The Circular Staircase, by Mary Roberts Reinhart

 

Characters

Aunt Rachel Innes Libby Allen – servant   Gertrude – niece Halsey – nephew   John “Jack” Bailey – cashier at Trader’s Bank, engaged to Gertrude   Armstrong Family – owners, Sunnyside Paul – husband, President Trader’s Bank Wife Arnold – Paul’s son Louise – Paul’s step-daughter, engaged to Halsey or Dr. Walker Anne Watson – housekeeper   Dr. Walker – Armstrong family physician   Dr. Stewart – town physician   Help at Sunnyside: Thomas Johnson – African American butler Rosie – parlor maid Anne Watson – housekeeper, from Armstrong’s Warner – chauffer Alexander Graham – gardener (really Jack Bailey) Eliza – cook, left Mattie Bliss – new cook, smallpox scars, Nina Carrington   Mr. Jamison – detective Mr. Burns – second detective   Others: Nina Carrington Lucy – Anne Watson’s sister, married Arnold Armstrong and was abandoned Lucien Wallace – mother Lucy and father Arnold Armstrong Mrs. Tate – Lucien’s adopted mother

 

For Discussion:

1.       Did you like the way the author gave clues about the solution?  For example, when introducing Alexander Graham she wrote, “I have been particular about Alex, because, as I said before, he played an important part later” (chapter 13).

2.       Given the references to African Americans, would this book be banned today?  For example, in chapter 3, when introducing Thomas, she wrote, “it was always my belief that a negro is one part thief, one part pigment, and the rest superstition.”

3.       The book was published in 1908.  Did the dated references and vocabulary make any difference (positive or negative) in you reading?   For example, in chapter 9 Rachel forgot to remove her “wrinkle eradicators.”

4.       Did you enjoy the relationship between Rachel and Libby?  Libby was always quitting and Rachel was always firing her, but they stayed together.

5.       Which clues helped you and which were Red Herrings?  What others in addition to these did you find?

a.       The partial cufflink Rachel found outside the window.

b.       Chapter 2 – scratches and dent on stairs

c.       Chapter 9 – Gertrude sprained right foot, Halsey would not tell Rachael where he went the first night, Armstrong brought a telegram for Bailey

d.       Chapter 18 – new hole in trunk room wall

6.       Discuss your reading experience.  Did you think you knew the solution before it was revealed?  How did this novel compare to other mysteries you have read?

7.       If you read a different novel or more than one, what was it and did you like it?  Did you figure out the mystery?

8.       Mary Roberts Rinehart has been called America’s Agatha Christie.  Do you agree? 

 

Mary Robert Reinhart

Born in Allegheny, PA – today within city limits 1982 – published first piece in Pittsburgh Press monthly contest 1893 – Pittsburgh Training School for Nurses Dr. Stanley Marshall Reinhart – husband, lived with two brothers on Western Avenue, North Side Mary and husband started married life on Western Avenue 1904 – started seriously selling work 1907 – moved to Beech Street 1908 – The Circular Staircase published, first novel 1911 – 1912 – moved to Sewickley   Publications: ·       30+ novels ·       12 nonfiction books ·       Autobiography ·       Numerous short stories and articles