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The Railway Detective #9
The Stationmaster's Farewell
1857. Joel Heygate is the popular stationmaster at Exeter St David's railway station. So when the charred remains of a body are discovered in the embers of the town's annual Bonfire Night celebration, everyone is horrified when it becomes clear that they belong to Mr. Heygate.
Inspector Robert Colbeck and his assistant Victor Leeming are dispatched to Exeter with all due haste, and quickly unearth a number of suspects. But as Colbeck closes in on the killer, he finds himself in mortal danger. Can justice prevail or will his beloved Madeleine be robbed of a husband on the very eve of their marriage?
Inspector Robert Colbeck and his assistant Victor Leeming are dispatched to Exeter with all due haste, and quickly unearth a number of suspects. But as Colbeck closes in on the killer, he finds himself in mortal danger. Can justice prevail or will his beloved Madeleine be robbed of a husband on the very eve of their marriage?
382 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2012
43 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Edward Marston
239 books466 followersLibrarian 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
April 26, 2021
I think Marston broke one of the fundamental rules of detective fiction in this story. I can't really say much more without giving the game away.
July 21, 2014
I have read most of the Railway Detective series. They are pleasant, but not earth shattering. I am surprised to see so many five stars however. Since that is the highest accolade it puts this book on a level it doesn't deserve and equal to other, far better, books. I have a couple of quibbles with this book. One is minor concerning Colbeck's father in law. He is said to have retired after a lifetime with the London & North Western Railway. Since the book is set in 1857 and that railway only came into being in 1846, that lifetime of service would hardly be possible. My other criticism is more fundamental. The perpetrators of the murder being investigated do not appear in the book until the closing pages. That really is a bad cop out and should be avoided in a decent thriller.
Later. This book describes the murder of the stationmaster at Exeter St. Davids station. Colbeck is brought in to investigate by a Director of the South Devon Railway as the murdered man was said to be one of their employees. Trouble is, the South Devon didn't own the station. It merely had running powers into the station,owned by the Bristol and Exeter company. That company would therefore have staffed and run the station. This information is easily found on the internet...
Later. This book describes the murder of the stationmaster at Exeter St. Davids station. Colbeck is brought in to investigate by a Director of the South Devon Railway as the murdered man was said to be one of their employees. Trouble is, the South Devon didn't own the station. It merely had running powers into the station,owned by the Bristol and Exeter company. That company would therefore have staffed and run the station. This information is easily found on the internet...
August 1, 2012
I can't believe that it was only June 28 when I got my hands on the first book in this series
after Goodreads recommended it to me and now here I am a month later having read 9 years worth of books in the series and feeling kind of blue because Marston only puts out a book in this series once a year and now I have to wait for a year to see if he writes another. Bah, humbug!
I enjoyed this book about Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck of Scotland Yard and his assistant Detective Sergeant Victor Leeming in 1850's England very much. As usual, their boss, Superintendent Tallis, drives them crazy when he won't trust them to handle the case but he winds up getting stabbed for his troubles.
In this book, it is Guy Fawkes day in the English town of Exeter and the stationmaster, the very popular Joel Heygate, has gone missing. He was last seen by Mrs. Rossiter, the widow who is manager of the Refreshment Room at the station and her assistant, the sweet young Dorcas Hope. He told them he would be at the bonfire the next day and tried to dodge Mrs. Rossiter's very aggressive attempts to get him to take her. She is in some fantasy la-la land imagining that she will marry the widowed stationmaster who clearly can't stand her.
The next day, the pompous ass of a bishop leaves the Cathedral in order to avoid the merrymaking that usually turns into petty crime. This windbag needs for someone to stick a pin in his balloon. He has no care of compassion for others and thinks anything that happens is directed at him.
Later at the bonfire, when the flames die down, the body of the missing stationmaster who never showed up at the festivities is found- beaten to death and left to burn in the flames.
As always, there are so many colorful characters here. When you read this book, you will meet the pompous bishop who no one likes, the perverted doctor at the insane asylum who has a nasty habit of molesting inmates, a known criminal named Bagsy and his plump old hooker girlfriend, the stationmaster's estranged brother and his greedy wife who are out for the money and nothing else, a canary named Peter and an owl the stationmaster befriended. Actually it is the canary and the owl who offer the most clues.
I get so tired of Victor Leeming not understanding that his job requires travel away from home and whining about wanting to be back in bed with his wife so it gave me a laugh to see Superintendent Tallis feel as frustrated as me about it and threaten to send him back to being a beat constable (with less pay and prestige).
I also enjoyed seeing Colbeck and Tallis stick it to the pompous bishop who needed taking down a notch or three.
Another bit of humor comes when Madeleine Andrews, fiance of Robert Colbeck , worries about her dad , the retired railway driver Caleb Andrews going too fast in a new romance. He goes to tea with the new ladyfriend only to have her sister show up and then later follow him home and set upon him trying to talk her sister down and get him for herself! Poor Caleb. He even has to bar the door to keep her out.
Speaking of craziness, Mrs. Rossiter winds up in the lunatic asylum. She insists she was the stationmaster's lover though she was not and at one point runs wild in the cathedral breaking things and slamming the crucifix down and then hurtling herself through the undertaker's window to try to get to the stationmaster's dead burned body.
I would like to see more strong women who are not criminals or hookers or who turn crazy. I am disappointed in the development of the character of Madeleine who looked in earlier books like she would become something but in the last few, including this one, we can see she will just be a boring housewife and mother who dabbles in painting and nothing more. She has become a drudge though I don't care for the rude way she speaks to the father who has supported her all of her life.
Get on with it Edward Marston. I need more books!
after Goodreads recommended it to me and now here I am a month later having read 9 years worth of books in the series and feeling kind of blue because Marston only puts out a book in this series once a year and now I have to wait for a year to see if he writes another. Bah, humbug! I enjoyed this book about Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck of Scotland Yard and his assistant Detective Sergeant Victor Leeming in 1850's England very much. As usual, their boss, Superintendent Tallis, drives them crazy when he won't trust them to handle the case but he winds up getting stabbed for his troubles.
In this book, it is Guy Fawkes day in the English town of Exeter and the stationmaster, the very popular Joel Heygate, has gone missing. He was last seen by Mrs. Rossiter, the widow who is manager of the Refreshment Room at the station and her assistant, the sweet young Dorcas Hope. He told them he would be at the bonfire the next day and tried to dodge Mrs. Rossiter's very aggressive attempts to get him to take her. She is in some fantasy la-la land imagining that she will marry the widowed stationmaster who clearly can't stand her.
The next day, the pompous ass of a bishop leaves the Cathedral in order to avoid the merrymaking that usually turns into petty crime. This windbag needs for someone to stick a pin in his balloon. He has no care of compassion for others and thinks anything that happens is directed at him.
Later at the bonfire, when the flames die down, the body of the missing stationmaster who never showed up at the festivities is found- beaten to death and left to burn in the flames.
As always, there are so many colorful characters here. When you read this book, you will meet the pompous bishop who no one likes, the perverted doctor at the insane asylum who has a nasty habit of molesting inmates, a known criminal named Bagsy and his plump old hooker girlfriend, the stationmaster's estranged brother and his greedy wife who are out for the money and nothing else, a canary named Peter and an owl the stationmaster befriended. Actually it is the canary and the owl who offer the most clues.
I get so tired of Victor Leeming not understanding that his job requires travel away from home and whining about wanting to be back in bed with his wife so it gave me a laugh to see Superintendent Tallis feel as frustrated as me about it and threaten to send him back to being a beat constable (with less pay and prestige).
I also enjoyed seeing Colbeck and Tallis stick it to the pompous bishop who needed taking down a notch or three.
Another bit of humor comes when Madeleine Andrews, fiance of Robert Colbeck , worries about her dad , the retired railway driver Caleb Andrews going too fast in a new romance. He goes to tea with the new ladyfriend only to have her sister show up and then later follow him home and set upon him trying to talk her sister down and get him for herself! Poor Caleb. He even has to bar the door to keep her out.
Speaking of craziness, Mrs. Rossiter winds up in the lunatic asylum. She insists she was the stationmaster's lover though she was not and at one point runs wild in the cathedral breaking things and slamming the crucifix down and then hurtling herself through the undertaker's window to try to get to the stationmaster's dead burned body.
I would like to see more strong women who are not criminals or hookers or who turn crazy. I am disappointed in the development of the character of Madeleine who looked in earlier books like she would become something but in the last few, including this one, we can see she will just be a boring housewife and mother who dabbles in painting and nothing more. She has become a drudge though I don't care for the rude way she speaks to the father who has supported her all of her life.
Get on with it Edward Marston. I need more books!
January 4, 2014
The Railway Detective series continues to enthral as Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck embarks on another baffling case.
A stationmaster's body is found at the bottom of the 5 November bonfire in Exeter and the railway authorities, much to the initial annoyance of the local police force and in particular Superintendent Steele, call in Colbeck and his partner, the persevering Sergeant Victor Leeming, to investigate.
Suspects immediately emerge when the duo begin their investigations but, as is to be expected, nothing is clear cut. Steele decides that he knows who the murderer is but Colbeck is not convinced.
In a well-plotted tale, the investigations lead to a variety of nasty incidents and, with all the local people interrogated, the water becomes muddier. However, the chief suspect, at least according to Steele, is eventually arrested but Colbeck is still unconvinced and continues his enquiries.
Meanwhile his bride to be, Madeleine Andrews, remains in London wondering whether he will have solved the mystery before their wedding day arrives. She eventually decides to make her way to Exeter to be near her intended, taking her retired railwayman father with her.
Their presence does not hinder the investigations and, in a surprising turn of events the culprit is apprehended, as Maddy says, thanks to her presence!
Edward Marston captures the Victorian times and working life on the railways superbly and the series is a delight to read and enjoy.
A stationmaster's body is found at the bottom of the 5 November bonfire in Exeter and the railway authorities, much to the initial annoyance of the local police force and in particular Superintendent Steele, call in Colbeck and his partner, the persevering Sergeant Victor Leeming, to investigate.
Suspects immediately emerge when the duo begin their investigations but, as is to be expected, nothing is clear cut. Steele decides that he knows who the murderer is but Colbeck is not convinced.
In a well-plotted tale, the investigations lead to a variety of nasty incidents and, with all the local people interrogated, the water becomes muddier. However, the chief suspect, at least according to Steele, is eventually arrested but Colbeck is still unconvinced and continues his enquiries.
Meanwhile his bride to be, Madeleine Andrews, remains in London wondering whether he will have solved the mystery before their wedding day arrives. She eventually decides to make her way to Exeter to be near her intended, taking her retired railwayman father with her.
Their presence does not hinder the investigations and, in a surprising turn of events the culprit is apprehended, as Maddy says, thanks to her presence!
Edward Marston captures the Victorian times and working life on the railways superbly and the series is a delight to read and enjoy.
October 3, 2016
It was interesting to see that Superintendent Tallis hadn’t learnt his lesson from the previous book about meddling in an investigation on the ground…! I really enjoyed this one, although there were some unanswered questions, I felt.
I can’t wait to continue on with this series, for a reason that would become obvious to regular readers at the end of this one!
I can’t wait to continue on with this series, for a reason that would become obvious to regular readers at the end of this one!
August 13, 2018
This was actually a fantastic mystery that had me guessing all the way through. I like that nothing was clear and simple and the answers wasn't revealed until the end! I felt that the returning character grew and that the plot characters where believable and consistent! A wonderful mystery 4.75 Stars!!
August 25, 2022
An okay book and series. I hope we see less of Caleb Andrews once Colbeck and Madeleine marry. The ending to the mystery seemed like a cop out in my opinion.
August 7, 2024
Another really enjoyable Railway Detective mystery. I thought I knew who the killer was but once again I was wrong! I just can’t seem to see where the story is going to end up. But that is part of the fun of the series. It keeps you on your toes, even when you think you know what's going on and who's at fault. Colbeck is still my favourite character, he's so intelligent and willing to push back against authority in a kind way.
I was glad Colbeck and Madeline finally got married at the end, it’s been building for a while. I hope to see much more of them in future books, maybe even working together to solve cases. I also want to know what’s going to happen with Caleb Andrews and his retirement and his potential love interest, it seems like that's going to come up in the next book.
The mystery, unlike the last one in the series, the reader didn’t know from the start who the culprit was so this was more of a guessing game. I like that it’s different each time and when you start a new book you don’t know how the story is going to be told because it is slightly different each time. The mystery in this one is difficult to solve because .
Plenty more books in the series for me to get my teeth into and I look forward to reading them. I want to see more of Colbeck and Leeming working together, maybe now with Madeline's help, though I'd like to see how Inspector Tallis takes that, since he seems determined to believe that it's a failing if a policeman has a private life. There are some great funny moments, as well as deductive analysis. If you want something light, historical, and mysterious, then these books are for you.
I was glad Colbeck and Madeline finally got married at the end, it’s been building for a while. I hope to see much more of them in future books, maybe even working together to solve cases. I also want to know what’s going to happen with Caleb Andrews and his retirement and his potential love interest, it seems like that's going to come up in the next book.
The mystery, unlike the last one in the series, the reader didn’t know from the start who the culprit was so this was more of a guessing game. I like that it’s different each time and when you start a new book you don’t know how the story is going to be told because it is slightly different each time. The mystery in this one is difficult to solve because .
Plenty more books in the series for me to get my teeth into and I look forward to reading them. I want to see more of Colbeck and Leeming working together, maybe now with Madeline's help, though I'd like to see how Inspector Tallis takes that, since he seems determined to believe that it's a failing if a policeman has a private life. There are some great funny moments, as well as deductive analysis. If you want something light, historical, and mysterious, then these books are for you.
June 11, 2020
Marston went back to writing a proper murder mystery with this entry to the railway Detective series. All the expected strange characters and lots of red herrings even if the hiding place for the diary is really obvious.
April 27, 2025
another great read, what a twist at the end, did not see it coming.
But as always colbeck got the suspect 😄😄
But as always colbeck got the suspect 😄😄
December 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this. I've been enjoying the whole series and here we have a canary, sn owl, a mental asylum and much more.
September 1, 2025
***** Spoiler Alert ***** Don’t read any further if you don’t want to know.
This was my first foray into Edward Marston’s The Railway Detective series, and, after seeing the generous ratings and reviews on here, I wanted to have a look for myself.
Marston’s writing style has good pacing and his accurate description of the time period reels you right into the action and the time period.
The plot line…A popular local stationmaster is found dead and a “who done it” begins to take shape. Plenty of characters are brought into the story and some have impact on the storyline and others do not. I suppose that some might be revisited in ensuing books in the series while others are summarily dropped as they are regional characters.
My view is that the character of the over-the-top villainous Bagsy Browne is too obvious and too dominant within the storyline to actually be the offender. There’s plenty of Bagsy in this book; too much in my opinion. However, that’s not the major weakness of the book.
The real weakness of this book is a forced subplot out of left field that only appears with sixteen pages to go in a 382 page book. After reading 366 pages, how are we rewarded? We are served up a “pasted on” ending that had next to nothing to do with the book up to that point. How could the author do that?
Marston essentially gave us 366 pages of 100% pure red herring. The unrelated, random, nonsensical and bogus ending could have been basically stapled onto practically any murder mystery.
I don’t get it, and I don’t get the gushing reviews on here either.
In the end, this book was a warm cup of weak tea with no biscuit. I’ve hopped off this train for good.
This was my first foray into Edward Marston’s The Railway Detective series, and, after seeing the generous ratings and reviews on here, I wanted to have a look for myself.
Marston’s writing style has good pacing and his accurate description of the time period reels you right into the action and the time period.
The plot line…A popular local stationmaster is found dead and a “who done it” begins to take shape. Plenty of characters are brought into the story and some have impact on the storyline and others do not. I suppose that some might be revisited in ensuing books in the series while others are summarily dropped as they are regional characters.
My view is that the character of the over-the-top villainous Bagsy Browne is too obvious and too dominant within the storyline to actually be the offender. There’s plenty of Bagsy in this book; too much in my opinion. However, that’s not the major weakness of the book.
The real weakness of this book is a forced subplot out of left field that only appears with sixteen pages to go in a 382 page book. After reading 366 pages, how are we rewarded? We are served up a “pasted on” ending that had next to nothing to do with the book up to that point. How could the author do that?
Marston essentially gave us 366 pages of 100% pure red herring. The unrelated, random, nonsensical and bogus ending could have been basically stapled onto practically any murder mystery.
I don’t get it, and I don’t get the gushing reviews on here either.
In the end, this book was a warm cup of weak tea with no biscuit. I’ve hopped off this train for good.
June 13, 2017
The Stationmaster’s Farewell by Edward Marston (2012) – This is another very interesting and entertaining book in Marston’s Railway Detective series. On Guy Fawkes Day in Exeter, England in 1857 the stationmaster’s (Joel Heygate’s) charred body is discovered in the coals of the celebratory bonfire. Thus begins another complex and extensive murder investigation by Inspector Robert Colbeck and his loyal and adept assistant, Sergeant Victor Leeming. The investigation involves a diverse group of very interesting characters including Superintendent Tallis, Colbeck’s immediate supervisor, and the pompous Bishop Phillpotts, who both try to influence the investigation. The list of suspects is short, but the colorful Bagsy Browne, a well-known criminal thug, quickly becomes the primary suspect in the case However, Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming struggle to prove his guilt. Colbeck is also under pressure to solve the murder case quickly, because of his upcoming wedding to Madeleine Andrews. Like the previous eight books that I have read in Marston’s Railway Detective series, this period piece crime novel keeps the reader interested through complex plot twists, dangerous action, and unique, yet believable, characters. I enjoyed this novel very much.
February 14, 2022
Guy Fawkes Night, 1857. Joel Heygate is the popular stationmaster at Exeter St David's railway station - an impressive figure of a man replete with frock coat and top hat, bushy eyebrows and walrus moustache. But when the charred remains of a body are discovered in the embers of the town's annual Bonfire Night celebration, everyone is horrified when it becomes clear that they belong to Mr Heygate.
Mr Gervase Quinnell of the South Devon Railway contacts Scotland Yard for their assistance, and Superintendant Edward Tallis sends the Railway Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck and his assistant Victor Leeming to Exeter with all due haste. They quickly unearth three suspects, but are they missing something?
It is only when Heygate's diary turns up unexpectedly that the truth becomes clear and a fourth suspect emerges. As Colbeck closes in on the killer, he finds himself in mortal danger - can justice prevail? Some more twist and turns.
Mr Gervase Quinnell of the South Devon Railway contacts Scotland Yard for their assistance, and Superintendant Edward Tallis sends the Railway Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck and his assistant Victor Leeming to Exeter with all due haste. They quickly unearth three suspects, but are they missing something?
It is only when Heygate's diary turns up unexpectedly that the truth becomes clear and a fourth suspect emerges. As Colbeck closes in on the killer, he finds himself in mortal danger - can justice prevail? Some more twist and turns.
Read
October 30, 2023Marston is one of my favourite crime writers, and in my mind stands alone for Victorian detective writing. This is the 9th book in Marston's "The Railway Detective" series, and is a fascinating read. It is not as intriguing as some of Marston's previous works in the series, but following on from book 8 (no spoilers!) it is a very well written book. While the books can be read in a standalone manner, if you really want to get to know the atmosphere of the books you ought to read them from the beginning. I love how Marston evidently gets to know his geography, as each of the books takes you to a different part of the UK and very occasionally abroad. This level of writing also demands a standard of historical knowledge that is at the very least good. This is partly why I love this series. Recommend!
April 13, 2018
Another enjoyable, workman-like, book in the Railway Detective series. In this one, our smooth, sarcastic and condescending hero Inspector Colbeck, and his lumpen-proletariat sidekick Victor Leeming, are called to investigate the death of the popular (but obviously not with everyone!) death of the stationmaster at Exeter St Davids Station.
The usual trail of suspects, a hysterical woman who convinces herself she was on the verge of marrying the stationmaster (not to his knowledge!) and ends up in an asylum, Colbeck's fiancee worrying that he won't complete the case in time for their wedding, balancing of the local bishop who is convinced everything is deliberately designed against him, Superintendent Tallis' brusque manner, and a canary.
A quick read suitable for bedtime.
The usual trail of suspects, a hysterical woman who convinces herself she was on the verge of marrying the stationmaster (not to his knowledge!) and ends up in an asylum, Colbeck's fiancee worrying that he won't complete the case in time for their wedding, balancing of the local bishop who is convinced everything is deliberately designed against him, Superintendent Tallis' brusque manner, and a canary.
A quick read suitable for bedtime.
June 20, 2018
Edward Marston’s The Railway Detective series brings crime to the steam locomotives of the late 1800s.
The Stationmasters Farewell, for me, is one of the best of the series, providing twists and turns galore, leading down several paths before the least expected individual is identified as the culprit.
The writing is distinctive, flows beautifully and as always is captivating. I got lost in this book, detailing the murder of the Stationmaster, delving into his life when he was alive and into the lives of all those around him, so many of whom carry secrets they would rather weren’t uncovered, all with a background of a wedding and a canary.
Definitely worth a read if you haven’t.
The Stationmasters Farewell, for me, is one of the best of the series, providing twists and turns galore, leading down several paths before the least expected individual is identified as the culprit.
The writing is distinctive, flows beautifully and as always is captivating. I got lost in this book, detailing the murder of the Stationmaster, delving into his life when he was alive and into the lives of all those around him, so many of whom carry secrets they would rather weren’t uncovered, all with a background of a wedding and a canary.
Definitely worth a read if you haven’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2019
Edward Marston always gives his reader a plain tale well told. This novel is one of his 19thC Railway Inspector series and has all the Marston marks, a solid plot with twists, good characters, growth and development and good plain writing.
Inspector Colbeck and his friend and sergeant, Victor Leeming are railway police and in this story they have to go to Exeter to find out who has murdered the popular stationmaster.
Edward Marston novels are an easy read, a pleasant read and well worth reading.
Inspector Colbeck and his friend and sergeant, Victor Leeming are railway police and in this story they have to go to Exeter to find out who has murdered the popular stationmaster.
Edward Marston novels are an easy read, a pleasant read and well worth reading.
December 9, 2018
If you've read the other Railway Detective books you'll enjoy this one...if you haven't then go and read them from the first one rather than start with this. Not that you 'have' to, but as the characters develop over the books it's more fun to see that happen!
I used to live in Exter so the location for this one is fun...even though it involves Maddie's father travelling on the dreaded GWR :-) Dawlish was obviously less busy then, though you still get your train splashed by waves!
I used to live in Exter so the location for this one is fun...even though it involves Maddie's father travelling on the dreaded GWR :-) Dawlish was obviously less busy then, though you still get your train splashed by waves!
August 21, 2021
Really entertaining and easy to read. Despite not having read any of the other books in the series, I never felt lost or like I was missing something, and it never felt as if I were getting and infodump about things that had happened in previous books, which I could appreciate.
The solving of the mystery itself, however, was a bit disappointing, although I can’t really go into more details without spoiling the whole book.
The solving of the mystery itself, however, was a bit disappointing, although I can’t really go into more details without spoiling the whole book.
September 21, 2023
This is the 9th book in The Railway Detective series. I will read more.
Starting with the 1st book, I've become familiar with all of the familiar faces in Inspector Robert Colbeck's criminal cases. I've probably said this in earlier reviews but I am somewhat familiar with the different locations that are part of Colbeck's efforts to solve violent crimes. It doesn't matter that these cases are taking place in England in the 1850s. I've gotten to know the characters.
Starting with the 1st book, I've become familiar with all of the familiar faces in Inspector Robert Colbeck's criminal cases. I've probably said this in earlier reviews but I am somewhat familiar with the different locations that are part of Colbeck's efforts to solve violent crimes. It doesn't matter that these cases are taking place in England in the 1850s. I've gotten to know the characters.
January 5, 2025
The previous story of the railway detective I found disappointing. I also found this book slow and labouring at the start, it was as if the author had lost his way. Gone was the exciting openings I had associated with the books in this series. The slow start was hiding, what turned out to be a really interesting case with some exciting moments. Although it was obvious where the diary and cash was hidden the ending was more than satisfactory.
May 11, 2025
An enjoyable read, not the best in the series so far, but it was OK. I felt it had a lot of build-up, and then the ending was rushed. The murderers were not even mentioned in the story until the revealling at the end, and the reasoning behind the murder was not even hinted at or a loosely based part of the plot. Three of the main suspects, though not guilty, I felt, didn't have their storylines wrapped up enough for my liking. Overall, it was alright but sadly left me a bit dissatisfied.
Read
June 27, 2021Entertaining enough, though again I find many of the characters rather one dimensional (the bishop?!). There was a bit of a twist and sudden revelation at the end to which there'd been no hint during the rest of the story - and a couple of loose ends, all a little unsatisfactory, but somehow I was involved enough to finish it easily.
October 5, 2022
Published in 2012, 'The Stationmaster's Farewell' is the 9th in the popular 'Railway Detective' series of murder mystery novels set in 1850s Britain and featuring DI Colbeck of Scotland Yard. As usual the convoluted plot takes second place to the characters as they interact against the background of a murder in 1850s Exeter. Really enjoyable.
March 23, 2023
I'd say this read was extrodernarly gracefully written. The characters were well written, and from start to finish, I was invested in.
The ending did seem a little flat as the investigation was solved. However, it still seemed like a satisfying conclusion. I don't know how that works, but oh well.
On to the next in the series!! I can't wait.
The ending did seem a little flat as the investigation was solved. However, it still seemed like a satisfying conclusion. I don't know how that works, but oh well.
On to the next in the series!! I can't wait.
September 10, 2020
I do so love Edward Marston's Railway Detective series. Great period piece and Marston sets the scene so very well. Wonderful characters and a really great who dun it!!! I didn't guess it at all. Wonderful.
January 17, 2021
Excellent
Without fail the author manages to make each investigation different with the main characters helping the storyline along. I thoroughly enjoy the period in which The Railway Detective lives and works!
Without fail the author manages to make each investigation different with the main characters helping the storyline along. I thoroughly enjoy the period in which The Railway Detective lives and works!
May 8, 2021
Really good volume from the Railway Detective series.
The final denouement is produced from a hat towards the end, but it was great fun getting there.
Not just the detective story either - the back story featuring Caleb and Madeleine was pretty good too.
The final denouement is produced from a hat towards the end, but it was great fun getting there.
Not just the detective story either - the back story featuring Caleb and Madeleine was pretty good too.
April 19, 2022
Book Nine in the Railway Detective whereby he investigates a body found burnt in a Bonfire, on Guy Fawkes night, the usual twists and turns fast paced, highly recommended, now for book 10 in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews