 20th century period, and also the use of "what ordinary thing caused this seemingly supernatural occurrence," which added drama without feeling ridiculous. Never hurts to have a smart, feminine, believable heroine! "

" Our detective is a crochety old lady who doesn't care much when her nephew runs over dogs with his motor-car. She gets all tangled up in a mystery, which is inevitable because of her stubbornness and whatnot. Standard old-lady mystery stuff. Secret romances, false identities, etc. "

" Not bad for a free book. A little long winded but an entertaining mystery "

" A very good mystery. I see my Rinehart is compared to Agatha Christie, and why my mom likes her. "

" Compelling classic mystery. The archetypical hysterical female characters were a little tiring, but overall pretty entertaining read. "

" The racism in the book, satirical or not, threw me out of the story more than a few times. Otherwise an interesting and short read, though I enjoyed the Jenny Brice mystery a lot more -- perhaps because it was set in my hometown? "

" Just a fun, fast murder mystery. "

" Surprisingly enjoyable read for a mystery written in 1908. Spinster Innes is pleasantly wry and were this a series, I'd definitely read more. "

" Really good storytelling, and for once, a mystery that kept me guessing-- "

" Pretty good actually. Especially in comparison to McTeague and Wieland (I read all of them for the same course). Lots of twists and turns in the plot. Characters actions are sufficiently frustrating. "

" Just a fun, fast murder mystery. "

" Well-crafted mystery that keeps one guessing. Lots of spooky sounds and sights. Lots of potential suspects. "

" There was much going on in this mystery of mysteries. If you can look over the prejudice remarks, common for the time period in which it was written, it has a great story-line and definitely keeps you turning the pages... speckled with good humor and well written. "

" A good old fashioned who done it. Loads of fun. "

" A good old fashioned who done it. Loads of fun. "

" Good mystery; first of her books I've read. "

" Not bad for a free book. A little long winded but an entertaining mystery "

" On of the most clever mystery novels I have read to date. The Circular Staircase will keep you guessing until the end. "

" I am not usually one for mysteries, however I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And a rarity in that I couldn't see the culprit or twists from a mile a way, at least not all of them. Fun read, particularly if you like Miss Marples-type stories. "

" One of the rare instances were the movie is better than the book. Both versions of the 'Bat', give the characters more personality and add more suspense and atmosphere to this spooky house tale.The book tends to drag and just isn't as interesting. "

" This author was known for being the American Agatha Christie. The plot held my attention. I didn't have it figured out by the end so that's good. "

" I usually enjoy this author. It seemed dated to me. "

" I consider this a good mystery because I did not figure out all the clues before the end. I usually do! It is interesting to note the obvious prejudice toward African Americans that was considered normal when this book was written. Fortunately, some things change. "

" Mary Roberts Rinehart is a master of mystery. This title was first published in 1908. "

" Well-crafted mystery that keeps one guessing. Lots of spooky sounds and sights. Lots of potential suspects. "

" Mary Roberts Rinehart is a master of mystery. This title was first published in 1908. "

" There was much going on in this mystery of mysteries. If you can look over the prejudice remarks, common for the time period in which it was written, it has a great story-line and definitely keeps you turning the pages... speckled with good humor and well written. "

" There was much going on in this mystery of mysteries. If you can look over the prejudice remarks, common for the time period in which it was written, it has a great story-line and definitely keeps you turning the pages... speckled with good humor and well written. "

" There was much going on in this mystery of mysteries. If you can look over the prejudice remarks, common for the time period in which it was written, it has a great story-line and definitely keeps you turning the pages... speckled with good humor and well written. "

" Exceptionally written. I enjoyed the early 20th century period, and also the use of "what ordinary thing caused this seemingly supernatural occurrence," which added drama without feeling ridiculous. Never hurts to have a smart, feminine, believable heroine! "

" Exceptionally written. I enjoyed the early 20th century period, and also the use of "what ordinary thing caused this seemingly supernatural occurrence," which added drama without feeling ridiculous. Never hurts to have a smart, feminine, believable heroine! "

" Exceptionally written. I enjoyed the early 20th century period, and also the use of "what ordinary thing caused this seemingly supernatural occurrence," which added drama without feeling ridiculous. Never hurts to have a smart, feminine, believable heroine! "

" Good mystery; first of her books I've read. "

" Good mystery; first of her books I've read. "

" Like a funny, American Agatha Christie novel complete with a little, old lady sleuth. "

" Like a funny, American Agatha Christie novel complete with a little, old lady sleuth. "

" I loved this book! It reminded me of an American Miss Marple. Rachel is a little less shrewd about the crime but very self-aware and has a great sense of humor. "

" I loved this book! It reminded me of an American Miss Marple. Rachel is a little less shrewd about the crime but very self-aware and has a great sense of humor. "

" Very prolific writer with good, even plots, for the most part. Her appesl is more toward the feminine reader. "

" Very prolific writer with good, even plots, for the most part. Her appesl is more toward the feminine reader. "

" I got a Kindle for my birthday and will now be working my way through all the free ebooks on Amazon. (What? There are only 16,000 of them!) "

" I got a Kindle for my birthday and will now be working my way through all the free ebooks on Amazon. (What? There are only 16,000 of them!) "

" Mary Roberts Rinehart is the queen of mystery/suspense novels. "

" Mary Roberts Rinehart is the queen of mystery/suspense novels. "

" Just a fun, fast murder mystery. "

" Just a fun, fast murder mystery. "

" Our detective is a crochety old lady who doesn't care much when her nephew runs over dogs with his motor-car. She gets all tangled up in a mystery, which is inevitable because of her stubbornness and whatnot. Standard old-lady mystery stuff. Secret romances, false identities, etc. "

" I love mysteries because of this book! "