A Fool for Murder: A Mystery

by Marian Babson

First edition. Detective novel about the murder of a British successful economist. Dust jacket lightly worn. 176 pages. cloth, dust jacket. 8vo..

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Marian Babson, a pseudonym for Ruth Stenstreem, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, but lived in London for the greater part of her life.

She worked as a librarian; managed a campaign headquarters; was a receptionist, secretary, and den mother to a firm of commercial artists; and was co-editor of a machine knitting magazine, despite the fact that she can’t knit, even with two needles.

A long sojourn as a temp sent her into the heart of business life all over London, working for architects, law firms, the British Museum, a Soho club, and even a visiting superstar.

She also served as secretary to the Crime Writers’ Association. She became a full-time writer whose many interests included theatre, cinema, art, cooking, travel, and, of course, cats, which feature in many of her mystery books. Her first published work was 'Cover-Up Story' in 1971 and 'Only the Cat' (2007) was her 44th novel.

The publisher's tagline for her style is "Murder Most British," a style reflected in each of her novels. Any violence is not graphically described and the sleuths are usually amateurs.

She re-used certain characters, such as the publicity firm Perkins & Tate, and a couple of ageing actresses, her books all stand-alone and can be read in any order.

Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2010

Reviews

[Jazz]

When it comes to families in mysteries, are there any that aren't dysfunctional? (Well, that would be boring.) And the Creighleigh family is as combative and snide as the best of them. On the occasion of the patriarch Sir Wilmer's 70th birthday, his relatives have gathered to celebrate, expecting an early advance on their inheritances. But after a successful speaking tour in America, Sir Wilmer has his own surprise in store. He returns with a 17-year-old bride, Wanda Lu.

Babson's books are always fun with a cast of eccentric characters, amusing dialogue, and a surprise setup for murder. The murder doesn't occur until late in the novel, so part of the mystery is just who will be the victim. And when it comes, it is a surprise. The ending and solution are tied up quickly for a very satisfying read.

[Marley McGarvey]

Okay I’ve gotta give it credit, I did not expect ANY of that…
First and foremost, THE CHILD BRIDE LOL
70 year old British gramps with the 17 year old American wife had me giggling at work, and I was sooo sure the family was going to kill Wanda-Lu but low and behold it was Divina who died?!
Lynette being Wilmer’s daughter didn’t even enter my train of thought whatsoever until the birth certificate was read oh my goodness gracious.

I was at page 120 thinking “what the hell why isn’t anyone dead yet I thought this was a murder mystery” and I started giving up hope thinking I poorly misinterpreted something, assuming someone would die but it was more focused on the entertainment between the family.
Boy was I wrong

I thought I’d get through this book in a huff thinking I wasted my time (the whole week and a half) but I’m glad I finished it 🫯

[Lindsay Deal]

Unlikeable characters, terrible editing, and 150 pages of boring exposition, followed by 50 pages in which all the action takes place and leaves the reader feeling like the story was suddenly and strangely truncated.

[Susan]

Sir Wilmer has made a lot of money with his book on economics, and his family can't wait to get their hands on it. But when he returns from his lecture tour of America with a bride young enough to be his granddaughter, everyone's nose is out of joint--except his niece and secretary, narrator Pippa, who is waiting to inherit money from her parents' estate. The next-door neighbor, who thought Sir Wilmer was going to marry her, is especially disturbed. But Sir Wilmer isn't the eventual victim...

[Ken Bickley]

Very witty, very British, a very good little murder mystery. I recommend it whole-heartedly.

[Catsalive]

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