Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876 -1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie, although her first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's first novel in 1922. The Circular Staircase follows dowager Rachel Innes as she thwarts a series of strange crimes at a summer home she has rented with her niece and nephew. The novel was Rinehart's first bestseller and established her one of the era's most popular writers.

Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876 -1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie, although her first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's first novel in 1922. The Circular Staircase follows dowager Rachel Innes as she thwarts a series of strange crimes at a summer home she has rented with her niece and nephew. The novel was Rinehart's first bestseller and established her one of the era's most popular writers.

Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876 - 1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie, although her first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's. She is considered the source of the phrase -The butler did it-, although she did not actually use the phrase. She is considered to have invented the -Had-I-But-Known- school of mystery writing. She also created a costumed supercriminal called -the Bat-, who was cited by Bob Kane as one of the inspirations for his -Batman.- In this book: Locked Doors The Circular Staircase The Breaking Point The Case of Jennie Brice

Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876 - 1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie, although her first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's. She is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it," although she did not actually use the phrase. She is considered to have invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing. She also created a costumed supercriminal called "the Bat," who was cited by Bob Kane as one of the inspirations for his "Batman."

Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876 - 1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie, although her first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's. She is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it," although she did not actually use the phrase. She is considered to have invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing. She also created a costumed supercriminal called "the Bat," who was cited by Bob Kane as one of the inspirations for his "Batman."