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Ocean Liner Mysteries #4
Murder on the Caronia
Genevieve Masefield and George Porter Dillman have met all kinds of people while sailing as ship detectives for the Cunard Line. But as they prepare to embark on yet another Atlantic crossing, this time aboard the famous Caronia, they encounter an entirely new circumstance: two men brandishing shotguns herd a man and a woman aboard ship in shackles, right in front of scores of baffled passengers.
Curious, the two detectives come to find out that the young couple have been captured in New York by Scotland Yard and are being transported back to England to stand trial for murder. Before long, Dillman and Masefield have a chance to talk to the Scotland Yard officers, and come away far less than convinced that the captured couple are the vicious criminals they're thought to be.
Previously published under the name Conrad Allen, the Ocean Liner series is relaunched for a new generation of readers.
Curious, the two detectives come to find out that the young couple have been captured in New York by Scotland Yard and are being transported back to England to stand trial for murder. Before long, Dillman and Masefield have a chance to talk to the Scotland Yard officers, and come away far less than convinced that the captured couple are the vicious criminals they're thought to be.
Previously published under the name Conrad Allen, the Ocean Liner series is relaunched for a new generation of readers.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2003
27 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Conrad Allen
10 books51 followersA pseudonym used by Keith Miles
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 theater. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book.
The protagonist of the theater series is Nicholas Bracewell, the bookholder of a leading Elizabethan theater company (in an alternate non-Shakespearean universe).
The latter series' two protagonists are the Norman soldier Ralph Delchard and the former novitiate turned lawyer Gervase Bret, who is half Norman and half Saxon.
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 theater. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book.
The protagonist of the theater series is Nicholas Bracewell, the bookholder of a leading Elizabethan theater company (in an alternate non-Shakespearean universe).
The latter series' two protagonists are the Norman soldier Ralph Delchard and the former novitiate turned lawyer Gervase Bret, who is half Norman and half Saxon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 24, 2016
A three. Barely. The allure of Genevieve Masefield's beauty came off a little heavy-handed in this one. The way so many men were talking about her, with some even falling in love and wanting to marry her after a few brief conversations was ridiculous. You'd think she was Helen of Troy or something. And I really didn't care for the murder case brought onto the ship as opposed to the main crime happening during the voyage. And I still see very little clues which pointed to Stanley Chase as the smuggler. The drug smuggling aspect of the mystery was just wrapped up a little too quickly and unsatisfactorily. The best part was the interplay between Isadora and Theo. Too bad Theo was infatuated with Genevieve for most of the trip when seeing him with Isadora would have been much more enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2021
Overall I was disappointed because this novel had a great setting but was poorly written. Lackluster plot. Poor character development. The only parts well-researched have to do with the ship itself and read like a textbook, while the rest reads completely out of the time it’s set. The dialogue is choppy and repetitive. The description is lacking. And the mystery left much to be desired. Even the quotes from the New York Times Book Review about this series seem to be waiting for a big BUT after them…
“The shipboard atmosphere does sparkle…” BUT
The main characters really needed to sort out their priorities. They mostly wandered around aimlessly, despite the pressing need to investigate and solve crimes. Genevieve spent the most amount of effort trying to figure out which of her suitors sent her flowers, and she even failed at that. Then they put all their focus on a murder case that was not theirs to solve in the first place, in which the suspects had already been apprehended, instead of hunting down the drug ring they were supposed to be investigating. Do they at least solve the murder? Nope. The culprit confesses in a completely melodramatic and ridiculous way for what seems like no reason at all. They did clear up the drug ring in the end, in a very rushed way, even though we had no clues about it for majority of the book. And along the way, we got to know nothing about the main characters or their relationship. So… yeah, overall I was disappointed.
I actually read this novel as part of my own research about ocean liners. I picked this one of the series because it had the best ratings. But I wouldn’t read any more of them.
“The shipboard atmosphere does sparkle…” BUT
The main characters really needed to sort out their priorities. They mostly wandered around aimlessly, despite the pressing need to investigate and solve crimes. Genevieve spent the most amount of effort trying to figure out which of her suitors sent her flowers, and she even failed at that. Then they put all their focus on a murder case that was not theirs to solve in the first place, in which the suspects had already been apprehended, instead of hunting down the drug ring they were supposed to be investigating. Do they at least solve the murder? Nope. The culprit confesses in a completely melodramatic and ridiculous way for what seems like no reason at all. They did clear up the drug ring in the end, in a very rushed way, even though we had no clues about it for majority of the book. And along the way, we got to know nothing about the main characters or their relationship. So… yeah, overall I was disappointed.
I actually read this novel as part of my own research about ocean liners. I picked this one of the series because it had the best ratings. But I wouldn’t read any more of them.
September 5, 2020
2020 bk 290. Scotland Yard has caught its man, and its woman. A very brash, vocal, and gun welding Scotland Yard Sergeant and Inspector escort a pair of suspected murders onboard the Carona the last minute before departure and capture the attention of everyone. The Sergeant in particular is rude and dismissive of any ideas that George or Genevieve could assist them, but that stops when he is murdered and the pair must seek the murderer as his boss, the Inspector was injured. This book requires a little more of Genevieve expertise in interviewing women and her particular talents in solving the crime. I liked seeing this part of her. George continues to surprise with his ability to stand his ground, but at the same time make passengers content.
February 16, 2023
3.5 stars. The minute I started this book, I realised it felt familiar and eventually realized I must have read it before but forgot to note it anywhere… which probably doesn’t say much for my first experience with it! I had a vague impression that I was just “okay” with it.
I think I liked it better this time around, although I still preferred the Lusitania. There’s a feeling of comfort and familiarity when picking this up following George and Genevieve’s brief departure to the Minnesota previously - they’re back on a Cunard liner and crossing the Atlantic again! Although they’re still pretending not to know each other while undercover and there’s precious little development on the romance front, they had more opportunity to communicate and work together as a team on the Caronia, thank goodness.
The Caronia featured quite a variety of supporting characters, including other male/female teams (or couples) like George and Genevieve. Some were quite interesting, like . Theo Wright was my favorite of the lot, bar his uncomfortably exuberant affections towards Genevieve.
Others I liked less; Isadora was like an annoying fly stuck to Genevieve, Sergeant Mulcaster was a rude bully whom nobody really mourned, and Theo’s coach Wes Odell was equally repulsive.
In terms of the multiple mysteries onboard the Caronia, it’s similar to the previous books in that none of them are exceptionally unusual and we’re mostly told rather than shown how George or Genevieve arrived at the conclusion. Here it’s not even clear how they identified the culprits of the drug smuggling - it seemingly comes out of the blue when George informs the purser that they know who it is (except neither detective had even mentioned those names as suspects before!) The solving of the mystery around the accused murderers was more interesting, though I would’ve liked more information as to the why and how, instead of cutting it off after the confession.
The best way to describe this series for me is that it’s like good solid food - it might not be wildly exciting but it fills you up.
I think I liked it better this time around, although I still preferred the Lusitania. There’s a feeling of comfort and familiarity when picking this up following George and Genevieve’s brief departure to the Minnesota previously - they’re back on a Cunard liner and crossing the Atlantic again! Although they’re still pretending not to know each other while undercover and there’s precious little development on the romance front, they had more opportunity to communicate and work together as a team on the Caronia, thank goodness.
The Caronia featured quite a variety of supporting characters, including other male/female teams (or couples) like George and Genevieve. Some were quite interesting, like . Theo Wright was my favorite of the lot, bar his uncomfortably exuberant affections towards Genevieve.
Others I liked less; Isadora was like an annoying fly stuck to Genevieve, Sergeant Mulcaster was a rude bully whom nobody really mourned, and Theo’s coach Wes Odell was equally repulsive.
In terms of the multiple mysteries onboard the Caronia, it’s similar to the previous books in that none of them are exceptionally unusual and we’re mostly told rather than shown how George or Genevieve arrived at the conclusion. Here it’s not even clear how they identified the culprits of the drug smuggling - it seemingly comes out of the blue when George informs the purser that they know who it is (except neither detective had even mentioned those names as suspects before!) The solving of the mystery around the accused murderers was more interesting, though I would’ve liked more information as to the why and how, instead of cutting it off after the confession.
The best way to describe this series for me is that it’s like good solid food - it might not be wildly exciting but it fills you up.
April 7, 2023
This voyage is from New York to Liverpool, and is carrying two prisoners , escorted by two police men from Scotland Yard. One of the policemen is carrying a shotgun, as the prisoners have been accused of murder. It is not this situation that Dillman and Masefield are involved with, but it is a case of drug running that they must investigate along with the usual crimes committed aboard ship. However, as usual they find themselves pulled in to the question of the prisoners when a new murder occurs. As we have found in the past Genevieve is soon to be admired by most of the men on board, but one in particular pays her a lot of attention. Also a young woman who is with her strict parents befriends her , which if she isn't careful could get in the way of any investigations.
This series is a collections of quick easy reads set on luxurious Cunard ships
This series is a collections of quick easy reads set on luxurious Cunard ships
January 14, 2025
Enjoyed reading this next book in the series, although easy to read ,there's always a twist
June 29, 2025
Despite all these Ocean Liner Mysteries/Dillman & Masefield stories being much of a likeness, I'm still quite surprised on just how much I'm actually enjoying them. There does seem to be just enough divergence from book to book to keep me keen, and maintain a desire for more.
On this current trip, as the title of the book suggests, George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield are back on the Atlantic and heading East from New York to Liverpool aboard the Cunard Line ship, the Caronia.
Again, the pair of ship's detectives are travelling separately in First Class, to maintain the appearance of being individual passengers. Which is beneficial in gaining the trust of their fellow seafaring commuters and any would be criminal elements. Where on boarding, they are introduced to the ship's purser, Mr Paul Taggart. All fair and well, and all much and such the same course of events that pertain to any and all other Dillman & Masefield tales on the high seas.
This time however, right from the get go, the author really shakes things up by having a pair of English policemen, escorting a runaway couple of lovers and alleged murderers on board. Where the British bobby taking up the rear, one walrus moustachioed Sergeant Mulcaster, is menacingly brandishing a shotgun, which Dillman guesses, is wholly unnecessary, while Sergeant Mulcaster's partner and superior, Inspector Redfern is leading the way.
Also, when the introductions to the purser are made, and the British contingent of police and suspects are discussed, Taggart then proceeds to enlighten Dillman & Masefield that there may be some passengers attempting to smuggle cocaine and heroin aboard the Caronia.
Add to the mix, that the ocean liner also has a champion cyclist in transit, Theo Wright, whom is heading to France to compete in the Paris to Bordeaux twenty four hour race, and his curmudgeonly, slave driving coach, Mr Wes Odell, and it's all going on, all very different, and all very exciting!
It all kicks off, when someone has obviously recognised Sergeant Mulcaster from his dubious past. We soon discover that Ronnie Mulcaster is obnoxiously arrogant, has a violent temper with it, and a string of black marks against his name in the police force and also a long list of previously battered and hospitalised suspects. One of which is now aboard ship and proceeds to bludgeon the uniformed thug over the head and chuck him overboard! C’est la vie, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose monsieur.
Luckily for Dillman, Masefield, Taggart and Redfern, who initially, don't know what has happened to the Sergeant, he just seemed to have disappeared, there's a witness.
Cue much amusement on the appearance of one Daniel Webb. The witness to the attack, is a highly egregious drunk, who although is extremely annoying and sycophantic to those whom are trying to extract his important information, is an absolute riotous joy for us! The elderly old soak, eventually wears Dillman down and manages to exchange his intelligence for a bottle of whisky, much to everyone's regret and chagrin later on, brilliant.
I also found another scene/scenario highly amusing and couldn't help but burst out laughing at it. There was another passenger whom was extremely irritating for the ship's law enforcement officers. Mrs Anstruther, with a litany of erroneous, irrelevant and extremely minor complaints. Along with a nonsensical moan, that the ship had been ’bobbing too much’, the spurious gripes also include, that across the dinner table, a fellow passenger, Welshman, Mostyn Morris, had been continually staring at her, and goodness knows what he'd been imagining while doing so?! Claimed the headache inducing, bothersome old busybody. When Taggart had finished lamenting the woes of Mrs Anstuther to Dillman, he then asked if the detective could do anything about it? On spotting Mostyn Morris, Dillman noticed his protruding eyes, which gave him an expression of being permanently startled. So he decided to approach the unfortunate Welshman with causion, and said, "Hello Mr Morris. I couldn't help but notice you had been sitting opposite Mrs Anstruther at dinner and that she had been staring at you. Well, just a word of warning old chap, I have it on good authority that she's on the hunt for a new husband!"
Well, I must say, I ended myself at Mr Morris's reaction and reply! It was priceless, "Saints preserve us!" he exclaimed in the utmost shock, and I'm pretty sure something along the lines of 'A battle axe' was also mentioned, haha! He then thanked George Dillman for the warning, and spent the rest of the voyage locked in his room!
Comedy gold.
However, I really could do without the myriad blossoming romances that infest these books! There’s usually at least two or three beaus that are tortuously swooning over Genevieve Masefield, and here, it was total tedium when Isadora Singleton was fawning over the cyclist, Theo Wright, who in turn, was pining over Genevieve! Nauseating stuff indeed haha!
There was also another couple of criticisms, one minor, the other a big steaming turd of a no, no, that had me spitting feathers!
I'll start with the former, the minor criticism. I did correctly guess on who the murderer of Sergeant Mulcaster and the drug smuggler was right from the beginning. As soon as we were introduced to Stanley Chase and it was mentioned that he was an antiques dealer, I said, that's your man! The drugs are in his antiques! I may have been wrong about the whereabouts of the narcotics, but I definitely knew Chase was a wrong 'un (Obviously, as a former drugs connoisseur, I’m playing Devil’s advocate here, haha!). I certainly didn’t fall for the ’undertaker’ red herring. I don’t really think it was down to my powers of deduction either, just that it was really glaringly obvious.
And speaking of 'wrong 'uns', for the latter criticism, I did mention in my review of the last Dillman & Masefield novel, 'Murder on the Minnesota', that I was highly suspicious of George Porter Dillman's past employment as a Pinkerton detective, whom were nothing but violent, bootboy, mercenaries. Well here, I seem to have been completely vindicated, while in discussion with Sergeant Mulcaster, about the merits of the Pinkerton agency, Dillman describes the work of the Molly Maguires as 'A reign of terror'!! WTactualF??!! Feck you Dillman, you feckin' fecker! The only people that brought a ‘reign of terror’ to Pennsylvania in the late nineteenth century, were the coal mine owners, bosses and their outside agencies, like the Pinkertons! I was almost apoplectic at that, but I soon recovered, however, Dillman was certainly not forgiven.
So on we sail to murder on the Marmora…….. woohoo!
In the meantime, I’m off to cleanse myself from Dillman’s sacrilegious outburst by watching the 1970 Martin Ritt movie ’The Molly Maguires’ starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris! Top o’ the mornin’ to ye!
On this current trip, as the title of the book suggests, George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield are back on the Atlantic and heading East from New York to Liverpool aboard the Cunard Line ship, the Caronia.
Again, the pair of ship's detectives are travelling separately in First Class, to maintain the appearance of being individual passengers. Which is beneficial in gaining the trust of their fellow seafaring commuters and any would be criminal elements. Where on boarding, they are introduced to the ship's purser, Mr Paul Taggart. All fair and well, and all much and such the same course of events that pertain to any and all other Dillman & Masefield tales on the high seas.
This time however, right from the get go, the author really shakes things up by having a pair of English policemen, escorting a runaway couple of lovers and alleged murderers on board. Where the British bobby taking up the rear, one walrus moustachioed Sergeant Mulcaster, is menacingly brandishing a shotgun, which Dillman guesses, is wholly unnecessary, while Sergeant Mulcaster's partner and superior, Inspector Redfern is leading the way.
Also, when the introductions to the purser are made, and the British contingent of police and suspects are discussed, Taggart then proceeds to enlighten Dillman & Masefield that there may be some passengers attempting to smuggle cocaine and heroin aboard the Caronia.
Add to the mix, that the ocean liner also has a champion cyclist in transit, Theo Wright, whom is heading to France to compete in the Paris to Bordeaux twenty four hour race, and his curmudgeonly, slave driving coach, Mr Wes Odell, and it's all going on, all very different, and all very exciting!
It all kicks off, when someone has obviously recognised Sergeant Mulcaster from his dubious past. We soon discover that Ronnie Mulcaster is obnoxiously arrogant, has a violent temper with it, and a string of black marks against his name in the police force and also a long list of previously battered and hospitalised suspects. One of which is now aboard ship and proceeds to bludgeon the uniformed thug over the head and chuck him overboard! C’est la vie, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose monsieur.
Luckily for Dillman, Masefield, Taggart and Redfern, who initially, don't know what has happened to the Sergeant, he just seemed to have disappeared, there's a witness.
Cue much amusement on the appearance of one Daniel Webb. The witness to the attack, is a highly egregious drunk, who although is extremely annoying and sycophantic to those whom are trying to extract his important information, is an absolute riotous joy for us! The elderly old soak, eventually wears Dillman down and manages to exchange his intelligence for a bottle of whisky, much to everyone's regret and chagrin later on, brilliant.
I also found another scene/scenario highly amusing and couldn't help but burst out laughing at it. There was another passenger whom was extremely irritating for the ship's law enforcement officers. Mrs Anstruther, with a litany of erroneous, irrelevant and extremely minor complaints. Along with a nonsensical moan, that the ship had been ’bobbing too much’, the spurious gripes also include, that across the dinner table, a fellow passenger, Welshman, Mostyn Morris, had been continually staring at her, and goodness knows what he'd been imagining while doing so?! Claimed the headache inducing, bothersome old busybody. When Taggart had finished lamenting the woes of Mrs Anstuther to Dillman, he then asked if the detective could do anything about it? On spotting Mostyn Morris, Dillman noticed his protruding eyes, which gave him an expression of being permanently startled. So he decided to approach the unfortunate Welshman with causion, and said, "Hello Mr Morris. I couldn't help but notice you had been sitting opposite Mrs Anstruther at dinner and that she had been staring at you. Well, just a word of warning old chap, I have it on good authority that she's on the hunt for a new husband!"
Well, I must say, I ended myself at Mr Morris's reaction and reply! It was priceless, "Saints preserve us!" he exclaimed in the utmost shock, and I'm pretty sure something along the lines of 'A battle axe' was also mentioned, haha! He then thanked George Dillman for the warning, and spent the rest of the voyage locked in his room!
Comedy gold.
However, I really could do without the myriad blossoming romances that infest these books! There’s usually at least two or three beaus that are tortuously swooning over Genevieve Masefield, and here, it was total tedium when Isadora Singleton was fawning over the cyclist, Theo Wright, who in turn, was pining over Genevieve! Nauseating stuff indeed haha!
There was also another couple of criticisms, one minor, the other a big steaming turd of a no, no, that had me spitting feathers!
I'll start with the former, the minor criticism. I did correctly guess on who the murderer of Sergeant Mulcaster and the drug smuggler was right from the beginning. As soon as we were introduced to Stanley Chase and it was mentioned that he was an antiques dealer, I said, that's your man! The drugs are in his antiques! I may have been wrong about the whereabouts of the narcotics, but I definitely knew Chase was a wrong 'un (Obviously, as a former drugs connoisseur, I’m playing Devil’s advocate here, haha!). I certainly didn’t fall for the ’undertaker’ red herring. I don’t really think it was down to my powers of deduction either, just that it was really glaringly obvious.
And speaking of 'wrong 'uns', for the latter criticism, I did mention in my review of the last Dillman & Masefield novel, 'Murder on the Minnesota', that I was highly suspicious of George Porter Dillman's past employment as a Pinkerton detective, whom were nothing but violent, bootboy, mercenaries. Well here, I seem to have been completely vindicated, while in discussion with Sergeant Mulcaster, about the merits of the Pinkerton agency, Dillman describes the work of the Molly Maguires as 'A reign of terror'!! WTactualF??!! Feck you Dillman, you feckin' fecker! The only people that brought a ‘reign of terror’ to Pennsylvania in the late nineteenth century, were the coal mine owners, bosses and their outside agencies, like the Pinkertons! I was almost apoplectic at that, but I soon recovered, however, Dillman was certainly not forgiven.
So on we sail to murder on the Marmora…….. woohoo!
In the meantime, I’m off to cleanse myself from Dillman’s sacrilegious outburst by watching the 1970 Martin Ritt movie ’The Molly Maguires’ starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris! Top o’ the mornin’ to ye!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2017
I enjoy the Dillman/Masefield books, but this one was spoiled a bit by having a plot based on the smuggling of opiates, which were, with the exception of opium for smoking in the United States, entirely legal and generally sold through pharmacies.
That quibble aside, it was a complex and well - plotted mystery, with several sub-plots and crimes to solve.
The writing was the best of the Dillman/Masefield books so far, the author is really hitting his stride with this duo. The period atmosphere is generally well summoned and used. The romance of travel, when the Atlantic liner were the only way to cross the ocean are well explored.
This is not entirely cozy, the crimes and violence are real, and the detection is more than an intellectual exercise.
I recommend this book, the fault that I know too much history and cannot suspend for time my critical facility is mine.
That quibble aside, it was a complex and well - plotted mystery, with several sub-plots and crimes to solve.
The writing was the best of the Dillman/Masefield books so far, the author is really hitting his stride with this duo. The period atmosphere is generally well summoned and used. The romance of travel, when the Atlantic liner were the only way to cross the ocean are well explored.
This is not entirely cozy, the crimes and violence are real, and the detection is more than an intellectual exercise.
I recommend this book, the fault that I know too much history and cannot suspend for time my critical facility is mine.
July 3, 2023
An enjoyable read, a fairly gentle murder mystery- nothing too graphic, some colourful characters, an interesting setting, great imagery and some good intrigue and twists and turns. The lead characters, George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield were understated and portrayed a sense of great emotional intelligence which I very much enjoyed.
August 26, 2023
I've read all of Edward Marston's Tudor mysteries [this is another pen-name for Conrad Allen] - and enjoyed them very much, so I started the Ocean Liner series.
These are cosy murder mysteries, without much graphic violence, good bedtime reads; Allen has done his research and you do get an interesting glimpse of life on these grand floating hotels at the turn of the last century. The two detectives, Genevieve and Dillman, are engaging enough though as thin as cardboard. But as I'm not looking for depth, this doesn't bother me!
What does annoy, and particularly in this book, is the thinness of the murder plot; as I'm going to be very clear now, I'm hiding the whole review under a spoiler. Our two 'tecs are trying to find out whether two adulterous lovers, on board under the escort of Scotland Yard officers and being taken to England to be tried for the murder of the man's wife - actually did it [they say they didn't] - and if so, who did.
The wife was murdered, we are told in the early chapters, by small amounts of poison administered over weeks, followed by a larger dose that killed her. Her husband is a pharmacist and admits signing-out a poison and keeping it in the house, but says he didn't do it; the poison is there because he intends to commit suicide as his wife won't divorce him. His lover - his pharmacy assistant - also claims innocence. They flee the house when the wife falls ill and dies. [and then are caught by the police, in America.]
In the end, Genevieve gets the assistant to admit she killed the wife. How? Not explained. How did she administer poison on a regular basis, when she didn't live in the house? What sort of poison? Not explained. Why did she admit to the murder? Not explained; she just does.
It's at times like this when you long for an Agatha Christie; Christie knew her poisons, which acted fast, and which slowly, and the effects. She would also always explain at the end, how the poison was administered, and who [in the house] could have done so. This plot was frankly ridiculous in every way.
I don't mind a cosy mystery being a bit vague but this is just lazy writing. Not one of his best. Will I read another? Well, I've read five of the Liner ones now, might as well finish the series but they aren't as good as the Elizabethan ones. [which are highly recommended.]
These are cosy murder mysteries, without much graphic violence, good bedtime reads; Allen has done his research and you do get an interesting glimpse of life on these grand floating hotels at the turn of the last century. The two detectives, Genevieve and Dillman, are engaging enough though as thin as cardboard. But as I'm not looking for depth, this doesn't bother me!
What does annoy, and particularly in this book, is the thinness of the murder plot; as I'm going to be very clear now, I'm hiding the whole review under a spoiler. Our two 'tecs are trying to find out whether two adulterous lovers, on board under the escort of Scotland Yard officers and being taken to England to be tried for the murder of the man's wife - actually did it [they say they didn't] - and if so, who did.
The wife was murdered, we are told in the early chapters, by small amounts of poison administered over weeks, followed by a larger dose that killed her. Her husband is a pharmacist and admits signing-out a poison and keeping it in the house, but says he didn't do it; the poison is there because he intends to commit suicide as his wife won't divorce him. His lover - his pharmacy assistant - also claims innocence. They flee the house when the wife falls ill and dies. [and then are caught by the police, in America.]
In the end, Genevieve gets the assistant to admit she killed the wife. How? Not explained. How did she administer poison on a regular basis, when she didn't live in the house? What sort of poison? Not explained. Why did she admit to the murder? Not explained; she just does.
It's at times like this when you long for an Agatha Christie; Christie knew her poisons, which acted fast, and which slowly, and the effects. She would also always explain at the end, how the poison was administered, and who [in the house] could have done so. This plot was frankly ridiculous in every way.
I don't mind a cosy mystery being a bit vague but this is just lazy writing. Not one of his best. Will I read another? Well, I've read five of the Liner ones now, might as well finish the series but they aren't as good as the Elizabethan ones. [which are highly recommended.]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2023
3.5 stars for this enjoyable cozyish entry in Marston’s Ocean Liner series. This time, undercover Cunard detectives George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield are on a New York to Liverpool cruise.
As they are about to depart, two Scotland Yard detectives, one toting a shotgun, bring a man and a woman aboard. They are suspected of poisoning the man’s wife in England and fleeing to America; they have been captured and are being returned to face trial. They vehemently deny the murder, and the two Scotland Yard men won’t accept any help from our two Cunard detectives in guarding or interrogating the prisoners. Inspector Redfern seems calm and professional, but the sergeant is crude and brutish, and disappears one night. Did an old enemy follow him on board?
Meanwhile, Genevieve is fending off the usual male admirers, along with a sheltered, wealthy young lady from Boston who’s clinging to her in friendship, and trying to escape her rigid parents. They want her to nab an aristocratic husband in England, and only consort with the “right sort”. There’s also a friendly, boisterous and coarse, but extremely wealthy Yorkshireman and his wife aboard, an antiques collector, a widowed lady who loses her jewelry, a shy undertaker, an even shyer spinster - and, the purser suspects, a stash of cocaine and heroine being smuggled somewhere on board.
Our detectives have their hands full in this installment. Marston has written several historical mystery series, and his experience shows - quick, easy, entertaining read, set in the glamorous era of luxury Edwardian ocean liners.
As they are about to depart, two Scotland Yard detectives, one toting a shotgun, bring a man and a woman aboard. They are suspected of poisoning the man’s wife in England and fleeing to America; they have been captured and are being returned to face trial. They vehemently deny the murder, and the two Scotland Yard men won’t accept any help from our two Cunard detectives in guarding or interrogating the prisoners. Inspector Redfern seems calm and professional, but the sergeant is crude and brutish, and disappears one night. Did an old enemy follow him on board?
Meanwhile, Genevieve is fending off the usual male admirers, along with a sheltered, wealthy young lady from Boston who’s clinging to her in friendship, and trying to escape her rigid parents. They want her to nab an aristocratic husband in England, and only consort with the “right sort”. There’s also a friendly, boisterous and coarse, but extremely wealthy Yorkshireman and his wife aboard, an antiques collector, a widowed lady who loses her jewelry, a shy undertaker, an even shyer spinster - and, the purser suspects, a stash of cocaine and heroine being smuggled somewhere on board.
Our detectives have their hands full in this installment. Marston has written several historical mystery series, and his experience shows - quick, easy, entertaining read, set in the glamorous era of luxury Edwardian ocean liners.
December 3, 2025
2 Stars
This is number four in the series and my least favorite so far. Genevieve and George are boarding the Caronia for a voyage to England when they see two police officers bringing two prisoners aboard. The prisoners have been apprehended in the US, wanted for suspicion of murder in the UK.
Immediately, George and Genevieve are distracted by the prisoners, a man and his mistress, and want to assist with the interrogation that is still happening - the police are trying to get them to confess to the murder of the prisoner's wife.
The setting of the ship is amazing and should be the set up for a great book, but this one was just dull. There are side characters and secondary plot lines, but none of them were very memorable.
Genevieve is absolutely gorgeous and all the men are drooling over her, again. I did skip a few chapters in the middle after Genevieve spends pages agonizing over who might have sent her flowers, and I didn't miss anything.
I know its not a romance novel, but I wish George and Genevieve spent a little more time together.
I'll likely be taking a break from this series for a while.
This is number four in the series and my least favorite so far. Genevieve and George are boarding the Caronia for a voyage to England when they see two police officers bringing two prisoners aboard. The prisoners have been apprehended in the US, wanted for suspicion of murder in the UK.
Immediately, George and Genevieve are distracted by the prisoners, a man and his mistress, and want to assist with the interrogation that is still happening - the police are trying to get them to confess to the murder of the prisoner's wife.
The setting of the ship is amazing and should be the set up for a great book, but this one was just dull. There are side characters and secondary plot lines, but none of them were very memorable.
Genevieve is absolutely gorgeous and all the men are drooling over her, again. I did skip a few chapters in the middle after Genevieve spends pages agonizing over who might have sent her flowers, and I didn't miss anything.
I know its not a romance novel, but I wish George and Genevieve spent a little more time together.
I'll likely be taking a break from this series for a while.
March 30, 2023
In my opinion, this was a formulaic and poor addition to the Ocean Liner mystery series. It is 1908 and George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield board the Caronia in New York. Also on board are two prisoners, a man and his mistress, accused of murdering his wife who have been arrested in America and are returning to England, accompanied by a Scotland Yard inspector and sergeant. Alongside this issue are rumours of drug smuggling and the usual pickpockets and minor crimes, while Genevieve, as always, has admirers.
I think one of the issues with this book was that Genevieve and Dillman spent so little time together. The other characters, their issues, romances, snobbishness and problems, lacked the spark that the romance between the two central characters offered. Both seemed overly eager to get involved in the story of the two murder suspects, but that plot meandered along for too long and I became eager to get to the end of the voyage. I have enjoyed previous books in the series, so I will continue, but hopefully the next will be more exciting.
I think one of the issues with this book was that Genevieve and Dillman spent so little time together. The other characters, their issues, romances, snobbishness and problems, lacked the spark that the romance between the two central characters offered. Both seemed overly eager to get involved in the story of the two murder suspects, but that plot meandered along for too long and I became eager to get to the end of the voyage. I have enjoyed previous books in the series, so I will continue, but hopefully the next will be more exciting.
August 29, 2023
3.5
I usually quite enjoy Marston's narratives - how there's usually two different stories that become related.
However, I don't think this is as strong as his other mysteries.
At the beginning, when Cecilia Roberts pretends to lose her earrings so that she'd find out who are the detectives on board, it was a clever storyline. But besides this bit in the book, I didn't see many more clues that would contribute to how Genevieve and George found out that the drug traffickers were Roberts and Chase. Therefore, I enjoyed the Peterson/Heritage murder mystery much more, as it had more depth to it. I thought it was thrilling that Carrie was the killer and that John had no idea of her true character.
I found the storyline of the two shy newly weds very hard to believe. I wish it had a more intriguing reason behind their hiding from the other passengers.
I usually quite enjoy Marston's narratives - how there's usually two different stories that become related.
However, I don't think this is as strong as his other mysteries.
At the beginning, when Cecilia Roberts pretends to lose her earrings so that she'd find out who are the detectives on board, it was a clever storyline. But besides this bit in the book, I didn't see many more clues that would contribute to how Genevieve and George found out that the drug traffickers were Roberts and Chase. Therefore, I enjoyed the Peterson/Heritage murder mystery much more, as it had more depth to it. I thought it was thrilling that Carrie was the killer and that John had no idea of her true character.
I found the storyline of the two shy newly weds very hard to believe. I wish it had a more intriguing reason behind their hiding from the other passengers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2020
This is part of a series of entertaining mysteries involving 2 ship detectives, George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield, who solve all manner of crimes, from the insignificant to murder on board the luxury passenger liners of the day.
This is number 4 in the series but is a standalone story that is a light but entertaining read. I enjoy the impression you acquire, as you read, of the times (1908) and the life aboard the amazing luxury ocean liners of the period, this time aboard the Caronia as it sails from New Your back to the UK. There are quite a few quirky characters and enough entertaining mysteries (as well as a murder) to keep your reading, as you build up a picture of the society people of that time, who could afford to travel first class on these luxurious ships.
This is number 4 in the series but is a standalone story that is a light but entertaining read. I enjoy the impression you acquire, as you read, of the times (1908) and the life aboard the amazing luxury ocean liners of the period, this time aboard the Caronia as it sails from New Your back to the UK. There are quite a few quirky characters and enough entertaining mysteries (as well as a murder) to keep your reading, as you build up a picture of the society people of that time, who could afford to travel first class on these luxurious ships.
December 6, 2022
George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield partner up again to solve any crimes that may occur on an ocean liner, travelling between New York and Liverpool.
They are aboard the Caronia, travelling separately to avoid being linked to each other.
On the voyage, the two detectives have several crimes to investigate. Stolen earrings, alleged murderers, pickpockets and drug smugglers. Plus there's a murder actually committed on board the Caronia.
By the end of the journey, Dillman and Masefield have solved all crimes, except for locating the stash of cocaine and heroin. Dillman finds the drugs and then it's cases clossed.
They are aboard the Caronia, travelling separately to avoid being linked to each other.
On the voyage, the two detectives have several crimes to investigate. Stolen earrings, alleged murderers, pickpockets and drug smugglers. Plus there's a murder actually committed on board the Caronia.
By the end of the journey, Dillman and Masefield have solved all crimes, except for locating the stash of cocaine and heroin. Dillman finds the drugs and then it's cases clossed.
December 11, 2023
This one was less fun.
1. This series needs to start finding a way for George and Genevieve to be in the same room a bit more often, or to interact. I get it is there thing to investigate separately to cover more ground, BUT.
2. The American cyclist was one of the best side characters.
3. The strength of this series is usually the side characters, and I would say that having too much focus on Isabella was a mistake. She's not a terrible character, but I would have liked her better in small doses. She's by far the secondary character who is given the much page time, and she started to grate.
4. Not sure how I feel about the police detective plotline in this, if I'm honest.
1. This series needs to start finding a way for George and Genevieve to be in the same room a bit more often, or to interact. I get it is there thing to investigate separately to cover more ground, BUT.
2. The American cyclist was one of the best side characters.
3. The strength of this series is usually the side characters, and I would say that having too much focus on Isabella was a mistake. She's not a terrible character, but I would have liked her better in small doses. She's by far the secondary character who is given the much page time, and she started to grate.
4. Not sure how I feel about the police detective plotline in this, if I'm honest.
January 22, 2025
Published in 2003, 'Murder on the Caronia' is the 4th in the 'Ocean Liner' of Edward Marston, also published as Conrad Allen. The tale follows the familiar pattern of George Dillman and his colleague Genevieve Masefield as they board the Cunard Liner Caronia as detectives employed by Cunard against the exotic setting of pre-Great War luxury liners. As is often the case in Marston series, this provides rich setting for lots of strong or eccentric characters, because what Marston does really well is character-driven storylines. Very enjoyable, the murder mystery element almost seems incidental.
February 26, 2025
Maybe 3.5? Writing is adequate and some history is interesting. I was more interested in the training of an elite cyclist preparing for a race in France than most other elements of this book in the Ocean Liner series.
This is the fourth in the series I've read. Sadly the central characters haven't grown as people. Genevieve is continually described as beautiful and attracting the attentions of sleazy individuals but she hasn't developed the strategies most women do to fend these off. Disappointing and unrealistic for a female detective.
I won't complete the series if it continues like this.
This is the fourth in the series I've read. Sadly the central characters haven't grown as people. Genevieve is continually described as beautiful and attracting the attentions of sleazy individuals but she hasn't developed the strategies most women do to fend these off. Disappointing and unrealistic for a female detective.
I won't complete the series if it continues like this.
January 4, 2019
Genevieve Masefield is a detective on the Cunard Line and spends most of her time in first class sailing back and forth across the Atlantic. She is beautiful, smart, and cultured and has a sophisticated wardrobe. Her partner is the capable and attractive George Dillman. Although she occasionally has to put up with some annoying people, once in a while she gets to meet someone interesting like an American bicycle champion on his way to a race in France. I want her job!
June 20, 2025
Ziemas veģetēšanas periodos atgriezos arī pie iesāktās kuģu detektīvu sērijas, kas vēl nav pievīlusi. Arī šajā reizē mūsu kuģa detektīvu pārītis izmeklē vairāk nekā vienu noziegumu, klāt piemetot citu pasažieru stāstus, mīlas samezglojumus, fizisko veikumu uzlabojošas narkotikas un citus dzīves priekus.
January 11, 2023
A while ago I was reading this series but I could not get my hands on copies all of them. Finally I have tracked down those I didn't read so it was a great to be able to reacquaint myself with George Dillman and Genevieve Mansfield.
May 16, 2024
As a fan of the Railway Detective and of cruise ships, I am really enjoying this series. The characters are all interesting and believable enough to hold one's attention and the various plot strands are woven together well. For a man, the author is very adept at describing period costume!!
February 12, 2018
A fun easy read. This shipboard cozy is filled with fun, quirky characters. Just wait till you meet Mrs. Anstruther!
February 7, 2021
Light and fun.
March 20, 2021
3,75stars
July 21, 2022
My favorite so far. I liked the sport aspect. I can’t imagine riding a bicycle on deck on a moving ship at speed. George and Genevieve work closely with Scotland Yard in this Easterly Cunard voyage.
October 21, 2022
Probably 3.5 stars really. A mostly enjoyable read, though I’m a little tired of Genevieve’s astounding beauty - it doesn’t seem to add anything to the plots in these books.
November 23, 2022
Audiobook format
March 15, 2023
Another well done cruise mystery with plenty of shady characters to keep you guessing...
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