C. C. Benison
Author of Twelve Drummers Drumming
About the Author
Series
Works by C. C. Benison
Multiple 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Benison, C. C.
- Legal name
- Whiteway, Doug
- Birthdate
- 1951
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Carleton University (journalism)
- Occupations
- writer
editor
publisher - Organizations
- The Beaver (Canadian periodical)
- Awards and honors
- National Magazine Award
Western Magazine Award
Arthur Ellis Award - Agent
- Dean Cooke, The Cooke Agency, Toronto
- Short biography
- Pen name of Doug Whiteway. A Carleton University journalism school graduate, he worked as a reporter for the Dauphin Herald in the late 1970s and for the Winnipeg Free Press in the 1980s. As an independent writer, he has contributed to numerous magazines, newspapers, and corporate communications. He has been a recipient of a National Magazine Award, two Western Magazine Awards, and an Arthur Ellis Award for the best first mystery novel, Death at Buckingham Palace (1996). He is the author of the Her Majesty Investigates series of crime novels, which incudes Death at Windsor Castle, and the Father Christmas series, which includes Twelve Drummers Drumming and Eleven Pipers Piping.
- Nationality
- Canada
- Birthplace
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Places of residence
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Associated Place (for map)
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Members
Reviews
In the second installment of C.C. Benison's "Father Christmas" mysteries, the vicar's housekeeper, Mrs. Prowse, is having difficulties with her Yorkshire puddings -- they keep turning out flat. But she tries again, and eventually manages to regain her touch. I mention this seemingly inconsequential incident because it is similar to my experience reading this series: the first book fell flat for me, what with all the backstory, enormous cast of characters, and perhaps not the most intriguing show more (for me) murder. But this second volume rose triumphantly above its predecessor and brought a spring to my reading step.
First off, the murder involves a Burns Supper, which is a great deal more interesting than a drum containing a dead body. Second, the backstory is much more deftly handled here. Just enough is brought forward from the first book to orient new readers without overwhelming them with information. And third, the cast of characters was more manageable. It did help to have read the first book, if only so that I knew how the format of the books went (third person narration combined with letter-writing interludes by Mrs. Prowse that provide additional information and perspective). The story twisted and turned most satisfactorily and I did not guess how it would be resolved.
To sum up, if this book sounds more interesting to you than Twelve Drummers Drumming, go ahead and read out of order! show less
First off, the murder involves a Burns Supper, which is a great deal more interesting than a drum containing a dead body. Second, the backstory is much more deftly handled here. Just enough is brought forward from the first book to orient new readers without overwhelming them with information. And third, the cast of characters was more manageable. It did help to have read the first book, if only so that I knew how the format of the books went (third person narration combined with letter-writing interludes by Mrs. Prowse that provide additional information and perspective). The story twisted and turned most satisfactorily and I did not guess how it would be resolved.
To sum up, if this book sounds more interesting to you than Twelve Drummers Drumming, go ahead and read out of order! show less
Jane Bee, a native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, has found herself in need of funding after a solo jaunt across Europe. With ancestry that enables her to work in the United Kingdom (and a relative to stay with), she searches for a job and, much to her surprise, is hired at Buckingham Palace as a housemaid. One fall, tragedy strikes when a footman friend is found dead near the Queen's Apartments, and suicide is presumed. But Jane can't believe that verdict. And neither does the person who show more discovered the body -- Jane's employer, Her Majesty herself, Queen Elizabeth II.
This is the first of (sadly, only) three books in the "Her Majesty Investigates" series, and it's a lot of fun. As a Canadian, I naturally approve of Jane Bee's nationality, and I like Jane herself. She's an intelligent, amusing narrator, and I enjoyed being privy to her thought processes whenever she had conversations with the Queen. They make a good team, and not really in a Holmes/Watson way -- they have different opportunities for collecting clues, given their respective stations, but the deductions and conclusions are shared.
The book is also a bit of a time capsule of the early 1990s: cassettes and VHS are still prevalent, Charles and Diana are pretty much (if not already) divorced, and newspapers play a key role in the proceedings, with only a few token computers mentioned once in the book. For that alone this is an interesting book, as well as for the glimpse into London life and the Royal Family. If you like books set in royal estates and/or royal sleuths, and enjoy a good puzzle with some chuckles along the way, this would be a good choice. show less
This is the first of (sadly, only) three books in the "Her Majesty Investigates" series, and it's a lot of fun. As a Canadian, I naturally approve of Jane Bee's nationality, and I like Jane herself. She's an intelligent, amusing narrator, and I enjoyed being privy to her thought processes whenever she had conversations with the Queen. They make a good team, and not really in a Holmes/Watson way -- they have different opportunities for collecting clues, given their respective stations, but the deductions and conclusions are shared.
The book is also a bit of a time capsule of the early 1990s: cassettes and VHS are still prevalent, Charles and Diana are pretty much (if not already) divorced, and newspapers play a key role in the proceedings, with only a few token computers mentioned once in the book. For that alone this is an interesting book, as well as for the glimpse into London life and the Royal Family. If you like books set in royal estates and/or royal sleuths, and enjoy a good puzzle with some chuckles along the way, this would be a good choice. show less
When a body is discovered in the Throne Room at Windsor Castle just before the investiture ceremony for the Knights of the Garter, the Queen calls upon Jane Bee for her housekeeping skills. There's a rather large stain on the carpet that needs to be dealt with before the ceremony. Jane's sleuthing skills are needed after the ceremony is over. The police obtain a confession almost immediately, which troubles Jane. She doesn't believe the person who confessed to the murder could have done it. show more But why would someone confess to a murder he or she didn't commit? Jane – and the Queen's – sleuthing will have to fit in around the busyness of Royal Ascot week, when the Castle is filled with extra guests. A handsome member of the Scots Guard becomes a growing distraction for Jane. She really wants to see him again, but unfortunately she didn't catch his last name and he's not likely to find her given the story she told him about herself.
Windsor was a favorite destination for my days off during the years I lived just north of London. This fun cozy brought back a lot of happy memories. The setting, the characters, and the witty narration were so entertaining that the murder and its solution were just a side attraction. I wish the author would write one more book in this series. A death at Balmoral would be a nice way to bring closure to it. show less
Windsor was a favorite destination for my days off during the years I lived just north of London. This fun cozy brought back a lot of happy memories. The setting, the characters, and the witty narration were so entertaining that the murder and its solution were just a side attraction. I wish the author would write one more book in this series. A death at Balmoral would be a nice way to bring closure to it. show less
In the third, and sadly the last, in the Jane Bee/Her Majesty Investigates mystery series, Jane and the rest of the Staff move to Windsor Castle in June for what may be the Queen's favourite time of year: Royal Ascot. Part of the festivities for the week include the Procession of the Knights of the Garter and the investiture of new knights into the Order of the Garter. However, this year there is an unwelcome event added to the schedule: murder in the Throne Room, just hours before the show more investiture! Jane is quickly tasked with the cleanup and investigation of this heinous crime, in consultation with Her Majesty of course.
This is my favourite of the three books in the series. Jane's narration leaps joyfully off the pages, with plenty of quips and wordplay to keep me entertained. The usual cast of characters delights as well, and there are some amusing royal cameos. I also loved the descriptions of a sunny week in June, the pageantry of the Garter Procession, and the roar of the crowds at Ascot.
An interesting coincidence: the police detective investigating the murder is DCI George Nightingale. I wonder if he is any relation to Thomas from the Rivers of London series?
If you've ever been to Windsor or want to go, this might be a fun little treat for you to check out. There are no spoilers for the first two books in the series (besides mentioning the fact that they exist), so this can be safely read as a stand-alone. show less
This is my favourite of the three books in the series. Jane's narration leaps joyfully off the pages, with plenty of quips and wordplay to keep me entertained. The usual cast of characters delights as well, and there are some amusing royal cameos. I also loved the descriptions of a sunny week in June, the pageantry of the Garter Procession, and the roar of the crowds at Ascot.
An interesting coincidence: the police detective investigating the murder is DCI George Nightingale. I wonder if he is any relation to Thomas from the Rivers of London series?
If you've ever been to Windsor or want to go, this might be a fun little treat for you to check out. There are no spoilers for the first two books in the series (besides mentioning the fact that they exist), so this can be safely read as a stand-alone. show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 13
- Members
- 1,103
- Popularity
- #23,300
- Rating
- 3.5
- Reviews
- 87
- ISBNs
- 46
- Languages
- 3
- Favorited
- 2
