The Man in Lower Ten, by Mary Roberts Rinehart

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I was recently asked by a representative from Kazabo Publishing to read and review their Modern Reader Edition of The Man in Lower Ten, by Mary Roberts Rinehart. After finding out that this is a mystery that, in part, takes place on a train (one of my favorite settings) and is written by an author who has been compared to Agatha Christie, I became very intrigued. The Modern Reader Edition, has been rewritten in a more contemporary style, while maintaining the tone of the original. It sounded like the perfect introduction to Rinehart's work for me, so I agreed to read and review it.

The setting begins in Washington, D.C. in 1907 when attorney Lawrence Blakely (who narrates this story) sets out on what should have been a quick train trip. The first part of his trip runs smoothly, but that all changes on the return trip. This is a complex mystery involving missing documents and other personal belongings, a murder, a mysterious mix-up where Blakely somehow ends up in a different berth from which he started, and a budding romance. Everything points to Blakely as the prime suspect in the murder investigation. He and his team work together to try to untangle this mystery and clear his name.

I really enjoyed this Modern Reader Edition. It flowed well and the language was easy to understand. Instead of footnotes, there are explanations at the beginning of some of the chapters that help the reader understand some of the terms that are used, which I found helpful.

The mystery is strong and the characters were interesting to get to know. There are many threads to the mystery, which I did find confusing at times. The story is puzzling and I didn't even try to solve it, as I often do when I read mysteries. This time, I found more comfort in just letting it unfold. It all came together with a satisfying conclusion. 

This Modern Reader Edition of The Man in Lower Ten won't be for everyone. If you're someone who prefers to stay true to the original with no changes, then this edition might not be for you. However, if you find the classics sometimes difficult to understand and you want the same story in simplified language, then I recommend this edition. Keep in mind that while it is a traditional mystery, it isn't a cozy. This edition will ease you into Mary Roberts Rinehart's work and, of course, if you wish, you can read the original as well.

Thank you to Kazabo Publishing for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.