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Jill McLeod California Zephyr #2
Death Deals a Hand
WHO GETS THE DEAD MAN’S HAND?
A HIGH-STAKES POKER GAME ABOARD THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR.
DEATH HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
Zephyrette Jill McLeod is back on the rails, riding the sleek silver streamliner west from Chicago to San Francisco. She can deal with almost anything, from an unexpected reunion with a long-lost relative to a troublesome passenger who likes to play poker—and has a shady past.
GO AHEAD, SHUFFLE THE CARDS.
A HIGH-STAKES POKER GAME ABOARD THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR.
DEATH HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
Zephyrette Jill McLeod is back on the rails, riding the sleek silver streamliner west from Chicago to San Francisco. She can deal with almost anything, from an unexpected reunion with a long-lost relative to a troublesome passenger who likes to play poker—and has a shady past.
GO AHEAD, SHUFFLE THE CARDS.
254 pages, ebook
First published April 7, 2016
49 people are currently reading
88 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 14, 2023
Entertaining travel listening 🎶🔰
Another will written travel murder mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller novel by Janet Dawson (Jill McLeod California Zephyr Series book two). Jill and the California Zephyr depart from Chicago on the train 🚆 ride to California. This is a train 🚆 travel adventure with a murder mystery thrown in. There is family and friends relationships plus new friends being made as the train 🚆 crosses the county . I would highly recommend this series to anyone who did not take that train 🚆 ride. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 🌙👒☺😡
Happy reading in 2023
Another will written travel murder mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller novel by Janet Dawson (Jill McLeod California Zephyr Series book two). Jill and the California Zephyr depart from Chicago on the train 🚆 ride to California. This is a train 🚆 travel adventure with a murder mystery thrown in. There is family and friends relationships plus new friends being made as the train 🚆 crosses the county . I would highly recommend this series to anyone who did not take that train 🚆 ride. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 🌙👒☺😡
Happy reading in 2023
April 2, 2016
Got a copy of this book prior to publication (won it in a contest), and am very glad I did! Janet Dawson skillfully waves a mysterious tale while giving her historical mystery fans a delightful look at days gone by, when traveling by train -- in this case, the California Zephyr -- was a relaxing, comfortable experience. That, however, doesn't stop someone from taking exception to one of the passengers, and once again Janet McLeod, the "Zephyrette," i.e., hostess aboard the west-bound, San Francisco train is called upon to uncover a murderer. Which she does, in fine fashion.
The glimpses of passengers and train personnel are well developed, and interspersed with the fine amount of research that Ms. Dawson brings to the book (also developed in the first entry in this series), make for an entertaining tale. There's just enough backstory to keep people interested in what Janet is doing in her life (which hopefully includes many more train trips!), and she is a level-headed, entertaining protagonist in this book.
Highly recommended.
The glimpses of passengers and train personnel are well developed, and interspersed with the fine amount of research that Ms. Dawson brings to the book (also developed in the first entry in this series), make for an entertaining tale. There's just enough backstory to keep people interested in what Janet is doing in her life (which hopefully includes many more train trips!), and she is a level-headed, entertaining protagonist in this book.
Highly recommended.
February 10, 2017
This series has a fascinating setting, as Jill McLeod is the Zephyrette, in effect a stewardess, on the California Zephyr, a luxury train in the early 1950's. The train's trip from Chicago to San Francisco is painstakingly described, as Jill goes about her duties, introducing many of the passengers. When one particularly obnoxious man is shot one night, Jill uses her knowledge of the passengers and the train schedule to figure out who is the culprit. Coincidentally, Jill's retired police detective uncle and his estranged son are traveling on the train, too.
October 20, 2022
All Aboard
If you don't care about the details of a trip on the CZ and read this for the murder mystery, then you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you want to know what travel was like aboard the CZ in it's heyday you will find it an enjoyable read. The reason for the four stars is the rich details of train travel in that era. Plus, being born and raised in Colorado and having seen the scenery viewed by the CZ passengers (albeit by road rather than rail ) gave the descriptions life.
If you don't care about the details of a trip on the CZ and read this for the murder mystery, then you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you want to know what travel was like aboard the CZ in it's heyday you will find it an enjoyable read. The reason for the four stars is the rich details of train travel in that era. Plus, being born and raised in Colorado and having seen the scenery viewed by the CZ passengers (albeit by road rather than rail ) gave the descriptions life.
October 25, 2022
I geek history so this vignette into life in 1953 as a 26 y/o railroad hostess complete with the costs of travel was my idea of fun! The history is made personal as it threads in and out of the tale complete with a detailed travelogue. She comes into contact with all manner of travelers between Chicago/Colorado/California and usually enjoys everything. About halfway through a man is murdered and the sleuthing begins!
I love train travel!
Published by Perseverance Press/IBPA.
I love train travel!
Published by Perseverance Press/IBPA.
November 5, 2025
I am really enjoying this series. I love all the historical detail and find life aboard the train fascinating. It takes a while for the mystery to kick off, but I didn't mind as I was enjoying all the history. You can tell the author has really done their homework. Unfortunately, sometimes it does come off as a little info-dumpy. Other than that, I am really enjoying this series and hope to continue.
July 26, 2022
Now I Want to Ride a Train
Reading this series is like reading an Agatha Christie novel. It is a wonderful story, interesting all the way to the end. Also, you can practically hear the click clack of the train wheels adding music to the story. I am totally hooked on this series.
Reading this series is like reading an Agatha Christie novel. It is a wonderful story, interesting all the way to the end. Also, you can practically hear the click clack of the train wheels adding music to the story. I am totally hooked on this series.
October 4, 2022
great description of train travel
For readers who want to reminisce about train travel of the past, this is the perfect read. For those preferring mystery and some suspense, you might want to choose a different book as only about ten percent of this story is about the murder on board.
For readers who want to reminisce about train travel of the past, this is the perfect read. For those preferring mystery and some suspense, you might want to choose a different book as only about ten percent of this story is about the murder on board.
August 28, 2022
I enjoyed the story but, much like the last book, there is so much repeated train history that the actual story doesn't start till the half way mark. I'll read the next book but I plan to skim till the action begins.
July 2, 2023
The amount of detail that is in these stories is phenomenal. You learn so much about the golden days of rail travel and that is along with the many twists and turns in this who done it! Strongly recommend this book and the series.
March 29, 2024
A set of mysteries and fun looks 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. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. A mob boss is involved on this train ride headed west.
March 29, 2016
“Zepherette” Jill McLeod is similar to a stewardess only she plies her trade on the California Zephyr, a train owned by an amalgamation of train companies that run a single line from Chicago to San Francisco. The trip takes about two and a half days, even in April 1953. The train travel harks back to the thirties and forties with its lounge car, sleeping compartments and dining service.
There are a few nefarious characters on board, and we know a murder is going to happen, but it doesn’t occur until the last quarter of the book. Even though we have met the characters and can make a list of the suspects, determining who the murderer is isn’t a snap. And it isn’t for Jill either. Unfortunately both her Uncle Sean, a former police officer, and his estranged son are briefly on the suspect list.
Nor can we guess who is going to be murdered. There is a woman pretending to be a dowdy librarian; a glad-hander who is a little too free with those appendages when there are ladies around; and some gentlemen, including her cousin, who gamble to pass the time. She finds a gun in one of the compartments--it might be the future murder weapon--but it disappears after the murder. There is an organized crime family associated with Al Capone in the Rockies and one of those members is traveling on the Zephyr. As I said, some nefarious characters.
Much of the book is about the trip, what Jill does, and the many characters who ride this lovely train. It’s a very authentic trip, rides and reads smoothly. Dawson has done a lot of research, and gives some sources in the back of the book for those who would like to learn more. A lovely step back in time. Perseverance Press.
There are a few nefarious characters on board, and we know a murder is going to happen, but it doesn’t occur until the last quarter of the book. Even though we have met the characters and can make a list of the suspects, determining who the murderer is isn’t a snap. And it isn’t for Jill either. Unfortunately both her Uncle Sean, a former police officer, and his estranged son are briefly on the suspect list.
Nor can we guess who is going to be murdered. There is a woman pretending to be a dowdy librarian; a glad-hander who is a little too free with those appendages when there are ladies around; and some gentlemen, including her cousin, who gamble to pass the time. She finds a gun in one of the compartments--it might be the future murder weapon--but it disappears after the murder. There is an organized crime family associated with Al Capone in the Rockies and one of those members is traveling on the Zephyr. As I said, some nefarious characters.
Much of the book is about the trip, what Jill does, and the many characters who ride this lovely train. It’s a very authentic trip, rides and reads smoothly. Dawson has done a lot of research, and gives some sources in the back of the book for those who would like to learn more. A lovely step back in time. Perseverance Press.
April 23, 2016
The mystery really came in the last 1/2 of the book but too me the book was more about a historical look about the California Zephyr through the eyes of the Zephyrette. I enjoyed the book and reading about the destinations along the way in the 1950's from Chicago back to San Francisco. You meet a multitude of characters throughout the book since the book really covers the extensive trip. Having taking a cross country train ride Syracuse to Emeryville, Ca I appreciated the notion that a lot of the experience in the 1950's was still true today. The vista dome, sting in the dining cars, sleeper cars, etc. you can tell the author did her homework and that it must have been fun recreating this voyage. I have read the majority of Janet Dawson's novels (living in the same city of Alameda) and I think her California Zephyr mysteries are her best. Hopefully she will write another in the series.
June 24, 2018
I love the map!
It is rare that I sit and read a book in one day.
Although I kept stopping and doing weed pulling in the heat of the day, I rewarded my good behavior with reading breaks. Win, win.
This is wonderfully written with a protagonist who is well placed to meet new people constantly (thus avoiding the Cabot Cove too many deaths in one place problem).
In this one Jill has relatives on board, one of whom is the suspect and the other is a retired police.
The victim is nasty enough to evoke no sympathy, and there are several suspects aboard with reasons to want him dead.
I enjoyed this and am ready for the next in the series.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
It is rare that I sit and read a book in one day.
Although I kept stopping and doing weed pulling in the heat of the day, I rewarded my good behavior with reading breaks. Win, win.
This is wonderfully written with a protagonist who is well placed to meet new people constantly (thus avoiding the Cabot Cove too many deaths in one place problem).
In this one Jill has relatives on board, one of whom is the suspect and the other is a retired police.
The victim is nasty enough to evoke no sympathy, and there are several suspects aboard with reasons to want him dead.
I enjoyed this and am ready for the next in the series.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
August 18, 2017
Janet Dawson ends her book by encouraging the reader to "Now go ride a train!" in the afterword. If only cross country train travel was still that romantic and, even better, reasonably priced compared to traveling by air or car. But, having checked into current bedroom and roomette senior fares (no sitting up in a coach seat for 2+ days for me), I find it prohibitively expensive. Maybe when I win the lottery. But it was fun to read about train travel when it was glamorous, affordable and comfortable.
August 8, 2020
Dawson has once again painted an excitingly accurate picture of the golden age of passenger traffic on the railroads. Her heroine Zephyrette Jill McLeod is engaging, personable and believable as she is at the center of this trip from Chicago to Oakland in the 1950s. A wonderful & easy read with mystery, intrigue, friend making, romance and murder.
January 5, 2017
Good book about the California Zephyr train; as a murder mystery, not so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2017
Mostly a travelogue and minute to minute walk through the train of the zephrette for the first 1/2 of the book, history lessons throughout. Okay mystery once in came about.
March 22, 2020
I read this while traveling on the California Zephyr. The historical background was helpful, but otherwise it was a painful read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews