Written by Ruth Rendell under the pen name of Barbara Vine, the diary of a lonely Danish immigrant at the turn of the century became a bestseller in England. Asta offers keen interest in life, zest for storytelling and acerbic views of humanity, as well as a mystery for subsequent generations to unravel. Walter's considerable acting skills keep the long process moving. As most of the central figures are female, her very feminine voice presents few gender problems. She occasionally shows strain with dialects, but this is mitigated by her understanding of inner motivations. Indeed, it proves to be the personal quirks of the characters that both create and solve the mystery as denouement follows denouement to a surprising conclusion.