Customer Reviews

The Case of Jennie Brice

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was written in 1912, but unless readers take the time to check out the publication history in the front of the book, they will probably never guess that this book is almost a century old. The Case of Jenny Brice is still an intriguing murder mystery with a realistic heroine. What strikes me most about this (and others by Rinehart) is that as you read, you don't think, "This is an amazing book to have been written 100 years ago." You think simply, "What an amazing book." This is a very short book, actually more of a novella, which makes it an excellent book to read when you can take a day just to enjoy a good mystery.

The Case of Jenny Brice is atmospherically set during a flood in a boardinghouse of a poor Pittsburgh neighborhood. From the very beginning, Rinehart develops a real sense of place. Unlike too many amateur detectives in novels, this heroine has a believable reason for being involved in the case. Again, seen as a product of 1912, Miss Pittman is an especially extraordinary woman, but even without that in mind, she is a convincing character. The Case of Jenny Bright has been referred to as not one of Rinehart's most outstanding mysteries, but in light of the stiff competition from her other novels, that is not really a criticism.

Compared with many of today's better mysteries, The Case of Jenny Bright holds its own. It is not just a curiosity because of its age; it is a fascinating mystery in its own right.

Written in 1912, the incidents in this story are told from the standpoint of a past-her-prime manager of a boarding house. The events portrayed occur during and after a flood that takes place in 1907. Pretty easy to read, with a nice plot twist at the end. Also, fairly short, just an afternoon's read. This Kindle edition was adequate, no editing issues of note, just the usual line break/margin unevenness. Add ½ star if you have special interest in the "lower Allegheny" area (south of?) Pittsburgh.

I really enjoyed reading this. The plot had several twists that I wasn't expecting, and it held my attention. Sometimes the 'vintage' books are better than current ones!

thanks!

Wow, I really enjoyed this old book. Plot was great, well thought-out - well executed. Very interesting reading, the author's tone that is. I love mysteries, and this was top notch. I've heard nothing but good things about this author, and being a Christie fan, after having read this one (my first of Reinhart's), I know I want to read all of her mysteries. I know she wrote other types also, but since she is known as the American Agatha Christie, I'm assuming there are plenty that are of the mystery venue for me to enjoy. If this book was any indication, I'm in for some very good mystery reading. Highly recommend.

I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN, THOUGHT PROVOKING AND VERY INTERESTING! EXCELLENT READ AND A GREAT CHANGE FROM THE SAME'O SAME'O MODERN DAY CRIME STORIES. IT HAS MADE ME DOWNLOAD MORE "VINTAGE" BOOKS!

i enjoyed the book, but several of the pages were missing at the end. it's hard to tell how many pages as there are no page numbers on the kindle, but i would say at least 3. disappointing. now i have to find another way to read what i missed...

I enjoyed reading this book but there were several sentences that did not make sense in the last chapter. I looked up the book on projectgutenberg and read the last page or so to figure out the meaning of some of the last descriptions of events. There were a couple of other small mysteries that were not cleared up: what happened to Alice Murray, and why Mrs. Pittman was estranged from her family and I am wondering if I should reread the whole book on projectgutenberg to see if the answers were also deleted from my kindle edition.

If you enjoy mystery stories, I can highly recommend this one. Careful plotting, realistic characters, some startling twists. Great stuff!

I very much enjoyed this book and found the setting (early 1920's) only added to the charm of the story.

The plot revolves around a small-time actress who disappears one night from a boarding house during a flood. Where is she? Is she alive or dead? Why did she disappear? Is her husband involved?

The plot is simple as is the setting. Some people may find it too simplistic (no agonizing psychological drama or overdone action) but it is very enjoyable and an easy read. No overdone violence or gristly crime-scene descriptions. Just a nice little mystery for a dark and stormy night.

Well, I guess beggars can't be choosers, so getting everything but a resolution of the all characters is at least something for free. The one star review is meant as a "heads up" for those considering the free Kindle edition, due to the fact that at 99 per cent of the book, there is an obvious gap where some paragraphs are missing. Unfortunately, they're important ones which leave the reader hanging. I actually liked the book; at times, the dated style was distracting enough to prompt skimming forward, but it was interesting enough to keep me up late seeking the denouement, which, oops, is missing. I will have to find it elsewhere, as the previous reviewer suggests..wish I'd known all this before downloading and reading...

I liked this author enough to try other books of hers. Without the Kindle flub I'd give it a 4.