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Hilda Adams #5 & other non-series short stori
Episode of the Wandering Knife
The stabbing death of her sisterinlaw leaves young socialite Judy Shepard scratching her head over the seemingly nonexistant motive, and the murder weapon, which keeps disappearing and reappearing mysteriously. Reprint.
287 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1950
181 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Mary Roberts Rinehart
551 books426 followersMysteries of the well-known American writer Mary Roberts Rinehart include
The Circular Staircase
(1908) and
The Door
(1930).
People often called this prolific author the American version of Agatha Christie. She is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it," though the exact phrase doesn't appear in her works, and she invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing.
Rinehart wrote hundreds of short stories, poems, travelogues, and special articles. Many of her books and plays were adapted for movies, such as The Bat (1926), The Bat Whispers (1930), and The Bat (1959). Critics most appreciated her murder mysteries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ro...
People often called this prolific author the American version of Agatha Christie. She is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it," though the exact phrase doesn't appear in her works, and she invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing.
Rinehart wrote hundreds of short stories, poems, travelogues, and special articles. Many of her books and plays were adapted for movies, such as The Bat (1926), The Bat Whispers (1930), and The Bat (1959). Critics most appreciated her murder mysteries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ro...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 26, 2017
Episode of the Wandering Knife (1950) contains three stories--two novellas and a short story--by Mary Roberts Rinehart--the titular "Episode of the Wandering Knife" (1943), "The Man Who Hid His Breakfast" (1949), and "The Secret" (1950). Even though the last two were published later, they both have a war-era feel to them and, in fact, Nurse Adams is turned down in her effort to join the nursing staff for the armed forces at the beginning of "The Secret"--leading many to believe that the story was written earlier, but Rinehart was unable to place it for publication.
In the "Episode of the Wandering Knife" Mrs. Shepard throws one final champagne party before handing her palatial home over to the Government as a convalescent home. Over two hundred people are wandering round the grounds, but, since the Mayor has been invited, there are also policemen at every gate and doorway so no one can get in or out without being seen. When the party comes to an end, her son Larry goes home to the smaller house on the grounds to find his wife (who had pleaded illnesses to avoid the party) stabbed to death. Of course, Mrs. Shepard flies to his side and, not believing her son capable of murder, hides the distinctive hunting knife (his) which has been used to do the deed. As the title might suggest, the knife then plays a merry game of hide and seek--disappearing from Mrs. Shepard's hiding place and popping up here and there until its final appearance in the back of victim number four. Larry's sister Judy and a reporter by the name of Tony try their hand at amateur detecting in an effort to clear him of his wife's murder.
"The Man Who Hid His Breakfast" features Inspector Tom Brent who is looking forward to retirement, but who is assigned to one last case before hanging up his badge--he must solve the case quickly or face demotion. On the face of it, it should be pretty easy. A woman has been found strangled in her own home where the doors and windows were all locked up tight. The only other person in the house is her daughter. It seems it was mighty convenient that mother has died since Joy wanted to marry a man that her mother didn't approve of. But Brent is convinced that the girl and beau are innocent. But how can he prove it and who else could have wanted the women dead? When he hears about the odd action of the man who hid his breakfast before checking out of his hotel room, he plays a hunch and finds the answer.
"The Secret" is the last of five stories featuring Rinehart's recurring character, Nurse Hilda Adams. The story begins with Nurse Adams being turned down by the armed services for having an irregular heartbeat. When Inspector Brent learns that his favorite amateur sleuth will be staying on the homefront, he calls upon her to take up the case of Tony Rowland--a beautiful young woman who has been behaving erratically and...somewhat dangerously. She broke off her engagement--to a man she was obviously in love with and has since tried to shoot her mother and was behind the wheel when she and her mother had an automobile accident. Then her aunt, with whom the two are staying, tumbles down the stairs. The inquisitive nurse soon finds that Tony won't speak to anyone except a mysterious man she meets outside after dark, the mother is kept locked in her bedroom, and she (Nurse Adams) is not allowed to tend to anyone but the aunt. But the aunt apparently knows too much because she is killed--right under the nurse's nose. Nurse Adams finally unearths the secret hanging over the household and saves Tony from an uncertain fate.
My previous experience with Rinehart has been with full novels. So it was interesting to see what she could do in the abbreviated format. Rinehart does a great job of setting the stage, creating suspense, and giving attention to character in the shortened space of the novella and short story. The titular story is especially good--providing a fair number of twists and turns given the format. Very enjoyable. ★★★ and 1/2
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
In the "Episode of the Wandering Knife" Mrs. Shepard throws one final champagne party before handing her palatial home over to the Government as a convalescent home. Over two hundred people are wandering round the grounds, but, since the Mayor has been invited, there are also policemen at every gate and doorway so no one can get in or out without being seen. When the party comes to an end, her son Larry goes home to the smaller house on the grounds to find his wife (who had pleaded illnesses to avoid the party) stabbed to death. Of course, Mrs. Shepard flies to his side and, not believing her son capable of murder, hides the distinctive hunting knife (his) which has been used to do the deed. As the title might suggest, the knife then plays a merry game of hide and seek--disappearing from Mrs. Shepard's hiding place and popping up here and there until its final appearance in the back of victim number four. Larry's sister Judy and a reporter by the name of Tony try their hand at amateur detecting in an effort to clear him of his wife's murder.
"The Man Who Hid His Breakfast" features Inspector Tom Brent who is looking forward to retirement, but who is assigned to one last case before hanging up his badge--he must solve the case quickly or face demotion. On the face of it, it should be pretty easy. A woman has been found strangled in her own home where the doors and windows were all locked up tight. The only other person in the house is her daughter. It seems it was mighty convenient that mother has died since Joy wanted to marry a man that her mother didn't approve of. But Brent is convinced that the girl and beau are innocent. But how can he prove it and who else could have wanted the women dead? When he hears about the odd action of the man who hid his breakfast before checking out of his hotel room, he plays a hunch and finds the answer.
"The Secret" is the last of five stories featuring Rinehart's recurring character, Nurse Hilda Adams. The story begins with Nurse Adams being turned down by the armed services for having an irregular heartbeat. When Inspector Brent learns that his favorite amateur sleuth will be staying on the homefront, he calls upon her to take up the case of Tony Rowland--a beautiful young woman who has been behaving erratically and...somewhat dangerously. She broke off her engagement--to a man she was obviously in love with and has since tried to shoot her mother and was behind the wheel when she and her mother had an automobile accident. Then her aunt, with whom the two are staying, tumbles down the stairs. The inquisitive nurse soon finds that Tony won't speak to anyone except a mysterious man she meets outside after dark, the mother is kept locked in her bedroom, and she (Nurse Adams) is not allowed to tend to anyone but the aunt. But the aunt apparently knows too much because she is killed--right under the nurse's nose. Nurse Adams finally unearths the secret hanging over the household and saves Tony from an uncertain fate.
My previous experience with Rinehart has been with full novels. So it was interesting to see what she could do in the abbreviated format. Rinehart does a great job of setting the stage, creating suspense, and giving attention to character in the shortened space of the novella and short story. The titular story is especially good--providing a fair number of twists and turns given the format. Very enjoyable. ★★★ and 1/2
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
August 6, 2020
Author Mary Roberts Rinehart wrote two wonderful novels featuring scrappy nurse Hilda Adams; however, the Hilda Adams novellas fall flat. Both The Buckled Bag and Locked Doors were a disappointment.
And Hilda Adams was again a disappointment in this book.
For starters, only the third novella, The Secret in this omnibus featured Hilda Adams — and that one was implausible, although I liked the ending. And The Secret isn’t the third mystery novel for the clever, baby-faced Miss Adams (nicknamed Miss Pinkerton). Rinehart penned four Hilda Adams works before The Secret.
Luckily, the two other works in this book — neither of which featured the intrepid nurse — proved splendid. The first tale, the titular novel, follows loyal younger sister Judy Shepard (and her drama queen mother) in a farcical effort to save Judy’s big brother, Larry. Rinehart packs this novella with more twists that I thought possible, culminating in a satisfying ending. The second, the short story The Man Who Hid His Breakfast, details the final case of a retiring police inspector, a tale with a wonderful ending. Five stars for The Episode of the Wandering Knife and The Man Who Hid His Breakfast, but two for The Secret, which averages to four stars.
My advice: Read the first two stories, skip the final outing for Miss Adams. If you’re a loyal fan, like me, that means you’ll end the series on a high note with The Haunted Lady.
And Hilda Adams was again a disappointment in this book.
For starters, only the third novella, The Secret in this omnibus featured Hilda Adams — and that one was implausible, although I liked the ending. And The Secret isn’t the third mystery novel for the clever, baby-faced Miss Adams (nicknamed Miss Pinkerton). Rinehart penned four Hilda Adams works before The Secret.
Luckily, the two other works in this book — neither of which featured the intrepid nurse — proved splendid. The first tale, the titular novel, follows loyal younger sister Judy Shepard (and her drama queen mother) in a farcical effort to save Judy’s big brother, Larry. Rinehart packs this novella with more twists that I thought possible, culminating in a satisfying ending. The second, the short story The Man Who Hid His Breakfast, details the final case of a retiring police inspector, a tale with a wonderful ending. Five stars for The Episode of the Wandering Knife and The Man Who Hid His Breakfast, but two for The Secret, which averages to four stars.
My advice: Read the first two stories, skip the final outing for Miss Adams. If you’re a loyal fan, like me, that means you’ll end the series on a high note with The Haunted Lady.
June 26, 2020
ok, it was 3 short stores which i didn't realize, and was disappointed when i realized it. BUT! they all ended up being awesome. i am VERY much going to miss Miss Pinkerton. this was the last book (there is a prequel). she is clever. i love hearing about nursing uniform (which she put ON to visit a client at the hospital)! her relationship with the detective is, er, interesting. i do wish she were more open to his worshipping her. oh well. nurse first!
February 23, 2020
Very good stories
There are three stories in this book. The first one the Episode of the Wandering Knife was very good but started a little slow. The second story was very short but interesting. The last story was the Hilda Adam's story and was my favorite. I never would have guessed what the secret was and had a surprising twist.
There are three stories in this book. The first one the Episode of the Wandering Knife was very good but started a little slow. The second story was very short but interesting. The last story was the Hilda Adam's story and was my favorite. I never would have guessed what the secret was and had a surprising twist.
October 19, 2021
2 mystery stories. First one was better than the second. Second one was to convoluted snd the ending was anticlimactic. I guess a writer can’t win them all.
July 23, 2019
This is a collection of two novellas and a short story:
Episode of the Wandering Knife (novella - 1943)
The Man Who Hid His Breakfast (short story - 1949)
The Secret (novella -1950)
------------------------
Episode of the Wandering Knife (1943)
Major characters:
Judith Shepard, our narrator
Mother Shepard, her mother
Larry Shepard, her brother
Isabel [née Leland] Shepard, Larry's wife
Andrew and Emily Leland, Isabel's parents
Alma Spencer, friend of Mother
Jim Barnes, a policeman
Captain Tony King, investigator
Don Scott, old flame of Isabel Shepard
Locale: unspecified
Synopsis: Judith Shepard's high society mother, only named as Mother, is hosting a party for the local Mayor at her mansion. Judith's brother Larry Shephard and sister-in-law Isabel [née Leland] Shepard live in another house on the grounds. After it is over, Isabel is found stabbed in her house. Mother sees the knife on the floor, knows it belongs to her son Larry, and sits down on it so the police won't see it. She gets away with it, and she and Judith begin moving it to a series of hiding places; and it disappears and reappears a couple of times. Policeman Jim Barnes who was on duty during the party, acts suspicious himself and won't reveal his knowledge of the crime. Three other murders follow Captain Tony King tries to unravel the motive behind it all.
Review: An enjoyable novella with our narrator walking the tightrope between assisting in the investigation, yet being an accessory by hiding the weapon. The wandering knife earns its name, and is a key element in introducing the players. I was surprised that four murders could occur with such a small cast and short book. Captain Tony King's role is unclear, he is not with the police yet he is quite cozy with them. The final solution reminds of a Perry Mason novel, with hidden family secrets revealed as the motive.
------------------------
The Man Who Hid His Breakfast (1949)
Major characters:
Mrs. Ingalls
Joy Ingalls, her daughter
Ken Townsend, her fiancée
Harry Ingalls, her cousin
Maud Ingalls, Harry's wife
Inspector Tom Brent
Hotel detective Carver
Locale: unspecified
Synopsis: Mrs. Ingalls has been found strangled (with one of daughter Joy Ingall's nylon stockings) in her bed. She had strongly opposed Joy's upcoming marriage (giving Joy and fiancée Ken Townsend motives). She had also had left a substantial amount in her will to destitute nephew Harry Ingalls (giving him and his wife Maud Ingalls motives). All four have solid alibis. A chance remark by Inspector Tom Brent's friend, hotel detective Carver gives Brent a clue as to how it was done.
Review: A nice tight short story which introduces a puzzle and solves it in 30 pages.
------------------------
The Secret (1950)
Major characters:
Mrs. Nina Rowland, in bed with a slight arm ailment
Mr. Charles Rowland, her husband, serving in the Pacific
Antoinette "Tony" Rowland, a strange acting young lady with a secret
Miss Alice Rowland, Charles' sister, recovering from a fall down the stairs
Johnny Hayes, was to be married to Tony
Mrs. Arthur Hayes, Johnny's mother
Delia Johnson, Tony's former maid in Hawaii
Herbert Johnson, Delia's brother, hanging around ominously
Nurse Hilda Adams, nurse for Miss Alice
Aggie and Stella, two servants
Locale: maybe New York City
Synopsis: Something strange is going on in the Rowland household. Tony Rowland's upcoming marriage to Johnny Hayes is cancelled at the last minute. Then someone, apparently Tony, takes two shots at her mother, Nina Rowland - and missed both times. Then her aunt, Alice Rowland, falls down the stairs - or was she pushed? Nurse Hilda Adams is planted in the household to care for Alice, and try to prevent more unpleasantness.
Review: A good short story, revolving around a mysterious secret which is finally revealed at the end (but I didn't guess it). Lots of little aspects to this story which I thought would turn out to be red herrings, but everything fit into place neatly at the end. Hilda Adams is her usually crusty self with a bit of a pining for Inspector Fuller.
Episode of the Wandering Knife (novella - 1943)
The Man Who Hid His Breakfast (short story - 1949)
The Secret (novella -1950)
------------------------
Episode of the Wandering Knife (1943)
Major characters:
Judith Shepard, our narrator
Mother Shepard, her mother
Larry Shepard, her brother
Isabel [née Leland] Shepard, Larry's wife
Andrew and Emily Leland, Isabel's parents
Alma Spencer, friend of Mother
Jim Barnes, a policeman
Captain Tony King, investigator
Don Scott, old flame of Isabel Shepard
Locale: unspecified
Synopsis: Judith Shepard's high society mother, only named as Mother, is hosting a party for the local Mayor at her mansion. Judith's brother Larry Shephard and sister-in-law Isabel [née Leland] Shepard live in another house on the grounds. After it is over, Isabel is found stabbed in her house. Mother sees the knife on the floor, knows it belongs to her son Larry, and sits down on it so the police won't see it. She gets away with it, and she and Judith begin moving it to a series of hiding places; and it disappears and reappears a couple of times. Policeman Jim Barnes who was on duty during the party, acts suspicious himself and won't reveal his knowledge of the crime. Three other murders follow Captain Tony King tries to unravel the motive behind it all.
Review: An enjoyable novella with our narrator walking the tightrope between assisting in the investigation, yet being an accessory by hiding the weapon. The wandering knife earns its name, and is a key element in introducing the players. I was surprised that four murders could occur with such a small cast and short book. Captain Tony King's role is unclear, he is not with the police yet he is quite cozy with them. The final solution reminds of a Perry Mason novel, with hidden family secrets revealed as the motive.
------------------------
The Man Who Hid His Breakfast (1949)
Major characters:
Mrs. Ingalls
Joy Ingalls, her daughter
Ken Townsend, her fiancée
Harry Ingalls, her cousin
Maud Ingalls, Harry's wife
Inspector Tom Brent
Hotel detective Carver
Locale: unspecified
Synopsis: Mrs. Ingalls has been found strangled (with one of daughter Joy Ingall's nylon stockings) in her bed. She had strongly opposed Joy's upcoming marriage (giving Joy and fiancée Ken Townsend motives). She had also had left a substantial amount in her will to destitute nephew Harry Ingalls (giving him and his wife Maud Ingalls motives). All four have solid alibis. A chance remark by Inspector Tom Brent's friend, hotel detective Carver gives Brent a clue as to how it was done.
Review: A nice tight short story which introduces a puzzle and solves it in 30 pages.
------------------------
The Secret (1950)
Major characters:
Mrs. Nina Rowland, in bed with a slight arm ailment
Mr. Charles Rowland, her husband, serving in the Pacific
Antoinette "Tony" Rowland, a strange acting young lady with a secret
Miss Alice Rowland, Charles' sister, recovering from a fall down the stairs
Johnny Hayes, was to be married to Tony
Mrs. Arthur Hayes, Johnny's mother
Delia Johnson, Tony's former maid in Hawaii
Herbert Johnson, Delia's brother, hanging around ominously
Nurse Hilda Adams, nurse for Miss Alice
Aggie and Stella, two servants
Locale: maybe New York City
Synopsis: Something strange is going on in the Rowland household. Tony Rowland's upcoming marriage to Johnny Hayes is cancelled at the last minute. Then someone, apparently Tony, takes two shots at her mother, Nina Rowland - and missed both times. Then her aunt, Alice Rowland, falls down the stairs - or was she pushed? Nurse Hilda Adams is planted in the household to care for Alice, and try to prevent more unpleasantness.
Review: A good short story, revolving around a mysterious secret which is finally revealed at the end (but I didn't guess it). Lots of little aspects to this story which I thought would turn out to be red herrings, but everything fit into place neatly at the end. Hilda Adams is her usually crusty self with a bit of a pining for Inspector Fuller.
January 30, 2013
I'm trying to get caught up on reviews, so this one will be rather short and use less florid words than I normally would for a Mary Roberts Rinehart book. I can promise though, that I could endlessly babble about the suspense that Rinehart is able to produce in these three short stories. I could wax eloquent on the way Rinehart is able to slowly build the tension until it snaps and explodes of the page, bathing the reader in fearful death. I could even, in minute detail, recreate the ingenious twists and turns that Rinehart throws out as red herrings to keep her reader on tenterhooks. I could do all those things, but I think I will let the idea of them speak for themselves.
What I did want to mention, in a few sentences, is that I loved the return of Hilda Adams in the last story. Her fans know her better as, Miss Pinkerton, the ingenious nurse who always seems to find herself in the middle of familial murders. I don't know if she is the only reoccurring character that Rinehart created, but I do know that she is one of my favorite characters from any mystery writer. She is one of those amazing creations that despite her fears and self doubts, never fails to summon the intelligence and courage needed to figure out why people are dying under her nose. She may not like this part of her job, but when a certain police inspector asks for her help, our Miss Pinkerton is always willing to do what needs to be done.
I was going to continue along the same vein for the primary investigators in the other stories, but I think I would rather leave you with one further sentence. If for whatever reason I have not managed to convince you that Mary Roberts Rinehart is a mystery writer that you need to read, please pick up one of her books and prove me right.
What I did want to mention, in a few sentences, is that I loved the return of Hilda Adams in the last story. Her fans know her better as, Miss Pinkerton, the ingenious nurse who always seems to find herself in the middle of familial murders. I don't know if she is the only reoccurring character that Rinehart created, but I do know that she is one of my favorite characters from any mystery writer. She is one of those amazing creations that despite her fears and self doubts, never fails to summon the intelligence and courage needed to figure out why people are dying under her nose. She may not like this part of her job, but when a certain police inspector asks for her help, our Miss Pinkerton is always willing to do what needs to be done.
I was going to continue along the same vein for the primary investigators in the other stories, but I think I would rather leave you with one further sentence. If for whatever reason I have not managed to convince you that Mary Roberts Rinehart is a mystery writer that you need to read, please pick up one of her books and prove me right.
September 11, 2022
Three novellas in one volume. Only one of them featured Hilda Adams.
October 31, 2019
Sometimes a bit player is more important than we think.
"The Episode of the Wandering Knife" does NOT feature Hilda Adams, RN (AKA Miss Pinkerton) as Amazon claims. A novella set during WWII, it's narrated by young Judy Shepard who lives at Strathmore House with her mother. Her brother Larry and his wife Isabel live in a separate house on the grounds. Strathmore House isn't a "stately home", but an extravaganza of arches, towers, and vistas built to impress. It never fails.
By 1943, Rinehart was past her prime as a writer, but she did herself proud with this one. Mama Shepard is a pistol - henna-haired, over-dressed, over-jeweled, out-spoken, a lover of huge, vulgar parties, and a rabid pitbull when one of her children is threatened. She makes no secret of the fact that the Shepard family are upstarts. She's still a bit in awe of the old money crowd, like Isabel's starchy family, but she knows that life has given her a toughness they lack. Now Isabel is dead and the police are convinced that Larry Shepard killed her.
Isabel is a departure for Rinehart, who usually created family groups with a widowed mother, an unmarried daughter, a married son, and his wife. Daughter-in-law is always a femme fatale whose demands for clothes, jewels, and travel keeps her husband broke while she deceives him with the latest lover. Naturally, she's cordially hated by her in-laws. In contrast, Isabel is a gentle, shy creature and both the Shephard women are fond of her. She's lived the sheltered life of an adored only child of a wealthy couple, but murder has a way of exposing secrets never guessed at.
You have to like old mysteries to enjoy this one. It's a story that simply couldn't happen in today's world and was improbable even in the 1950's. Rinehart was a product of the early 20th century and she retained the mindset of that time. Impossible for young people today to imagine a time when respectable families were willing to pay any price to hide secrets that today would be openly acknowledged with no embarrassment at all.
I like it. The Shepards are appealing people and Mama Shepard is a hoot. The story of Isabel's secret is sad and poignant. And I like Tony King, who appears to be "assisting" the police, while playing his own game. The mystery surrounding him is typical of the WWII years. With so many young men in the military, strangers appeared and it was difficult to know who they were or what they had been doing.
I think the ending is good. Rinehart liked to show that we don't always know much about people, even those we live with. Some of us are open and outspoken, but others are secretive and shadowy. Like many Rinehart books, this one revolves around a simple fact of life - a person in an inferior social/economic position always knows more about the people he serves than those people know about him.
So where does Miss Pinkerton come in? She's in the last novella "The Secret", which is also set during WWII. I don't think it's Hilda Adams' best case. It's overly dramatic and it reminds me of Agatha Christie's contention that writing mysteries is difficult because the author has to try to explain why people hide things that it would be perfectly natural for them to seek help for. This, too, is a story that could not occur today. Medical science has virtually eliminated a disease that was a feared scourge since Biblical times.
Still, the contrast/conflict between beautiful, spoiled Nina Rowland and her plain, repressed spinster sister-in-law Alice Rowland is striking. The romance between young Tony Rowland and Johnny Hayes is a typical WWII story. Leaves were short and everyone was aware that a young man going off to war might not return. Romances flared quickly, sometimes between people who knew little or nothing about each other.
And speaking of romance.... Those of us who have watched Inspector Fuller's growing tenderness for the woman he calls "Miss Pinkerton" will be interested in the end of the story, when we get a hint of what the future might bring. Or not bring.
There's also a short story about an experienced cop who's on the verge of retirement. How he handles his last case will determine how comfortable or uncomfortable that retirement will be. A woman has been murdered and it looks like an inside case. But would a gentle, sheltered young woman strangle her own mother? It's a passable story, but not much more than that.
If you like Mary Roberts Rinehart and especially if you love her Miss Pinkerton books and stories, this one is worth your while. She was past her prime, but she could still tell a good yarn.
"The Episode of the Wandering Knife" does NOT feature Hilda Adams, RN (AKA Miss Pinkerton) as Amazon claims. A novella set during WWII, it's narrated by young Judy Shepard who lives at Strathmore House with her mother. Her brother Larry and his wife Isabel live in a separate house on the grounds. Strathmore House isn't a "stately home", but an extravaganza of arches, towers, and vistas built to impress. It never fails.
By 1943, Rinehart was past her prime as a writer, but she did herself proud with this one. Mama Shepard is a pistol - henna-haired, over-dressed, over-jeweled, out-spoken, a lover of huge, vulgar parties, and a rabid pitbull when one of her children is threatened. She makes no secret of the fact that the Shepard family are upstarts. She's still a bit in awe of the old money crowd, like Isabel's starchy family, but she knows that life has given her a toughness they lack. Now Isabel is dead and the police are convinced that Larry Shepard killed her.
Isabel is a departure for Rinehart, who usually created family groups with a widowed mother, an unmarried daughter, a married son, and his wife. Daughter-in-law is always a femme fatale whose demands for clothes, jewels, and travel keeps her husband broke while she deceives him with the latest lover. Naturally, she's cordially hated by her in-laws. In contrast, Isabel is a gentle, shy creature and both the Shephard women are fond of her. She's lived the sheltered life of an adored only child of a wealthy couple, but murder has a way of exposing secrets never guessed at.
You have to like old mysteries to enjoy this one. It's a story that simply couldn't happen in today's world and was improbable even in the 1950's. Rinehart was a product of the early 20th century and she retained the mindset of that time. Impossible for young people today to imagine a time when respectable families were willing to pay any price to hide secrets that today would be openly acknowledged with no embarrassment at all.
I like it. The Shepards are appealing people and Mama Shepard is a hoot. The story of Isabel's secret is sad and poignant. And I like Tony King, who appears to be "assisting" the police, while playing his own game. The mystery surrounding him is typical of the WWII years. With so many young men in the military, strangers appeared and it was difficult to know who they were or what they had been doing.
I think the ending is good. Rinehart liked to show that we don't always know much about people, even those we live with. Some of us are open and outspoken, but others are secretive and shadowy. Like many Rinehart books, this one revolves around a simple fact of life - a person in an inferior social/economic position always knows more about the people he serves than those people know about him.
So where does Miss Pinkerton come in? She's in the last novella "The Secret", which is also set during WWII. I don't think it's Hilda Adams' best case. It's overly dramatic and it reminds me of Agatha Christie's contention that writing mysteries is difficult because the author has to try to explain why people hide things that it would be perfectly natural for them to seek help for. This, too, is a story that could not occur today. Medical science has virtually eliminated a disease that was a feared scourge since Biblical times.
Still, the contrast/conflict between beautiful, spoiled Nina Rowland and her plain, repressed spinster sister-in-law Alice Rowland is striking. The romance between young Tony Rowland and Johnny Hayes is a typical WWII story. Leaves were short and everyone was aware that a young man going off to war might not return. Romances flared quickly, sometimes between people who knew little or nothing about each other.
And speaking of romance.... Those of us who have watched Inspector Fuller's growing tenderness for the woman he calls "Miss Pinkerton" will be interested in the end of the story, when we get a hint of what the future might bring. Or not bring.
There's also a short story about an experienced cop who's on the verge of retirement. How he handles his last case will determine how comfortable or uncomfortable that retirement will be. A woman has been murdered and it looks like an inside case. But would a gentle, sheltered young woman strangle her own mother? It's a passable story, but not much more than that.
If you like Mary Roberts Rinehart and especially if you love her Miss Pinkerton books and stories, this one is worth your while. She was past her prime, but she could still tell a good yarn.
August 18, 2020
Three short mysteries that as good as one expects from this author.
Episode of the Wandering Knife
Once I stopped looking for Hilda Adams (she's not in this story), I really quite enjoyed this. It's about a family having a last hurrah! in their house before giving it for a convalescent home (these stories are set in WWII) and while everybody is having fun the daughter-in-law of the house (who did not attend) is murdered. The knife is found by the mother-in-law, she dissimulates it and then it goes a little awry as someone tries to better hide it, it is stolen from it's hiding place and more! The narrator, Judy, is the sister-in-law of the victim and I thought she was very engaging. The motive for the murder is a little outdated, but even though I had the right person, I swallowed a big red herring and didn't believe in my (right) solution anymore.
The Man Who Hid His Breakfast
I wonder where the cliché of the retiring policeman comes from? Maybe here? Tom Brent catches his last case about a woman being murdered and her daughter being under suspicion. The moment we meet the right person, you know that's the perpetrator; but how the Inspector came to that conclusion is entertaining.
The Secret
Hilda Adams is called to work on a case where a young woman might be going insane: first she tried to shoot her mother while sleepwalking, second a car accident. The girl, Tony, also broke off her engagement to a fine young officer without reason; yet, when she explains her perceived reasons to the mother of the man, she doesn't even want her son near her! I was very intrigued by what the secret was (with a title like that, you do try a little bit more to get it), but I had no idea... the clues were there, it just not how I think. Very satisfying ending, am a little sad that's it's the last Hilda Adams because I really like the character.
Episode of the Wandering Knife
Once I stopped looking for Hilda Adams (she's not in this story), I really quite enjoyed this. It's about a family having a last hurrah! in their house before giving it for a convalescent home (these stories are set in WWII) and while everybody is having fun the daughter-in-law of the house (who did not attend) is murdered. The knife is found by the mother-in-law, she dissimulates it and then it goes a little awry as someone tries to better hide it, it is stolen from it's hiding place and more! The narrator, Judy, is the sister-in-law of the victim and I thought she was very engaging. The motive for the murder is a little outdated, but even though I had the right person, I swallowed a big red herring and didn't believe in my (right) solution anymore.
The Man Who Hid His Breakfast
I wonder where the cliché of the retiring policeman comes from? Maybe here? Tom Brent catches his last case about a woman being murdered and her daughter being under suspicion. The moment we meet the right person, you know that's the perpetrator; but how the Inspector came to that conclusion is entertaining.
The Secret
Hilda Adams is called to work on a case where a young woman might be going insane: first she tried to shoot her mother while sleepwalking, second a car accident. The girl, Tony, also broke off her engagement to a fine young officer without reason; yet, when she explains her perceived reasons to the mother of the man, she doesn't even want her son near her! I was very intrigued by what the secret was (with a title like that, you do try a little bit more to get it), but I had no idea... the clues were there, it just not how I think. Very satisfying ending, am a little sad that's it's the last Hilda Adams because I really like the character.
July 21, 2021
Challenges: Killing Time with Cozies: S-U-M-M-E-R 2021 (title begins with 'E'); Golden Girls Murder Mystery (Clue Game) readathon October 2020 (belated) - Weapon (knife on cover); Reading Goal Posts/Read My Shelf 2021. One can see why Mary Roberts Rinehart is celebrated as America's Agatha Christie even though she began writing and publishing years before the world's most famous mystery author. These three mysteries have solid plot lines with all of the clues laid out for the reader to solve the mystery while the narratives incorporate Rinehart's foreshadowed statements of 'had she but known' as her unique style. One can envision these stories as black and white screen classics, yet hold up well for the enjoyment of the contemporary reader. Caretaker, nurse, war correspondent, wife and mother, she went on to help her sons found the publishing house Farrar & Rinehart, she as director. With many challenges to her family health and finances, she writes with a deep understanding of family dynamics: noted in two stories in this volume are the relationship of mother and daughter. Further reading of and about Mary Roberts Rinehart is highly anticipated.
December 8, 2022
My first read from the author renowned as the American Agatha Christie, and I rate it to be a success. This book being a collection of three novellas set during the wartime, all of whom were thoroughly enjoyable and written in a succinct manner with interesting characters and brisk dialogues.
Episode of the Wandering Knife, the titular novella is the first and best, I would even go so far as to rate it the best crime novella I have read till now. It is jam-packed with characters a feat in itself in a novella, and the dynamic between the mother and daughter at the centre of the tale is especially brilliant, their chit chat being the most enjoyable part apart from the mystery. The ever vanishing wandering knife also is a very important theme in the mystery, which is at the same time both bonkers and entertaining. The culprit and motive is also hidden very well, mystery fairly clued and twists continued to take place til the very end.
The second story is the shortest of the three and more of a howdunit as the killer is quite transparent, still it is adequately entertaining. Similarly, the author builds a complex tale with fair amount suspects in a limited space. But the highlight of this story, is the character of the lead detective, the near retirement Inspector Barnes who very beautifully rendered, and is eminently likeable. The overarching theme of an ongoing argument between his wife and him, about their future occupation regarding a chicken coop or dog kennel in his retirement is very endearing.
The Secret, is the last of the lot and the only one which features a recurring creation of the author, Nurse Adams or Miss Pinkerton as she is known by the local police department. I found her refreshing due to her bold manner and hardboiled approach to detection. Her frenemy/suitor relation with the police inspector was also very charming. The mystery is good and culprit again escaped my suspicions, and the titular secret at its centre is surprisingly new, which I had never encountered before as a plot point in my readings.
Episode of the Wandering Knife, the titular novella is the first and best, I would even go so far as to rate it the best crime novella I have read till now. It is jam-packed with characters a feat in itself in a novella, and the dynamic between the mother and daughter at the centre of the tale is especially brilliant, their chit chat being the most enjoyable part apart from the mystery. The ever vanishing wandering knife also is a very important theme in the mystery, which is at the same time both bonkers and entertaining. The culprit and motive is also hidden very well, mystery fairly clued and twists continued to take place til the very end.
The second story is the shortest of the three and more of a howdunit as the killer is quite transparent, still it is adequately entertaining. Similarly, the author builds a complex tale with fair amount suspects in a limited space. But the highlight of this story, is the character of the lead detective, the near retirement Inspector Barnes who very beautifully rendered, and is eminently likeable. The overarching theme of an ongoing argument between his wife and him, about their future occupation regarding a chicken coop or dog kennel in his retirement is very endearing.
The Secret, is the last of the lot and the only one which features a recurring creation of the author, Nurse Adams or Miss Pinkerton as she is known by the local police department. I found her refreshing due to her bold manner and hardboiled approach to detection. Her frenemy/suitor relation with the police inspector was also very charming. The mystery is good and culprit again escaped my suspicions, and the titular secret at its centre is surprisingly new, which I had never encountered before as a plot point in my readings.
August 30, 2023
This is a collection of two novellas (The Episode of the Wandering Knife and The Secret) and one short story ("The Man Who Hid His Breakfast"). The first novella was laugh-out-loud funny and a true pleasure, worthy of five stars. The second novella, featuring Nurse Hilda Adams, was implausible, though certainly interesting, but only three star material. They sandwich the entertaining and well-written short story, following a retiring Police Inspector's final case, which was not fully satisfying, earning four stars from me.
February 25, 2021
I really enjoyed "Episode of the Wandering knife" . It is a joy to read a book that is well written. The story stuck to the tale and did not waste paragraphs on unnecessary scenery and events and descriptions that have not one thing to do with the subject matter of the story. The mystery moved right along, it was interesting, happenings and the solving were well explained. A good story written by a great writer.
July 8, 2021
Excellent read
As usual, a Rinehart book that can be read over and over again. I am so happy to have the ebook as I went through two copies in paperback years ago and this won’t disintegrate from rereading. I suggest that anyone who reads this, be prepared to read everything you can by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Enjoy.
As usual, a Rinehart book that can be read over and over again. I am so happy to have the ebook as I went through two copies in paperback years ago and this won’t disintegrate from rereading. I suggest that anyone who reads this, be prepared to read everything you can by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Enjoy.
March 27, 2024
This book consists of three separate stories. The first two, a novella and a short story, are good. I wouldn't mind reading them again at some point. The final story features Nurse Hilda Adams, a character I usually enjoy, but is the weakest of the three. If I judged the last story alone, I'd be hard pressed to give it two stars.
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February 24, 2022Why the Sudden Canceling of the Wedding? Can Hilda Find the Answer?
Can Hilda solve the reason of why a sleep walking daughter should try to shoot her mother? What else is going on in this house?
Can Hilda solve the reason of why a sleep walking daughter should try to shoot her mother? What else is going on in this house?
March 6, 2023
interesting old fashioned story
Not my favorite author or type of story but good enough. Slow moving and the story would never work today rather strange people. Sad in the end…to me.
Not my favorite author or type of story but good enough. Slow moving and the story would never work today rather strange people. Sad in the end…to me.
August 31, 2017
Good mystery - the wandering knife was hilarious -not an emotion I expect in a mystery novel!
July 20, 2019
These murder mysteries are like a time-machine, back to the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. This was one of her best, I think.
July 29, 2019
Rinehart is/was a master!
May 25, 2020
This edition only had two stories (other reviewers state there was a third short story included in the book); I rather liked the first, the second not as much.
June 28, 2020
3 stories
All good. They are short reads and none will keep you up at night. However, they kept my attention because they were all good mysteries.
All good. They are short reads and none will keep you up at night. However, they kept my attention because they were all good mysteries.
August 23, 2020
I'm in the minority with this one, but I only enjoyed the first story (my sister loved it and thought it was hilarious). Apparently not my cup of tea.
August 24, 2020
Love her books. They always soothe me.
January 25, 2022
3.5 stars
August 7, 2022
Really got me interested in this author. The titular story is really fabulous and very funny.
May 10, 2023
Three stories (two novellas and one short story) are within this book, it ends with the last Hilda Adams(nurse detective) story so ends on a more enjoyable note than the sappy story it starts with.
June 16, 2023
My ebook only had the title novella and the short story, the Secret. Both were very good suspenseful mysteries.
December 25, 2023
This one included three vintage stories. I liked the old-fashioned stories and style!
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