Fergusson Wright Hume, known as Fergus Hume, was an English novelist particularly famous for his mystery and detective novels. Born on July 8, 1859, in England, Hume moved to New Zealand with his family in his early teenage years. He later settled in Australia, where he took up the practice of law. Hume's trajectory into literary fame began with his profound appreciation for the burgeoning genre of detective fiction, and his dissatisfaction with contemporary works led him to craft his own stories. His first and most famous novel, 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' (1886), set in Melbourne, became a phenomenal success and stands as a seminal work in the detective fiction genre. Following this early triumph, Hume relocated back to England, where he continued to write. 'A Traitor in London' is one of the many books he penned after establishing himself as a noteworthy author. Hume's literary oeuvre is characterized by its intricate plots, vivid characters, and the atmospheric settings that range from the metropolises of the British Empire to the quiet English countryside. Over the course of his career, he wrote over 130 novels, exploring themes of crime, mystery, and the pursuit of justice, while appealing to the public fascination with sensational stories. Hume passed away on July 12, 1932, but his legacy endures as a pioneer in the genre of detective fiction, influencing subsequent generations of writers.