Marian Babson: R.I.P.

Mystery author Marian Babson passed away recently at the age of 88. American born, Marian Babson, whose real name was Ruth Stenstreem, lived in London for most of her life. She wrote traditional mystery novels from 1971 onward. She also served as secretary to the Crime Writers’ Association.  She was 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. In all she wrote over 45 mysteries. The publisher's tagline for her style is "Murder Most British," a style reflected in each of her novels. She was awarded the CWA Dagger in the Library in 1996.

I was lucky to meet her several times over the years at Malice Domestic (she took the QEII/she didn't fly) and in England. I remember a particular lively train trip in 1987 when she took me to a CWA meeting in St Albans. Such fun.

You might be interested in this link to a real crime story that involved Marian in 2015. "Award-winning American Crime writer who has penned almost 50 whodunnits solves her own crime after discovering her carer stole 27,000 pounds from her bank account."  And this was at age 86!

Here's a link to her books. I'll be re-reading her Christmas book The Twelve Deaths of Christmas (1979) this week.

R.I.P., Marian

Award Winning Crime Writer Marian Babson solves her own Crime

The Daily Mail reported last week that Mystery writer Ruth Stenstreem, who wrote 45 novels under the name Marian Babson, was able to solve her own crime after she discovered her caregiver stole 27,000 pounds from her bank account.

I first met Marian when she accompanied (took) me to a meeting of the Crime Writers Association in St. Albans (U.K.) in 1987. A long time London resident, Marian, a short animated powerhouse of a woman entertained me on the train and throughout the day. It was always my pleasure to catch up with her at mystery conventions. Murder on Show (Murder at the Cat Show) is an all time favorite.  Here's a link to her novels. I am sorry to hear she's ill, but glad to learn that she's still able to take care of business.

From the Daily Mail:

US-born novelist Ruth Stenstreem, 86, aka Marian Babson, is now suffering from dementia and wheelchair-bound at her flat near Farringdon in central London. She called in police after finding money had vanished - helping detectives identify the culprit as caregiver Vicky Stallon, 27, after telling them she often accompanied her on trips to withdraw cash. 

Read More of the story Here.