# The Circular Staircase — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart.

- [I: I Take a Country House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/i-i-take-a-country-house.md): Rachel Innes, a middle-aged spinster, recounts how she decided to leave her comfortable city life and rent a country house called Sunnyside for the summer with her niece Gertrude and nephew Halsey. Despite initial peace,
- [II: A Link Cuff-Button](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/ii-a-link-cuff-button.md): After a terrifying first night at Sunnyside, Rachel Innes and Liddy Allen are unnerved by strange noises and a mysterious figure at the window. Liddy insists it was a man in a long coat, not a woman. The lights go out at
- [III: Mr. John Bailey Appears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/iii-mr-john-bailey-appears.md): Rachel Innes hosts a dinner and awaits the arrival of her niece Gertrude and nephew Halsey, who bring along a guest, Jack Bailey. After a tense evening marked by Thomas's superstitious fears and a stopped clock, a gunsho
- [Where Is Halsey?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/iv-where-is-halsey.md): After the discovery of Arnold Armstrong's murder, Rachel Innes is questioned by Mr. Jarvis about Halsey's whereabouts. Gertrude reacts with shock to a pearl cufflink found by Rachel. The household is in turmoil, and Rach
- [V: Gertrude's Engagement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/v-gertrude-s-engagement.md): The coroner and two detectives arrive to investigate Arnold Armstrong's murder. Rachel Innes gives a carefully crafted statement to the coroner, omitting certain details. Detective Jamieson questions Rachel about Halsey 

> 30 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_circular_staircase_se_1207kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [VI: In the East Corridor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/vi-in-the-east-corridor.md)
- [VII: A Sprained Ankle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/vii-a-sprained-ankle.md)
- [VIII: The Other Half of the Line](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/viii-the-other-half-of-the-line.md)
- [IX: Just Like a Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/ix-just-like-a-girl.md)
- [X: The Traders’ Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/x-the-traders-bank.md)
- [XI: Halsey Makes a Capture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xi-halsey-makes-a-capture.md)
- [XII: One Mystery for Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xii-one-mystery-for-another.md)
- [XIII: Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xiii-louise.md)
- [An Eggnog and a Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xiv-an-eggnog-and-a-telegram.md)
- [XV: Liddy Gives the Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xv-liddy-gives-the-alarm.md)
- [XVI: In the Early Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xvi-in-the-early-morning.md)
- [XVII: A Hint of Scandal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xvii-a-hint-of-scandal.md)
- [XVIII: A Hole in the Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xviii-a-hole-in-the-wall.md)
- [XIX: Concerning Thomas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xix-concerning-thomas.md)
- [XX: Doctor Walker’s Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xx-doctor-walker-s-warning.md)
- [Fourteen Elm Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxi-fourteen-elm-street.md)
- [XXII: A Ladder Out of Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxii-a-ladder-out-of-place.md)
- [XXIII: While the Stables Burned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxiii-while-the-stables-burned.md)
- [XXIV: Flinders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxiv-flinders.md)
- [XXV: A Visit from Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxv-a-visit-from-louise.md)
- [XXVI: Halsey's Disappearance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxvi-halsey-s-disappearance.md)
- [XXVII: Who Is Nina Carrington?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxvii-who-is-nina-carrington.md)
- [XXVIII: A Tramp and the Toothache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxviii-a-tramp-and-the-toothache.md)
- [XXIX: A Scrap of Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxix-a-scrap-of-paper.md)
- [XXX: When Churchyards Yawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxx-when-churchyards-yawn.md)
- [XXXI: Between Two Fireplaces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxi-between-two-fireplaces.md)
- [XXXII: Anne Watson’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxii-anne-watson-s-story.md)
- [At the Foot of the Stairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxiii-at-the-foot-of-the-stairs.md)
- [The Odds and Ends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-odds-and-ends.md)
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters