Gaston Leroux

Born in Paris on May 6, 1868, Gaston Leroux studied law but soon moved into journalism, working as a court reporter and later traveling widely as a correspondent. That background shaped his fiction: his stories often feel sharply observed, fast-moving, and full of clues, secrets, and theatrical twists.

He became one of the key early writers of French detective and adventure fiction. Among his best-known works are The Mystery of the Yellow Room, featuring the young reporter Joseph Rouletabille, and The Phantom of the Opera, first published in 1910, which went on to inspire generations of films, stage adaptations, and retellings.

Leroux died in Nice in 1927, but his books still stand out for their blend of puzzle-plotting, Gothic atmosphere, and pure storytelling drive. He remains an inviting choice for listeners who enjoy clever mysteries, eerie settings, and classics that still know how to entertain.