K

Mary Roberts RinehartJul 2015

3.6

Word count: 115K words
Chapters: 31

Summary

Can a person ever really redeem themselves and erase the past? A young woman is training to become a nurse while her mother takes in a tenant to make ends meet. The man, however, has a mysterious past. Part mystery and part romance, the book also presents The Breaking Point, in which a doctor suffering from amnesia and the suspicion that he is involved in something criminal decides to investigate before going ahead with his wedding day. American writer Mary Roberts Rinehart—considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it"—was sometimes called the "American Agatha Christie," although her first mystery was published more than a decade before the British author's.

Editor's review

This work weaves mystery and emotional entanglement together, showcasing the narrative rhythm Mary Roberts Rinehart excels at. In one story, a young woman trains as a nurse while caring for her family, and a boarder taken in by her mother carries an unexplained past—a thread that pulls taut both suspense and emotion. In the other, a doctor, stricken with amnesia, suspects he may be involved in a crime and decides to uncover the truth before his wedding; this premise of being forced to confront oneself at a life threshold is strikingly dramatic. Both stories revolve around identity, secrets, and redemption, with characters making choices amid moral dilemmas—reading offers both the pleasure of puzzle-solving and lingering reflection on human nature. Suited to reading in leisurely installments, following the clues and savoring the narrative charm of early popular fiction.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy classic mystery and suspense
Readers interested in early American popular literature
Those who want a leisurely-paced mystery with an emotional thread
Readers hoping to learn period details such as nurse training through fiction

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer hardcore honkaku mystery with tightly plotted tricks
Readers expecting fast-paced, high-conflict modern suspense
Readers impatient with slow buildup and emotional description

Reading tips

Read the first story first, noting how the boarder's identity clues echo the heroine's daily details.
While reading the second, track changes in the doctor's behavior before and after his amnesia and try to deduce the truth yourself.
Pause between the two stories and compare how the author handles the themes of secrets and redemption.

Copyright information
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXV
CHAPTER XXVI
CHAPTER XXVII
CHAPTER XXVIII
CHAPTER XXIX
CHAPTER XXX

FAQ

How many stories does this book contain?

Sources indicate the book contains two stories, "K" and "The Breaking Point." The former centers on a young nurse and a mysterious boarder; the latter follows a doctor with amnesia investigating his own suspected involvement before his wedding. Both drive the plot through suspense and include emotional elements.

Is it suitable as an introduction to mystery fiction?

Yes. The suspense is clearly set up, clues emerge as the characters go about their daily lives, and it does not rely on complicated tricks, so the barrier to entry is low. It leans more toward suspense blended with emotion, however; readers expecting pure puzzle-solving may find the mystery density low.

Are the two stories connected?

From the sources, the characters and plots are independent; what they share is a concern with hidden pasts and the choices characters face. They can be read as two separate works, or compared for how the author handles the theme of secrets.

Comments

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About the author

Mary Roberts Rinehart Author

Mary Roberts Rinehart was an American writer best known for her mystery and detective fiction. Because the available records are limited, her dates of birth and death, nationality, and educational background cannot be confirmed here; the only work currently on record is K, which is classified as inspirational growth. This work suggests that Rinehart was skilled at developing plots within everyday settings and at portraying her characters' growth and choices through clear, fluent narration, offering readers inspiration through accessible reading. Her writing style tends not to rely on exaggerated dramatic conflict but rather to start from ordinary moments, showing how characters change psychologically and improve themselves when facing difficulties. Although public information is limited, her works still attract readers with an approachable touch and hold a place in inspirational growth literature, deserving attention from readers interested in coming-of-age themes.