Murder on the Cornish Train

by JM Hall

One missing passenger. One dead body. Is it murder on the Cornish train?

It is a dark and stormy night when Jeff boards the Cornish sleeper train at Paddington station.

As the they make their way down the dark British coast, waves crash over the carriages and the wheels rattle in the gale.

Arriving in Cornwall the next morning, Jeff discovers one passenger has vanished into thin air.

The next day, another is found dead on a windswept beach.

Jeff can't accept these are coincidences.

Could he hold the clue to catch the killer who boarded the Cornish train?

A totally gripping and page-turning British cosy mystery set on the misty coastline of Cornwall. Fans of Janice Hallett, Murder on the Orient Express and Tom Hindle will be hooked from the very first page.

Praise for J.M Hall

'Fabulous, cosy, mystery... Wonderful... Absolutely perfect for fans of Richard Osman!' NetGalley Review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'What a fantastic read! It gave me all the cosy... Really enjoyable characters that you feel like you've known for years once you finish the book... Love, love, loved this book' NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Warm characters and wonderful writing...I loved it' S.J. Bennett

'Charming... The plot is cosy and tricky, with just the right blend of Miss Marple, interesting and quirky characters, secrets... I loved this book' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A charming read with a cast of characters you'll really connect with' Faith Martin

'The ingredients for the perfect modern cosy crime: intrigue, characters you care about and a good dollop of humour' Ian Moore

'So brilliant... I loved this so much! Perfect cosy crime - I am a big fan of this author!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A gently quirky cosy mystery with plenty of twists and turns, and an intriguing cast of characters - some endearing, some not so much!' Fiona Leitch

'The perfect page turning, guess-who cosy crime' Northern Life Magazine

'This fun crime novel will have you hooked from the very first page' Woman's Own

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2026

Reviews

[Rob McMinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

(This is a review of an ARC from Netgalley and publisher Hodder & Stoughton.)

I often have the odd minor quibble concerning misleading titles. My quibble here is major. The title is misleading. It’s surely designed to evoke Agatha Christie, but also provide a cosy mystery vibe.
Then there’s the cover (see above). What do you think that evokes? A 1950s or earlier setting? A group of passengers travelling by steam train down to Cornwall, which apparently (even these days) can take over nine hours. Combine that with the title and the shoutline (Everyone on board has a secret…) and you might be forgiven for knowing what you’re in for.
You’d be wrong.
This wouldn’t necessarily be a dealbreaker (though the party breaking the deal is on the publication side of the equation) if the novel was good and full of surprise and delight.
Here’s the deal. The thing about genre is, the reader goes in with certain expectations. That’s what they’re paying for, if they’re paying. If the poster for a movie features two attractive people in a clinch (or standing back to back with sardonic smiles) and the title is something about love, romance, or whatever, then your punters are going to be pretty pissed off if it turns out to be a slasher horror and the two people on the poster are despatched within ten minutes.
This book disappointed me both because it does not do what it says on the tin, and it’s not very good. It’s repetitive. It’s predictable, which is why the short chapters in which not much happens are annoying. Sketchily drawn characters. An (understandably) fairly wet protagonist whose agonies are unconvincingly rendered. But, get on with it, I kept thinking. I just found the whole thing fairly irritating. Sure, I’m not cut out for cosy crime, if this is what cosy crime is. But… and I have to say this…
SPOILER AHEAD
…there is no murder on the Cornish train.
There is no steam train.
It’s not set in the 1950s or earlier.
Everybody on board does not have a secret.
I bet there’s not even a viaduct as pictured on the cover.

[Acantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok let's mention the elephant in the room.

There is no murder on the Cornish train. This isn't a cosy. And while I know the author has no say in the cover, it also isn't set in the past, as a book with a stylised steam train on the front would strongly imply.

This whole reading experience was over shadowed by the fact it is marketed as a cosy and a train murder, when it wasn't.

This is a book about grief. About the many faces it wears and the many ways in which people try and cope with it - and the many different levels of success they have.

There is murder, death, and I suppose some investigating, some questioning and exploring of how it could have happened. But the death feels almost an aside to the rest of the book - it doesn't even happen until roughly 60%.

The writing can be a little flowery, overblown at times, and when I sat down to write this, I realised that I couldn't really say more than a line or two about each character. Vee, who was an actress and had affairs. Mrs Danny who is grief stricken and angry. Judy who is just... mean?

The chapters are short and snappy, and that does keep you reading. The first chunk of the book I devoured, even as I wondered what I was doing, but once you find the body, the pacing seems to go a little astray and lose its fire a little. There was the promise of something devious but then it ends up being sad and depressing without a lot of meaning.

I kept coming back to two questions - did I enjoy it? Would I have enjoyed it more if it had a more honest title to go with what was on the pages?

And I have to go with no, no I didn't enjoy it. And yes, I would have enjoyed it more, but I still wouldn't have rated it higher.

The characters are there in service to the story, rather than feeling like characters in their own right. Reverend Hoodie was cool, and Jargo probably the most interesting of the lot, and the standout character of the book, but its not really a murder mystery once you sweep the grief aside and realise so much of the book is padding and something else.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Victoria V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly love this author's writing. I love the confusion that is caused in the beginning of the books, and then slowly as the story goes on all questions are slowly answered. The confusion keeps me gripped and unable to put down the book as I'm searching for the answers.
I think this book was great, I really enjoyed it. TW grief plays a huuuge huge part in the book but it's fabulously done.

Jago was my favorite character. I found the main character charming, and the descriptions of the emotions he was going through on the trip to Cornwall were done in a really great way.

I cried towards the end of the book.

The narrator of the audiobook was fabulous as well.

I am def looking forward to more from this author, and hopefully this series.

[Tulip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed, not really a cozy murder mystery. Doesn't happen on a train. There is a solve at the end but the murder doesn't happen until over half way into the book. There was solve at the end and it was entertaining at times so it got 3 stars.

[Lucy Haines · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I spent a lot of time debating between 2 stars and 3 stars before settling with 2.
The title is misleading. There is in fact no murder on a Cornish train, nor is the train really Cornish it just terminates in Cornwall.
The story itself was pleasant but I didn’t feel like I was racing to pick the book up. The story follows a retired teacher who takes a trip down to Cornwall, and during his stay stumbles on a perceived accident which leaves someone dead. By the end of the book the retired teacher has managed to solve an alleged murder, but this is never explicitly confirmed.
The story is medium paced following a set of vaguely diverse characters, who I personally didn’t really find loveable. There is mild character development and the story is mostly character led.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was impressed by the opening chapters of this book. Jeff, a retired teacher, is waiting at Paddington Station for the overnight sleeper train to Penzance, delayed by stormy weather. Jeff wants to be alone with his own thoughts, but is dragged in to help Gore, whose wife Vee suffers from dementia.
Eventually all board the train, and as it's about to leave, a late and very flustered passenger arrives. The train scenes and those when they arrive in Cornwall are interesting and authentic. Unfortunately the pace then slows down. Jeff, who clearly has suffered a loss, has recurring dreams which don't really add to the story. The hotel staff believe that he is a podcaster and keep making reference to that, which becomes tedious.
The plot hangs together but takes a while to reach a conclusion, and there are few red herrings.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy.

[Michelle Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a dark, cozy mystery, and it surprised me at how heartfelt it was at times. I really liked Jeff, the main character, as well as Reverend Hoodie. I wanted to know how it ended, but it didn't hold my interest as much as I thought it would. It also seemed repetitive sometimes - similar scenes as well as Jeff saying " Get A Grip over and over again.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

[Shree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, this didn't do it for me. I had high expectations from this book as I expected it to be like an Agatha Christie mystery based on the description and advance reviews. As this was my first book by the author, I was quite excited, but the book and the writing fell short of my expectations.
Why it didn't work for me?
1. The title is misleading.
2. The prose was needlessly convoluted and, in some sections, repetitive.
3. The pace was slow.
4. The mood was mostly eerie, heavy, and disturbing. Even the place was creepy. Those who enjoy such dark atmosphere might enjoy it though. It just wasn't to my taste.
5. I expected to feel excited, intrigued, and maybe even charmed like most good cozy mysteries make us feel. But all I felt was mildly creeped out throughout. And disturbed. Because the lead character was quite disturbed and lonely and we spend the whole time in his head. Which isn't really a nice place to be even if he is a decent fellow.
6. The characters were weird as well. Only the Reverend and Grace seemed normal. Mrs. Danny and Jago were terrible and the most unsuitable people to be managing a hospitality business. Mia was annoying and even her aunt (who appears only once) seemed a bit off. Why did everyone have to be weird, shifty, or creepy? Most characters weren't likeable or even particularly interesting.
I think a different (cheerful, less convoluted and repetitive, direct, curious, coherent) narration and writing style (simpler, perhaps) with livelier characters would have elevated the reading experience a great deal because the mystery part was good... It's just that the presentation might not be for everyone.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the arc shared in exchange for an honest review.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff boards the train to Cornwall. Jeff is a depressed man, who wants to end it all after his husband abandoned him after quite a long relationship. Oliver, his husband dies in a horrific car crash immediately after tge break up and Jeff believes he murdered Oliver. Jeff embarks on this journey and from the Paddington railway station itself gets involved as a sympathetic by stander in the affairs of another couple travelling to Cornwall.

The journey is tense and delayed by a massive storm but Jeff hits it off with the intense Gore and his erratic and dramatic wife Vee, a former actor. Gore indicates that Vee is unwell not mentioning dementia, but her habit of disappearing occasionally is attributed to the illness. What follows is a rather dreary stay in a horrible hotel, bad weather and one death. Whether Vee’s death is accident or murder is never stated clearly, though the explanation of Jeff is clear and concise, but without corroborating evidence.

The characters are very varied, from the rude and slightly unbalanced proprietor of the hotel, to her son Jago who is doing his best to protect them all, to the receptionist cum Jill of all trades who believes every guest is a pod caster and to Gore and his supporting side kick Alice with their very convoluted manipulation of situations and people, particularly Jeff to suit his needs.

There was no murder on a train, and one missing person was found under disguise as Alice, once the train reached its destination. That was a bit mixed up.

The overall feeling of grief in Jeff’s case and his inability to get to grips with the death of Oliver and accept the finality of his situation is sad. This moving on is not as easy as people imagine it to be.

An interesting read, though somber for the most part.

[Ariana Ochoa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am very selective with murder mysteries set on trains that are similar to Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, and unfortunately this book did not live up to its title.

Jeff Freeman is a retired teacher who boards a train on a trip to Cornwall. Whilst his trip is delayed a bit due to brooding Storm Agatha, he finally embarks, settles in, and drifts off to the lounge for a night cap. When he witnesses a last minute passenger board a train in distress, he takes note but thinks nothing of the occurrence until he realizes that his cabin is next door to hers. After their brief meeting, he drifts off to sleep and is awakened by a noise, a struggle, and an alert to ready himself in case the train is diverted to another station. When he cannot find this woman, he sniffs around to look into her mysterious disappearance.

I was sucked in by the first few chapters with the atmospheric tension as a raging storm threatened to divert travelers on a train, but by the time I realized that the book was a far cry from Agatha Christie's book and was nearly halfway through, I was agitated. The pacing seemed to slow down quite a bit after the first few chapters. The characters were strange, the place setting was off-putting, and I feel slighted at completing the book when I knew I should have stopped midway through.

I was hoping for a better outcome and that there would be an actual murder on the train as the title suggested, but I was horribly let down. This book was not for me.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL ABOARD FOR MURDER - A Storm-Lashed Masterpiece on Rails!

I was hooked from the moment Jeff stepped onto that Cornish sleeper at Paddington and I did not get off until the very last page.

JM Hall has delivered an absolutely gripping, atmospheric triumph. Forget cosy - this is cosy with TEETH.

The opening is cinematic - a dark and stormy night, waves crashing over the carriages, the wheels rattling in the gale as the train snakes down the British coast. You can literally feel the sea spray and hear the wind howling. When Jeff arrives in Cornwall to find a passenger has vanished into thin air, and then another turns up dead on a windswept beach the next day, the tension is unbearable in the best way.

Jeff is such a fantastic protagonist - clever, relatable, and persistent. He refuses to write this off as coincidence, and you’ll be right there with him, desperately trying to piece together who boarded that train with murder in mind.

If you loved Murder on the Orient Express and you love Janice Hallett and Tom Hindle, this is absolutely for you. It has that classic Agatha Christie locked-train puzzle, but with a fresh, modern, misty Cornish coastline twist that makes it completely original.

Totally page-turning, brilliantly plotted, and wonderfully atmospheric. I read it in one stormy sitting - couldn’t put it down.

JM Hall is on top form. Highly, highly recommend

[Kena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on the Cornish Train by JM Hall is a wonderful read which falls into the category of cosy murder mystery.

Jeff Freeman, a retired teacher, is travelling to the South West taking the overnight sleeper train, the Night Riviera, from Paddington. The journey is eventful. The departure is delayed somewhat owing to Storm Agatha, and in the First Class Lounge at Paddington he meets a couple Vee and Gore. He also encounters a woman in the neighbouring cabin on the Night Riviera who appears not to make it to the final destination.

Jeff finds himself moving away from his plans and trying to discover what happened to the mystery woman on the train. He also finds himself trying to discover whether there was indeed a murder at the headland.

I really loved this book. Jeff is a really sympathetic character. He’s a caring person who is trying to do the right thing by people, but he’s lost his confidence and way. He often gives himself a pep talk to do things and remind himself that Mr Freeman would have done something.

There are also a raft of wonderful characters including Reverend Hoodie, Jago and Mia who also bring warmth to the book.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, for making the e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Tzia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right - first and very importantly - there are 2 key things to mention. One - 'Murder on the Cornish Train' is absolutely the wrong title for this book. There is a train, it goes to Cornwall, but there is no murder on board. Two - this book is not a cozy murder mystery, if that's what you're looking for do not be fooled.

There is a murder, and there is some questioning / investigation around it. However, given how late in the book the body is discovered and how much build up there's been, we really don't know a lot about any of the characters involved. Aside from Jeff, everyone seems very much defined by one character trait and nothing else. I liked Jeff as a main character, genuinely wanted to hug Jago by the end and wanted to learn more about the Reverend.

There were a lot of side plots - e.g. Joey the train guard, Judy and Tel, several local folklore tales - which while good, actually didn't add anything to the overall plot and if you strip them out...what you're left with actually isn't all that much.

What this book does do well in a subtle way, is show how people react to grief and loss. Some become hostile, some shut down, some lose themselves, some become a crusader for others - and that more than anything else is actually what this book is about.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Juli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A storm, a midnight train, passengers who seem to hold secrets...

Murder on the Cornish Train follows newly retired teacher, Jeff, to the rainswept cliffs of Cornwall. Despite having his own agenda for the journey, Jeff quickly becomes swept up with the drama of his fellow passengers and the other guests and staff at the not-so-hospitable Treachery Bay Inn.

This novel had all the Holmesian, Poirot-esque ingredients that would normally be right up my alley, but this one was sadly a miss for me. While I appreciate the narrative technique of the slow reveal, the result was needlessly convoluted prose and sluggish pacing.

The characters were flat, with no real development -- in fact, I almost forgot who some of the key players were, they were so underdeveloped. While the setting was perfect for a murder mystery, it was a little over-described and the title is pretty misleading -- very little actually happens on the train.

While I did figure our "whodunit" (and who-didn't-dunit) early on, I did appreciate the intricacy of the plan, and the transformation of the main character.

I am thankful to NetGalley for the advanced read!

Murder on the Cornish Train: ★★1/2

https://bookchicklit.blogspot.com/202...

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept waiting for the murder on the train but like a lot of this book, it didn’t happen and when the murder did, it was almost lost in so much else that was going on. Our protagonist, Jeff, is on his way to a Cornish cliff so he can leap to his death. It is kind of a long way to go but he has his reasons. It turns out to be a good thing that he is on this journey. He meets some very strange people including an actress, and her much younger husband, who is suffering from advanced dementia. She is not the only oddball who congregate in the inn on the cliff. Even the innkeeper and her son are always weird and often sinister.

Even though there is nothing to keep the various characters tied to the inn, no one, except for another strange couple, leave. So, as things spiral and Jeff is faced with solving a murder, he does what he always has done. He tries to find the connection between seemingly unrelated events. It is when he finally starts to put things together that several plots are revealed. It turns out that what might have seemed confusing at the start would make some semblance of sense at the finish. In fact, what had seemed to be a rather “down” story turned out to have an upbeat ending. That was a welcome surprise.

Four purrs and two paws up.

[MM Stormbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our main character is a kind man who has gone through something big and life derailing. He's on the sort of trip that doesn't really spark joy, and on top of that,  every manner of inconvenience seems to be happening. There's a big storm, and a handful of passengers that scratch his natural interest in helping others and solving problems. He tells himself not to get involved, but you know how it is - the more you just want to be left alone, the more trouble seems to find you.

And so we follow him as he kind of drifts from situation to situation. He arrives at his destination - but being the small remote town that it is, many of his fellow passengers are staying at the same hotel. He faces some encounters that are minor but distracting, and some that seem to be pretty serious. All of them keep him from his ultimate goal.

Eventually the story settles into a kind of singular problem - a single mystery to be solved. It's got everything from odd strangers to forbidden romance to locations full of spooky vibes. The characters are unique and the writing is casual. It's easy to speed through this one. And it touches with a light hand on the messages of faith and redemption.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of ‘Murder on the Cornish Train’ by J M Hall.

Jeff is taking the overnight train from London to Cornwall on a mission. Even though a storm might cancel the trip, he arrives at the station and is sent to the lounge, because he has a sleeper car ticket. There, he meets the cast of characters that would change his life. He even ends up as a temporary caretaker for an aging actress who seems to be on the edge of dementia. When they arrive in Cornwall, one of the passengers seems to be missing.

Once at his hotel, which is located on a cliff where many people end their lives, more strange characters enter the story. Jeff’s original mission is sidetracked by an unexpected death, and he finds himself trying to solve the mystery, as well as finding a new, possible relationship.

I like British mysteries, and this story is somewhere between a cozy mystery and a police procedural. There are some very dark elements in this book, and there are the usual twists and turns in the plot that keep the reader engaged.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely flew through this and read it in pretty much one sitting. The book was really pacy with plenty happening to keep me hooked. There are several mysteries to untangle, both in relation to the passengers and to Jeff’s personal life and I enjoyed trying to put the clues together alongside Jeff. They were perhaps slightly predictable in places but it was a good example of a whodunit mystery.

I liked Jeff. He was a bit difficult to relate to at times but the more time I spent with him, the more I got to understand him and really get an appreciation for his quirks. You get a real sense of how his mind works as you read through the story, and it was fascinating seeing the clues come together.

This did feel a bit darker than J.M. Hall’s others books but I appreciated the opportunity to see their writing through new characters and a new storyline. And I enjoyed spotting a few nods to their other work.

Blending mystery, intrigue and some fun, I really enjoyed this one and look forward to seeing what comes next.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader copy I got to read. All views are my own.

[Nnedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I start my review, I have to acknowledge that this book is a bit of a catfish, I went in expecting an Agatha Christie style "whodunit" based off the cover and title [literally picked it off the library shelf because of that], but was disappointed [not sadly, because it was a good read all the same] - there was a murder, just not in the way I'd thought - which I guess, is a good thing?

I appreciate how much effort J.M.Hall puts into setting up character backstories - I found myself drawn to poor Jeff [the main character], and earnestly rooting for something/someone to help him see past his current grief and guilt. The rest of the characters are equally as well written and somewhat "believable" by comparison. I loved that we were shown and not told a lot of the character's inner thoughts and I found myself able to play detective a bit, pausing and going back a couple pages to re-read, which was surprising giving the pace of the novel [short chapters etc]

Most of this book is around a loss of love and support systems and discovering how to cope, so I'd have opted for a different title tbh, my 3.5 stars is more around that grouse!

[Carolanne Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.
Murder on a Cornish Train by J.M. Hall is such an enjoyable read, especially if you love a good whodunit. I absolutely loved the characters, Jeff, Jago, and Rev Hoodie were definite standouts, each bringing their own personalities to the story.
The scene setting was exceptional. The descriptions were so vivid and atmospheric that I felt completely immersed. The author captured that classic, slightly eerie Cornish backdrop perfectly, and it really added to the storyline.
The plot itself was strong and kept me engaged throughout. That said, I did manage to guess whodunit before the big reveal, which took a little of the suspense away for me (sadly). Still, the journey getting there was thoroughly entertaining.
Overall, a really fun and atmospheric mystery with a fantastic cast of characters, which is definitely worth picking up, even if you’re good at spotting the clues!

[Heather Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a series set in Cornwall by J M Hall. I have enjoyed his previous cosy crime novels hence being eager to start this one!

I did not find the character of Jeff as entertaining as his previous investigators. He has his own tragedies which have prompted his journey on the Cornish sleeper train. Before setting off he finds himself embroiled in a drama with two other passengers. During the journey he is convinced a passenger disappears.

When reaching his destination he meets the same passengers again - Vee, an actress now suffering from dementia and her younger partner who have come to Cornwall to allow her to visit the Minack theatre where she performed.

During their stay Vee disappears and the police are involved. Eventually her body is found and the decision is made that no foul play was involved. However Jeff is not convinced and as the anomalies increase he investigates the case.

An interesting cosy crime novel - I became more invested in the characters as the story progressed and would be happy to read more about Jeff in future.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to read this book.
Jeff is taking the sleeper train to Cornwall. HIs reasons are clear but only to him then a passenger disappears. It can't be a coincidence can it? Jeff finds himself caught up in various mysteries and the haunting location but could this be what he needs?

This was an interesting story though the title is a little bit misleading. This is also a story filled with dark and triggering themes especially around the topic of suicide so a warning to anyone affected by that. Beyond that though its a mystery and a clever one. The plot develops slowly and builds to a well written ending. Not a big dramatic scene but one that fits with the tone of the story. The author does an amazing job at capturing the haunting, lonely location of the setting. It paints a truly vivid picture. The characters are interesting and you warm to Jeff as the story develops and we learn his secret. A dark mystery.

[Mrs Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book because of the title and was lucky ti receive an ARC. I live in Cornwall and I was amazed at the realistic details that reminded me of my own journeys on the London to Penzance sleeper. The main character, Jeff, is escaping from London after the death of a loved one by heading down to Cornwall on the overnight train. On the way, he sees a woman running for the train and has a conversation with her in her cabin. Later there is no trace of the mystery woman and Jeff begins to suspect foul play. Add in a cast of suspicious characters and another mysterious disappearance at Jeff's hotel and the mystery deepens. I really enjoyed the plot but enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the characters and the setting including the Minack Theatre even more. I would highly recommend this book for anyone that enjoys an atmospheric slightly cosy crime novel.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Freeman is off on an overnight adventure on the Night Riviera from Paddington to Penzance for a short break nearby. The setting was very vivid and descriptive. The range of characters written were believable especially Jeff. As Jeff boards the train, a fierce storm is raging over the country. Jeff discovers one of the passengers has gone missing - why have they disappeared? How? Once Jeff has arrived at his destination, one of his fellow passengers is missing then found dead in mysterious circumstances. Jeff cannot help himself but to try to solve the puzzle from the clues he finds. It was atmospheric, chilling, disturbing, entertaining, full of plot twists and turns with a few red herrings thrown in, gripping, highly charged, intriguing and mysterious. I found the conclusion to be highly satisfying and I didn't see how it would end.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the book’s cover, you could be excused from expecting something from classic crime or perhaps the 1950s, but no, it is up to date. The title is also very misleading, there is no murder on the train, yes there is a disappearance and a murder…….but not on the train. Jeff has decided to take the night sleeper to Cornwall, although there is doubt it will actually travel due to Storm Agatha, but depart it does. Jeff spends a lot of time staring at his fellow passengers in the lounge prior to boarding, and then gets himself involved with Vee and her husband Gore and even more so when they reach Penzance.
The pace was slow and I’m afraid Jeff annoyed me, but I stuck with it hoping it would turn into a nice cosy crime book. The end of the book was much better than the beginning.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc

[Helen Birkbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a departure from the Thirsk Garden Centre series, which I enjoy. The plot took a long time to get going and the reveal was not that surprising. The murder wasn't really to do with the train, as others have said. The descriptions of Cornwall were vivid and evocative and many of the characters were interesting (though Mrs Danny... Really? A rerun of Mrs Danvers if ever there was one). Vee's story and relationship with her daughter were well drawn and moving, especially for those of us who had a mother a bit like that. But what really spoiled this book were the incredibly inaccurate punctuation (comma use wrong all over the place) and the mistakes in name spellings. Jeff is an English teacher, after all. The author was badly let down by his editorial team in a way I hadn't seen in the Thirsk books.

[Cass loves books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Murder on the Cornish Train had an intriguing premise and a classic mystery feel, with an atmospheric setting that suited the story well. I enjoyed the concept and there were moments that kept me engaged, however overall it didn’t quite deliver the level of tension and pacing I personally look for in a book.

For me, the story felt slower than expected and at times slightly confusing, which made it harder to stay fully immersed. I also found myself wanting more twists, suspense and high stakes moments throughout.

While this one wasn’t quite the right fit for my reading tastes, readers who enjoy slower paced, classic-style murder mysteries may enjoy the journey.

[Antonella Gramola-Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of all things Cornish, especially St Ives, Porthcurno, and the Minack Theatre, I was really looking forward to reading Murder on the Cornish Train, the first in J.M. Hall's new Cornish mystery series, and it certainly did not disappoint. Set aboard the Night Riviera sleeper from Paddington to Penzance during a stormy night, the story begins with the disappearance of a fellow passenger and the discovery of a body on a windswept Cornish beach. The atmospheric setting, intriguing cast of characters, and cleverly constructed mystery kept me guessing throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable cosy crime novel that captures both the magic and menace of Cornwall, and left me eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

[NJHS · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mash up of so many other murder mysteries. From a change time of death (so many Christie’s, but EUTS springs to mind) to impersonation (more Christie with TMoTBT), through to the acknowledged The Lady Vanishes, with wandering around Cornish cliffs in bad weather - not even Tom Hiddleston could save this plot idea in the film Archipelago (although less cliffs).
Sold as a murder on the Night Riviera by its title when it’s not remotely. And signposted throughout so no major reveals or plot twists.
And why oh why didn’t Alice leave asap after her part was played rather than lurk obviously in the area. Exit stage right.
Oh well. At least my copy was bought from an independent Cornish book shop so there’s a positive.

[MRS S J URE · Rating 1 out of 5]

Have your antidepressants ready

I love anything about Cornwall, but this book really doesn't do it any favours. Ok, it's set in winter, when, like everywhere, it is a bit dull and gloomy, but this takes it to the extreme. The protagonist is obviously suffering with deep depression, consequently, this comes across in spades. It is a personal thing, I understand that, but I read as a form of escapism, hence, I found this book just too depressing for me. I only managed about a quarter of the story before I ran out of antidepressants, and gave up. It may have had a positive ending, I'll never know, but certainly, if that's the scene the author wanted to set, they did a very good job.