From the moment Frances Armitage saw the American film star, she knew she was in for trouble. Ten-year-old Twinkle was a box office attraction and Frances was her new chaperone whilst filming in England. Suspicious and insecure, Twinkle made enemies the way other children make mud pies. Frances believes she must try and protect Twinkle after a series of attempts on the girl's life. But Twinkle is probably capable enough to look after herself!
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.
This book has plenty of secrets, not just for one or two characters. With the final twist revealed at the end, it sets everything I thought a mystery was on its head.