Obituary: Anne Maybury

Anne Arundel (Anne Buxton; pseudonyms include Anne Maybury, Katherine Troy), novelist, born c1910, married, died London 27 February 1993.

ANNE MAYBURY was a writer of romantic suspense whose novels earned her world-wide acclaim and an enormous following. She was particularly popular in the United States. Her finest gift was for lyrical prose and she used her delight in colour and drama to such effect that the reader was immediately plunged into the story and held enthralled.

Early novels were written under other pseudonyms but it is as Anne Maybury that she will be remembered for books with such evocative titles as The Minerva Stone (1968), The Terracotta Palace (1971), Walk in the Paradise Garden (1972) and Ride a White Dolphin (1971). She travelled widely and brought a sense of adventure into her books derived often from personal experiences of a bizarre kind. She seemed to attract excitement and used to say that she had met more than one murderer during her travels around the world.

Maybury's family name was Arundel. Her ancestors were said to have come to England with the Norman Conquest and she was proud of the heritage which did seem to imbue her with a perceptive appreciation of history. The love of poetry which remained with her always was inherited from her father, a distinguished poet of his time. Her mother was a musician who died at an early age.

Maybury was a true professional who did not believe in wasting time. A promised deadline was adhered to and all social engagements regretfully cancelled. She developed early in life the profound interest in human behaviour and intrigue which was to prove a valuable asset to her writing. Also in good measure she retained the attribute so necessary to an author, a lively curiosity. As a writer she was stylish, and this quality extended to her personality, which was full of vivid charm, lightened by a sparkling sense of fun. Generous with her time to aspiring writers, she also loved literary chat with her peers. She was interested in new writing as well as the classics and read widely, keeping up with developments.

Maybury was a vice-president of both the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Until recently she regularly attended meetings and gave time and care to helping the members and the causes in which they believe. She was a remarkable writer and a good friend and companion.

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