Some Must Watch

The Spiral Staircase began with all the right ingredients—an isolated manor, an air of creeping menace, and a sympathetic heroine in Helen. The early imagery was compelling, and the sense of a house gradually emptying was deliciously eerie. Unfortunately, the tension fizzled out midway, giving way to tiresome dialogue and domestic entanglements that diluted the suspense. By page 220, I found myself skipping ahead, unable to remain invested. While there’s merit in the premise and atmosphere, the narrative’s sluggish turn made it difficult to finish with enthusiasm.

Many thanks to Pushkin Vertigo and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

(Entitled [Some Must Watch] before the film adaption came out-1946). I did read the book, and the name on the book is [The Spiral Staircase]. A great gothic setup, but that's about the only great thing contained in this mystery. The story of a young servant, Helen Capel, who works in a house where a serial killer is on the loose. With the roads impassable and communication cut off, she and the other inhabitants must survive the night as the killer closes in. This should be tense and edgy, but comes off rather clumsy and sometimes mildly humorous. Very elementary! 256 pages

The premise evolves around a young maid, employed in a remote country house, where not all of the members of the household are what they seem; the setting is suitably gothic and claustrophobic; a murderer is on the loose and closing in.

I am in two minds - I love classic crime fiction, which is what this is; on the other hand, it was rather tedious in the initial set up, which I found distracting. The ending was rather curious and not all-together ..... well, believable. However, as this is fiction, the author has provided the reader with a fairly decent psychological drama.

Helen has taken the position of a sort of ladies-maid at an estate in a remote area of the country. Though it may not be near much, her curiosity keeps her busy as she tries to figure out the people that are living under the roof of this manor house.

Mrs. Warren, the matriarch, who is bed-ridden and is also Helen's boss. Professor Warren and his sister Miss Warren, both step-children of Mrs. Warren. He a widower, academic, distant and well-bred. She unmarried, the housekeeper and also similar to him. Both hitting middle age. Mr. and Mrs. Oates, who serve as the staff of the house. The Professor's son and daughter-in-law. The son was spoiled and madly in love with his wife. The daughter-in-law was in love with any man that walked by but show more thought little of her husband. Stephen Rice, a student, who was being tutored by the Professor to take a position in the Indian Civil Service. A strange assortment of people who all have their secrets.

Being very curious, Helen is constantly trying to learn about these people and why they behave as they do. She is also enamoured with mystery and suspense, which can be found in the old house. Locks on doors that don't work and doors that are locked.

When the dead bodies of young girls start turning up and the police can't find any clues, the tension starts. Everyone becomes nervous that the next killing could be on the grounds of the estate.

During this time, a nurse is brought in to take care of Mrs. Warren. Nurse Barker is a bitter spinster, who gives the illusion of being mannish. She is cold and harsh and seems resentful of the new position she has taken.

After the nurse arrives, the Professor gives orders that the house is to be locked for the night and that no one can come or go. It is a security move, as the most recent body was found on a neighbour's property and the victim had worked for the Warrens at one time.

White builds tension in small steps with little bits of relief worked in. It is done is a subtle manor that you will find your are a little tense at times.

White was a very popular British author of mysteries in the 30s and 40s and I think her work still holds up; that is if you enjoy reading books written in an earlier era. show less

Disappointing, considering the author's reputation. The mystery pretty predictable, given the small number of characters, the heroine flighty, not too bright and plain exasperating, the writing suffers from far too many commas in places where they are plain wrong.

Several murders occur over a course of time. One happens on a stormy night near the mansion where Helen works. Then for some inexplicable leap of logic, everybody assumes Helen is to be the next victim.
Why? Who knows. It's never explained.
Still it's a nice suspenseful tale and it all takes place over the course of a single night...although it does go on a bit longer than it needs to.

Over-melodramatic load of codswallop, with a main female character who is so dim it hurts.