Mary Killen

Mary Killen writes The Spectator's Dear Mary column.

Dear Mary

2 January 2016 9:00 am

I have been alone in the country this festive season as my adult children and most of my friends are…

Dear Mary

31 December 2015 3:00 pm

I have been alone in the country this festive season as my adult children and most of my friends are…

Dear Mary solves problems for Nicky Haslam, Nigel Slater, Professor Mary Beard and others

12 December 2015 9:00 am

From Nicky Haslam Q. Being considered something of a guru on the subject of things common, can you advise me…

Dear Mary solves problems for Nicky Haslam, Nigel Slater, Professor Mary Beard and others

10 December 2015 3:00 pm

From Nicky HaslamQ. Being considered something of a guru on the subject of things common, can you advise me how…

Dear Mary: How to stop someone from giving my tiny children expensive clothes that they never wear?

5 December 2015 9:00 am

Q. Is there a tactful way to deter certain people from buying clothing for one’s tiny children as Christmas presents?…

Dear Mary: How to stop someone from giving my tiny children expensive clothes that they never wear?

3 December 2015 3:00 pm

Q. Is there a tactful way to deter certain people from buying clothing for one’s tiny children as Christmas presents?…

(Photo: Getty)

Dear Mary: How can I protect my sick husband from his friends?

28 November 2015 9:00 am

Q. My husband is, in a word, adorable. However, following a substantial brain operation, his doctor has told him that…

(Photo: Getty)

Dear Mary: How can I protect my sick husband from his friends?

26 November 2015 3:00 pm

Q. My husband is, in a word, adorable. However, following a substantial brain operation, his doctor has told him that…

Dear Mary

21 November 2015 9:00 am

Q. I work in the London art market. Often, when I run into a fellow dealer and ask how they…

Dear Mary

19 November 2015 3:00 pm

Q. I work in the London art market. Often, when I run into a fellow dealer and ask how they…

Dear Mary on cheering up an ageing Adonis….

14 November 2015 9:00 am

Q. The other night, as I arrived at the John James exhibition on Fulham Road, I stopped to say hello…

Dear Mary on cheering up an ageing Adonis….

12 November 2015 3:00 pm

Q. The other night, as I arrived at the John James exhibition on Fulham Road, I stopped to say hello…

Dear Mary: I always end up subsidising my greedy friend’s lunch

7 November 2015 9:00 am

Q. I have lunch once a month with an old university friend. Over the years we have both thickened out…

Dear Mary: I always end up subsidising my greedy friend’s lunch

5 November 2015 3:00 pm

Q. I have lunch once a month with an old university friend. Over the years we have both thickened out…

Dear Mary: How can we make our dinner guests go?

29 October 2015 3:00 pm

Q. Many of our best and oldest friends have done so well they have stopped work. Meanwhile my husband still…

Dear Mary: How can we make our dinner guests go?

29 October 2015 9:00 am

Q. Many of our best and oldest friends have done so well they have stopped work. Meanwhile my husband still…

Dear Mary: How can I greet friends without clashing specs?

24 October 2015 9:00 am

Q. As an old trout, large in height and breadth, I have taken a leaf out of the documentary Advanced…

Dear Mary: How can I greet friends without clashing specs?

22 October 2015 2:00 pm

Q. As an old trout, large in height and breadth, I have taken a leaf out of the documentary Advanced…

Dear Mary: Another way to deal with a maddening blackhead

17 October 2015 8:00 am

Q. Might I suggest an alternative solution to E.B. of London’s problem (3 October) about the person sporting a ‘maddening’…

Dear Mary: Another way to deal with a maddening blackhead

15 October 2015 2:00 pm

Q. Might I suggest an alternative solution to E.B. of London’s problem (3 October) about the person sporting a ‘maddening’…

Your problems solved

3 October 2015 8:00 am

Q. A friend of mine is performing a recital in Dublin and has sent round an email advertising the time…

Your problems solved

1 October 2015 1:00 pm

Q. A friend of mine is performing a recital in Dublin and has sent round an email advertising the time…

Dear Mary

26 September 2015 8:00 am

Q. I am an impoverished artist living in a famously cheap European city, largely for reasons of economy. I love…

Dear Mary

24 September 2015 1:00 pm

Q. I am an impoverished artist living in a famously cheap European city, largely for reasons of economy. I love…

Your problems solved

19 September 2015 8:00 am

Q. Some years ago, while appearing as a barrister before a bench of three magistrates in the youth court, I…