Edward Marston Ocean Liner Mysteries Collection 5 Books Set (Murder on the Lusitania, Murder on the Marmora, Murder on the Oceanic, Murder on the Celtic, Murder on the Salsette)

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If the plot sounds the same as the other books in the series, it's because it is. However, I will say that while the basics are a bit repetitious, this one is just a wee bit better than its predecessors. Not only do we have a believable list of suspects, but he's toned down the minutiae (the fashions of the day down to the buttons) and given Genevieve time off from the usual coterie of men going gaga over her. Placing her ex-fiance on board was a good move...I enjoyed the little extra addition to the usual storyline. While many of them had moments where they were hindrances, none were more dangerous to my blood pressure than Nigel Wilmshurst and his wife, Araminta. What made the whole experience particularly unpleasant was that Genevieve turned into a doormat every time Nigel or Araminta were involved - she’s never been strong at handling her unwanted suitors, despite always telling George she can handle it alone, but there were almost dire consequences to her ridiculous insistence that everything is fine this time. I was appalled at her (frankly brainless and silly) decision to brush what happened near the end under a rug - it was the one dark spot to this otherwise great 5th book. I’m as frustrated as George that the villain never received just punishment. The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that was sunk in 1915 by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 passengers and crew. Lusitania held the Blue Riband prize for the fastest Atlantic crossing and was briefly the world's largest passenger ship until the completion of the Mauretania. Miles was born and educated in South Wales. [1] He gained a degree in Modern History from Oxford University and spent three years as a lecturer, before becoming a full-time writer. [2] Miles's early work was as a scriptwriter for television and radio, including series such as Crossroads, Z-Cars and The Archers. [3] Miles was chairman of the Crime Writers' Association for 1997–98. [4] He was previously married to Rosalind Miles and is now married to another mystery writer, Judith Cutler. [5] Mystery fiction written as Keith Miles [ edit ]

The Captain Rawson series, featuring Captain Daniel Rawson, soldier and spy, set around the period of the War of the Spanish Succession: I did love that this was set on the Lusitania and that there was some history of that ship in the book. I didn't love that I guess who the murderer was very early one. Its not so much that the murderer is written clearly, its more like they aren't and therefore was who I suspected right away.

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So, new line, smaller ship, new longer cruise route. Also, our two detectives, until now universally adored - throughout the series, the author tells us at length how gorgeous, witty, charming Genevieve is, and George is just as handsome, smart, tough, etc. Finally, a bit of conflict enters their Teflon existence - first, the Marmora bursar has no use for them on his ship, and resents their presence, especially George. Kilheaney (I think that was the name, an Irishman) doesn’t like Americans (George), and thinks of Cunard as the enemy, so resents both detectives. Plus, their reputation as effective professionals precedes them, and he resents that as well. We learn there is more to his story, of course. Also, Genevieve spots a very unpleasant man from her past among the passengers, so she’s on pins and needles much of the time. The Action Scene series included five books, from Skydive to Frontier; [6] as Miles, he also wrote Not for Glory, Not for Gold, a novel about athletics. [7] It is September, 1907 and the Lusitania is sailing her maiden voyage to New York. This novel introduces American George Porter Dillman, a detective who is usually called upon to keep an eye on professional card sharps, or some thieving. However, this voyage offers more than the usual excitement - and romance. From the time Dillman boards the train from Euston to Liverpool, Lime Street, he feels that things are not right. He is intrigued by Mr and Mrs Rymer, whose daughter Violet seems sad and listless for such an exciting event as a trip on such a wonderful liner and is further concerned about the oily journalist Henry Barcroft, who bothers the passengers and crew alike. When there is murder onboard, his detective skills are put to the test. The American Revolutionary War series, featuring Captain Jamie Skoyles, set during the American Revolutionary War: [16] Edward Marston is the pseudonym used by the famous British author Keith Miles for writing mystery and historical fiction novels. Edward also writes under his original name sometimes. Other than these names, he has also written novels featuring ship’s detectives under other pseudonyms Conrad Allen and Martin Inigo. Edward is particularly known for writing the mystery novels set in the time of Elizabeth theater. Among the all the novel series’ written by him, the most famous ones include The Railway Detective series, the Bracewell series, the Domesday series, the Christopher Redmayne series and the Home Front Detective series. The Domesday series is the one for which author Edward Marston is well known. Apart from the mysteries, he also likes to write novels based on the Biography and Children’s genres. Edward was born in the year 1940 in Wales, United Kingdom and was also brought up there. He completed his studies from the Oxford University in Modern History and began working as a lecturer in the same college. He taught Modern History to the students of the Oxford College for a period of three years before going on to become a full time writer, mostly as a freelancer.

September 1907. George Dillman sets sail from Liverpool to New York on the Lusitania's maiden voyage. Posing as a passenger, Dillman is in fact an undercover detective hired by the Cunard Line to keep an eye out for petty crimes. But after some uneventful days aboard, the ship’s blueprints are stolen and then a body is found. The Restoration series, featuring architect Christopher Redmayne and Constable Jonathan Bale, set in 1660s/70s London: I absolutely love Edward Marston and have read almost everything he has written, but I'm not so sure about this series. Originally published under a pseudonym and now being reissued under the Edward Marston banner, one can readily guess why this was considered necessary.Speaking of changes, we have a break in pattern elsewhere on the Marmora - no more Mr. Nice Purser. Brian Kilhendry is frankly an arrogant, self-absorbed and racist little man, and it was as unpleasant to read about him as it must’ve been for George to have to work with him. While his bullheaded insistence on obstructing George and Genevieve made my blood boil, it did make him a far more memorable character than the other nice Cunard pursers, who all seem to blend into one in my mind. And it certainly did make the mystery that much more challenging to solve, which was fun. stars for this (I assume) final book in the series. Conrad Allen is a pen name for the prolific historical mystery writer Edward Marston, who often writes in series of six books; this is book 6 in the series about the golden age of ocean cruising, in which we’ve followed the adventures of ship detectives Genevieve Masefield and George Dillman. Pleasant mystery set on the Lusitania’s maiden voyage in 1907. George Porter Dillman is the ship’s detective working incognito as a first class passenger. As he observes the characters, several of them come to his notice, including the glamorous Genevieve Masefield and a persistent reporter called Henry Barcroft. Then some important plans go missing from the Chief Engineer’s room, and Barcroft is found murdered. Dillman must solve the murder before the ship reaches New York, without alarming the passengers.

He used the pseudonym Christopher Mountjoy for three books in the 1980s, Coming of Age, Queen and Country and The Honourable Member. [6] [14] Bibliography [ edit ] As Keith Miles [ edit ] This started off with two interesting twists for me - our two detectives, who’ve always worked on luxurious Cunard vessels making Atlantic crossings, are now on the P & O liner Marmora - still luxurious, but making stops in Marseille, Egypt, and finally, Australia. EDIT: this is only the fifth book, sorry! There are more books in the seriesIf you're interested in historical mysteries, or if you're following the series you may like it; however, you really want to start with book one in the series so you're not confused about the relationship between Dillman and Masefield. As an experienced reader of whodunnits, I had an inkling of the culprit early on, but did not really get the full picture until late in the book.