but due to your post I reread the paragraph and indeed, she says:"That I do not know, nor who is the author." I had always understood she meant "author" in the sense of "initiator" - but yes, it could actually mean a novelist. Then her further remark "I shall expect murder and everything of the kind.” would relate to a story about murder. Never thought of that! This is why I love these groupreads. They are so enlightening!