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Murder, She Booked #1
No One Sleeps on the Orient Express
Some dreams have an expiration date. Iris Quinn just decided hers hadn't expired yet.
At fifty, with nothing to show for her milestone birthday but grocery-store cake and a growing suspicion that "someday" has quietly become "never," librarian Iris does something wildly out of character. She empties her emergency fund and books a first-class ticket on the legendary Venice Simplon–Orient Express — the trip she promised herself at seventeen and spent thirty years talking herself out of.
The velvet compartments are everything she imagined. So is the champagne. The murder, less so.
When a passenger turns up dead and a poisoned champagne flute points straight at Iris, the onboard detective makes her his prime suspect. To clear her name she'll have to do what librarians do best — catalog the details, cross-reference the stories, and find the one thing that doesn't belong — as she unravels forged identities, bitter feuds, and elegantly constructed lies among a carriage full of wealthy travelers who each seem to be hiding something.
Warm, charming, and deliciously twisty — No One Sleeps on the Orient Express is the first book in the Murder, She Booked Series. Intelligent mysteries for readers who've decided their best chapters are still ahead.
Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Nita Prose, and Kristen Perrin. Includes a Book Club Guide and Discussion Questions.
At fifty, with nothing to show for her milestone birthday but grocery-store cake and a growing suspicion that "someday" has quietly become "never," librarian Iris does something wildly out of character. She empties her emergency fund and books a first-class ticket on the legendary Venice Simplon–Orient Express — the trip she promised herself at seventeen and spent thirty years talking herself out of.
The velvet compartments are everything she imagined. So is the champagne. The murder, less so.
When a passenger turns up dead and a poisoned champagne flute points straight at Iris, the onboard detective makes her his prime suspect. To clear her name she'll have to do what librarians do best — catalog the details, cross-reference the stories, and find the one thing that doesn't belong — as she unravels forged identities, bitter feuds, and elegantly constructed lies among a carriage full of wealthy travelers who each seem to be hiding something.
Warm, charming, and deliciously twisty — No One Sleeps on the Orient Express is the first book in the Murder, She Booked Series. Intelligent mysteries for readers who've decided their best chapters are still ahead.
Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Nita Prose, and Kristen Perrin. Includes a Book Club Guide and Discussion Questions.
246 pages, Hardcover
Published January 27, 2026
About the author
Irene Hagan
2 books24 followersIRENE HAGAN writes twisty, stylish cozy mysteries set in beautiful places built for secrets.
She is the author of No One Sleeps on the Orient Express, the first book in the Murder, She Booked series, featuring midlife librarian-turned-sleuth Iris Quinn. Armed with a lifelong habit of cataloging details and noticing what others overlook, Iris finds herself solving murders in the world’s most elegant and unexpected settings.
Irene has lived nearly as many lives as her cat—nine, give or take—including stints as a prison psychologist, a screenwriter, a librarian, and, during a particularly ambitious midlife crisis, a student at Harvard. Eventually, she landed where she belongs: crafting cozy mysteries.
Her background in psychology shapes layered characters with hidden depths; her time as a librarian feeds her love of meticulously structured puzzles. And her screenwriting days taught her how to orchestrate reveals—skills that translate surprisingly well to murder.
A film trip to France sparked her love of travel, and now many of her mysteries begin where her passport has been.
She lives in Boston with her husband, George, and their Ragdoll cat, Fable, who serves as both muse and occasional accomplice.
Follow Irene to be notified when new Iris Quinn mysteries release.
She is the author of No One Sleeps on the Orient Express, the first book in the Murder, She Booked series, featuring midlife librarian-turned-sleuth Iris Quinn. Armed with a lifelong habit of cataloging details and noticing what others overlook, Iris finds herself solving murders in the world’s most elegant and unexpected settings.
Irene has lived nearly as many lives as her cat—nine, give or take—including stints as a prison psychologist, a screenwriter, a librarian, and, during a particularly ambitious midlife crisis, a student at Harvard. Eventually, she landed where she belongs: crafting cozy mysteries.
Her background in psychology shapes layered characters with hidden depths; her time as a librarian feeds her love of meticulously structured puzzles. And her screenwriting days taught her how to orchestrate reveals—skills that translate surprisingly well to murder.
A film trip to France sparked her love of travel, and now many of her mysteries begin where her passport has been.
She lives in Boston with her husband, George, and their Ragdoll cat, Fable, who serves as both muse and occasional accomplice.
Follow Irene to be notified when new Iris Quinn mysteries release.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 22, 2026
As a teenager and after graduation, Iris Quinn had written details in her journal with dreams of a journey aboard the legendary Orient Express. Eventually, she stopped writing in the journal, and the trip remained a fantasy—until a milestone birthday prompted her to finally make the adventure a reality.
This locked room mystery is one Agatha Christie herself would have adored, set aboard a modern-day Orient Express. The contemporary setting offers all the magic and intrigue of the iconic train, beloved by booklovers, moviegoers, and fans of classic television mysteries alike. While I haven't traveled on the Orient Express, my round-trip journey on the Auto Train from Virginia to Florida deepened my appreciation for the author's immersive descriptions—she brings every detail of train life to vivid life. As a retired librarian who has cherished countless books, films, and series inspired by Christie's famed whodunnit, I found this novel a perfect fit. I particularly enjoyed how the author paid tribute to Christie in a riveting scene that led Iris to become a sleuth
A vibrant cast of well-developed personalities adds to the intrigue. It was fun and appealing to see how Iris used her experience as a librarian to navigate the eclectic mix of travelers she encountered along the journey.
The title is easily read as a stand-alone, but I think once you spend some time with Iris, you'll be just as excited as I am that the book is presented as Murder, She Booked, Book 1. This book earns my highest recommendation—it was such an enjoyable read that I wish I could award it more than five stars.
A Book Club Guide and Discussion Questions are available at the end of the novel.
Thank you to Irene Hagan and the Cozy Mystery Crew for an eARC of this novel.
Reviewer's Note: Cynthia Kallai is writing under the pseudonym Irene Hagan. I encourage readers to visit the author's website and read About Irene Hagan to learn more about her background and inspiration. All her accomplishments have led me to feel the sensory imagery woven into every aspect of the narrative.
This locked room mystery is one Agatha Christie herself would have adored, set aboard a modern-day Orient Express. The contemporary setting offers all the magic and intrigue of the iconic train, beloved by booklovers, moviegoers, and fans of classic television mysteries alike. While I haven't traveled on the Orient Express, my round-trip journey on the Auto Train from Virginia to Florida deepened my appreciation for the author's immersive descriptions—she brings every detail of train life to vivid life. As a retired librarian who has cherished countless books, films, and series inspired by Christie's famed whodunnit, I found this novel a perfect fit. I particularly enjoyed how the author paid tribute to Christie in a riveting scene that led Iris to become a sleuth
A vibrant cast of well-developed personalities adds to the intrigue. It was fun and appealing to see how Iris used her experience as a librarian to navigate the eclectic mix of travelers she encountered along the journey.
The title is easily read as a stand-alone, but I think once you spend some time with Iris, you'll be just as excited as I am that the book is presented as Murder, She Booked, Book 1. This book earns my highest recommendation—it was such an enjoyable read that I wish I could award it more than five stars.
A Book Club Guide and Discussion Questions are available at the end of the novel.
Thank you to Irene Hagan and the Cozy Mystery Crew for an eARC of this novel.
Reviewer's Note: Cynthia Kallai is writing under the pseudonym Irene Hagan. I encourage readers to visit the author's website and read About Irene Hagan to learn more about her background and inspiration. All her accomplishments have led me to feel the sensory imagery woven into every aspect of the narrative.
February 4, 2026
Excellent Read
I enjoyed this book very much! It was a hard one to put down. It was well developed and moved smoothly. I look forward to what this author has to offer in the future. Maybe something where Fable has more involvement?
I enjoyed this book very much! It was a hard one to put down. It was well developed and moved smoothly. I look forward to what this author has to offer in the future. Maybe something where Fable has more involvement?
March 24, 2026
After a steady diet of psychological thrillers, I needed a literary palate cleanser and I knew a good cozy murder mystery would hit the spot. You know the kind, a book in which a polite murder takes place amongst people who are loath to issue an expletive and where pleasures of the flesh or never spoken about.
You have to be a confident author to stage your murder aboard the fabled Orient Express but Irene Hagan does a wonderful job creating a new story while paying homage to the original. The characters are fully developed and the story is easy to follow. I appreciated that the trope of the dumb and/or arrogant police department was avoided as is found far too common in this genre. I deducted one star only because I prefer to be surprised when the guilty party is unmasked toward the end and in this case I deduced the perpetrator a bit earlier than anticipated.
Strictly my impression, but I got the sense that the author enjoyed writing this book. That was certainly the feeling I got while reading it, and it added to my enjoyment.
Bottom line is that Irene Hagan is a talented author, and I look forward to the further adventures of the new amateur sleuth, Iris Quinn. Thank you to both NetGalley and Irene Hagan for gifting me an advance reading copy. I happily leave this review voluntarily.
You have to be a confident author to stage your murder aboard the fabled Orient Express but Irene Hagan does a wonderful job creating a new story while paying homage to the original. The characters are fully developed and the story is easy to follow. I appreciated that the trope of the dumb and/or arrogant police department was avoided as is found far too common in this genre. I deducted one star only because I prefer to be surprised when the guilty party is unmasked toward the end and in this case I deduced the perpetrator a bit earlier than anticipated.
Strictly my impression, but I got the sense that the author enjoyed writing this book. That was certainly the feeling I got while reading it, and it added to my enjoyment.
Bottom line is that Irene Hagan is a talented author, and I look forward to the further adventures of the new amateur sleuth, Iris Quinn. Thank you to both NetGalley and Irene Hagan for gifting me an advance reading copy. I happily leave this review voluntarily.
May 3, 2026
I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I really loved this book. It should be read by every woman who's reached a certain age and never achieved any of their dreams from their youth. That's what Iris Quinn realised on her 50th birthday. After 23 years as a librarian, noticing everything but happy to be invisible. When she celebrates her birthday by clearing out her hall cupboard she has a revelation. If not now, when? I love how Irene Hagan portrays Iris, not as a doormat who has let herself go, but an intelligent, observant woman who's been comfortable being invisible and, once she takes the plunge, very quickly realises that actually she is as good as the other passengers in first class. In fact it's her observation skills that make her an excellent sleuth. An Agatha Christie rival!
April 8, 2026
Great first book in what I hope will become a series. Iris is a librarian who has always played it safe. All her life, she has thought about doing this or that, but has always talked herself out of it. At 50, her life is stagnant - nothing changes, nothing interesting ever happens. She pulls out her teenage diary and reads about the dreams she wanted to accomplish back then. Number one,was to ride on the Orient Express, but it was always pushed back - too expensive, not feasible, too much time. But this time, Iris spends all of her savings and books the trip. Iris feels like she doesn't belong, but she stops listening to that inner voice telling her she is not worth it, and takes the plunge.
As the train starts, she gets to know her fellow passengers. As a librarian, she is good at reading people and solving puzzles. She will need both of these talents as one of the passengers dies the first night, and she is one of the suspects. Using her knowledge, and her art of asking the right questions, can she solve the puzzle before she gets accused? Well thought out, and I love the characters. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
As the train starts, she gets to know her fellow passengers. As a librarian, she is good at reading people and solving puzzles. She will need both of these talents as one of the passengers dies the first night, and she is one of the suspects. Using her knowledge, and her art of asking the right questions, can she solve the puzzle before she gets accused? Well thought out, and I love the characters. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
April 23, 2026
This was an intriguing mystery, featuring librarian Iris, who just turned 50 and has realized she hasn't taken any risks, gone after any dreams, or had any adventures in her life. She finds her old high school journals full of confidence and great plans for the future, chiefly a trip to Istanbul and foreign travel. On a truly mad impulse, she zeroes out her savings and books a luxury trip on the famed Orient Express. Nothing could be more out of character for her but she is determined.
The writing style is a little terse, like observations in a log, but Iris is madly observant and is soon chronicling her fellow passengers. It's not long before things begin to happen: a murder, some domestic intrigue, and a nicely developing relationship with an uncle and nephew travelling with her.
Iris falls under suspicion, but she is already mentally at work analyzing the other train guests. I enjoyed the story, and found Iris to be a great character. We are rooting for her to keep on having adventures. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing style is a little terse, like observations in a log, but Iris is madly observant and is soon chronicling her fellow passengers. It's not long before things begin to happen: a murder, some domestic intrigue, and a nicely developing relationship with an uncle and nephew travelling with her.
Iris falls under suspicion, but she is already mentally at work analyzing the other train guests. I enjoyed the story, and found Iris to be a great character. We are rooting for her to keep on having adventures. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2026
Iris Quinn is almost the stereotypical librarian—quiet, reserved, practical; she’s a reader who classifies people by literary genre, a person who notices things and helps people. She wasn’t the sort of person to spend $48,000.00 on a ticket on the Orient Express. Except on her 50th birthday, Iris empties (or very nearly) her savings account to buy that ticket and step aboard a 33-year-old dream.
The Orient Express is as opulent as she expected. What she didn’t expect was a passenger being murdered on her first night aboard the train nor being a suspect in the murder.
She needs to put her skills of observation and deduction to clear herself and find the killer.
While delightful is not commonly used in describing a murder mystery, however cozy, No One Sleeps on the Orient Express IS a delightful debut: artfully placed clues and red herrings; sufficient description but not overdone, and Iris a believable character you would like to claim as a friend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Orient Express is as opulent as she expected. What she didn’t expect was a passenger being murdered on her first night aboard the train nor being a suspect in the murder.
She needs to put her skills of observation and deduction to clear herself and find the killer.
While delightful is not commonly used in describing a murder mystery, however cozy, No One Sleeps on the Orient Express IS a delightful debut: artfully placed clues and red herrings; sufficient description but not overdone, and Iris a believable character you would like to claim as a friend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 10, 2026
What's not to love about a present-day mystery set aboard the Orient Express? Absolutely nothing! This book has it all and was a joy to read.
Iris, a 50-year-old librarian, is taking a long-awaited trip on the OE. Of course there's a murder, and Iris is the prime suspect. I really enjoyed this modern take on the classic "closed room" mystery. The other passengers/suspects are all distinct enough to easily keep track of who's who, and it was fun to learn more about each of them during the course of Iris's (and the actual detective's) investigations. There were enough clues, red herrings, lies, and suspects to keep things interesting throughout the book. By the end I figured it out about the same time as Iris, and was pleased to see all the loose ends tied up and logical.
I was thrilled to see that this is the first book in a new series. I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Iris, a 50-year-old librarian, is taking a long-awaited trip on the OE. Of course there's a murder, and Iris is the prime suspect. I really enjoyed this modern take on the classic "closed room" mystery. The other passengers/suspects are all distinct enough to easily keep track of who's who, and it was fun to learn more about each of them during the course of Iris's (and the actual detective's) investigations. There were enough clues, red herrings, lies, and suspects to keep things interesting throughout the book. By the end I figured it out about the same time as Iris, and was pleased to see all the loose ends tied up and logical.
I was thrilled to see that this is the first book in a new series. I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment!
May 15, 2026
Iris Quinn has spent her life dreaming to do a lot of things (yoga, learningg Italian, making her own pasta, travelling…) and never doing anything. Until on her 50th birthday, she re-reads her 17-year-old diary and decides to act on her dream to travel aboard the Orient Express. Blowing the saving of a lifetime on a whim, she books her spot among the elite. She's spent her whole life as a librarian recommending patrons to read Murder on the Orient Express and she wants to breath in that rarified atmosphere.
Little did she know she'd be tangled up in a real Murder on the Orient Express…
The book is a little more introspective that I'm accustomed to, but the story flows impeccably from start to finish. I enjoyed it, even if it's no Agatha Christie (but then MOTOE is my favority mystery book of all times, nothing compares).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Little did she know she'd be tangled up in a real Murder on the Orient Express…
The book is a little more introspective that I'm accustomed to, but the story flows impeccably from start to finish. I enjoyed it, even if it's no Agatha Christie (but then MOTOE is my favority mystery book of all times, nothing compares).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 25, 2026
What a delightful book! I see that this is the start to a new series, and I’m thrilled, because this is a great book, and I love the protagonist, Iris. She’s a smart and quirky middle-aged librarian, and there’s no mention of a previous husband or grown children. She has a wonderful best friend who is very supportive when Iris decides to spend her nest egg on a spontaneous trip on the Orient Express to Istanbul. The train is verrrry fancy, and I loved all of the descriptions of the various compartments and the passengers. We get to know a group of those passengers really well, and of course there’s a crime to solve in a very Christie way. This is an entertaining and quick read and I thoroughly recommend it. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series, definitely. I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
February 21, 2026
A trip of a lifetime
When Iris Turns 50 she experiences a mid life crisis of not doing what she planned to do. Years as a research librarian has left Iris with much knowledge but not a lot of practical life experience, so she decides to follow the dream of her 17 year old self and book an excursion on the Orient Express. Spending a good portion of her life savings off she goes to live an Agatha Christie type trip. When a woman on the train is poisoned and she becomes a suspect, Iris puts that researcher observational skill to work. She needs to find the killer to clear her name. A very fine mystery set in the classic style makes for a very likable protagonist, and an excellent story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Iris Turns 50 she experiences a mid life crisis of not doing what she planned to do. Years as a research librarian has left Iris with much knowledge but not a lot of practical life experience, so she decides to follow the dream of her 17 year old self and book an excursion on the Orient Express. Spending a good portion of her life savings off she goes to live an Agatha Christie type trip. When a woman on the train is poisoned and she becomes a suspect, Iris puts that researcher observational skill to work. She needs to find the killer to clear her name. A very fine mystery set in the classic style makes for a very likable protagonist, and an excellent story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2026
From the very beginning I was hooked. What caught my attention about this book was the main character Iris, who is in her fifties and thinking about her life. It's hard to find a good solid book about an older woman who is strong, smart, and independent written in a relatable way. This author did not disappoint. Not only was the main character amazing but the attention to detail about the train, landscape, and all other characters were so in depth that you felt you were there. It was also an interesting take on the original Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
I enjoyed this book so much that I am glad it is book 1 in a series that hopefully will have many more to come soon.
I enjoyed this book so much that I am glad it is book 1 in a series that hopefully will have many more to come soon.
May 24, 2026
I think Iris is brave. To spend all those years just being there always dependable, taken for granted, part of the scenery but never the focus. To take a step and follow a dream it’s quite admirable and scary for sure. Then to have it all turn into something straight out of a Christie novel it’s almost too much but not quite. It’s a wonderful story about a woman who waited and finally took that step into one of her dreams. While it may not have been all she bargained for, or it was that and so much she never wished for it still was a dream come true. The mystery is good, what makes this book shine is Iris in all her insecurities and doubts she still shines. She’s absolutely the woman who can wear that bold red dress. I received an arc via BookSirens this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
No One Sleeps on the Orient Express is a Superb story about Iris Quinn a Librarian and her cat Fable who was just celebrating her birthday. She found her journal from when she was a teenager with her wish to travel on the Orient Express. She made a decision and booked herself a suite in the train. When she arrived she started to learn who her travelling companions were. Unfortunately one of the passengers died. Iris then started to look into the other passengers. There are many twists and turns throughout the story and some surprising events.
Excellent book and I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
Excellent book and I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
March 25, 2026
Iris has a disappointing 50th birthday at work, then goes home and finds a journal from when she was 17. That prompts her to book the trip on the Orient Express she has been dreaming of for 23 years. Once she gets on the train, it doesn't feel quite as glamorous as she expected. Everyone seems to be hiding something, and a fifty year old librarian ends up having to solve a murder on the historic train.
I really enjoyed that the book had an older protagonist, and the other characters were interesting as well. I hope that the series will continue and we can many more adventures with Iris.
I would feel comfortable recommending this charming cozy mystery to almost anyone.
I really enjoyed that the book had an older protagonist, and the other characters were interesting as well. I hope that the series will continue and we can many more adventures with Iris.
I would feel comfortable recommending this charming cozy mystery to almost anyone.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy of this book for advanced reading and this is my honest opinion.
This book is about a librarian who takes the trip of a lifetime and its caught up in a murder.
I am a retired librarian so I consider myself biased. I found myself recognising so much of Iris's life and why she went on the trip.
The references to the Christie novel were very cleverly interwoven into the story.
This is the beginning of a series and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books.
This book is about a librarian who takes the trip of a lifetime and its caught up in a murder.
I am a retired librarian so I consider myself biased. I found myself recognising so much of Iris's life and why she went on the trip.
The references to the Christie novel were very cleverly interwoven into the story.
This is the beginning of a series and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books.
April 25, 2026
Started this book, got about half-way through, and walked away from it, but the character stuck with me. Iris is amazing, foolish, and a little too cautious, but believable, lovable, and fun. Came back to the book a month later. Glad I did! The ending was satisfying, not something I would have guessed. The character developed in a way that felt natural and smart. I'm hoping there's another book but I don't see how Iris could afford it. Overall, a fun original mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 15, 2026
This was a different type of cozy mystery than what I usually read. I normally read more of the light hearted cozies, but this held my interest from the start. I've always loved riding on trains so reading a mystery set on a train was a fun experience. I found myself cheering on, the main character, Iris in her quest to do something she had always wanted,to do, which was riding the Orient Express. I look forward to reading about more adventures that Iris undertakes.
March 15, 2026
‘Agatha Christie had not prepared her for this.’
Seventeen year old Iris had dreamt about taking the Orient Express to Istanbul. Fifty year old Iris uses her life savings to do just that and finds herself the prime murder suspect in a real life Agatha Christie mystery. Considering I read this in one sitting I can safely say I’m hooked and really hope Iris continues to have many adventures to come. Well done!
April 7, 2026
No One Sleeps... was a fun cozy mystery-slash-homage to the great works of Agatha Christie. Our heroine does something brave for the first time in her life at 50, only to walk right into a murder mystery. Full of twists and turns, great characters, and an engaging backdrop, this was a great weekend read. The ending teases another potential journey, and if she takes it, I'm there for the ride.
Many thanks to BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
Many thanks to BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
May 3, 2026
I appreciate books with non-traditional protagonists and this one didn't disappoint. The main character has lived a routine, mundane life until she has had enough and take completely unexpected action. I can relate. The mystery is interesting and the prose is well written. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
January 29, 2026
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this mystery. It's one of the best books I've read in a while. I could really get into it...it's very immersive. It's also VERY well-written. I loved it, and I would like to read more from this author. Highly recommended!
I really enjoyed this mystery. It's one of the best books I've read in a while. I could really get into it...it's very immersive. It's also VERY well-written. I loved it, and I would like to read more from this author. Highly recommended!
March 9, 2026
Excellent cozy set on a train full of strangers with secrets. I enjoyed Iris and her deductive skills. It was fun to see someone taking their dream vacation and adapting to the challenges along the way. Happy that this appears to be the first book in a series.
May 13, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. Good murder mystery with a great cast of suspects all set aboard the Orient Express. Am looking forward to more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews