Josette Bruce

Josette Bruce (née Josépha Pyrzbil; also Josette Dourne; 1920 – 10 February 1996) was a French novelist of Polish origin. She is remembered for taking over the literary series OSS 117 about secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath after the death of her husband Jean Bruce, creator of the series.

Born in Poland, she met her future husband, Jean Bruce, on a train. In 1966, three years after she became a widow, she was solicited by the editor of OSS 117 to continue writing the series. Her first book in the series was Les anges de Los Angeles.

She secondly married Pierre Dourne, a family friend who served as the inspiration for the recurring character by the name of Peter Dru. After 143 adventures, she wrote her last OSS 117 book, Anathème à Athènes, in 1985. Bruce also wrote mystery novels. During the 1990 Cognac Thriller Film Festival, a tribute was paid to her.

Josette Bruce died in 1996 at age 75. She was buried with her husband in the cemetery of St Peter's Church in Chantilly. Jean Bruce's daughter and step-son created and together wrote the series, New Adventures of OSS 117.

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