Peter Godfrey's short story, Wanton Murder, served as the inspiration for the 1957 film The Girl in Black Stockings, starring Anne Bancroft.
Born in South Africa, Godfrey was a prominent figure in the country's literary scene during the 1950s. He was a celebrated writer, playwright, and broadcaster, and his work was well-known to mystery enthusiasts in the United States.
Throughout his career, Godfrey achieved numerous accolades, including winning the international Ellery Queen Awards three times. At the time, the New York Times rated him as one of the top ten best thriller writers in the world.
In addition to his work as a writer, Godfrey was also a well-known journalist. He served as the editor of the West African editions of Drum Magazine, often referred to as the "Time Magazine of Africa."
Godfrey's strong opposition to apartheid ultimately led to his exile to London in 1962. He continued to work as a journalist, eventually retiring from the London Times.
Upon his death in 1992, Godfrey left behind a legacy of over 1,000 published short stories. Wanton Murder was one of the stories included in an anthology titled Death Under the Table, which was set in the shadow of Table Mountain in Cape Town.
The fictional murders depicted in Wanton Murder took place in the Atlantic resort town of Muizenburg, located in the Cape's False Bay. However, the film adaptation of the story was set in a spa town in Utah, differing from the original setting.
