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A review by pkadams
The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart
2.0
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 about traveling in a sleeper coach are fascinating and provide a vivid account of every day life.
The mystery starts in a Pullman coach and involves a sympathetic and attractive, bachelor, lawyer who is traveling with valuable papers. He finds his sleeper, the lower-ten, occupied by another man and upon waking the next morning discovers the other man murdered, his documents and clothes missing, and blood stains on his bed linens. Suspicion falls on the lawyer and then the train wrecks, allowing the lawyer and the beautiful, young, fresh-faced, modern, plucky but devastating feminine heroine to escape and begin clearing his name. Of course suspicion is thrown on everyone and Rhinehart isn't above using spooky and creepy scenes of candles, mysterious stranger, and darkened buildings to build the suspense and atmosphere.
But despite the characters, and wonderful descriptions, F. Scott Fitzgerald was right when he wrote in This Side of Paradise about Mary Roberts Rhinehart: “My God! Look at them, look at them—Edna Ferber, Gouverneur Morris, Fanny Hurst, Mary Roberts Rinehart—not producing among ’em one story or novel that will last ten years."
It is hard to read through this novel because of the melodramatic and overly sentimental nature of the writing. Perhaps in the right hands, a wonderful screen play could be created, but alone the writing makes it clear why it hasn't stood the ravages of time.
The mystery starts in a Pullman coach and involves a sympathetic and attractive, bachelor, lawyer who is traveling with valuable papers. He finds his sleeper, the lower-ten, occupied by another man and upon waking the next morning discovers the other man murdered, his documents and clothes missing, and blood stains on his bed linens. Suspicion falls on the lawyer and then the train wrecks, allowing the lawyer and the beautiful, young, fresh-faced, modern, plucky but devastating feminine heroine to escape and begin clearing his name. Of course suspicion is thrown on everyone and Rhinehart isn't above using spooky and creepy scenes of candles, mysterious stranger, and darkened buildings to build the suspense and atmosphere.
But despite the characters, and wonderful descriptions, F. Scott Fitzgerald was right when he wrote in This Side of Paradise about Mary Roberts Rhinehart: “My God! Look at them, look at them—Edna Ferber, Gouverneur Morris, Fanny Hurst, Mary Roberts Rinehart—not producing among ’em one story or novel that will last ten years."
It is hard to read through this novel because of the melodramatic and overly sentimental nature of the writing. Perhaps in the right hands, a wonderful screen play could be created, but alone the writing makes it clear why it hasn't stood the ravages of time.