Ethel Lina White (1876–1944) was a renowned British author of the early 20th century, celebrated for her contributions to the mystery and crime fiction genres. Born in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, she embarked on her writing career after a stint as a civil servant. White's flair for suspense and psychological drama is exemplified in her novel 'Some Must Watch' (1933), which was later adapted into the classic Hollywood film 'The Spiral Staircase' directed by Robert Siodmak in 1946. Her literary style often involves building tension by placing ordinary characters in extraordinary peril, focusing on building suspense over graphic descriptions of violence. White's protagonists, frequently young women, are portrayed as resilient and resourceful, navigating through dangerous situations with cunning and bravery. Though White did not attain the same literary prestige as her contemporaries Agatha Christie or Dorothy L. Sayers, her work is appreciated for its atmospheric detail and tightly knitted plots, influencing the thriller genre significantly. Other notable works by White include 'The Wheel Spins' (1936), which Alfred Hitchcock adapted into the film 'The Lady Vanishes', further cementing her legacy as a prominent figure in the world of crime and suspense literature.