Murder in Transit: Railway Detective, Book 22

The Railway Detective #22

by Edward Marston

1866. On a dark, brooding summer’s evening, Agnes Lenham seats herself in an empty first-class compartment on the train to Portsmouth. She is joined by a naval officer and a middle-aged man, in high spirits after dining at his club, travelling to his home on the Isle of Wight. His name is Giles Blanchard – and within moments of the train leaving the station, the sailor strangles him . . .

At Scotland Yard, Detective Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming are called to Superintendent Tallis’s office, and given details of the violent murder. Their investigation will take them all the way to Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s favourite country home, to find out exactly what took place on that dreadful, eerie night.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Historical Mystery, Historical, Audiobook, British Literature

Audible Audio

First published January 25, 2024

About the author

Librarian 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

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Latest in the railway detectives series takes it to IOW and Hampshire case of murder and blackmail found it easy paced

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another unsatisfactory addition to the series. I really have lost all hope for the Colbeck series. It started so well and was great for a long time, but now these books are just tedious, what with all the extraneous characters and scenes that bring absolutely nothing at all to the story. Why do we constantly have to cut back to Madeline Colbeck and her horribly vituperative father? They add nothing to the plot nor even to the character development. Just adding ballast that is not required. I think this is my last Colbeck book. I shall go back and re-read the earlier stories, and recall the good old days!

[Martin Hollands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good DCI Colbeck tale.

This continues the ongoing tales of DCI Colbeck, Sgt Leeming etc.

A foul crime on the Railways sets our detectives off on a convoluted trail yet again.

The story runs smoothly and the characters are well balanced and believeable as are the various interactions with members of the Public (high and low staus wise)

I thoroughly enjoyed the tale, but once again found the ending a little rushed and there was plenty of opportunity to let it run out for a little more with details of the aftermath. However a thoroughly enjoyable tale.

[Brian Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this addition to the Railway Detective series. Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming are dispatched to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to solve a brutal murder. They uncover a nasty blackmail scheme in their investigation. The investigative team is expanded to include Constable Hinton. They are ultimately successful in catching the bad guys. There's a cameo appearance by Queen Victoria too. She supplements the cast of recurring characters from previous books in the series.
This series is light reading that is fast-paced. It's interesting historical fiction too. Some may say it's formulaic, but even so that does not detract from a reader enjoying the story. There's a good plot, interesting characters and a brilliant sense of place. It's not necessary to have read other books in the series in order to enjoy this story.

[Lisa Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Set in the late 1800’s it’s a murder mystery with some interesting characters. It weaves stories of quite a few characters in and out, some of which seem superfluous and just there as page fillers, and some of the conversations with the criminals were often repeated, but otherwise I enjoyed reading it.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2024, 'Murder in Transit' is the 22nd book in the popular 'Railway Detective' series featuring Detective Inspector Colbeck of Scotland Yard, against a setting of 1860s England. In this instalment, the murder of a serial philanderer spills out into additional crimes. As usual, the London-based-detective finds himself investigating a a crime on the railway network in another part of the country, allowing plenty of leeway for Marston's great way with eccentric characters from around the land. Relaxing.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid instalment of the Railway Detective series. This time, he was investigating the murder of a man in a railway carriage on the way to the Isle of Wight.
If I am honest, the series is becoming a little tired and quite formula driven. The filler sections featuring Inspector Colbeck's wife and her very irritating father add nothing to the story and seem to be virtually the same in each book with only slight variations, Not sure how much life this series has left.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the Railway Detective may have reached his terminus. Not a patch on previous books in the series. Far too many irrelevant domestic interludes and references to past cases. Perhaps Colbeck should retire?

[Mim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible. I assume at this point the writer is just running on fumes. This basically has no mystery, just characters talking about everything they did as they did it, and making very little sense. Just horrible.

[Jill Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful.

[Kevin Burnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent "Railway Detective" book. Although I thought you were not mention the title of the " Scottish Play".

[Denise Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in a great series . Intriguing crime story and brilliant characters.

[Sally Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always do a happy dance when I see an Edward Marston book that I have not read

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank goodness the railway detective series has got back to its near best after the last few offering were seemingly losing their way. But 'Murder in Transit', while following the usual pattern of moving from character to character to progress the storyline, has certainly recovered some credibility.

In this episode, Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming are dispatched to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to solve a brutal murder that took place on a train bound for Portsmouth with no clues as to who the perpetrator was. The victim, who had been robbed, was eventually identified as estate agent Giles Blanchard who was returning to his home on the Isle of Wight.

There were conflicting views of Blanchard so Colbeck and Leeming were more confused when they began their enquiries. They had to try and get some idea of who the perpetrators of the crime were but all avenues seemed closed with no obvious lines of enquiry to follow. But they knew they had to persevere and, after consultation with Tallis back at home they added Constable Alan Hinton to the team to try to make things easier to follow different threads.

Blanchard's son, Paul, was little help to begin with but Colbeck's persistence paid off when he finally loosened up a little to provide some tangible evidence. So with plenty of dogged determination some lines of enquiry began to open a little. Even so there were no definite suspects until a glimmer of hope appeared when Colbeck sniffed a possible blackmail scheme after learning that Blanchard had led something of a double life.

More traversing the isle of Wight and the environs of Hampshire plus visits to Osborne House and an audience with Queen Victoria and evidence unearthed from Chichester Cathedral follow and eventually the trio, with the help of a former colleague, Irishman Mulryne, who was working on the ferry to the Island, plus their encouragement to get some of the victims of the blackmail threats to talk the identities of the criminals became known.

All that was left was how to catch them and between them they came up with an ingenious plan to make the necessary arrests.

Along with keeping track of events back home where Colbeck's wife, Madelaine, was bringing up their daughter with the help of Colbeck's father, Madelaine's friend Lydia was keeping her hopes alive of getting to know Constable Hinton better and Superintendent Tallis was initially fuming over the lack of progress of his staff, the story is spell-binding and it certainly adds positively to the canon of work regarding the railway detective.

As a footnote, I have just heard that Edward Marston (real name John Miles) has decided there will be only one further Railway Detective novel and then the series will end.

[Helen Birkbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all these books and enjoyed them, but they had been getting a little formulaic and perhaps lacking in excitement in recent years. This well-written story of the murder of a man leading a double life in Sussex and the Isle of Wight was back to the old quality, with interesting characters and a hunt for the criminals that was both exciting and probably more accurately reflective of real police work. The moral hypocrisy of the female criminal was interesting and it was nice to see the return of certain characters from earlier books. The only weaker points are the rather dull bits about Madeleine's home life, the endless dilly-dallying of Hinton and Lydia, and the abrupt ending, with nothing more about the criminals' fate. And I still want to know why Helen Rose became Helena!

[GBL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder In Transit is the latest in the series featuring Inspector Colbeck and his assistant Sergeant Leeming, set in 1866. The murder of a wealthy businessman on a train to Portsmouth soon becomes a more complex case when the detectives learn of the sexual exploits of the victim and his relationships with various women in the area.

The novel follows the usual basic structure and we meet the cast of characters from previous novels. The plot is interesting as the reader sees the detectives tread a delicate path through the social and cultural norms of the period.

[Thekirkiepirate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very entertaining novel in The Railway Detective series.

This one is set in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, and, once again, Queen Victoria puts in an appearance. The storyline manages to combine murder with blackmail, as the murderers find out who the victim had been having affairs with and use this to gain extra money - although blackmailing to the tune of £200 per month in 1866 seems rather excessive.

As always, a well put together plot, although this time, Alan Hinton seems to operate at a higher level than Leeming, making me wonder if the author is planning a changing of the guard?

[Iris Pusemuckel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately very repetetive. Events from former books and descriptions of the characters are told over and over again. And always the same, unsubstantial interludes of Colbecks home, his wife, her dumb and nasty father and her Lydia friend. The story in this book could have been interesting, but it was thin and unsatisfying. It's over with us, Inspector Colbeck. Sadly.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting in such a dramatic way, I had great expectations of a thrilling story throughout. This didn't materialise as it settled into quite a lengthy investigation. Although there was little action it was an interesting read with ladies being blackmailed, Queen Victoria's household being disrupted and friends reunited. A pleasant cosy read.

[James Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very talented author.

I have read all of the Railway Detective series and have enjoyed everyone. An easy read with an interesting plot. This one is no exception. I love the characters and the way he brings the detectives families into the story.
I'm also glued to reading Edward's other series. They are also good reads.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but not as much as some of the others in the series. The characters are believable and uncomplicated and the story has a bit to get you thinking. However I don't see the point of the continuous return to London and the Colbeck household, it's boring an unnecessary, I'd much rather the reader saw but more of the Leeming family. I also found the ending far too rushed, as in other books on this series, I'd like to read a bit more about the aftermath.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. It is #22 in the Railway Detective series. I've read all of them so the stories build on characters and relationships in earlier books in the series. I feel as though I know the cast of characters very well. Having travelled in the UK over the past decades, many of the places referred to in Mr. Marston's books are familiar.

[Andrea]

Another brilliant read. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Queen Victoria, I thought they were an interesting little touch. If you haven't read any of these books I can highly recommend them, they are very enjoyable.

[Elsa Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointed with this latest book in the series. The story line and hunt for clues are quite good. However, the characters haven’t really developed. Also, the home scenes with Colbeck’s wife, daughter and father-in-law are unnecessary.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a book that i had to get into. But when i got into it i had to read it. As i got used to the writing style i slowly fell in love with it and need to read more in the series.
4⭐️because it took to long to get used to the start for 5⭐️

[Ivana Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

All a bit meh, to be honest. The two villains remain nameless throughout and therefore the reader spends the book trying to guess a killer, pointlessly. Both the villains and the detectives have the same conversation numerous times, often word for word. Not the best of the set by a long way.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

with a 1/2
I am enamoured with this series and others by EM.
Very odd that had never read of his but that is changing !!!

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great episode in this series

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book from this author loved it set around portsmouth and the isle of wight in queen victorias time.