The Man in Lower Ten is written by Mary Roberts Rinehart and was initially published in 1909. Nevertheless, it is still extremely readable today and offers a fascinating glimpse into a period that is nearly a century removed from our own while maintaining a timeless emotional tone. the first detective book to top bestseller charts across the country. Lawrence, an attorney-in-law, gets framed after he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, in the wrong bed, with the wrong clothing on, and with his suitcase. He was on his way to deliver important documents related to a criminal case. Blakely is aware that he must track down the genuine criminal before being arrested, but regrettably, our hero is not your typical tough-guy hero. The first book ever published by Mary Roberts Rinehart, possibly the best American mystery author of her generation, is The Man in Lower Ten. It moves at breakneck speed while fusing adventure, suspense, terror, and mystery. The Circular Staircase (1908), which more or less popularized the spinster "Had I but Known" style most generally associated with the author, was Mary Roberts Rinehart's (1876-1958) debut book, but it didn't come out between hard covers until the year after.