Pleasantville, New York: ImPress / Reader's Digest, (2008.) dj. Hardcover - A stand-alone mystery novel about a woman mystery writer and her three children, who are very unusual amateur sleuths. A title in the Best Mysteries of All Time series. Originally published in 1944; basis for the film of the same name. In striking contrast to the humor in her novels, Rice's real life was difficult and often unhappy. 291 pp plus 3 pp about the author.