Marie Belloc Lowndes, a prominent British novelist and playwright, is known for her gripping and suspenseful works, exemplified in ‘The Collected Works of Marie Belloc Lowndes’. This collection showcases Lowndes’ mastery of psychological tension and intricate plot development. Readers will be drawn into the dark, mysterious worlds she creates, where seemingly ordinary characters are embroiled in extraordinary circumstances that test their morality and sanity. Her thought-provoking narratives delve into the complexities of human nature, leaving readers captivated and questioning their own perceptions of good and evil. Lowndes’ blend of crime fiction and psychological drama sets her apart as a literary force to be reckoned with in the early 20th century. She skillfully weaves together suspense, drama, and social commentary in her works, making them both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. Fans of classic mystery and psychological thrillers will find much to admire in Lowndes’ collected works, a testament to her enduring legacy in the world of literature.
About the author
Marie Belloc Lowndes (1868-1947), born Marie Adelaide Belloc, was a prolific British novelist active in the early 20th century, best known for her psychological thriller ‘The Lodger’ (1913). The daughter of French lawyer Louis Belloc and English feminist writer Bessie Rayner Parkes, Lowndes was exposed to literary life from a young age. She wrote numerous novels, short stories, plays, and biographical works, contributing to the tradition of suspense and mystery writing with a keen insight into human nature and social manners. Her writing often explored themes of crime, social class, and women’s roles, marked by a subtle irony and deft character portrayal. ‘The Collected Works of Marie Belloc Lowndes’ encompasses her rich exploration of the psychological undercurrents of society and highlights her nuanced storytelling abilities. Aside from ‘The Lodger’, which speculated on the psyche of a Jack the Ripper-like character and inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s silent movie of the same name, her other notable works include ‘Good Old Anna’ (1915) and ‘The Chink in the Armour’ (1912). Lowndes’ literary style combined naturalism with a gothic sensibility, illustrating her talent for creating suspenseful atmospheres and deeply flawed yet fascinating characters.