All aboard for the puzzling Christmas mystery of the year
by Alexandra Benedict
#MurderOnTheChristmasExpress #NetGalley
This mystery will remind readers of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. It uses the well known mystery trope of putting people together somewhere from which they can not escape and with a serious killer in the mix.
In this book, there is a disparate group traveling on the overnight train to Fort William. What a group they are! There is a (constantly on her media) instagrammar and her rather awful boyfriend; a group hoping to make it in a trivia contest; a recently retired police officer; a member of the CPS: an elderly mother and son who have a cat named Moustache; a young woman named Ember; train crew and more.
It takes a while for the first murder to occur although it is acknowledged on the very first page of the book. More trouble and chaos will ensue before the train is again in motion following its derailment.
The book’s protagonist has a bit of a complex backstory. Readers will hope that she is able to make it to her daughter and new granddaughter soon and unscathed.
As a bonus, this book is peppered with puzzles. I think that these extras are trademarks for this author.
I enjoyed this title. Readers of locked room mysteries will enjoy trying to solve the case.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 01 February 2023
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 