Mary Roberts Rinehart

Kings, Queens and Pawns Mary Roberts Rinehart

Mary Roberts Rinehart (August 12, 1876 - September 22, 1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie, although her first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's. She is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it", although she did not actually use the phrase. She is considered to have invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing. She also created a costumed supercriminal called "the Bat", who was cited by Bob Kane as one of the inspirations for his "Batman." (wikipedia.org) About the title by Barbara, a reviewer: "In 1915, at 38 and with three children, Mar Roberts Rinehart left for Europe (alone) to cover World War I for the Post. She toured Belgium and was received by King Albert, taking his first authorized statement regarding the war since its start. She interviewed Winston Churchill and Queen Mary in England, toured hospitals and the French and English lines. Her collected articles were published in Kings, Queens and Pawns, later on in 1915."