Patricia Wentworth was the pen name of Dora Amy Elles (born November 10, 1878 – died January 28, 1961), a British crime fiction writer best known for her series of detective novels featuring Miss Maud Silver. The character of Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned-private detective, has often been compared to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Prior to introducing Miss Silver in 1928, Wentworth wrote romantic novels and historical fiction. Her writing style was characterized by well-constructed plots, engaging narrative, and a keen insight into human behavior. Throughout her career, Wentworth was a prolific writer who contributed greatly to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, with many of her books being highly regarded in the genre.