The Man in Lower Ten

The story revolves around the character of Lawrence Lollie Blake a young attorney who takes a train journey to attend a legal case. During the journey he is given a lower berth in the sleeping car which is later occupied by a man named The Man in Lower Ten. However the train is involved in a terrible accident and the Man in Lower Ten is found murdered. Lollie Blake becomes a key witness and is drawn into the mystery surrounding the murder. As the story unfolds Lollie finds himself entangled in a complex web of intrigue false identities and suspicious characters. To clear his own name and unravel the truth he embarks on his own investigation sometimes working alongside a young woman named Helen who is also connected to the case. The Man in Lower Ten is a classic example of early American detective fiction and is known for its suspenseful plot engaging characters and clever twists. Mary Roberts Rinehart was one of the pioneers of the Had I But Known style of mystery writing where characters find themselves in dangerous situations due to their own curiosity or actions. This novel remains a popular and influential work in the mystery genre.