Anna Maynard Barbour

Anna Maynard Barbour (d.1941), American author of best-selling mystery and detective fiction including That Mainwaring Affair (1921);

Hugh Mainwaring, the sole heir to the family estate, soon after the death of his father, some twenty-five years previous to this time, became weary of the monotony of his English homelife, and, resolved upon making his permanent home in one of the large eastern cities of the United States and embarking upon the uncertain and treacherous seas of speculation in the western world, had sold the estate which for a number of generations had been in the possession of the Mainwarings, and had come to America. In addition to his heavy capital, he had invested a large amount of keen business tact and ability; his venture had met with almost phenomenal success and he had acquired immense wealth besides his inherited fortune.--Ch. 1

At the time they were published, Barbour's works were extremely popular, hailed by critics as thrilling authentic detective stories with superb literary style. Her suspenseful, intricate plots are peopled with intriguing characters. While not a prolific writer, Barbour was highly lauded by such publications as Life magazine and The New York Times.