The Collected Works of Marie Belloc Lowndes (eBook)

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.