Mary Roberts Rinehart

Mary Roberts Rinehart was a prominent American author, particularly known for her mystery and thriller novels. She was born on August 12, 1876, and lived until September 22, 1958. Often referred to as the American Agatha Christie, Rinehart's first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's first novel in 1922. However, she only gained this comparison after the significant success of her mystery novels.\n \nRinehart is considered the source of the famous phrase "The butler did it," although the novel The Door (1930) does not use the exact phrase. This misconception stems from her significant contribution to the mystery genre, which led to people associating her with the phrase. Moreover, Rinehart is also known for inventing the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing, which gained popularity after the publication of her novel The Circular Staircase (1908).

Rinehart was a prolific writer who wrote hundreds of short stories, poems, travelogues, and special articles. Many of her books and plays were adapted for movies, including The Bat (1926), The Bat Whispers (1930), and The Bat (1959). Her murder mystery stories were widely appreciated, and many of her books were best-sellers, receiving critical acclaim. Overall, Mary Roberts Rinehart left an indelible mark on the mystery genre, and her contributions continue to be celebrated and recognized.