Marian Babson was born in Salem, Massachusetts, but in London for the greater part of her life. She worked as a librarian, a receptionist, a secretary, and a den mother to a firm of commercial artists, and was co-editor of a knitting machine 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.