Lawrence Blakely, attorney-at-law, sets off by train to deliver valuable documents in a criminal case. His ride will be eventful. Along the way h...
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reviews
Feb 23, 2012
Peggy
rated it: 
Another fine who dunnit by a master mystery writer! I always enjoy Ms. Rinehart's stories and this one was no exception. Written in 1909 and set in Pittsburgh PA. (her hometown) and Washington D.C. we have a murder on a train. I loved the train aspect of this mystery!
In this mystery we have a rich plot with 3 suspects. Attorney Blakely is traveling from Pittsburgh back to Washington DC via the train. He purchases a ticket for a berth in the Pullman car Ontario, lower ten. He is carry More...
In this mystery we have a rich plot with 3 suspects. Attorney Blakely is traveling from Pittsburgh back to Washington DC via the train. He purchases a ticket for a berth in the Pullman car Ontario, lower ten. He is carry More...
Feb 11, 2012
Kay
rated it: 
I enjoy classic "murder on a train" mysteries, but this one suffered from a predictable love story and a tendency to jump forward and refer back to events that hadn't yet unfolded, as in "Had Harrington slept in his own berth, none of this would have happened" -- before the reader is acquainted with who Harrington is, for example. This got more than a little tiresome.
On the plus side, references to travel and domestic arrangements circa 1909 provided plenty of More...
On the plus side, references to travel and domestic arrangements circa 1909 provided plenty of More...
Nov 03, 2011
Mandolin
rated it: 
Rinehart, Mary Roberts
Classic Mystery
A confirmed (and proud) bachelor, comfortable in his solitary existence and his modest law practice, Lawrence Blakeley enjoys a humdrum life that is free of female encumbrance (except, of course, for his very formidable housekeeper!) Excitement and adventure are definitely not for him. So, when he boards a train for Pittsburgh with papers of importance to an upcoming case, the last place he expected to find himself was in the middle More...
Classic Mystery
A confirmed (and proud) bachelor, comfortable in his solitary existence and his modest law practice, Lawrence Blakeley enjoys a humdrum life that is free of female encumbrance (except, of course, for his very formidable housekeeper!) Excitement and adventure are definitely not for him. So, when he boards a train for Pittsburgh with papers of importance to an upcoming case, the last place he expected to find himself was in the middle More...
Nov 06, 2011
Kim
rated it:
This author has been referred to as the American Agatha Christie. This book (her first) was published in 1906, while Agatha Christie's first book was published in 1922. The story was from the perspective of "the accused" and there wasn't a significant detective character. So based on the time period and lack of leading detective character, I didn't see the similarity. Perhaps some of her later books are more like Christie's. This book didn't really grab me. The advantage of audiob
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Sep 04, 2011
Pam
rated it:
In 1909 this book was a top 10 best seller for the year. Famous as the grand dame of the American mystery genre ("the butler did it..." is attributed to Rhinehart), I have stumbled over references to her books and plots a number of times. I was curious to read it and found it an exquisite period piece that allows you to be swept into the world of 1909 America that is modern enough for you to see the rich details and differences with 100 years ago. Mundane descriptions and actions abo
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Dec 28, 2010
Julie
rated it: 
Lawrence Blakely, attorney-at-law, sets off by train to deliver valuable documents in a criminal case. Was he spied upon from the vacant house window across from his when packing his papers? How did he wake up in the number 7 bed when he went to sleep in the number 9 bed on the train? Who has taken all his clothes and more importantly his bag with the documents?
I have just begun this book and already it burgeons with questions that seem to have no answers. So far, so good!
Upd More...
I have just begun this book and already it burgeons with questions that seem to have no answers. So far, so good!
Upd More...
May 19, 2011
Miklos
rated it:
The only other book I read by Rinehart was "The Circular Staircase" and I expected a quasi-equivalent mystery/thriller comparable. In short, I was disappointed; The man in the lower ten was convoluted, confusing, and strangely anti-climatic.
I"ll give her another chance and maybe she really is the "american Agatha Christie"
I"ll give her another chance and maybe she really is the "american Agatha Christie"
Sep 25, 2011
alibrivoxfan
rated it:
Feb 21, 2011
Carol Ann
rated it:
Free download to my kindle.
Go back to the 1910s, when women hid their smarts and men thought they were smart. Good little murder mystery with plenty of suspects that takes place on a train.
Go back to the 1910s, when women hid their smarts and men thought they were smart. Good little murder mystery with plenty of suspects that takes place on a train.
Nov 25, 2010
Doina
rated it:
Overall, I found this book enjoyable. But, it was a little too convoluted. The story was interesting, the characters were interesting, the mystery was interesting, but there were so many twists and turns that I wonder how in the world the author managed to keep it all straight herself. It did keep me from guessing who the murderer was, but took away part of my enjoyment in the book. And I have to say that I looked everywhere for her books, most of which have been out of print for years, and
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May 31, 2011
Carol
rated it:
A fun who-dunnit, with some clever, amusing characters. There are just so many great pieces in the puzzle. We have a mix up in sleeping compartments, several mysterious women and a missing man, a train wreck, an amusing amateur detective. And of course the woman Blakely’s best friend hopes to marry, who is obviously mixed up in the whole situation, and who Blakely himself quickly falls in love with. Romance, mystery, danger, it’s got it.
Apr 12, 2010
Judy
rated it:
Wow! A murder mystery so convoluted that I wonder that the author was able to keep track of all her characters and their actions. I enjoyed it.
Mar 10, 2011
Douglas
rated it:
Very good story. I sort of figured out the ending but had to finish the book to be sure.
Feb 01, 2011
Joyce
rated it:
It's old and aged but I still devoured it and liked it. It was a bagatelle and fun.
Jan 05, 2008
Lynn
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I remember this one because it was unusual for being written from a man's point of view. It was very well done, making me wonder why the author didn't do this more often. Also, although I don't remember all the details of the mystery, the way the main character got caught up in the events was good and natural; I don't remember thinking "why doesn't he just...?" or "wait, what ever happened to...?' hardly at all.
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