Gaston Louis Alfred Leroux (May 1868-Apr. 1927) was born in Paris, France to a respected and moderately well-to-do family. He turned to writing and became a theatre critic and, later, a highly-respected international newspaper correspondent. In 1907 Leroux suddenly and without explanation quit journalism and began writing fiction, prolifically penning thirty-seven novels and a number of short stories. Leroux's most famous individual work, The Phantom of the Opera, was serialized in 1909 through 1910, and would go on to become one of the most recognized titles in the genre of horror writing.
I found the story to be so compelling, and the characters so powerfully drawn... Is it a classic? Yes. It should be on your shelves. - Classic Mysteries Horror Writers Association Haunted Library of Horror Classics series will be a revelation...Fans of literate horror, whatever their opinion of Andrew Lloyd Weber, will be gratified. - Publishers Weekly