Marie Belloc Lowndes

The Lodger, published in 1913, is based on the Jack the Ripper murders, it is about a London family who suspects that their upstairs lodger is a mysterious killer known as 'The Avenger'. The novel was the basis for four movie adaptions. The first was the silent film version directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1927, it was followed by several remakes. The film was remade by Maurice Elvey in 1932, John Brahm in 1944, as ""Man in the Attic"" in 1953, and once again by David Ondaatje in 2009.

Is it likely, the wise old doctor asks himself upon hearing the news, that a man of such changed circumstances would ever give a thought to his boyish love affair with Betty Tosswill -- however violent, piteous and painful as the affair was? Surely not . . . but has Betty forgotten? He will learn soon enough -- for George will be staying at the house of Betty's sister Janet . . . where old doubts and grievances seem to live on despite all the years gone by. Author of The Chink in the Armor, Marie Lowndes (1868-1947) was sister to famous wit Hilaire Belloc, and wrote both historical novels and murder mysteries.

The beautiful light-haired, blue-eyed Sylvia Bailey -- married at 19, and already a widow at 25 -- is enjoying life on her own in Paris. She even carries with her a symbol of the freedom she feels: a string of pearls -- a superb necklace she wears nearly everywhere she goes . . . Yet those pearls will take her to the brink of disaster -- and propel her new, dear friend well beyond