Myrtle Reed came from a very religious and literary family. She was a freelance writer who published in Munsey"s Magazine and The National Magazine. Her first novel was entitled Love Letters to a Musician. It"s popularity lead to her writing more novels. Lavender and Old Lace is her most famous novel. At the Sign of the Jack O"Lantern is the story of a New York newspaperman and his young wife. When they return from their honeymoon they arrive at an old peculiar house. In this house many strange and interesting events unfold.