Agatha Contemporary is a term used to refer to four of the most influential British mystery writers of the 20th century: Ngaio Marsh, Erle Stanley Gardner, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L. Sayers. Ngaio Marsh was a New Zealand-born author who wrote 32 detective novels featuring her character Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Erle Stanley Gardner was an American lawyer and author who wrote over 80 novels featuring his character Perry Mason. Agatha Christie was an English author who wrote 66 detective novels featuring her characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Lastly, Dorothy L. Sayers was an English author who wrote 11 detective novels featuring her character Lord Peter Wimsey.