The Moquette Mystery

by Andrew Martin

How can solving a murder hinge on identifying the pattern on a piece of cloth?

And why was the clue sent to the police before the murder had been committed?

The detective who shows up in London’s Quarmby & Bates department store is eager to be shot of the case. For the young May Mitton in Fabrics and Furnishings, newly down from the North, this coarse but rather beautifully patterned scrap appears to come from a train – but which, and where . . .?

May’s investigations take her out into Metroland, to Oxford, back to her home town of Halifax and the Isle of Wight – and into the mysterious world of moquette, with its celebrity designers and its impossible complexity of railway companies and carriage classes.

Set just before the war in the heyday of department stores and Art Deco, The Moquette Mystery is a crime thriller as colourful and summery as its elusive pattern.

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 11, 2025

About the author

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Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this having seen an exhibition of Enid Marx’s work. Overall the novel works, slightly clunky dialogue and I wish it could have run to a few colour illustrations.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one more than Necropolis Railway but for me there is still far too much rail jargon. Perhaps I should leave Andrew Martin books alone - sorry Andrew - I tried!

[Martin Hollands · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've thoroughly enjoyed Edward Marston's books. Until this one 😣 it's way over embellished and seemed too artificial unfortunately.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely in need of illustrations - train / underground moquettes, e.g. Enid Marx, plus tube station art / posters e.g. Edward McKnight Kauffer’s cubist / art deco work, and Paul Nash. Those are probably all in AM’s other non-fiction books … & meanwhile I’ll get myself to the London Transport Museum 🚇