Thursday, January 2, 2020

The Twelve Deaths of Christmas: Marian Babson

I am still in a holiday mood on the 2nd day of the new year, so I am writing about my last Christmas read from mid-December. The Twelve Deaths of Christmas is set in a boarding house, and based on the title it sounds grim. But it is more of cozy mystery, although there are many deaths throughout. Published in 1979, the story is old-fashioned and I liked that. Random deaths are taking place all over London, although the police suspect that one person is causing all the deaths.


The story is told from several points of view. From the point of view of the boarders at Maude's boarding house. From the point of view of the killer, told in first person. And from the point of view of the policemen investigating the crime. Thus this story is part psychological suspense and part police procedural. The reader knows from early in the book that the killer lives in Maude Daneson's boarding house (but not the identity, of course).

Most of the narrative is focused on Christmas preparations and plans at the boarding house and the killer's thoughts and and activities. The killings are haphazard, not usually planned in advance, so the series of deaths seem to be the perfect crime with no links to the killer.

Iris Loring, a freelance artist, serves as the character who introduces the tenants of the house. As a distant relative of Maude, she has her room for free in exchange for serving as the housekeeper. As the tenants enter and return to the building each day Iris meets then as she does her chores and decorates the hallway for Christmas.

Again the style of each chapter feeding hints about the villain but leaving the reader dangling annoyed me (as in The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley), but overall the story is a page turner and a fun Christmas read (and short). The setting of the boarding house is an appealing one. A group of disparate persons, some young, some older and retired, provide some interesting characters and relationships. The policemen on the case do not play a large part, but the characterization of the two men is very well done.

My impression is that Marian Babson wrote many mysteries, but with variations in style, so I think it will be worthwhile to follow up on some of her other books. They don't show up a lot at the book sale so I shall have to make and effort to find some. (Any suggestions are welcome.)

Curt Evans at The Passing Tramp has written a couple of very informative posts with an overview of Babson's career and a focus on one of her novels.

See reviews from Richard Robinson at The Broken Bulhorn and Kate at Mystery Please.


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Publisher: Dell, 1985 (first published 1979).
Length:    192 pages
Format:    Paperback
Setting:    London
Genre:     Mystery
Source:    Purchased at Planned Parenthood Book Sale, 2006.


16 comments:

Margot Kinberg said...

I haven't read a lot of Babson, Tracy, but I've enjoyed what I have read. I wish it were a little easier to find her books. The boarding house setting can work really well, and I can see how you would like that setup. There aren't any awful lot of series or even novels that are set in boarding houses, but they can work very well.

TracyK said...

I was thinking that mysteries set in boarding houses had been discussed at your blog, Margot, but I tried to recall some examples and could not. I agree, it is a very good setting for a story.

TracyK said...

Adding a comment from Rick Robinson:

I read this a year or two ago and enjoyed it. A good holiday collection.

TracyK said...

I have had this over ten years, Rick, I can't believe it took me so long to read it.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

Tracy, thanks for this review as well as introducing me to Marian Babson. I have never spotted any of her books at the book sales or secondhand bookshops I frequent.

TracyK said...

I have the same problem, Prashant, I have not found any of her books at book sales recently. I keep hoping.

Christophe said...

This sounds interesting. Thanks for bringing to your readers' attention.

TracyK said...

I hope to try others by this author, Christophe.

Clothes in Books said...

I really like the sound of this - I read a lot of Marion Babson back in the day, but not this one I think. Would make a great Christmas entry for me - I'll have to see if I can find a copy.

TracyK said...

Babson is another author I need to look for more books by, Moira, and I should be able to find some reasonably priced. There are enough people who appreciate her writing, it is a shame some of them are not re-issued.

Mathew Paust said...

Has an Agatha Christieish feel to it, Tracy. I'll wait for the parody, a la Neil Simon's Murder by Death. Happy New Year!

TracyK said...

Happy new year to you, Mathew. I am enjoying having more time to read and write reviews.

Bernie Sammon said...

I suspect this was the first title I ever read by MB, ( and a re read almost every Christmas) her style varied considerably, some never appealed, but this one remains a favourite, along with Queue here for murder, Lord Mayor of death, Death warmed up, I think I had better go and hunt a few out, great light fun titles for our current weather here.

TracyK said...

Thanks for the suggestions, Bernie. I will check online for copies. And in September I will check the annual book sale.

col2910 said...

Another that sounds appealing. Not hurting for books though.

TracyK said...

You and I could both stop acquiring books for a year and not be hurting, Col. But that is not going to happen