A Hearse on May-Day

For many years, Gladys MItchell taught History and English, swimming and games. She retired from this work in 1950, but became so bored withour the constant stimulus and irritation of teaching that she accepted a post at a school in Staines, where she taught English and History, wrote the annual school play, and coached hurdling.

Her first crime novel featuring Mrs. Bradley was published in 1929, when Gladys Mitchell was 28. Gladys went on to be published until 1983 when she died. She wrote 65 Mrs. Bradley novels, a number of children’s books and several books under the pseudonyms Malcolm Torrie and Stephen Hookaby.