The Spiral Staircase is a standalone classic mystery thriller by Ethel Lina White. Originally published in 1933, this reformatting and re-release by Pushkin on 8th July 2025, is 336 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats in this edition. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.
The author uses subtle tension and setting with virtuoso control. Despite there not being a lot of jump-scare moments, the palpable sense of dread is beautifully written, inside well engineered plot. With the limited suspect pool shrinking, a serial killer on the loose, and the isolated setting, it's a gripping read. Apparently set in the 1920s (unspecified), it's surprisingly not terribly dated, and translates quite well for modern readers. For fans who are familiar with the film based on the book, there are major differences and frankly, the book is much better.
Kudos to Pushkin for reformatting and re-releasing these classics for modern audiences. Although somewhat obscure today, in the interwar period, the author was on a relatively equal footing with Sayers and Christie, and very well known.
Four stars. Definitely a good choice for public library acquisition, as well as for fans of classic mystery thrillers. Pushkin Vertigo have a good collection of these classics, brought to new generations of fans.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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