In the eleventh instalment in the ‘Patty Fairfield’ series by Carolyn Wells, Patty makes her debut in society. She wants to be more than just a pretty debutante however and sets up a new club, in which she and her friends dedicate themselves to helping those less fortunate. With her bright and cheery nature, Patty is an effortless society favourite, but she rebuffs any romantic advancements declaring that marriage and engagement are a long way off for her yet.
Carolyn Wells (1862-1942) was a prolific American novelist and poet, best known for her children’s literature, mystery novels and humorous verse. Following school in New Jersey, Wells worked as a librarian where she developed her love of reading. It was during 1896, while working at the library that Wells' first book ‘At the Sign of the Sphinx’ was published. From 1900 she dedicated herself to her literary career, writing over 170 novels in total across a range of genres. Some of her most loved works include the ‘Patty Fairfield’ and ‘Marjorie Maynard’ series for girls, as well as the ‘Fleming Stone’ mystery series for adults. Wells is also well-known for her humorous nonsense verse, and was a frequent contributor of verse to magazines. She published an autobiography ‘The Rest of my Life’ in 1937. Wells died in New York City in 1942.