this is the 102nd in my series of forgotten or seldom read books
The Twelve Deaths of Christmas by Marian Babson © 1979 – this edition St. Martin’s Dead Letter 1996 mass market paperback - mystery novel
Yes I know the holidays are over, but I’m just now posting this. Consider it late gift.
The focus here is on the residents of a rooming house, and a series of murders. We know one of them did it. However, none of the victims live in the rooming house and none of them have anything in common. Call it what you will, this novel of multiple murders committed in London at Christmas time will hold your interest. There are some interesting characters, and the reader is left to guess which of the residents, narrating the chapters in which a murder takes place in first person, is the killer.
The police are stumped, and not at all happy about a multiple murder case right at Christmastime. There isn’t much to go on and they stumble towards a solid clue, while the reader is better informed, but it’s all still a guessing game.
I enjoyed this and it makes good holiday reading. Maybe you’ll want to try it next year.
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The rest of the Friday Forgotten Book posts
can be found at Patti Abbott’s blog Pattinaise
Great choice! Babson is on of the most readable and enjoyable mystery authors around.
Babson is American but has lived most of her adult life in London. I never read her.
I saw this and it sounded pretty interesting. So much on my plate to read already, though
Nice gift! Ellen Nehr was a big fan of Marian Babson’s mysteries.
I’ll have to put this on my list. I enjoyed reading a few holiday-focused books this past Christmas and would like to make that a habit from now on.
Used copies are readily available.
A new byline for me, I think…probably have read a passing reference or EQMM capsule review over the years, but doubt I’ve read her work…thanks for the pointer!