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Natalie Sumner Lincoln (1881–1935) was an American author who left a distinctive mark in the literary world with her early twentieth-century mystery novels. Born in Washington, D.C., to a family with roots that stretched back to the American Revolution, Lincoln was well-positioned to infuse her novels with rich historical context and social insights. Notably, her 1917 mystery novel 'The Lost Despatch' is emblematic of her craft, intertwining suspense with elements of romance and espionage—a reflection of the intrigue-filled wartime era in which she wrote. Lincoln's literary style was characterized by its attention to detail and the tightly woven plotlines, which often leveraged her insider knowledge of Washington society and politics. With a keen understanding of the genre, her works contributed to the foundations of mystery fiction. Although her name may not be as widely recognized today, Lincoln was a prolific writer, producing over 20 novels. Beyond 'The Lost Despatch,' other notable titles include 'The Trevor Case' (1912) and 'The Cat's Paw' (1922), where her talent for crafting engrossing narratives shone through, assuring her a place in the annals of early American mystery literature. Her works remain a fascinating window into the era's cultural and social mores, and they continue to attract readers who appreciate classic whodunits.