Georgette Heyer was an English novelist and short-story writer, celebrated for her works in both the Regency romance and detective fiction genres. Her career as a writer began in 1921 with the novel The Black Moth, which was initially a story conceived for her younger brother. She married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer, in 1925 and lived in Tanganyika Territory and Macedonia before returning to England in 1929. Despite the lack of publicity, her novel These Old Shades became a success, reinforcing her belief that her private life "concerns no one but myself and my family."

Heyer essentially established the historical romance genre and its subgenre, Regency romance, drawing inspiration from Jane Austen. Her attention to historical accuracy was meticulous, with extensive reference works and notes on Regency life. Critics often remarked upon the detailed nature of her novels, which some viewed as an asset. Her husband contributed basic plot outlines for her thrillers, allowing Heyer to develop characters and dialogue.

Her success faced challenges such as tax issues and alleged plagiarism. Despite these setbacks, Heyer continued to write until her death, leaving behind a legacy of 48 novels in print at the time of her passing. Her last book, My Lord John, was published posthumously.