Arthur Conan Doyle - The Speckled Band: "Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting."

Beyond his iconic Sherlock Holmes tales, Arthur Conan Doyle excelled in writing short stories that delve into the horrific and macabre, showcasing a different side of his literary talent. Born in Edinburgh in 1859, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and worked as a ship's surgeon before establishing a medical practice in Portsmouth. Struggling to attract patients, he turned to writing, leading to the creation of his first novel, The Mystery of Cloomber, and ultimately a prolific career as a writer across various genres.