Josephine Tey is one of the best-known and best-loved of all crime writers. She began to write full-time after the successful publication of her first novel, The Man in the Queue (1929), which introduced Inspector Grant of Scotland Yard. In 1937 she returned to crime writing with A Shilling for Candles, but it wasn't until after the Second World War that the majority of her crime novels were published. Josephine Tey died in 1952, leaving her entire estate to the National Trust.
The most interesting of the great female writers of the Golden Age. This disarmingly low-key tale of a mysterious disappearance is the perfect introduction to her world -- Val McDermid The definition of a classic, a real cut above. It hasn't aged a day -- Joseph Knox Will leave you desperate to re-read -- Sarah Hilary Worth reading for its ingenious denouement * Times Literary Supplement * One of the best mysteries of all time * New York Times * As interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays * Observer * Nobody can beat Miss Tey at characterisation or elegance of style: this novel's a beauty * San Francisco Chronicle * First-rate mystery, ably plotted and beautifully written * Los Angeles Times * Suspense is achieved by unexpected twists and extremely competent storytelling . . . credible and convincing * Spectator * Tey's style and her knack for creating bizarre characters are among the best in the field * New Yorker *