The Circular Staircase

The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart is a classic mystery novel that helped shape the American 'Had I But Known' school of suspense. Narrated by spinster Rachel Innes, the story unfolds as a summer getaway turns into a web of murder, theft, and secrets. With clever twists and gothic undertones, the novel showcases Rinehart’s talent for blending humor, domestic settings, and suspense. It is a pioneering work in the development of female-led detective fiction.