Death on the Deck

Lady Ellen Investigates #7

by Kelly Mason

All aboard for a 1920s voyage where murder strikes at sea!

Lady Ellen is bound for Cairo to join Captain Ernest Hamilton, accompanied by her ward, Lottie Penny, and her faithful dog, Prince. Boarding a luxury liner, they are a little surprised to find familiar faces among their fellow passengers.

As the voyage unfolds, Ellen and Lottie begin to find their sea legs, enjoying fine dining, music, and the entertainment that first-class travel affords. But January seas are never gentle, and their journey soon proves far from tranquil.
Because the winter waters hold more than storms and for one unlucky passenger, danger waits on the deck.

A glamorous new 1920s whodunit in the Lady Ellen Investigates Mystery series.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2026

About the author

Hi, I love writing mysteries and started with a paranormal series. In the last couple of years I have been writing 1920s mysteries. I love the atmosphere of the time, that has been depicted on our screens and in fiction. Of the fashion, the cars, the parties following the war which gave everyone that 'live for the day' attitude.

I set my books in Somerset close to where I live, although the towns and villages are fictional they are based on real places local to me. They have to be fictional as I change them to fit the story. I do use the real cities though, such as Bristol and Bath Spa. They are places I visit often and it's great to be able to spend time researching what the cities were like 100 years ago.

I hope you enjoy reading my books.

Reviews

[Ruxandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My comfort series 💕 I’m so glad we have two more Lady Ellen books coming this year, and I hope the series never ends otherwise I’ll have to start reading them all over again!

[Ruth Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death on the Deck: A 1920’s Cozy Mystery (Lady Ellen Investigates Book 8)

A well deserved 5 star 🌟 review 👍🏼👍🏼

After reading two very intense books I wanted to read something quiet and relaxing, if you can call a murder mystery quiet and relaxing, but Kelly Mason is just what I needed, well written with well formed characters with lovely personalities, yes even the pompous Inspector Stone.

Lady Ellen, Lottie and Prince the dog find themselves on a first class ship on their way to Cairo to meet up with Captain Ernest Hamilton (Lady Ellen’s love interest)the plot moves along well with some interesting fellow passengers and then there’s a murder and everyone is a suspect with Inspector Stone in disguise and acting strangely, what’s he up to?

Well Lady Ellen finally solves the mystery but there’s an interesting twist which I did not see coming. Just loved it.

Well done Kelly Mason another great book 📖

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Ellen with Lottie, her ward & Prince, her dog are going to Egypt on the SS Molvina. Paid for by her friend Ernest Hamilton, who is already in Egypt. On the way there is a murder committed and then the body got thrown overboard! A diligent search had revealed a stowaway & he was blamed for the murder, but Lady Ellen knows better. This is a bit of a dark mystery as well as having some funny bits in it.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this mystery, as always. I do think it's time to wrap up the slayer mystery, since it's frustrating to have that constantly in the background with minimal movement. I also find it odd when there are a few books where Hamilton is 95% absent.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, a good mystery interwoven with a good story. The characters continue to grow and develop.

[Cheryl Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great next instalment

So many twists and turns in this book. Lady Ellen had her hands full. Inspector Stone is a thorn in her side.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a 4.5.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I caveat the following with a disclaimer - I recently had a surgery and have been in all sorts of sorts. I binge read this series like a quick intake of breath, only to gasp out a “what the heck just happened?”

I cannot tell if Lady Ellen is just incredibly lucky or truly just blinded by…something.

The case has been made multiple times by multiple people that her dear timid boyfriend might be a serial killer. Poor Lady Ellen can’t even bear to look into his alibi’s. Or admit to the police that he didn’t have an alibi during the last slaying. Instead, she’s too busy convincing herself she’s in love, convincing herself she’s not classist because she’s interested in ANOTHER commoner and isn’t she so open minded even though she’s embarrassed to introduce him to…anyone.

I raged at Ellen.
Laughed at Ellen.
Wondered if the author was leaving a trail of breadcrumbs only for the serial killer to be someone else?! Maybe Ellen has a split personality disorder and while one personality is a sleuth, the other one is a serial killer? That would certainly be a twist!

And then I think - no, you’re overthinking. Quit reading past your bedtime. Just go to bed.

So I’m not quite sure what I think. Hopefully we see a return of the dashing Duke soon. Just in time to save Ellen from…you know who.