A Shilling for Candles (eBook)

Josephine Tey, a pseudonym used by Elizabeth MacKintosh (1896-1952), remains a distinguished figure in the golden age of British detective fiction. Born in Inverness, Scotland, Tey was exceptionally private, with little of her personal life seeping into public records — a stark contrast to her elaborate, character-driven mystery novels. Her literary career began as a physical education teacher writing plays under the name Gordon Daviot, but she gained acclaim in the crime fiction genre as Josephine Tey with works that showcased her knack for intricate narratives and psychological depth. One of Tey's notable novels, 'A Shilling for Candles' (1936), underscores her distinct approach that intertwines astute social observations with well-crafted whodunnit intrigue. The novel, which stands as a pillar of crime literature from the 20th century, lays out the perplexing case of a film star's death, defying conventional detective tropes and showcasing Tey's flair for subverting readers' expectations. Often celebrated for her unconventional protagonist Inspector Alan Grant, Tey's contributions to the classic detective narrative not only entertained but also pushed the boundaries of the genre, influencing both contemporaries and future literary voices in the realm of mystery writing with her sophisticated plots and nuanced characterizations.