1913. Described by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as the greatest of British novelists, it was with The Devil's Garden that Maxwell became recognized as one of the most powerful and arresting novelists of his day. This work, described as a study of elemental passion, excited wide discussion and was attacked in many quarters for the daring of its theme, obsession and adultery. Maxwell was surprised and disappointed by some of the critical reaction to his book and particularly by the ban that was placed on it by the circulating libraries. Ironically the publicity it received boosted its sales and made Maxwell a household name.