Murder on the Disoriented Express

Illusive #1.5

by Emily Lloyd-Jones

He's a survivor. No matter the cost.

Until he met Ciere and her crew of superpowered thieves, Alan Fiacre's life had been singularly focused on safeguarding the vaccine that changed the world. As an eidos, and reluctant heir to his father's legacy, it was his duty to ensure the formula never fell into the wrong hands. So it came as something of a shock to learn the right hands might belong to criminals.

Now Alan and Ciere are conscripted into service with the Gyr Syndicate, notorious mobsters set on taking down all of the other crime families in the United States. Their latest mission: a train heist meant to derail a covert arms deal. It will put Alan--and the formula--in more danger than he's ever faced before. But if he's learned nothing else from Ciere, it's that there's more to life than survival.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Novella, Short Stories, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Paranormal

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2015

About the author

Emily Lloyd-Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. After graduating from Western Oregon University with an English degree, she enrolled in the publishing program at Rosemont College just outside of Philadelphia. She currently resides in Northern California.

Reviews

[✨ Helena ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Booooooo. That was too short! I want more criminal adventures with Ciere and Alan! I love what little schemers they are, hehehe 😏

[Sarah Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun novella that follows the aftermath of the first book. It’s a good little continuation of the story and shows a friendship growing between two of the characters. I liked it a lot!

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story, loved to have more time with these characters, and I loved watching them deal with this situation!

[chvang · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best thing about this short story is the title. There isn't any connection with Agatha Christie's novel (aside from both taking place on a train). It's a pretty straightforward heist/murder (despite the existence of superpowers). The plot and characters are oversimplified (and I don't think this is because of the limited space a short story provides, but more likely because this is a series written for young adults). The sci-fi element is barely touched upon (but that's not the point of this story; I would imagine it's explored more in the series itself).

I would recommend it if you're a young adult looking for a passable heist movie.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alan and Ciare are sent to perform a heist on a train, but events don't go as planned.

This is a quick story, and while it doesn't really add much, it shows how Ciare and Alan are getting along. It felt a little truncated, like there should have been just a few more scenes to tie it together.

[Helena]

MURDER ON THE DISORIENTED EXPRESS?

Emily, i may love you
Seriously.
Really.
So much love.
I JUST CAN'T EVEN.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Murder on the Disoriented Express” highlights an adventure in Ciere Giba and Alan Fiacre’s six months with Brandt Guntram and the Gyr Syndicate as they engage in a robbery to sabotage an weapons deal and heist the payoff money. But on the train while retrieving a briefcase full of money they run up against a dead body, find the bloody murder weapon in their compartment and have to deal with a pissed-off mobster.

Set in a world after the Pacific War where crooks with powers used trains as hunting grounds for their criminal activities, the atmosphere changed when Benjamin Hubbard took advantage of a business opportunity, bringing in security to safeguard his investment. But what Ciere and Alan quickly learn is that the trains are now a profitable cover for smuggling weapons to the Alberani crime family.

Fast- paced and action-packed this novella is chocked full of twists and heightened suspense as they are brought into a theft that ends up a mob hit rather than just a heist. Well-written and intriguing the impulsive, brash and wary Ciere joins forces with the perceptive and pragmatic Alan Fiacre whose life up until their meeting has been solely focused on safeguarding a formula which could change the world. Together they unleash an alternative plan and Alan discovers that there is more to life than just surviving.

This is a riveting short story, I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intriguing look into Ciere and Alan’s time with the Gyr Syndicate. Really enjoyed how they showed initiative, problem solving and improvising with what ever they encountered through this novella.

[imani_iguana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5✨

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typically, I pretend that these little novellas don’t exist, but I thought I should give them another chance, because I might be missing something. While I did enjoy “Murder on the Disoriented Express,” I don’t know that I’ll be purchasing too many novellas. It’s a cute bridge from Illusive to Deceptive, and I like that it’s setting up for my ship, but it’s also really not plot-necessary. It’s been so long since I read one that I forgot about that and how it frustrates me to spend $2 for them. So yeah, it’s good if you’re a novella person and not a miser like I am.

[Ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and a well-done novella done after the events in Illusive. The action/mystery were good. This is funny at times and everything is life even how bloody events are. I am giving this a 4 star rating because of how much it entertained me despite of how short it is. I love Alan and Ciere here, can't wait for Deceptive! :)

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nabbed this from the elibrary without seeing it was 1.5. This all makes a lot more sense now. It was still pretty complete story and was fine on it's own. I just had questions on the main guy's background and was confused on what he was.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute interlude from Allan's pov. It's been a while since I read Illusive so it's a good reminder of the world before I start reading Deceptive.

[areumichi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but thrilling. I can't get enough of this series. I'm reading Deceptive next. I can't wait to see how things turn out for Ciere.