Leslie Ford

Leslie Ford is a well-known American author who wrote under the pen name Zenith Jones Brown. She is celebrated for her mystery and suspense novels, which were particularly popular in the mid-twentieth century. In addition to writing as Leslie Ford, she also used the pseudonyms David Frome and Brenda Conrad.

Ford was born on December 8, 1898, in Smith River, California. She attended the Washington University in Seattle, where she earned a degree in education. After completing her education, Ford got married to Ford K. Brown in 1921. She then began working at the Washington University in the departments of Philosophy and Greek, where she held various positions, including assistant, instructor, and teacher of English. Ford's tenure in the teaching field lasted from 1921 to 1923.

After leaving her teaching job, Ford became the assistant of the Circulation Manager and Editor of the Dial Magazine, which required her to move to New York City. It was during this time that she began her writing career, publishing her first novel under the pseudonym David Frome in 1933. She went on to write several successful mystery series under the name Leslie Ford, including the Colonel Primrose Mystery series, the Major Gregory Lewis series, and the Mr. Evan Pinkerton Mysteries. Ford's writing was known for its wit, charm, and intricate plotlines, which kept readers engaged and guessing until the very end.