Madeleine Brent is a pseudonym used by Peter O'Donnell, an English writer known for his work in mysteries and comic strips. He is best recognized as the creator of the character Modesty Blaise, an action heroine and undercover trouble-shooter. Under the pseudonym Madeleine Brent, he authored gothic historical romance novels. In 1978, his novel Merlin's Keep was awarded the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.