E. Phillips

Born in London in 1866, E. Phillips Oppenheim became one of the best-known writers of popular fiction in the early 20th century. He wrote a remarkable number of novels and stories, and his name became closely linked with espionage tales, political thrillers, and stylish adventures set among diplomats, aristocrats, and secret agents.

Often called an important pioneer of the thriller, he had a gift for brisk plotting and an easy, inviting style that made his work widely accessible. Many of his books were bestsellers, and his stories helped define the atmosphere of classic British suspense before and between the world wars.

Oppenheim died in 1946 in the south of France, leaving behind a large body of fiction that still appeals to readers who enjoy elegant old-school mysteries and international intrigue.