Norah Lofts

Norah Lofts was a top-selling British author of the 20th century, best known for her focus on historical fiction. She wrote over fifty works in her career, with her writing also appearing under the pen names Peter Curtis and Juliet Astley. Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England and chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis to avoid confusing her readers who were used to her classic historical fiction.

Many of Lofts' novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of a specific house and the residents that lived in it. She also wrote non-fiction and short stories. Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. This suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.

Several of Lofts' novels were turned into films, including "Jassy" (1947), "You're Best Alone" (1950), "The Devil's Own" (also known as "The Little Wax Doll" and "Catch As Catch Can") (1966), and "7 Women" (directed by John Ford and based on the story "Chinese Finale" by Lofts). Lofts' writing has had a lasting impact, with her novels continuing to be read and her films continuing to be watched and enjoyed by audiences today.