Lawrence L LynchEmily Medora Murdock Lynch Van Deventer, known by her pen name Lawrence L. Lynch, was an American mystery novelist born on January 16, 1853, in Oswego, Illinois. She was the daughter of Charles L. Murdock, a lawyer and justice of the peace, and EmilyA. Holland Murdock. She married Lawrence L. Lynch in 1877 and later Dr. Abraham Van Deventer in 1887. Van Deventer is best known for her detective novels, many of which were set in Chicago, with some featuring traditionally male protagonists, such as a Scotland Yard detective turned private investigator. She also created independent female characters, such as Madeline Payne, a private detective, and Leonore Arymn, who took matters into her own hands to defend herself against an abusive partner. Her notable work, "Against Odds," set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, is recognized for its exploration of crime within the fair's grand spectacle. Throughout her career, she authored nearly two dozen novels, earning popularity in both the US and England. Van Deventer passed away on May 3, 1914, in Oswego at the age of 61. Read More Read Less