The Books of December

As one might expect, December was a terrible month for reading! I only managed four books and even that was a challenge! (One was only 48 pages!)

I'll have the overall book wrap post soon, but here are my takes on the December reads.

"Murder at the Theatre Royale" by Ada Moncrieff

Daphne King is the agony aunt writer "Dear Susan" at a London paper in 1935, despite her help in cracking previous criminal cases in the past, the credit going to one of her colleagues. But when he is off for the holiday, Daphne gets a chance to do a feature piece on the comeback of a stage director, in London with his production of "A Christmas Carol" and she jumps at the chance to do something more substantial.

And so, it is on several days before Christmas when she begins her interview for the piece. And, it is later that day that the actor playing Scrooge is found, murdered on stage. Being in the right place at the right time and having already been introduced as a friendly journalist to the cast and crew, she's in the position to use her investigative reporting skills to crack the case.

This is an enjoyable, light read. While not written during the "classic period" of British crime fiction it is set during the 30s, which is a fun period and I love just about anything set in the theatre. Clues are well presented to the reader and despite that, I still didn't guess the ending, so that's definitely a plus. 

Ada Moncrieff is no Susan Hill, Elly Griffiths, Louise Penny or even Agatha Christie. But "Murder at the Theatre Royale" is a fun read and if you are looking for a good theatre mystery set at Christmas, it's worth considering.

"The Santa Klaus Murder" by Mavis Doriel Hay 

Sir George Marbury is welcoming his family to the manor house for the holidays -- his widowed daughter Hilda and her daughter, Carol; son George and his family; daughters Edith and Eleanor and their husbands and daughter Jennifer, who still lives at home. Also in attendance are the secretary, Miss Portisham; Jennifer's still un-revealed fiance Philip Chariton and Oliver Witcombe, the man Sir George hopes will marry Jennifer, along with Sir George's sister and a number of servants.

There's always an obvious victim and in the first few chapters, recounting of the events by several of the characters, it is clear that Sir George's days are numbered. There were many reasons a number of the party might want him dead (mostly related to his will) and suspects are plentiful. When his body is found in his study after a celebration in which Santa Klaus appeared with gifts for the grandchildren, it becomes the task of Colonel Halstock to unravel the mystery.

This is part of the British Library Crime Classics series and was written in 1938. It bears all the hallmarks of the classic country house murder -- loads of suspects, an unlikable victim, an obvious suspect (and we all know that rarely does the obvious suspect do the deed) and a will that may -- or may not -- reveal motive. 

The first few chapters were a bit confusing to follow -- each written by a different participant with their observations of the day. (We later find they were written and presented to Col. Halstock to aid in his investigation). But once the Colonel continues the narrative and begins his investigation, it turns into a rather engaging and puzzling mystery.

It's a longer book than some and was a slower read. (Less reading time didn't help!) But it also was a worthwhile one and (once again) another good Christmas mystery to consider.

"A Note of Explanation" by Vita Sackville-West

This is such a short book -- only 48 pages. And oh, so charming!

Queen Mary, as many know, has a remarkable dolls house which one can visit at Windsor Castle. Within the house is a collection of very tiny books, written by a remarkable selection of renowned writers. Sackville-West was asked to write one as well.

The original book was very tiny but fortunately, this copy is about 8x10. It's enchanting as it follows the "ghost" of the dolls house, telling her story. She has met up with such characters as Bluebeard, Scheherazade (whom she thought long-winded and a bore) and the Emperor of "The Nightingale." And now, she is here, residing in the castle. When the curator comes each day, he might find a dining table with leftovers or an unmade bed!

This edition is illustrated with wonderful deco-style pictures by Kate Bayley of our ghost enjoying her reminiscences of the past. They are exquisite. If you think of Essie Davis' portrayal of Miss Fisher in the mystery series, you have a very good idea of the style of this charming character. 

It's a delight in every way.

"Lady in Waiting" by Anne Glenconner

Those who have followed a number of royal events on TV may well have seen Lady Anne Glenconner as a commentator on various PBS and other programs. She served as one of Queen Elizabeth's coronation ladies in waiting, as well as a Maid of Honor at her wedding to Prince Philip. She later spent 25+ years as Lady in Waiting to her dear friend Princess Margaret, whom she met as a child in Norfolk, close to the royal Sandringham estate.

Glenconner's autobiography takes us deeply into her personal life as well as her time serving Princess Margaret in a lively and rather fascinating book on how the other half lives. It clearly shows that money can buy you many homes, estates, even the island of Mustique, and facilitate fascinating travels. But it doesn't replace the terrors of a husband whose temper was legendary, the tragic death of one child, the addiction of another and a near-fatal accident to a third.

Beginning with her early life at the estate of Holkham, she describes a fairly joyful upbringing, followed by awkward teen years. It was especially interesting to read about her mother's creation of Holkham Pottery and Anne became her sales rep, traveling around the UK and to America hawking pottery to stores like Saks. We follow her through her debutante season, wearing a gorn made of a rescued WWII parachute, and her fascinating journey as an attendant during the coronation. 

Her own family life, with her volatile husband, Colin, is equally fascinating, if a bit disturbing. Colin and Anne bought and settled the Caribbean island of Mustique, which became a playground for the obscenely wealthy and the parties she describes almost defy description.

But as the title says, she was a Lady in Waiting -- to Princess Margaret and it is her times with this royal that form a large and intriguing part of her story. Those who have seen "The Crown" know one side of Princess Margaret. Glenconner's interpretation is far more in-depth and poignant.

If one is intrigued by the royal life or that of the upper classes, "Lady In Waiting" is a book well worth your time.