What do you think?
Rate this book
Augusta Peel #2
Murder in the Air
Is airship travel safe? Not if there’s a killer on board.
When business magnate Robert Jeffreys announces his investment in airships, he hosts a promotional flight for a group of reporters. Working undercover in the crew is retired spy Augusta Peel. She’d rather be working on her book repair business but Inspector Fisher of Scotland Yard has persuaded her to help with a surveillance operation.
The press trip on the airship takes a turn when a body is found in a cabin. Augusta now has a new challenge on her hands. Can she identify the murderer? It’s tricky to find a motive among the sophisticated passengers - some of them are sophisticated liars too.
Events escalate when a second death occurs. The airship murderer is covering their tracks. Augusta faces a race against time before the culprit tracks her down and silences her too.
When business magnate Robert Jeffreys announces his investment in airships, he hosts a promotional flight for a group of reporters. Working undercover in the crew is retired spy Augusta Peel. She’d rather be working on her book repair business but Inspector Fisher of Scotland Yard has persuaded her to help with a surveillance operation.
The press trip on the airship takes a turn when a body is found in a cabin. Augusta now has a new challenge on her hands. Can she identify the murderer? It’s tricky to find a motive among the sophisticated passengers - some of them are sophisticated liars too.
Events escalate when a second death occurs. The airship murderer is covering their tracks. Augusta faces a race against time before the culprit tracks her down and silences her too.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2022
460 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Emily Organ
72 books655 followersEmily Organ is the author of over thirty historical cozy mysteries set in Victorian and 1920s England. Her bestselling series include the Penny Green Victorian Mysteries, the Augusta Peel Mysteries, and her newest Emma Langley Victorian Mysteries, in which a plucky widow teams up with former reporter Penny Green. She also writes the Churchill & Pemberley cozy mysteries, featuring two spirited senior sleuths. Emily’s books combine warmth, wit, and a love of history, inspired by her fascination with London’s past.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 29, 2022
As expected - always good
When you pick up an Emily Organ story, you know what to expect. This story does not disappoint. Mrs. Peel again works with Scotland Yard and her friend from there to solve a murder. The characters are bright and its easy to visualize London in the 1920's. The historical details are charming and intriguing. As always, well done.
When you pick up an Emily Organ story, you know what to expect. This story does not disappoint. Mrs. Peel again works with Scotland Yard and her friend from there to solve a murder. The characters are bright and its easy to visualize London in the 1920's. The historical details are charming and intriguing. As always, well done.
March 5, 2022
This is part of a terrific series.
This is the period shortly after WWI. Augusta worked doing interesting things during the war. She works every now and then for Scotland Yard. Her good friend Detective Inspector Fisher has asked her to pose as a waitress and go up in an air ship to keep an eye on a certain man. The man may or may not be breaking laws. He is wealthy and involved in unusual business deals. He knows a number of very interesting people. Most of all, there are questions about exactly what his business is.
Augusta is an observant woman and she sees and hears a great deal during the flight. There is evil afoot. And people are not always as nice as they want to appear.
The reader is given good close looks at the main characters as well as secondary characters. It turns out that everyone has a story. Some of those stories are not very above board.
Augusta is a good main character. She is an accomplished spy. The skills she learned during the war are still useful. She has her own business as a book binder. This work for DI Fisher is sort of her side hustle. But, truthfully, she enjoys keeping her hand in the game.
Ms Organ has created a fast moving plot and well written characters. I have enjoyed learning about Augusta and the seedier side of life in London. There are always characters who are entertaining. Not necessarily nice, but entertaining.
This is the period shortly after WWI. Augusta worked doing interesting things during the war. She works every now and then for Scotland Yard. Her good friend Detective Inspector Fisher has asked her to pose as a waitress and go up in an air ship to keep an eye on a certain man. The man may or may not be breaking laws. He is wealthy and involved in unusual business deals. He knows a number of very interesting people. Most of all, there are questions about exactly what his business is.
Augusta is an observant woman and she sees and hears a great deal during the flight. There is evil afoot. And people are not always as nice as they want to appear.
The reader is given good close looks at the main characters as well as secondary characters. It turns out that everyone has a story. Some of those stories are not very above board.
Augusta is a good main character. She is an accomplished spy. The skills she learned during the war are still useful. She has her own business as a book binder. This work for DI Fisher is sort of her side hustle. But, truthfully, she enjoys keeping her hand in the game.
Ms Organ has created a fast moving plot and well written characters. I have enjoyed learning about Augusta and the seedier side of life in London. There are always characters who are entertaining. Not necessarily nice, but entertaining.
June 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book even if I guessed who the culprit was early on in the book. This may have been more good guess work than a fault in the book.
February 22, 2022
This is the second book in the Augusta Peel mystery series and it is just as good as the first ("Death in Soho"). Mrs Peel (no relation to Diana Rigg's character in "The Avengers") and Detective Inspector Fisher solve a murder aboard a dirigible with twists and turns along the way. I especially like how the author has included perspectives from the various characters so it is not all told from the heroine's point of view.
Highly recommend! I received a review copy of this book.
Highly recommend! I received a review copy of this book.
February 26, 2022
In the second installment in the Augusta Peel Mysteries, Mrs. Peel reluctantly agrees to help her friend, Inspector Fisher and goes undercover as a server on an airship. While onboard the craft, the man she was spying on is murdered. Mrs. Peel once again proves invaluable to Scotland Yard, and we gain more and more insight into her past. I enjoyed the third-person POV in this mystery series and can’t wait for the next installment!
February 27, 2022
An airship, a group of writers to regale readers of the ship's wonders and the murder of the airship's wonder. Who had reason to want him dead? Augusta and Detective Fisher join forces to hunt down the killer and, while doing so, discover secrets of the many occupants on that flight making discovery that much more difficult. A joy to read, very entertaining and a big puzzle.
Highly Recommended.
Highly Recommended.
February 28, 2022
A different kind of locked-room mystery! I mean, seriously, how much locked than 'inside an in-fly blimp' can it get? *laughs*
As always with Ms Organ's mysteries, the historical details are lovely and the characters interesting and well developed. In this case, I adore that the protagonist's surname is Peel because I just can't help and think about the lovely Emma Peel from the old 'Avengers' show XD Add to that her truly cool occupation and you'll have a winner.
The mystery is well-plotted and I wasn't able to discover the guilty party, which adds to the fun, TBH.
I really liked this one :D
As always with Ms Organ's mysteries, the historical details are lovely and the characters interesting and well developed. In this case, I adore that the protagonist's surname is Peel because I just can't help and think about the lovely Emma Peel from the old 'Avengers' show XD Add to that her truly cool occupation and you'll have a winner.
The mystery is well-plotted and I wasn't able to discover the guilty party, which adds to the fun, TBH.
I really liked this one :D
Read
March 10, 2022Murder, an airship, a car chase and a group of journalists with Augusta Peel and Inspector Fisher in the middle, not to mention Augusta's hunt for a new workshop all woven into another exciting tale with plenty of red herrings to misdirect the reader.
What makes this author's books such compelling reading is her attention to detail whether historical or the dress of the day. Without adding any spoilers I wasn't convinced about the identity of the anonymous letter writer.
Highly recommend and I'm eagerly waiting the next in the series.
What makes this author's books such compelling reading is her attention to detail whether historical or the dress of the day. Without adding any spoilers I wasn't convinced about the identity of the anonymous letter writer.
Highly recommend and I'm eagerly waiting the next in the series.
March 4, 2022
There is something about Emily Organs writing which draws you in almost immediately and keeps your interest throughout. Murder In The Air is no exception. A well written thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery set in the 1920s with a likeable Heroine in Augusta Peel, several possible suspects and a satisfactory ending. Probably my favourite author at present as I have enjoyed all three of her series Penny Green, Churchill and Pemberley and now Augusta Peel. Looking forward to whichever book comes out next.
March 4, 2022
Scotland Yard needs Augusta Peel's help once again! She's been asked to spy on wealthy businessman Robert Jeffreys during a press voyage on his airship, but when he's found stabbed in the back during the trip, Augusta must help Inspector Fisher discover which of the other passengers is guilty of the dastardly deed! Emily Organ's Murder in the Air, the second Augusta Peel mystery, receives 5 stars from this cozy mystery lover!
July 8, 2022
Good mystery, though a short beginning on the airship and the rest is ground location. Augusta wants a new location for her business. I would have thought there should have been more suspects from the number the airship carried. The historical note was interesting.
March 11, 2022
Augusta Peel is a woman of many talents. Her first love might be restoring old books, but she is, once again, drawn away from her books and asked by Scotland Yard to put her sleuthing skills to work to assist with solving a murder mystery. What draws me into this series is not only Emily Organ’s skillful crafting of the story, but also her ability to paint a picture of life in times past, this series taking place in the 1920s in London, England. (Check out her Penny Green series, too, to become immersed in Victorian era mysteries and the life of another admirable and competent businesswoman.) Emily’s books give you strong and likable characters, suspense and a very readable sense of history. As I read Augusta Peel’s and Penny Green’s stories, I often think that they would both like to meet Jacqueline Winspear’s character, Maisie Dobbs.
May 11, 2022
Second instalment in the Augusta Peel murder mystery books. This one sees Augusta helping Scotland Yard find the murderer of a wealthy businessman. He is killed whilst she’s working undercover on an airship which in turn makes everyone on-board a suspect. The book flowed well although it did seem to take a while before much actually happened. The culprit wasn’t much of a surprise to me either. I enjoyed the book but I sometimes wish Augusta’s character had someone (apart from Det Insp Fisher) to bounce off of with her ideas. I wish I knew a bit more about Augusta herself too. But I will still carry on with the series as I love Emily’s writing.
March 2, 2022
I love this series and the character of Augusta. With her cute little bird and her book-repairing business, which is soon to expand to bookselling, there's nothing to not love about these books. I really enjoyed the mystery this time out, which takes place in a dirigible in the skies above London. Many red herrings make an appearance, but in true cozy mystery fashion, she gets the culprit in the end. Very enjoyable and greatly looking forward to the next.
***I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is strictly voluntary.***
***I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is strictly voluntary.***
May 10, 2022
Fast paced and enjoyable
I really like the characters in the series. I have read all of the penny green series, and I think I enjoy these books a little bit more. The past is always fastComa and the story comes from several different points of Instead of just 1. Overall a very enjoyable read.
I really like the characters in the series. I have read all of the penny green series, and I think I enjoy these books a little bit more. The past is always fastComa and the story comes from several different points of Instead of just 1. Overall a very enjoyable read.
February 18, 2022
A wonderfully charming mystery that captures the feel of early 1920s brilliantly. Augusta is a quiet, capable heroine whose desire for a quiet life is interrupted, first by the offer of preforming a simple task for the police which soon becomes a murder investigation.
March 4, 2022
MS Organ never disappoints! I'm particularly fond of her Penny Greene series. However, her latest character Augusta Peel is most entertaining. My personal opinion is this latest in the series is her best. Most enjoyable!
March 10, 2022
looking forward to book 3
Augusta is an intriguing character and I am enjoying learning a little bit more in every book. I hope this series goes on and on like the Penny Green books.
Augusta is an intriguing character and I am enjoying learning a little bit more in every book. I hope this series goes on and on like the Penny Green books.
December 9, 2023
Ever since I read the first one I wanted to continue the series.
I quite like Augusta, and I like that she is not like other main characters of these type of novels where they ignore all the clues or don't think at all about the case and just land on the answer.
This was a fun read :)
I quite like Augusta, and I like that she is not like other main characters of these type of novels where they ignore all the clues or don't think at all about the case and just land on the answer.
This was a fun read :)
February 22, 2022
Full of suspense! Augusta Peel, a former spy, helps Scotland Yard solve a murder. Emily Organ takes her time leading the reader into a suspenseful whodunit. I was guessing until near the end.
May 9, 2022
Interesting story
Interesting characters and a good plot. If you like murder mysteries without graphic language, this is an excellent series to read
Interesting characters and a good plot. If you like murder mysteries without graphic language, this is an excellent series to read
June 29, 2022
Adventure
The book was a fun adventure from beginning to end. The story telling and characters are wonderful. I loved it!
The book was a fun adventure from beginning to end. The story telling and characters are wonderful. I loved it!
December 21, 2024
This continues to be a delightfully cozy series, and I am very curious to know if some of the things I'm thinking about what happened during the war are correct.
September 14, 2025
This is a delightful series, all set in early 1900s London, and following Augusta Peel as she helps her friends at Scotland Yard investigate crimes. Quick and easy reads.
July 7, 2022
Fatal flight
A dodgy day for Mrs Peel when she's persuaded to take a job as a waitress on an inaugural airship flight to spy on a powerful man believed by many to be selling honours.
Her fear of heights and the difficulty of getting near enough to hear anything of use make it an uncomfortable day and when the man himself is found dead in a cabin following his afternoon nap it doesn't become better.
With the guests being journalists encouraged to write glowing reports about the new venture it seems that there are a few who have a deeper connection with the victim than first thought. Missing money and a couple of burglaries later and Detective Inspector Fisher and Mrs Peel have their work cut out trying to figure out who is guilty of what.
Slightly disappointed that the mysterious Jacques didn't reappear and we're not learning more about her backstory.
A dodgy day for Mrs Peel when she's persuaded to take a job as a waitress on an inaugural airship flight to spy on a powerful man believed by many to be selling honours.
Her fear of heights and the difficulty of getting near enough to hear anything of use make it an uncomfortable day and when the man himself is found dead in a cabin following his afternoon nap it doesn't become better.
With the guests being journalists encouraged to write glowing reports about the new venture it seems that there are a few who have a deeper connection with the victim than first thought. Missing money and a couple of burglaries later and Detective Inspector Fisher and Mrs Peel have their work cut out trying to figure out who is guilty of what.
Slightly disappointed that the mysterious Jacques didn't reappear and we're not learning more about her backstory.
June 30, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
Firstly, more books should be set on airships, they are a completely under-utilised setting.
In the second Augusta Peel book, Augusta helps out her old pal by going undercover on a short airship trip to monitor the behaviour of the wealthy owner, who is suspected of being dodgy. Of course there is a murder aboard.
There are a few suspects, but the murderer is pretty obvious from the start. In fact it seemed so obvious that I thought it couldn't possibly be them. And this I think might be my issue with these books, I want to like them (an airship!) but they feel like such a shallow read. There's a lot of leading up to something happening, and then jump cutting to the next scene, which is combined with what feels like a lot of filler that adds nothing to the story or characters.
It's not a bad read, it's just not very compelling.
Firstly, more books should be set on airships, they are a completely under-utilised setting.
In the second Augusta Peel book, Augusta helps out her old pal by going undercover on a short airship trip to monitor the behaviour of the wealthy owner, who is suspected of being dodgy. Of course there is a murder aboard.
There are a few suspects, but the murderer is pretty obvious from the start. In fact it seemed so obvious that I thought it couldn't possibly be them. And this I think might be my issue with these books, I want to like them (an airship!) but they feel like such a shallow read. There's a lot of leading up to something happening, and then jump cutting to the next scene, which is combined with what feels like a lot of filler that adds nothing to the story or characters.
It's not a bad read, it's just not very compelling.
June 11, 2022
Easy reading…
This series has some flaws with the main character. For someone who is supposed to have experience in war time sleuthing, she is followed twice without her knowledge by Mr. Thompson. She also appears clueless about some situations and then solves the mystery. Inconsistent reactions and too many suspensions of believe.
I will continue hoping that the third book gets better.
This series has some flaws with the main character. For someone who is supposed to have experience in war time sleuthing, she is followed twice without her knowledge by Mr. Thompson. She also appears clueless about some situations and then solves the mystery. Inconsistent reactions and too many suspensions of believe.
I will continue hoping that the third book gets better.
March 2, 2022
An entrepreneur wants to start commercial airship flights. He invites a group of news writers on the inaugural flight to publicise the event .
Augusta Peel is asked by the Scotland Yard to keep an eye as they suspect something underhand could happen.
Unexpectedly the entrepreneur himself is murdered in the flight. Later on in the story there is one more murder.
There are many suspects and Augusta after a few false starts manages to trap the murderer after a chase.
The story is a true who done it that keeps up the suspense till the end.
Augusta Peel is asked by the Scotland Yard to keep an eye as they suspect something underhand could happen.
Unexpectedly the entrepreneur himself is murdered in the flight. Later on in the story there is one more murder.
There are many suspects and Augusta after a few false starts manages to trap the murderer after a chase.
The story is a true who done it that keeps up the suspense till the end.
March 16, 2022
A very lovely book overall. I like the interaction between Mrs. Peel and Inspector Fisher.
But I have two questions:
-Did the 'selling of favors' just get dropped or did the Scotland Yard just not find enough evidence of this after the murder of Mr. Jeffreys?
-Also, did the original reason why Augusta was planted on the airship------about the possible dodgy associates----get dismissed after the death of Mr. Jeffreys, or did it just go unresolved? Or was the issue really about Mr. Jeffreys and Mr. Somerville associating with Ms. Mortimer's 'business' after all?
But I have two questions:
-Did the 'selling of favors' just get dropped or did the Scotland Yard just not find enough evidence of this after the murder of Mr. Jeffreys?
-Also, did the original reason why Augusta was planted on the airship------about the possible dodgy associates----get dismissed after the death of Mr. Jeffreys, or did it just go unresolved? Or was the issue really about Mr. Jeffreys and Mr. Somerville associating with Ms. Mortimer's 'business' after all?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews