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Sarah Kelling

 

The scene of the novels centred on Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn is Beacon Hill and Ireson's Landing in Boston, Massachusetts. The detective stories play in the 80’s and 90’s of the 20th century.

 

The Kellings are among the oldest and most influential families in Boston’s high society. They acquired their wealth in the days of tea trade with India, when one of the highest virtues was considered to be thriftiness. Within the large and extended family, it was customary to search for a spouse among the cousins ??of the third, fourth or fifth grade, so it's no surprise that both Sarah's mother and her father were Kellings.

 

Sarah was 10 years old when her mother died and she was the one to take over the household duties. She did not attend any form of education but was home-schooled. Nine years later, her father died and shortly afterwards Sarah married her ??more than 20 years older cousin and guardian, Alexander Kelling.

 

In a murder disguised as accident both Alexander and his mother were killed. Sarah, now 26 years old, finds that she has not only lost her husband. She has also been left virtually penniless, as the Kelling-fortune has apparently dissolved into nothingness.

 

She is convinced that the death of both her ??husband and the missing assets have something to do with barmaid Ruby Redd, who disappeared 30 years ago. Her body was found recently in the family vault of the Kellings. She makes it her mission to investigate this murder case along with the sympathetic investigator Max Bittersohn.

 

Out of necessity for money, she opens a fine bed and breakfast in her large home in the city, where she also accommodates Max Bittersogn. Sarah and Max get along very well and later even get married.

 

Other Characters

Dr. phil. Max Bittersohn – Private Detective

Max comes from a Jewish family from Ireson Town and studied medicine at the request of his parents. When his uncle was suspected of being a jewellery thief, he successfully investigated and then switched from medicine to art history. After finishing his studies, he opened a private detective agency. He specializes in the recovery of stolen jewellery, antiques and works of art.

 

Adolphus „Dolph“ Kelling – Cousin

Dolph is a tall elderly gentleman. He is not very pleased about the idea of turning their home into a bed and breakfast. Dolph is married to Mary Smith. Both founded the "Senior Citizen's Recycling Centre" for poor pensioners who can hand over cans, bottles and newspapers, that they have gathered in the city. In return, these pensioners are offered a fair wage. The center is also intended as a meeting point for these retirees. It also serves as a canteen and just as a place where one can warm up one’s hands.

 

Jeremy „Jem“ Kelling – Uncle

A cozy apartment in the Pinckney Street is the home of Uncle Jeremy and his servant Egbert. Jeremy loves the dispute between his family members, but is always willing to help and support Sarah. Jem is described as a bon vivant and a ladies’ man due to his charm that makes him popular with many women. He is familiar with Boston gossip and enjoys martinis, gin and other alcoholic beverages.

 

Alexander "Brooks" Kelling – Another Uncle

Brooks can imitate almost any bird voice. He has therefore also performed at children's parties. He later became employed as a security guard in a museum and is now working for Max Bittersohn’s detective agency.

 

Theonia Sorpende Kelling - Alexander Kelling’s Wife

Theonia is spiritually inclined and has worked occasionally as a fortune teller. She is a perfect lady and  is described as a woman whose elegant appearance does not go unnoticed by men. After Sarah’s and Max’s wedding she ran the Tulip Street bed and breakfast together with her husband, Books. Theonia is also working for the Bittersohn detective agency

 

Emma Kelling - Sarah’s Aunt

The enthusiastic actress and singer Emma is a big fan of the comic operas by Gilbert and Sullivan. She does not live in Boston, but in Springfield, and often supports Sarah in family feuds. Emma's theater group, "The Pirates of Pleasaunce" performs the works of Gilbert & Sullivan best, and the name of the theater group is based on the opera "Pirates of Penzance" by the two composers.

 

Mariposa and Charles C. Charles

Both work in Sarah's bed and breakfast in Tulip Street. Mariposa is Charles’ girlfriend and wears an orange uniform. Charles is out of work as an actor and plays the part of the venerable butler with much devotion. The butler "Mr. Hudson" in "Upstairs, Downstairs" has deeply impressed him.

 

Books from the Boston Series

  • The Family Vault
  • The Withdrawing Room
  • The Palace Guard
  • The Bilbao Looking Glass
  • The Convivial Codfish
  • The Plain Old Man
  • The Recycled Citizen
  • The Silver Ghost
  • The Gladstone Bag
  • The Resurrection Man
  • The Odd Job
  • The Balloon Man

 

The Author

You may find detailed information about the Canadian-born writer on the Charlotte MacLeod webpage. As a side note, besides her series about the private investigator Max Bittersohn, the author also wrote a college-based crime series about Professor Dr. Peter Shandy. Charlotte MacLeod received the Nero Wolfe Award in 1987 for the novel “The Corpse in Oozak's Pond”, which is part of this series.

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