An unremarkable but enjoyable mystery, this book is middle-of-the-road Mitchell, both chronologically and in terms of quality. Twelve Horses is enlivened by the author's sense of humor and penchant for bizarre plot elements. This is the first book where Mrs. Bradley receives the title of "Dame Beatrice." There's no direct reference to the bestowment of title, which must have happened between books.

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Twelve Horses uses series character Laura Gavin a little too often for my liking; Dame B. becomes overshadowed by her busy secretary, who graduates in this story from Dr. Watson commentary to Archie Goodwin action figure. Laura's forever interrogating, trailing and badgering suspects, while Mrs. Croc waits off-stage, not even so much as poking a bony yellow finger into anyone's ribs. Instead of Dame B. conversing with loyal chauffeur George on a ride to the crime scene, we have Laura zipping around hither and yon on a motor scooter. Miss Mitchell obviously has an affinity for Laura, who readers first meet in Laurels Are Poison (1942). Laura's candid and colorful dialogue often provides a neat counterpoint to her employer's forthright exchanges. (Laura, on a pair of child stable riders: "They are, without exception, the cagiest collection of brats I've ever encountered. The Prince of Liars could learn a lot from young Ursula, and as for the boy, Machiavelli was a child compared with him.") Laura works best as a feisty sidekick; future Mitchell novels will find Dame Beatrice front and center at the murder scene, where she belongs.