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Jill McLeod California Zephyr #1
Death Rides the Zephyr
A COLD-BLOODED KILLER. A COLD, REMOTE CANYON.
THE COLD BODY OF A MURDERED PASSENGER, SLUMPED IN A SEAT ABOARD A TRAIN MOVING ON TRACKS NEXT TO AN ICE-BOUND RIVER.
Zephyrette Jill McLeod rides the California Zephyr on its runs between the Bay Area and Chicago. As a crew member, she spends her long working days seeing to the passengers’ needs, answering questions, taking dinner reservations, or providing first aid. She makes announcements about the spectacular scenery visible from the train’s Vista Dome, with its 360-degree views.
The train is a small city on tracks, with passengers from all walks of life and a large, efficient crew. Jill is armed with good instincts, powers of observation, and her keen knowledge of human nature. She can usually solve any problem. But she wasn’t counting on a missing passenger—and a body in a sleeper car.
THE KILLER IS ONBOARD—AND WILL KILL AGAIN, UNLESS STOPPED.
THE COLD BODY OF A MURDERED PASSENGER, SLUMPED IN A SEAT ABOARD A TRAIN MOVING ON TRACKS NEXT TO AN ICE-BOUND RIVER.
Zephyrette Jill McLeod rides the California Zephyr on its runs between the Bay Area and Chicago. As a crew member, she spends her long working days seeing to the passengers’ needs, answering questions, taking dinner reservations, or providing first aid. She makes announcements about the spectacular scenery visible from the train’s Vista Dome, with its 360-degree views.
The train is a small city on tracks, with passengers from all walks of life and a large, efficient crew. Jill is armed with good instincts, powers of observation, and her keen knowledge of human nature. She can usually solve any problem. But she wasn’t counting on a missing passenger—and a body in a sleeper car.
THE KILLER IS ONBOARD—AND WILL KILL AGAIN, UNLESS STOPPED.
254 pages, ebook
First published September 9, 2013
156 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dawson
65 books71 followersJanet Dawson is the author of The Sacrificial Daughter, first in a new series featuring geriatric care manager. She has also written thirteen novels featuring Oakland private investigator Jeri Howard. Her first, Kindred Crimes, won the St. Martin's Press/Private Eye Writers of America contest for best first private eye novel. The most recent book in the series is The Devil Close Behind.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
Her Jill McLeod historical mystery series features a Zephyrette sleuthing aboard the long-distance train called the California Zephyr in the early 1950s. The first in that series is Death Rides the Zephyr.
In the past, Dawson was a newspaper reporter and a Navy journalist. She has worked in the legal field and on the staff of the University of California Berkeley. She is a long-time member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 8, 2013
This was a really fun read. Traveling across country by train is something I would like to do and something a friend of mine has recently done. Janet Dawson lives in my current city of Alameda and I have read all her books about the Oakland Private Eye. This book is a standalone and takes place in the 1950 on the leg of the California Zephyr from Oakland to Chicago. It was interesting reading on how train travel was during the 1950's. The mystery was second nature to the plot but I will say it is worth it to read the novel to see the history of the california zephyr in the 1950's and the job of the Zephyrette. Hopefully she will write another book about the lead character Jill, who also lives in my little island town of Alameda.
April 25, 2018
Death Rides the Zephyr's story and characters have potential and the setting is clearly well-researched. However, if an author is going to describe every article of clothing each passing person is wearing and every detail of the surroundings, the writing has got to have some vividness and emotion (or I'd even take whimsicality). ANYTHING to lift it up from emotionless recitation of detail after monotonous detail. Death Rides the Zephyr's descriptive writing is an anchor keeping the reader from flowing through the story. Add the fact that the book is more than 75% complete before the actual event happens that qualifies it as a "mystery" means the reader needs a strong dose of perseverance. I was truly surprised to see that this isn't the author's first book and that the publisher describes itself as committed to "literary" mysteries. As a mystery reader who came to love the genre reading "golden age" authors like Christie, Sayers and Chandler, this book is fast-food, not fine dining.
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December 17, 2013Not for me. Way too descriptive - the cars on the trains, a million characters entering the train and what they are wearing, who is with who, etc. I wasn't sure if this was important or not, but I couldn't keep any of it straight. Maybe a list of characters and a map of the train would have helped like publishers of older detective books used to include. If that were included I may have continued reading.
The idea sounded intriguing, though.
The idea sounded intriguing, though.
January 4, 2026
3.5⭐️
i actually remembered to jot notes down as i was reading so this might be a lengthy review. the descriptions of the train and its cars were quite detailed that i think a map or drawing of the train at the beginning of the book would have been very helpful.
nothing crazy really happened until about the 75% mark. the descriptive writing kept me interested at the beginning, but it was slowly starting to lose me the farther i got into the book and nothing was happening. once you hit 75% anything and everything starts to happen. i guess that's to make up for all the nothing that happened before then.
speaking on the characters, our main character, jill, felt a little flat to me in turns of her personality. i know that she's working the train and has to stay professional, but she just seemed a little bland. a character that i started out not liking was mrs. tidsdale. towards the end, her character really started to grow on me.
all in all, this was a good mystery read that takes place on a train starting from california and then ending in chicago. people and things go missing, and some passengers aren't who they portray themselves to be. the pacing was pretty slow until basically the end. that's really my only "complaint" about the book.
i actually remembered to jot notes down as i was reading so this might be a lengthy review. the descriptions of the train and its cars were quite detailed that i think a map or drawing of the train at the beginning of the book would have been very helpful.
nothing crazy really happened until about the 75% mark. the descriptive writing kept me interested at the beginning, but it was slowly starting to lose me the farther i got into the book and nothing was happening. once you hit 75% anything and everything starts to happen. i guess that's to make up for all the nothing that happened before then.
speaking on the characters, our main character, jill, felt a little flat to me in turns of her personality. i know that she's working the train and has to stay professional, but she just seemed a little bland. a character that i started out not liking was mrs. tidsdale. towards the end, her character really started to grow on me.
all in all, this was a good mystery read that takes place on a train starting from california and then ending in chicago. people and things go missing, and some passengers aren't who they portray themselves to be. the pacing was pretty slow until basically the end. that's really my only "complaint" about the book.
January 11, 2023
Entertaining travel listening 🎶🔰
Another will written train 🚆 travel family and friends relationships murder mystery adventure thriller novel by Janet Dawson (Jill McLeod California Zephyr Series book one). Jill McLeod is the Zephyrit on California Zephyr travelling from San Francisco to Chicago. The passengers are interesting both young and old. The train 🚆 ride is interesting with lots of interesting scenery and cities and towns. People keep asking Jill and staff about missing items. Then a lady 🚺 looking after a young 👦 girl goes missing, a man 🚹 is murdered, and a landslide blocks the tracks 👣. Jill and the train 🚆 staff solve the murder, missing lady, and thief. I would recommend this novel to readers of train 🚆 travel and murder mystery novels. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2023 👒😊💘
I have read several books by Janet Dawson which I enjoyed. This was slow to the mystery but the train 🚆 ride is very interesting. Happy reading in 2023
Another will written train 🚆 travel family and friends relationships murder mystery adventure thriller novel by Janet Dawson (Jill McLeod California Zephyr Series book one). Jill McLeod is the Zephyrit on California Zephyr travelling from San Francisco to Chicago. The passengers are interesting both young and old. The train 🚆 ride is interesting with lots of interesting scenery and cities and towns. People keep asking Jill and staff about missing items. Then a lady 🚺 looking after a young 👦 girl goes missing, a man 🚹 is murdered, and a landslide blocks the tracks 👣. Jill and the train 🚆 staff solve the murder, missing lady, and thief. I would recommend this novel to readers of train 🚆 travel and murder mystery novels. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2023 👒😊💘
I have read several books by Janet Dawson which I enjoyed. This was slow to the mystery but the train 🚆 ride is very interesting. Happy reading in 2023
dnf
February 21, 20231952. For me there was way too much description, a very slow paced story. I managed just over a third, I just got bored waiting for the mystery to happen
August 30, 2014
3 1/2 stars
I really liked the characters in this book, along with the story.
But I didn't feel it was much of a mystery. Over half of the book was showing and telling what it was like to work and ride on the Zephyr train. Then it felt like the mystery was thrown together for the last third or so of the book.
The book also felt a bit simplistic to me; almost like I was reading a Nancy Drew book, without the cliffhanger chapter endings :).
That said, if another book was written about the same main character, I would give it a try. I've liked lots of Janet Dawson's previous mysteries.
I really liked the characters in this book, along with the story.
But I didn't feel it was much of a mystery. Over half of the book was showing and telling what it was like to work and ride on the Zephyr train. Then it felt like the mystery was thrown together for the last third or so of the book.
The book also felt a bit simplistic to me; almost like I was reading a Nancy Drew book, without the cliffhanger chapter endings :).
That said, if another book was written about the same main character, I would give it a try. I've liked lots of Janet Dawson's previous mysteries.
May 24, 2014
This book was fun. I do like trains, having grown up on a stop on the route of the City of New Orleans. And I have ridden the California Zephyr from Glenwood Springs to Chicago. Yes, there were lots of characters, but it was a full holiday-season train.
May 24, 2022
This is dreadful. It’s one of the most inorganic historical mysteries I’ve ever tried; it’s just a succession of info dumps and entirely from a 21st century perspective to boot. It’s a pity, because the concept charmed.
June 7, 2024
As leisurely as the vintage train travel it depicts, this story just meanders through the plot. Truly, if I could give half-stars, I would probably rate this "mystery" as 3 1/2 stars, for (although the plot is easy to predict from the buildup with the constant mentions of the Rosenberg trial). Nothing really happens until more than 2/3 of the way through the book. To some degree, the story is more of a travelogue than a mystery. But perhaps that is why I enjoyed it: with all the angst in the world today, it was nice to escape for a short while to that bygone era of train travel.
Nevertheless, the story was very well-written and superbly researched. One does get to know the characters and the passing scenery intimately. But I think far too many words were wasted on the description of every car of the train!
The book could really be improved by two things: first, a diagram of the train and cars, which would negate the need for so much description (which I found myself only skimming); second, a character list, because there were so many of them! I found myself constantly pressing Search on my Kindle, scrolling back to figure out just who this or that person was.
I got this book through a free book site, which is how I find most of the authors that I really enjoy reading (and those that I don't!) I'll certainly consider reading more of the series, because I did find the book soothing and pleasant, if not engrossing.
Nevertheless, the story was very well-written and superbly researched. One does get to know the characters and the passing scenery intimately. But I think far too many words were wasted on the description of every car of the train!
The book could really be improved by two things: first, a diagram of the train and cars, which would negate the need for so much description (which I found myself only skimming); second, a character list, because there were so many of them! I found myself constantly pressing Search on my Kindle, scrolling back to figure out just who this or that person was.
I got this book through a free book site, which is how I find most of the authors that I really enjoy reading (and those that I don't!) I'll certainly consider reading more of the series, because I did find the book soothing and pleasant, if not engrossing.
August 9, 2025
Death Rides the Zephyr is a historical mystery that takes place on the famous Zephyr railroad line during the 50's. I love isolated mysteries that take place on trains, planes, or any other transportation. You get all of the stress of the characters not being able to leave, mixed with a growing tension as they come ever closer to their destination. The author did a lot of research for this book, and you can really see that as you read. I feel like I now know what a trip like that would have entailed. I love books with lots of historical details. Although there are clues sprinkled through the first half of the book, the murder doesn't happen until the back half of the book. Which didn't bother me because I was enjoying the journey. The main character Jill, is a Zephyrette, which is kind of like a flight attendant. She is in charge of making sure the passengers are comfortable and get to where they need to go. The mystery was interesting enough and kept my attention till the end. I hope to read more in the series.
October 8, 2024
There are 4 books in this series. If the other three are anything like the first one I won't get through them. Not sure I will even get through the second TBH. So much description of the scenery. I get it the rockies are beautiful but to describe every hill and valley and the history of every town was a bit much. Then there were the passengers. Some got on; some got off; more got on; more got off. I could not keep them straight. And to remember who was in which room in which car (all the cars had similar names so there was that) was ridiculous. To be fair, I am going to start the second book of the series to see if it gets any better (and to satisfy my compulsion to read books in order and read the whole series) but I make no promises as to whether or not I will get to the end.
April 8, 2023
not what i hoped for …
I have loved the other series by the author so I had high hopes for this book. It starts out more like a travel brochure and that theme continues for about 75% of the book. There is no mystery or action until near the end of the book. Like a trooper, I kept reading, determined to get to the end. If you like to read about scenery and names of towns, you will like the book. If you are looking for action and adventure, mystery, you will like the last 20% of the book.
I have loved the other series by the author so I had high hopes for this book. It starts out more like a travel brochure and that theme continues for about 75% of the book. There is no mystery or action until near the end of the book. Like a trooper, I kept reading, determined to get to the end. If you like to read about scenery and names of towns, you will like the book. If you are looking for action and adventure, mystery, you will like the last 20% of the book.
August 26, 2022
I liked this but didn't love it. The most interesting part was the train, as I have ridden across country on the train several times, although on Amtrak. Her attention to detail on historical train travel was spot on.
I just found the novel to be a bit tedious with too much verbal explanations as "asides", instead of just letting everything unfold. The mystery was ok without much surprise.
Would I read another? Maybe.
I just found the novel to be a bit tedious with too much verbal explanations as "asides", instead of just letting everything unfold. The mystery was ok without much surprise.
Would I read another? Maybe.
April 24, 2023
The Zephyr series ...
I believe I've read all of the Jeri Howard books & loved them all. When I realized that Ms Dawson also wrote the Zephyr series, I located the Zephyr books in my Kindle library. I have just finished the first & loved it. Ms Dawson is great writer! She wraps you up in the plot line, while making the characters come alive. Off now to read the next Zephyr book! ENJOY!
I believe I've read all of the Jeri Howard books & loved them all. When I realized that Ms Dawson also wrote the Zephyr series, I located the Zephyr books in my Kindle library. I have just finished the first & loved it. Ms Dawson is great writer! She wraps you up in the plot line, while making the characters come alive. Off now to read the next Zephyr book! ENJOY!
July 25, 2022
What a Great Ride, I Mean Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could practically feel the rhythm of the train as it crossed the country. The descriptions of the train, the people, the countryside, and the points of interest were fascinating. The mystery was intriguing too. I look forward to more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could practically feel the rhythm of the train as it crossed the country. The descriptions of the train, the people, the countryside, and the points of interest were fascinating. The mystery was intriguing too. I look forward to more.
May 28, 2025
Found it tedious. . . .too many descriptions of things that didn't really matter; nothing much happens in the first 17 chapters other than a description of every single thing the narrator did or saw. It all happens in chapter 18 with a rushed explanation of events. Learning about train travel in 1940s was interesting.
June 29, 2022
a virtual train ride
Exceptional descriptive writing allows the reader to join the passengers on the train from San Francisco to Chicago. Likable, yet suspicious , characters are well- developed as the perpetrators aren’t revealed until the very end.
Exceptional descriptive writing allows the reader to join the passengers on the train from San Francisco to Chicago. Likable, yet suspicious , characters are well- developed as the perpetrators aren’t revealed until the very end.
August 4, 2022
The murder didn't occur until about 55% of the way into the book. A little less describing going back and forth through the rail cars would have been good. I liked learning some about the train operations but this was just repeating the same think over and over.
August 21, 2022
The book had its good points. I liked the history about the Korean war. I liked the main character. I even like the description of the railroad up to a point. The minutia got tedious and the story really didn't start till the book was more than half finished.
September 29, 2022
Nicely done
Very well written story of a train trip in the golden days of rail travel. The little mystery and action are kind of incidental to the description and exploration of the cast of characters and the rhythm of life on board.
Very well written story of a train trip in the golden days of rail travel. The little mystery and action are kind of incidental to the description and exploration of the cast of characters and the rhythm of life on board.
March 15, 2023
If you love Railroad Lore, you’ll love this book!
Great storyline, well researched and written. I would recommend this book to a mystery buff and railroaders alike. I am looking forward to next book in the series.
Great storyline, well researched and written. I would recommend this book to a mystery buff and railroaders alike. I am looking forward to next book in the series.
March 31, 2023
I enjoyed this book mainly because I’m a retired railroad employee. The majority of the book seemed like a combination of a travelogue and a history lesson, but the action revs up about 70% of the way through. All things considered, it’s quite a good read.
March 22, 2024
A mystery and fun look back to the 50's and train travel. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. purchased this edition on December 4, 2023, from Amazon for free. Jill McLeod California Zephyr Series Books 1-4.
July 11, 2022
Wonderful book!
I loved every minute reading this book. I truly felt like I was on the train with these people. It makes me want to go on a long train trip through the West.
I loved every minute reading this book. I truly felt like I was on the train with these people. It makes me want to go on a long train trip through the West.
September 26, 2022
Good Traveling
All the travel information almost made me want to take the trip! It took a long time to get to the mystery involved but the story was worth the scenery information.
All the travel information almost made me want to take the trip! It took a long time to get to the mystery involved but the story was worth the scenery information.
December 6, 2022
A train ride you will remember!
Fast action. Constantly moving. You will meet lots of people and be surprised how good your memory is as to who is who!
A Fast and Fun Book.
Fast action. Constantly moving. You will meet lots of people and be surprised how good your memory is as to who is who!
A Fast and Fun Book.
January 23, 2023
Wonderful ride on the Zephyr. You live vicariously with the characters and their stories while you also try to figure out who the murderer is. It’s an amazing ride on the rails in the 1950’s.
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June 3, 2024free ebook
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2025
For someone like me who has been on the California Zephyr, this was great. For everyone else, I'm afraid the descriptions might be too detailed, making it a little boring to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews