Sometimes termed "the American Agatha Christie" with good reason, prolific mystery author Mary Roberts Rinehart studded the Golden Age of Mystery with her exquisite "mysteries of manners," referencing the long-gone Gilded Age when the wealthy owned mansions and "took" country houses for the summer season, when law enforcement didn't yet know from DNA and Forensic Science. A clever, nay, a genius, criminal could succeed magnificently.


I was blessed as a child to devour the novels of Mary Roberts Rinehart, who immediately became my favorite author of Mystery, and THE BAT was my very most favorite. Even rereading today, Mrs. Rinehart's writing remains compelling and her gift at character delineation and evolution exact. A frightening mystery rolls out without reference to erotica or profanity or gore. Amazing.

Enjoyed it even though the writing is old style and there are lots of adverbs. I liked Rinehart when I was young and can still enjoy her.