The third book in Carolyn Wells ‘Marjorie Maynard’ series continues from where the last book left off, and we join Marjorie and her family for a wonderful Christmas. There is danger to contend with too though, and Marjorie finds herself quarantining away from her family due to the increasing risk of diphtheria. Miss Hart, an inventive and cheery governess, is quarantining alongside Marjorie and manages to make this enforced isolation much more fun, as they come up with new games and still manage to get themselves into mischief.
Carolyn Wells (1862–1942) was a prolific American novelist and poet, best known for her children’s literature, mystery novels and humorous verse. Following school in New Jersey, Wells worked as a librarian, where she developed her love of reading. It was during 1896 that Wells' first book ‘At the Sign of the Sphinx’ was published. From 1900 she dedicated herself to her literary career, writing over 170 novels in total across a range of genres. Some of her most loved works include the ‘Patty Fairfield’ and ‘Marjorie Maynard’ series for girls, as well as the ‘Fleming Stone’ mystery series for adults. Wells is also well-known for her humorous nonsense verse, and was a frequent contributor of verse to magazines. She published an autobiography ‘The Rest of my Life’ in 1937. Wells died in New York City in 1942.
