First published in the United States in 1930 as Dr. Priestley Investigates under the name C. J. C. Street, Pinehurst is one of the earliest mysteries to feature John Rhode's celebrated detective, Dr. Lancelot Priestley. It remains a fascinating example of Golden Age crime fiction, blending the classic country house atmosphere with Rhode's hallmark of precise, logical detection. The novel centers on Pinehurst, a quiet English estate whose calm façade conceals hidden tensions. When a sudden death disrupts its peace, the circumstances appear ordinary—but inconsistencies soon suggest foul play. Was it an accident, suicide, or something far more sinister? Suspicion falls uneasily on those closest to the victim, each harboring secrets and motives that complicate the truth. Dr. Priestley, the aloof and brilliant logician, applies his methodical reasoning to the puzzle. From his study, he examines testimony, reconstructs timelines, and weighs evidence with scientific detachment. His cold precision gradually untangles the web of deceit, leading to a revelation that is both unexpected and inevitable. Rhode's strength lies in his devotion to fair play: every clue is offered to the reader, yet only those with sharp observation will solve the crime before Priestley. The novel captures both the intellectual pleasure of puzzle-solving and the darker undercurrents of human ambition, greed, and fear.