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Guilty Party
Another crime thriller from the author of "Fatal Fortune", this is the story of Leonora Rice, who escapes the break-up of a love affair by moving to the country. The locals prove to be very friendly, until a party ends in death and the local busybody helps Leonora unearth some deadly secrets.
- GenresMystery
200 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
About the author
Marian Babson
60 books90 followersMarian 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 1, 2024
The only thing that was good about this book is the ending. It is a 200-page book, and I still had a very hard time finishing it. It was painfully slow and uninteresting. Wouldn't really recommend it, even though the writing is very good.
August 29, 2025
These are well- written, stand alone cozies, and are quite enjoyable. She has a series with cats, but these are all one and done. Perfect summer reading as I sit outside, enjoying (?) the goldenrod.
October 3, 2016
Nice development, just enough details to delight without prompting me into speed reading mode, and a satisfying ending.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews