Guy Boothby (1867-1905) was an Australian-born British writer best known for his adventure and crime fiction. He gained widespread popularity for his Dr. Nikola series, featuring a master criminal with hypnotic powers. Boothby's novels often blended mystery, adventure, and the supernatural, appealing to readers of late 19th- and early 20th-century popular fiction. His fast-paced storytelling and exotic settings made him a leading figure in early thriller literature.