What do you think?
Rate this book
The Railway Detective #11
A Ticket to Oblivion
Young Imogen Burnhope and her maid Rhoda board a non-stop train to Oxford to visit her Aunt Cassandra, who waits on the platform at Oxford station where the train terminates, to greet them. Only they never arrive. All the passengers alight but the two women are nowhere to be seen. The train is searched and the coachman swears he saw them board onto first class, but they seem to have vanished into thin air.
When he learns his daughter is missing, Sir Marcus Burnhope contacts Scotland Yard for help and Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming are assigned to the case. Is it a simple case of a run away? Or is there a larger, more sinister conspiracy at work? The Railway Detective must unravel the mystifying web of their disappearance before Imogen and Rhoda vanish into oblivion for good.
When he learns his daughter is missing, Sir Marcus Burnhope contacts Scotland Yard for help and Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming are assigned to the case. Is it a simple case of a run away? Or is there a larger, more sinister conspiracy at work? The Railway Detective must unravel the mystifying web of their disappearance before Imogen and Rhoda vanish into oblivion for good.
383 pages, Hardcover
First published April 17, 2014
47 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Edward Marston
239 books466 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 23, 2024
It is the summer of 1858 and Imogen Burnhope and her maid Rhoda Wills leave Burnhope Manor on a train bound for Oxford. Waiting at their destination are relatives but the couple are not seen leaving the train. What has happened? Have they run away, been spirited away or thrown from the non-stopping train en route?
Nobody knows so the Railway Detective, Inspector Robert Colbeck and his partner Sergeant Victor Leeming are called in to investigate. It is no easy task for there are no discernible clues to begin with and Imogen's family, particularly her father Sir Marcus Burnhope, quickly get frustrated at what seems to be a lack of progress. Her intended husband Clive Tunnadine is also anxious to find her and he vents his wrath on the police as they attempt to unravel the mystery.
There are twists and turns aplenty, particularly as to why Imogen disappeared in the first instance, as the detectives apply all their experience to try to find the missing couple. Sir Marcus gets increasingly frustrated and eventually goes to see Colbeck's boss Superintendent Tallis, who sometimes thinks that Colbeck and Leeming go off at a tangent. Initially in this case he does so but gradually the two detectives win him round and he is fully supportive of them, in his somewhat begrudging way.
Once Colbeck gets an inkling of what has happened and discovers that the ladies have been kidnapped, he begins to track down the culprits. But before he can do anything a blackmail demand is received, much to the chagrin of Sir Marcus, who is careful with his money. But it is his daughter, so he gathers together the money and a rendezvous is arranged. Unfortunately things do not work out well at the arranged meeting so there is no progress in making any arrests.
After more investigation further ransom demands are made to Sir Marcus and Tunnadine, who go about meeting the criminals independently. This time the money changes hands but not successfully as far as Colbeck and the family are concerned and there is even a fatality. But at least the handing over of the money sets up a new line of investigation.
Colbeck and Leeming, with Tallis to assist, follow this up and, with the help of an ex-detective, not liked nor wanted by the investigators, the criminals are tracked down and followed to Ireland. There a splendid scene takes place where there is a murder and the culprits are finally apprehended after a tremendous struggle.
Imogen is returned to her family, along with Rhoda, who is reunited with her lover at Burnhope Manor, and Colbeck returns to his wife Madeleine who had assisted in the final episode of the affair.
The Railway Detective never lets the reader down and once again he comes up trumps with a fine storyline, good character representation all round and plenty of action. Well done, once again, Edward Marston.
Nobody knows so the Railway Detective, Inspector Robert Colbeck and his partner Sergeant Victor Leeming are called in to investigate. It is no easy task for there are no discernible clues to begin with and Imogen's family, particularly her father Sir Marcus Burnhope, quickly get frustrated at what seems to be a lack of progress. Her intended husband Clive Tunnadine is also anxious to find her and he vents his wrath on the police as they attempt to unravel the mystery.
There are twists and turns aplenty, particularly as to why Imogen disappeared in the first instance, as the detectives apply all their experience to try to find the missing couple. Sir Marcus gets increasingly frustrated and eventually goes to see Colbeck's boss Superintendent Tallis, who sometimes thinks that Colbeck and Leeming go off at a tangent. Initially in this case he does so but gradually the two detectives win him round and he is fully supportive of them, in his somewhat begrudging way.
Once Colbeck gets an inkling of what has happened and discovers that the ladies have been kidnapped, he begins to track down the culprits. But before he can do anything a blackmail demand is received, much to the chagrin of Sir Marcus, who is careful with his money. But it is his daughter, so he gathers together the money and a rendezvous is arranged. Unfortunately things do not work out well at the arranged meeting so there is no progress in making any arrests.
After more investigation further ransom demands are made to Sir Marcus and Tunnadine, who go about meeting the criminals independently. This time the money changes hands but not successfully as far as Colbeck and the family are concerned and there is even a fatality. But at least the handing over of the money sets up a new line of investigation.
Colbeck and Leeming, with Tallis to assist, follow this up and, with the help of an ex-detective, not liked nor wanted by the investigators, the criminals are tracked down and followed to Ireland. There a splendid scene takes place where there is a murder and the culprits are finally apprehended after a tremendous struggle.
Imogen is returned to her family, along with Rhoda, who is reunited with her lover at Burnhope Manor, and Colbeck returns to his wife Madeleine who had assisted in the final episode of the affair.
The Railway Detective never lets the reader down and once again he comes up trumps with a fine storyline, good character representation all round and plenty of action. Well done, once again, Edward Marston.
August 1, 2018
A classically told crime series with historical background and railway focus used to great effect.
The author Edward Marston is a charming and engaging speaker who is active on the crime writing circuit.
A Ticket to Oblivion is told with great colour and panache a wonderful sense of inhabiting the period.
Edward Marston has created a fine pair with Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming.
This is how history mysteries should be. A Ticket to Oblivion is a fine story telling, with marvellous characters reminiscent of the great authors of the mid-Victorian period, and a sneaky mystery too.
The author Edward Marston is a charming and engaging speaker who is active on the crime writing circuit.
A Ticket to Oblivion is told with great colour and panache a wonderful sense of inhabiting the period.
Edward Marston has created a fine pair with Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming.
This is how history mysteries should be. A Ticket to Oblivion is a fine story telling, with marvellous characters reminiscent of the great authors of the mid-Victorian period, and a sneaky mystery too.
February 27, 2017
As I started this book, the 11th in the Railway Detective series, I wondered how it was that Edward Marston could come up with fresh and new ideas each time, when he is limited to murders that happen associated with the railway in the mid-1800s! But he has come up with a new story, although there are some parallels between earlier books in the series at some points. In this book, Inspector Colbeck is wrong about something (shock, horror!!), Sergeant Leeming ends up in a very compromising situation, and we reconnect with a character from an earlier book in the series.
August 12, 2017
Yet another great story from Edward Marston about the railway detective. When Imogen and her maid go missing from a train it doesn't take the railway detective long to work out they went along willingly. However as time passes and ransom demands are received it becomes obvious the women are danger.
What I though was a fairly simple story is expertly told and has you routing for the goods guys and despising some truly awful men and by that I don't necessarily mean just the kidnappers.
What I though was a fairly simple story is expertly told and has you routing for the goods guys and despising some truly awful men and by that I don't necessarily mean just the kidnappers.
April 4, 2016
The initial mystery is relatively easily solved, but the underlying problem... that would take some unraveling.
It lacked the strength of the earlier books: the railway history was limited, some of the dialogue felt stilted, the missing women were too formulaic, and I felt the input from Maddy and her father was unnecessary.
Might have been better as a novella, but it was a decent read.
It lacked the strength of the earlier books: the railway history was limited, some of the dialogue felt stilted, the missing women were too formulaic, and I felt the input from Maddy and her father was unnecessary.
Might have been better as a novella, but it was a decent read.
May 15, 2025
what a mystery this was, the kidnapped women really did have a "Ticket to Oblivion", there was the usual twists and turns, but built up to a climactic happy ending
November 24, 2015
I read every book in his series of historical mysteries set in England about a Scotland Yard detective whose nickname is The Railway Detective (his name is Robert Colbeck) who has solved many mysteries involving trains. This time he gets involved when a young woman and her personal maid disappear. They got on the train in a car with no one else in it leaving the wealthy young woman's oppressive parents who give her no freedom and want her to marry a real creep (a creep in a suit and wealth is still a creep)she doesn't want and on her way on a non-stop ride to Oxford to visit her uncle, aunt, and cousins yet doesn't arrive (or does she?). The train made no stops. So how did 2 young women disappear into thin air?
Colbeck and his sergeant are set to find out. I took off points for the annoying way some characters in the books seem to develop stick-figure characterization including Victor the sergeant, Madeleine (Colbeck's wife), as well as his boss Tallis and Andrew his father-in-law. There was something weird here too. In the last book Robert and Madeleine had a baby but it has disappeared here though it was a big deal before. Madeleine never seems to even have a baby in the house to check in, her dad visits her and makes no mention of his grandchild, and Robert comes home and never looks at or even mentions a baby. Weird.
Colbeck and his sergeant are set to find out. I took off points for the annoying way some characters in the books seem to develop stick-figure characterization including Victor the sergeant, Madeleine (Colbeck's wife), as well as his boss Tallis and Andrew his father-in-law. There was something weird here too. In the last book Robert and Madeleine had a baby but it has disappeared here though it was a big deal before. Madeleine never seems to even have a baby in the house to check in, her dad visits her and makes no mention of his grandchild, and Robert comes home and never looks at or even mentions a baby. Weird.
April 23, 2014
It is good to report that the latest outing of Edward Marston Railway Detective is back on track,as Insepector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming set out not so much a whodunit, but more of a how it was done.We start with the disappearance of young Imogen Burnhope and her maid Rhoda after they board the non-stop train to Oxford to visit Imogen`s Aunt Cassandra but when the train arrives in Oxford there is no sign of them,and so our romp across the country starts and for Leeming his worst fear across the sea.As the plot unfolds not only do they have to cope with a first class villain who always seems to be two steps ahead of them,but also a Lord of the Land and a member of Parliament who want to hinder their progess.So once again Edward Marston has produce a whodunit in the classic tradition,with plenty of likely suspects,red herring,trains and guesswork that made my Easter a joy.
September 21, 2015
This was a good read! The first book I've read by this author, but, though it's part of a series, it stands alone fine. It took me a while to realise that it is an adventure, not a crime / mystery novel. I was also surprised by some rather graphic scenes, as the cover and beginning of the novel made me expect something more restrained, more genteel like Agatha Christie perhaps. Also, the dialogue was clumsy at times - I wish the characters would stop interrupting each other to tell each other off for interrupting. But there were some very likeable characters - and the nasty ones weren't so overdone that they became one-dimensional. I would definitely consider reading another Railway Detective novel, and I'm looking forward to reading another of Marston's novels from a different series.
February 12, 2016
Another very enjoyable read in the Railway Detective Series. A woman and her maid get onto a train, the train doesn't stop at all and when it gets to the next stop they are nowhere to be found on the train! It is up to Inspector Colbeck, and his usual sidekick - Sergeant Leeming, to work out what has happened to them and to find them or their bodies. This was another book that moved along quickly, and was difficult to put down. It is a nice easy reading style and I do like the central group of characters. Watch out for a particularly horrible Member of Parliament amongst all this. If you haven't read any of the series I would recommend them.
February 18, 2016
I borrowed this one off my wife and I enjoyed it. Easy to read, straightforward style and an interesting plot. Not as tame as I was expecting.
February 24, 2022
I bought this book from a charity shop without registering that it was the 11th book in a series. After finishing A Ticket to Oblivion, I have set my sights on acquiring the rest of the Railway Detective series.
While it is the 11th book in the series, I didn't feel lost; in fact, mentions of previous investigations involving Colbeck piqued my curiosity. Even without reading the previous books, this one is a great standalone story.
Each character had a story, and most were thoroughly fleshed out. I did wonder about Rhoda's exact motivations and wanted to know more about her. I also found myself hating any mention of Tunnadine and sympathising with Imogen's predicament and naivety. Marston masterfully supplied the fragments of evidence for the reader to create various theories and solve the investigation themselves. Still, I felt compelled to finish the book to see how Inspector Colbeck would resolve the case. The story was more than just about what happened to Imogen and Rhoda, but rather why it happened.
I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait to go back to the start, mainly to read about the investigation that led to the relationship between Colbeck and Madeleine, as that sounds like an intriguing story.
While it is the 11th book in the series, I didn't feel lost; in fact, mentions of previous investigations involving Colbeck piqued my curiosity. Even without reading the previous books, this one is a great standalone story.
Each character had a story, and most were thoroughly fleshed out. I did wonder about Rhoda's exact motivations and wanted to know more about her. I also found myself hating any mention of Tunnadine and sympathising with Imogen's predicament and naivety. Marston masterfully supplied the fragments of evidence for the reader to create various theories and solve the investigation themselves. Still, I felt compelled to finish the book to see how Inspector Colbeck would resolve the case. The story was more than just about what happened to Imogen and Rhoda, but rather why it happened.
I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait to go back to the start, mainly to read about the investigation that led to the relationship between Colbeck and Madeleine, as that sounds like an intriguing story.
November 22, 2018
I've read a number of the Railway Detective series by Edward Marston. All ten to run to a pattern, some dreadful deed is done on a railway somewhere in the UK, the company send for Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming and they go sometimes with the blessing o0f their superior, Superintendent Tallis, sometimes without and sometimes with him meddling and muddying the water. In this one the daughter of a Cabinet Minister and her maid disappear on a non stop train between Worcester and Oxford, on the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway or OWWR or the Old Worse and Worse. It's a journey you can still do today, though with less danger of disappearing. The intrepid Inspector investigates and by the end of the book the righteous are saved, lovers (re)united and the miscreants banged up. The series is always a good read, although the books are not earth shattering and justify just about 3*
March 29, 2022
Young Imogen Burnhope and her maid Rhoda board a non-stop train to Oxford to visit her Aunt Cassandra, who waits on the platform at Oxford station where the train terminates, to greet them. Only they never arrive. All the passengers alight but the two women are nowhere to be seen. The train is searched and the coachman swears he saw them board onto first class, but they seem to have vanished into thin air.
When he learns his daughter is missing, Sir Marcus Burnhope contacts Scotland Yard for help and Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming are assigned to the case. Is it a simple case of a run away? Or is there a larger, more sinister conspiracy at work? The Railway Detective must unravel the mystifying web of their disappearance before Imogen and Rhoda vanish into oblivion for good.
When he learns his daughter is missing, Sir Marcus Burnhope contacts Scotland Yard for help and Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming are assigned to the case. Is it a simple case of a run away? Or is there a larger, more sinister conspiracy at work? The Railway Detective must unravel the mystifying web of their disappearance before Imogen and Rhoda vanish into oblivion for good.
November 25, 2017
Really enjoyed this story, too, like I have enjoyed the other Robert Colbeck tales.
I was born during the time of diesel trains and have only experienced steam train travel on the rare occasions I have been to the Severn Valley and when Barry had a steam train running, but these stories bring back memories of holiday treats on steam trains. The smell is wonderful and the relaxed pace lets the passengers really enjoy the scenery.
It seems strange to me that there were so many different 'local' train companies, like LNWR, OWWR, etc. and these books are written so well, with such lovely characters (even Tallis, Colbeck's superior).
I was born during the time of diesel trains and have only experienced steam train travel on the rare occasions I have been to the Severn Valley and when Barry had a steam train running, but these stories bring back memories of holiday treats on steam trains. The smell is wonderful and the relaxed pace lets the passengers really enjoy the scenery.
It seems strange to me that there were so many different 'local' train companies, like LNWR, OWWR, etc. and these books are written so well, with such lovely characters (even Tallis, Colbeck's superior).
August 3, 2020
This is easily the worst book in the series to date - so dull I ended up skim-reading the last half of it. The so-called twists are blatantly obvious and Marston is recycling plot-lines too ( yet again we have a ransom demand that goes wrong, Tallis insisting he's taking over etc). There are several scenes between Madeleine and her father that are completely pointless and just get annoying. And her father's endless moaning about Brunel is very trying after 11 books of it.
I've really enjoyed all of the preceding books but this one is terrible- I'd seriously suggest people skip this one.
I've really enjoyed all of the preceding books but this one is terrible- I'd seriously suggest people skip this one.
July 30, 2022
It's been a while since I've read this series and I was glad to get back into the swing of the Railway Detective series. This one was a good book to jump back into the series because it was a very cohesive plot. This one is about a woman and a maid getting on the train at one station and disappearing before they reached the other end.
I enjoyed this just as much as any other book in the series. Colbeck and Lemming were just as delightful as ever and I loved Colbeck's love of clothes and tailoring came up. I also enjoyed Estelle and Madeline talking to each other and I would love to see more of that in the future.
4 stars!
I enjoyed this just as much as any other book in the series. Colbeck and Lemming were just as delightful as ever and I loved Colbeck's love of clothes and tailoring came up. I also enjoyed Estelle and Madeline talking to each other and I would love to see more of that in the future.
4 stars!
July 18, 2021
Fairly bog-standard historical detective story - quite entertaining.
The only one in this series that I've read, this book is an old-fashioned detective story taking place in England in the 1850s. The tale involves kidnapping, murder and other dastardly deeds. The characters are well-developed though some are a bit stereotypical, although maybe reflecting the era. The story is a little complicated but nothing that stretches the brain. It's written in a very straight-forward style and the result of all this is that it's quite entertaining.
The only one in this series that I've read, this book is an old-fashioned detective story taking place in England in the 1850s. The tale involves kidnapping, murder and other dastardly deeds. The characters are well-developed though some are a bit stereotypical, although maybe reflecting the era. The story is a little complicated but nothing that stretches the brain. It's written in a very straight-forward style and the result of all this is that it's quite entertaining.
January 22, 2023
Published in 2014, 'A Ticket to Oblivion' is the 11th in the popular 'Railway Detective' series of mysteries, set in 1850s Britain and featuring Inspector Colbeck of Scotland Yard, who investigates some of the crimes that occur on British railways. In this plot, the mystery surrounds the disappearance of two women from their railway carriage on their way to Worcester, Shrub Hill. As usual, the characters encountered in the course of the tale are what makes this a fun, if rather lightweight read, as the mystery element is as obvious as a brick through a window. Fun.
October 17, 2025
This is a passable read if you're a fan of railway mysteries generally. But for those expecting a gripping puzzle or deeply engaging characters, it may underdeliver. It has interesting bones, but the flesh around them often feels thin and slow.
My main struggle was with the writing itself. The point of view shifts constantly between characters, and it makes the story feel disjointed. Characters also restate the same information, revisit the same conversations, and recap events we’ve already seen. Instead of building momentum, the narrative just circles around itself.
My main struggle was with the writing itself. The point of view shifts constantly between characters, and it makes the story feel disjointed. Characters also restate the same information, revisit the same conversations, and recap events we’ve already seen. Instead of building momentum, the narrative just circles around itself.
September 9, 2017
The same...
Enjoyed earlier Railroad Detective books, but all do seem to follow a similar format. As a reviewer said of earlier in series, you do need to space out the reading of these. Some characters are fun to revisit but the evil characters and their antics are too gross and repeats of those in earlier books. The problems the detectives encounter are too similar. Also, there is less railroad history in later books that made first books enjoyable.
Enjoyed earlier Railroad Detective books, but all do seem to follow a similar format. As a reviewer said of earlier in series, you do need to space out the reading of these. Some characters are fun to revisit but the evil characters and their antics are too gross and repeats of those in earlier books. The problems the detectives encounter are too similar. Also, there is less railroad history in later books that made first books enjoyable.
April 27, 2021
Any novel in the 'Railway Detective' series by Edward Marston is always an entertaining read, but I did find this particular outing a little slow in places.
As usual Sgt Leeming is at Inspector Colbeck's side, Superintendant Tallis a thorn in his side and his wife Madeleine ready to offer support at the end of the working day.
At the end of the case everyone is happy and the baddies are locked up! Just as it should be I guess.
As usual Sgt Leeming is at Inspector Colbeck's side, Superintendant Tallis a thorn in his side and his wife Madeleine ready to offer support at the end of the working day.
At the end of the case everyone is happy and the baddies are locked up! Just as it should be I guess.
January 5, 2025
What I thought was going to be a case that was easily solvable, turned into a marathon. With the Sergeant questioning some of the inspector's methods and both showing some fatigue with the Superintendent's suggestions it was a slightly different format to previous books in the Railway detective series. While I wasn't too certain if the introduction of some sexual content with its accompanying descriptive text was really necessary its a good read
April 27, 2018
Grittier and darker than the usual Colbeck mystery, with its themes of domestic violence, abduction and abuse of power. Good to see Marston presenting the position of C19th women in a more sympathetic light. I especially liked the character of Cassandra. Despite being a supporting character, marriage has not made her fat (as Marston seems to be obsessed by), but feisty!
July 13, 2022
Rounding up from 3.5 here. I started reading with no expectations, not having heard of this author before. I was pleasantly surprised with it and enjoyed it for the most part. I did however struggle to get through the last 100 pages. By the end I just wanted it to end. I wish it were about 70 pages shorter. Overall, it was good and I might check out the author’s other books.
January 10, 2025
An enjoyable cozy mystery. The side characters that aren't part of the typical cast are varied and entertaining, and what it lacks in pure whodunit twists it makes up in charm. Like the others in the series, you don't necessarily have to have read the rest in order to appreciate this one, but it's worthwhile to start at the beginning if you're interested.
December 26, 2017
Enjoyable if you like railways but I imagine that the superstructure of the railwayana might pall somewhat if you don't. Well plotted and decently written with a capacity to surprise on the denouement of the plot.
November 5, 2019
I love this series. It’s very 'soft-boiled', not to be taken too seriously but it is a great antidote from reading much harder edged crime-mystery-detective novels from the likes of Angela Marsons, Val McDermid, Stuart McBride, etc.
February 28, 2021
x. Nobody appeals. Clever villain. Imogen believes she elopes, vanishes from RR, until a dress is missing and Sir Marcus gets ransom notes. Who has chest key? Sir M could have admitted he need's driver. Police could hide in cart. Typo:13.40 sham IS sham. 15.29 pulling IS pulling,
October 1, 2023
I've read a few of these Railway Detective books, I enjoyed this one but didn't think it was the best. However, I do love Robert Colbeck and his detective sergeant Victor Leeming, what great characters they are, no doubt I'll find more of these to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews