Review by Library Journal Review
Josephine Tey's work has never been out of print in the nearly 90 years since her first book was published. Her 1951 novel The Daughter of Time was chosen by the Crime Writer's Association as the greatest mystery novel of all time. Yet, until now there has never been a full-length biography of the writer. Playwright and author Henderson corrects the oversight with a fascinating and highly readable account of Tey's life. Born Elizabeth MacKintosh in Inverness, Scotland, in 1896, "Beth" had begun a career teaching physical education before she moved back home to care for her aging father. At this point she turned to writing, making her first break as a playwright using the pseudonym Gordon Daviot by writing a successful work starring the young John Gielgud. While continuing to produce plays as Daviot, she became a famous mystery writer as Tey. Henderson ably chronicles her subject's life and provides not just facts but context for her work through thorough research into the stories of family, friends, and the social and political milieu of the times. Photographs, extensive notes, and an index round out the work. VERDICT A must-read for fans of Tey.-Stefanie -Hollmichel, Univ. of St. Thomas Law Lib., Minneapolis © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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