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Yorkshire Murder Mysteries #8
The Railway Murders
A puzzling locked-room mystery that puts someone Oldroyd loves in terrible danger…
When a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a grisly crime scene, DCI Oldroyd’s idyllic visit to the countryside with his partner Deborah is well and truly stopped in its tracks. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. But nobody else went in—or came out. Has the killer really pulled off the perfect, impossible crime?
Scouring the victim’s past for clues, Oldroyd soon unearths a string of heartbroken lovers and a mountain of unpaid debts, each adding to the growing list of suspects. But before he can determine who the culprit is, there’s the small matter of figuring out how they did it. A potential connection to a previous tragedy offers Oldroyd a much-needed lead…
Whoever the perpetrator is, they are ruthless and determined to avoid detection, and when a railway worker starts joining the dots, they are quickly silenced—for good. But as Oldroyd gets ever closer to the truth, it’s only a matter of time before he is given a chilling warning to back off.
Perhaps Deborah should have stayed somewhere safe…
When a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a grisly crime scene, DCI Oldroyd’s idyllic visit to the countryside with his partner Deborah is well and truly stopped in its tracks. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. But nobody else went in—or came out. Has the killer really pulled off the perfect, impossible crime?
Scouring the victim’s past for clues, Oldroyd soon unearths a string of heartbroken lovers and a mountain of unpaid debts, each adding to the growing list of suspects. But before he can determine who the culprit is, there’s the small matter of figuring out how they did it. A potential connection to a previous tragedy offers Oldroyd a much-needed lead…
Whoever the perpetrator is, they are ruthless and determined to avoid detection, and when a railway worker starts joining the dots, they are quickly silenced—for good. But as Oldroyd gets ever closer to the truth, it’s only a matter of time before he is given a chilling warning to back off.
Perhaps Deborah should have stayed somewhere safe…
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2022
1662 people are currently reading
2595 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Ellis
31 books702 followersDuring a long career teaching English, I wrote plays for children and occasional ghost stories. I have always been fascinated by the paranormal and by mysteries, conspiracy theories and unexplained crimes.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
October 12, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
The Railway Murders is a locked room murder mystery, although this time, it’s more a locked train compartment. An historical film is being filmed when during a scene, an actor turns up dead. DCI Oldroyd is brought in to investigate. The actor is an old rogue, with three marriages behind him, a habit of groping the young actresses and a pile of debts. Needless to say, this means there are plenty of suspects. But the question is who had the ability to plan out the murder and accomplish it? Soon, there’s a second death.
Ellis writes in a style that makes it easy to envision every scene. He also has a love of the area as some of its sights are lovingly described. He made me want to visit.
The story moves at a consistent pace with plenty of action and lots of red herrings. The plot was well thought out and plausible. I had no clue who the murderer was. I enjoy the main characters and there’s a nice blend of personal vs. professional lives here.
This is the 8th in the Yorkshire Murder mystery series but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
I love that each chapter starts with a summary of a classic railroad mystery.
My thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.
The Railway Murders is a locked room murder mystery, although this time, it’s more a locked train compartment. An historical film is being filmed when during a scene, an actor turns up dead. DCI Oldroyd is brought in to investigate. The actor is an old rogue, with three marriages behind him, a habit of groping the young actresses and a pile of debts. Needless to say, this means there are plenty of suspects. But the question is who had the ability to plan out the murder and accomplish it? Soon, there’s a second death.
Ellis writes in a style that makes it easy to envision every scene. He also has a love of the area as some of its sights are lovingly described. He made me want to visit.
The story moves at a consistent pace with plenty of action and lots of red herrings. The plot was well thought out and plausible. I had no clue who the murderer was. I enjoy the main characters and there’s a nice blend of personal vs. professional lives here.
This is the 8th in the Yorkshire Murder mystery series but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
I love that each chapter starts with a summary of a classic railroad mystery.
My thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.
November 17, 2022
Pleasant, well constructed, mystery set in the English countryside. The plot comes together well in the end with likeable and relatable characters. Worth a read. It also adds charm by having the story revolve around an old railway station and steam engines brought back to life as a tourist attraction!
My thanks to the author, J. R. Ellis, and the publisher, Thomas Mercer, for my electronic copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
My thanks to the author, J. R. Ellis, and the publisher, Thomas Mercer, for my electronic copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
November 5, 2022
I have read quite a few of the books in this series now and enjoy them very much. I especially like the Yorkshire setting which takes me back to where I went to University. I was excited when the Strid was mentioned too. It is a beautiful, very scenic place.
The Railway Murders sees DCI Oldroyd investigating the murder of an actor on a train. It is another angle on the locked room mystery theme as the victim was on his own in a compartment on a moving train. How did the killer get in and out of the compartment without being observed? A second person is murdered, another abducted and it turns into a major crime indeed.
I enjoyed all the police work and the characters who make a great team. Some of the plot was furthered by hunches, but they were always valid ones based on facts, not guess work. There were plenty of suspects and a solution to how the murder was done, but it takes a policeman's memory of the past to introduce the vital clue that solves the case. Highly recommended especially if you like your mysteries set in England and even more so if you like steam trains.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Railway Murders sees DCI Oldroyd investigating the murder of an actor on a train. It is another angle on the locked room mystery theme as the victim was on his own in a compartment on a moving train. How did the killer get in and out of the compartment without being observed? A second person is murdered, another abducted and it turns into a major crime indeed.
I enjoyed all the police work and the characters who make a great team. Some of the plot was furthered by hunches, but they were always valid ones based on facts, not guess work. There were plenty of suspects and a solution to how the murder was done, but it takes a policeman's memory of the past to introduce the vital clue that solves the case. Highly recommended especially if you like your mysteries set in England and even more so if you like steam trains.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 11, 2022
The Railway Murders is the eight book in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series about DCI Jim Oldroyd and his loyal team of detectives solving old fashioned locked room crimes inspired by the Golden Age classics, but set in the present. I’ve read them all in order so know the characters well, but in this case this was a disadvantage, as this one seems to follow much the same formula as some of the others, so I was unfortunately rather bored by it.
Oldroyd is called in to investigate the murder of an actor inside an old steam train being used in a scene from a historical movie. The killer somehow got inside the compartment while the train was moving towards the station, shot his victim, then escaped despite the scene being filmed and the station being full of witnesses. The deceased was a known womaniser and debtor so lots of people could’ve wanted him dead - but who could’ve pulled off this apparently impossible crime?
These books are nicely written cosyish mysteries where the Yorkshire setting is a major feature. I like Oldroyd and his partner Deborah, who plays a bigger role here - although dislike the overused trope of the detective’s family being targeted - especially when it actually made no sense. Steph also features more than her work and romantic partner Andy, and while she’s a good hardworking police officer, it’s Oldroyd who makes all the key deductive leaps. The plot moved slowly and there’s an awful lot of talking. The reveal was a bit underwhelming - information is serendipitously revealed late which opens up the case and it’s all then solved rather too easily. There’s also too much coincidence holding the plot together (in both senses of the word.) I’ve enjoyed this series so far but am not sure that I’ll continue it as it’s getting too repetitive.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Oldroyd is called in to investigate the murder of an actor inside an old steam train being used in a scene from a historical movie. The killer somehow got inside the compartment while the train was moving towards the station, shot his victim, then escaped despite the scene being filmed and the station being full of witnesses. The deceased was a known womaniser and debtor so lots of people could’ve wanted him dead - but who could’ve pulled off this apparently impossible crime?
These books are nicely written cosyish mysteries where the Yorkshire setting is a major feature. I like Oldroyd and his partner Deborah, who plays a bigger role here - although dislike the overused trope of the detective’s family being targeted - especially when it actually made no sense. Steph also features more than her work and romantic partner Andy, and while she’s a good hardworking police officer, it’s Oldroyd who makes all the key deductive leaps. The plot moved slowly and there’s an awful lot of talking. The reveal was a bit underwhelming - information is serendipitously revealed late which opens up the case and it’s all then solved rather too easily. There’s also too much coincidence holding the plot together (in both senses of the word.) I’ve enjoyed this series so far but am not sure that I’ll continue it as it’s getting too repetitive.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
October 30, 2022
*3.5 stars rounded up.
Book #8 is the latest in a British police procedural series set in Yorkshire. The plot is a twist on the 'locked room' trope. A film set in Edwardian England is being shot at Wharfedale Railway where the lead actor is found murdered in one of the vintage steam engine's compartments. There was no way in or out without being observed so where did the murderer disappear to? Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd is called in to lend a hand on the case by Detective Inspector Bob Craven at the Skipton police station who feels overwhelmed by the complexity of the case.
It's a head scratcher, alright, and of course no one saw anything. The victim was not a very honorable person so there's no end of suspects and motives to sort through. But then another man is killed and someone Oldroyd cares about is threatened. Just what in the world is going on here?
Interesting characters, intriguing mystery and the lovely Yorkshire setting make for a quick and entertaining read. Ellis is a diehard Yorkshireman and that shows in his descriptions of the locale and even a bit of poetry.
One of the characters mentions going to a branch of the famous Betty's Cafe in Ilkey for one of their iconic Fat Rascals, described as a large, rich, fruity scone. Of course, as a baker, I had to look for a recipe for that and found one that claims to be close to Betty's of York Tea Room Fat Rascals recipe: https://www.food.com/recipe/bettys-of...
Yum! I can't wait to try them with a cup of tea!
I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via Net Galley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Book #8 is the latest in a British police procedural series set in Yorkshire. The plot is a twist on the 'locked room' trope. A film set in Edwardian England is being shot at Wharfedale Railway where the lead actor is found murdered in one of the vintage steam engine's compartments. There was no way in or out without being observed so where did the murderer disappear to? Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd is called in to lend a hand on the case by Detective Inspector Bob Craven at the Skipton police station who feels overwhelmed by the complexity of the case.
It's a head scratcher, alright, and of course no one saw anything. The victim was not a very honorable person so there's no end of suspects and motives to sort through. But then another man is killed and someone Oldroyd cares about is threatened. Just what in the world is going on here?
Interesting characters, intriguing mystery and the lovely Yorkshire setting make for a quick and entertaining read. Ellis is a diehard Yorkshireman and that shows in his descriptions of the locale and even a bit of poetry.
One of the characters mentions going to a branch of the famous Betty's Cafe in Ilkey for one of their iconic Fat Rascals, described as a large, rich, fruity scone. Of course, as a baker, I had to look for a recipe for that and found one that claims to be close to Betty's of York Tea Room Fat Rascals recipe: https://www.food.com/recipe/bettys-of...
Yum! I can't wait to try them with a cup of tea!
I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via Net Galley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 28, 2022
Easy reading pleasure
This is the eighth book in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series and for me it was the author's first book. The sympathetic team of investigators appears to be the same in all cases, but no prior knowledge is assumed. I could easily read this book without knowing the previous seven. As expected, the writing style is practiced and fluent and nothing to complain about. The characters were described in a believable and understandable manner. The crime plot is a bit simple, the investigations are conducted superficially and unfortunately investigative approaches are not consistently pursued. The extraordinary setting in an old train is something different and is well described. The Yorkshire region and its attractions are incorporated into the action and stimulate the desire for a holiday in the region. All in all, an easy, not too demanding thriller.
This is the eighth book in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series and for me it was the author's first book. The sympathetic team of investigators appears to be the same in all cases, but no prior knowledge is assumed. I could easily read this book without knowing the previous seven. As expected, the writing style is practiced and fluent and nothing to complain about. The characters were described in a believable and understandable manner. The crime plot is a bit simple, the investigations are conducted superficially and unfortunately investigative approaches are not consistently pursued. The extraordinary setting in an old train is something different and is well described. The Yorkshire region and its attractions are incorporated into the action and stimulate the desire for a holiday in the region. All in all, an easy, not too demanding thriller.
January 28, 2023
Now I have wait until the next book to come out!!
November 15, 2022
A very good who done it! Enjoyed every page. Recommend!
October 8, 2023
A murder in a train carriage while filming an Edwardian period movie. When there doesn't seem to be anyway the murderer could have entered and exited the carriage it's another 'closed room' mystery and Inspector Oldroyd's is called in to assist.
Another solid entry in the series and I enjoyed it a bit more than the last one. The latest in this series has only just been published but I hope to get to it before the end of the year.
Another solid entry in the series and I enjoyed it a bit more than the last one. The latest in this series has only just been published but I hope to get to it before the end of the year.
December 17, 2022
Impossible crime mystery on a train - it doesn't get any better than that! The Railway Murders is the 8th Yorkshire Murder Mystery by J.R. Ellis. An actor is shot on a train during filming. I love the setting of this mystery. The author has an obvious love for Yorkshire and I enjoyed the descriptions of the area. I love locked-room/impossible crimes and this was a really good one. I did find the speech a bit formal at times. It didn't always sound natural. The characters were well-developed though and made for good suspects. I really liked the description of a book or film set on a train at the beginning of each chapter. That was really fun.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2023
I enjoyed the earlier books in this series, but this one fell flat.
Trite dialogue, obvious plot, absurd situations. Two murders and an abduction, but you know what? Let’s take a day off in the middle of the investigation.
Seriously?
The author invests more effort in rhapsodizing over the glories of Yorkshire than in crafting a solid police procedural mystery. In fact, there’s almost no procedure at all. Characters who were once likable now seem overly simplistic. Maybe Ellis should switch to travelogues.
Trite dialogue, obvious plot, absurd situations. Two murders and an abduction, but you know what? Let’s take a day off in the middle of the investigation.
Seriously?
The author invests more effort in rhapsodizing over the glories of Yorkshire than in crafting a solid police procedural mystery. In fact, there’s almost no procedure at all. Characters who were once likable now seem overly simplistic. Maybe Ellis should switch to travelogues.
November 24, 2024
Another favourite series of mine with a likeable investigative team!
Set in Yorkshire, which Mr. Ellis does an excellent job in his books to describe and share the beauty and history of that part of England!
This time, Oldroyd is called in to assist in another complicated murder that took place on a train!
The suspects are actors and know how to fake emotions so apart from having to find out how the murder was committed. Oldroyd has to find out who isn't faking or lying to him!
As things escalate, it gets more personal for him because his romantic partner is targeted when the murderer starts to panic!
Set in Yorkshire, which Mr. Ellis does an excellent job in his books to describe and share the beauty and history of that part of England!
This time, Oldroyd is called in to assist in another complicated murder that took place on a train!
The suspects are actors and know how to fake emotions so apart from having to find out how the murder was committed. Oldroyd has to find out who isn't faking or lying to him!
As things escalate, it gets more personal for him because his romantic partner is targeted when the murderer starts to panic!
July 9, 2024
It was only recently that I rediscovered this excellent series and read the last couple. Then, as I was tidying notes away and clearing books from Kindle back to our e-library, I noticed that this one on Goodreads was still showing as 'Want to read''.
After following characters through a series as their lives and careers progress, it is a bit strange to turn the clock back, as it were, and see everyone a few years younger.
I enjoyed this as almost a 'reprieve' read as it was a chance to get back into a series I thought I had finished.
The descriptive narrative was as good as I remembered it and it was so easy to slip into the story.
As with the others, this one had the 'locked room' feel about it, the solving of which is an Oldroyd speciality.
On the downside,if there was one, it was that there was only the slightest hint of the motive for the armchair detective before the discovery of the final lead. Also, whilst the killers hide was clever, from my memory wasn't the 'access' too small for a such a speedy retreat?
A major event about half way through the book had me wondering if I had indeed read this before. This was reinforced when Oldroyd saw a builders mark on an old cottage. I was convinced that this was the key clue but it was never mentioned again and had nothing to do with the storyline. I can only think that another detective must have gone through what Oldroyd endured and solved the case with the help of a builders initials on another old cottage in a different series.(Please feel free to message me if you know the one).
Had I read it before? I really don't know. I am careful not to miss one from a series but I can't imagine not entering my notes here. No matter, I still enjoyed reading it (again?).
After following characters through a series as their lives and careers progress, it is a bit strange to turn the clock back, as it were, and see everyone a few years younger.
I enjoyed this as almost a 'reprieve' read as it was a chance to get back into a series I thought I had finished.
The descriptive narrative was as good as I remembered it and it was so easy to slip into the story.
As with the others, this one had the 'locked room' feel about it, the solving of which is an Oldroyd speciality.
On the downside,if there was one, it was that there was only the slightest hint of the motive for the armchair detective before the discovery of the final lead. Also, whilst the killers hide was clever, from my memory wasn't the 'access' too small for a such a speedy retreat?
A major event about half way through the book had me wondering if I had indeed read this before. This was reinforced when Oldroyd saw a builders mark on an old cottage. I was convinced that this was the key clue but it was never mentioned again and had nothing to do with the storyline. I can only think that another detective must have gone through what Oldroyd endured and solved the case with the help of a builders initials on another old cottage in a different series.(Please feel free to message me if you know the one).
Had I read it before? I really don't know. I am careful not to miss one from a series but I can't imagine not entering my notes here. No matter, I still enjoyed reading it (again?).
November 7, 2022
A puzzling locked-room mystery that puts someone Oldroyd loves in terrible danger. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. Scouring the victim’s past for clues, Oldroyd soon unearths a string of heartbroken lovers and a mountain of unpaid debts, each adding to the growing list of suspects. This was not my first book in this series. I have also read book 1 of the series which was a great introduction to the series. I enjoyed this book as much as book 1. This book was a locked-room mystery which was most interesting and really threw them a curve ball. I did enjoy the beginning of each chapter where they described different movies with railways in them. In the end, the mystery was solved and I was satisfied how the book turned out. If you like locked-room mysteries then you will love this book. I would like to thank Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.
December 15, 2022
A complicated murder in Yorkshire.
I enjoyed the rustic setting of an Edwardian railway station which was well-described and atmospheric. The surrounding nature of the Dales was also captured. Each chapter began with mention of other movies and books that feature mysteries at railways/trains.
Overall an interesting read.
I enjoyed the rustic setting of an Edwardian railway station which was well-described and atmospheric. The surrounding nature of the Dales was also captured. Each chapter began with mention of other movies and books that feature mysteries at railways/trains.
Overall an interesting read.
November 20, 2025
Another mystery with twists and turns aplenty. Not my favourite but appreciate the writing and always lovely to read about Yorkshire!
November 5, 2022
A murder story set on a steam railway in West Yorkshire. The investigating team is well portrayed, some of the other characters are more one dimensional . Occasional dialect used, which is ok, but I am not wild about (I come from Yorkshire) . Not a bad read, not particularly suspensful but the crimes do make sense. The scenary is well described and you do get a good impression of the area and the people living tbere ..
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
October 23, 2022
When an actor in an Edwardian period movie is found dead in an empty railway carriage during filming, the DI of the Skipton station calls in DCI Jim Oldroyd. There was no way anyone could have gotten into or out of the compartment and no one saw or heard anything.
In this newest case for Oldroyd, he is again called into a puzzling murder investigation. When another murder takes place and then a kidnapping, he and his team know they are closing in,
A quick, enjoyable and scenic mystery with a satisfying conclusion.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-galley of "The Railway Murders".
In this newest case for Oldroyd, he is again called into a puzzling murder investigation. When another murder takes place and then a kidnapping, he and his team know they are closing in,
A quick, enjoyable and scenic mystery with a satisfying conclusion.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-galley of "The Railway Murders".
November 8, 2022
The filming of a movie scene on a train in Yorkshire didn’t go as planned. The actor in the scene turned up late, when the crew begins filming they discover that a curtain has been drawn over the window of the train compartment, obscuring any view of the actor in the scene. And finally when the train pulls in, he fails to exit the train compartment as expected. Unfortunately he’s dead, shot in the head, in an empty compartment that couldn’t have been accessed while it was moving.
The Railway Murders was my introduction to DCI Oldroyd and his team. The premise of victim alone in a compartment on a moving train made for an interesting “locked room” mystery. I really enjoyed the start of each chapter, which began with a description of different famous films, all of which involved railways in their plots. Lots of suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. And while I did think that the last chapter could have been cut down quite a bit, the book as a whole made for an entertaining read.
A good police procedural with a nod to filmmaking and traditional mystery writers.
The Railway Murders was my introduction to DCI Oldroyd and his team. The premise of victim alone in a compartment on a moving train made for an interesting “locked room” mystery. I really enjoyed the start of each chapter, which began with a description of different famous films, all of which involved railways in their plots. Lots of suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. And while I did think that the last chapter could have been cut down quite a bit, the book as a whole made for an entertaining read.
A good police procedural with a nod to filmmaking and traditional mystery writers.
October 2, 2022
Although The Railway Murders is the 8th installment in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series, it was the first one I'd read. I loved the premise and style of the book--an old-fashioned locked room mystery. Ellis did a great job of setting the scene; the plot was enjoyable and undemanding, which is just what I'm looking for in a cozy mystery. I did find the dialogue to be somewhat stilted and the characters a bit one-dimensional, though. A solid effort.
January 17, 2024
2.5 STARS
In ‘The Railway Murders’ a murder is committed n a railway… shock horror, surprise surprise I KNOW. This book follows the police team and acting cohort as a murder occurs on a film site at a railway. The police must find out how this murder was committed and ensure the perpetrator is caught. With little evidence and loose suspects, the police must work hard to find out who dun it.
Overall I thought this book was okay but not great. I enjoyed the characters enough and there was a few interesting plot threads like the kidnapping. I thought there was A LOT of side plots that didn’t really add anything to the book. It was VERY slow paces as well in the sense that I wasn’t really shocked at any point. Everything that was revealed at any stage during the book was hinted at before; it was usually the police going ‘oh it could be this’ and then them investigating and it was that. It also annoyed me that there was a police officer who literally saw people leaving the station at the end of a chapter and then it was never mentioned again? Why was that not followed up..?
Not the best murder mystery I’ve read but I did want to finish the book. It wasn’t a completely unsatisfying ending which was helpful for the star rating.
In ‘The Railway Murders’ a murder is committed n a railway… shock horror, surprise surprise I KNOW. This book follows the police team and acting cohort as a murder occurs on a film site at a railway. The police must find out how this murder was committed and ensure the perpetrator is caught. With little evidence and loose suspects, the police must work hard to find out who dun it.
Overall I thought this book was okay but not great. I enjoyed the characters enough and there was a few interesting plot threads like the kidnapping. I thought there was A LOT of side plots that didn’t really add anything to the book. It was VERY slow paces as well in the sense that I wasn’t really shocked at any point. Everything that was revealed at any stage during the book was hinted at before; it was usually the police going ‘oh it could be this’ and then them investigating and it was that. It also annoyed me that there was a police officer who literally saw people leaving the station at the end of a chapter and then it was never mentioned again? Why was that not followed up..?
Not the best murder mystery I’ve read but I did want to finish the book. It wasn’t a completely unsatisfying ending which was helpful for the star rating.
November 9, 2022
When a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a grisly crime scene, DCI Oldroyd’s idyllic visit to the countryside with his partner Deborah is well and truly stopped in its tracks. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. Scouring the victim’s past for clues, Oldroyd soon unearths a string of heartbroken lovers and a mountain of unpaid debts, each adding to the growing list of suspects. A potential connection to a previous tragedy offers Oldroyd a much-needed lead. When a railway worker starts joining the dots, they are quickly silenced—for good. But as Oldroyd gets ever closer to the truth, it’s only a matter of time before he is given a chilling warning to back off.
The eighth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I’m loving this series as the characters are well portrayed & have depth, the pace is good & I’m kept guessing whilst loving the authors descriptions of my home county. There are plenty of twists, turns & red herrings & I found myself engrossed in the whodunit & burned the midnight oil to finish it. I recommend not only this book but the whole series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The eighth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I’m loving this series as the characters are well portrayed & have depth, the pace is good & I’m kept guessing whilst loving the authors descriptions of my home county. There are plenty of twists, turns & red herrings & I found myself engrossed in the whodunit & burned the midnight oil to finish it. I recommend not only this book but the whole series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
November 13, 2022
In this eighth novel featuring DCI Oldroyd set in rural Yorkshire, a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a deadly crime scene. The actors and film crew are kept in place as the investigation proceeds, with personality clashes and suspicions bubbling to the surface. The locked room mystery provides a challenge to DCI Oldroyd and his team, but it is the varied cast of characters that proves to be the most challenging and interesting component of this fascinating mystery.
November 14, 2022
Oldroyd's reputation proceeds him!
A picturesque scene, a steam railway and a multitude of people with secrets and motives for murder. Film sets can be dangerous places. Another excellent Yorkshire murder mystery.
A picturesque scene, a steam railway and a multitude of people with secrets and motives for murder. Film sets can be dangerous places. Another excellent Yorkshire murder mystery.
November 15, 2022
Local mystery hits the detective brain slot
Really enjoyed this. Guessed the possible perpetrators but not the twists of the detail woven into the story. The kidnapping was unexpected!
A good read for a journey ! A pity I have now finished it........
Really enjoyed this. Guessed the possible perpetrators but not the twists of the detail woven into the story. The kidnapping was unexpected!
A good read for a journey ! A pity I have now finished it........
February 1, 2023
There are railways in Britain that still have steam engines and many use them to re-create that time of steam and industrialization to entertain locals and tourists alike. So, too, to increase revenue some of them allow movie or TV film crews to use the stations,tracks and trains as locations. Such is the case in the Railway Murders and it is one thespian, a renowned actor who has become somewhat past his sell-by date, who is the victim. Though respected for his acting ability, he is also renowned for his womanizing, thereby creating a large pool of possible murderers -- women scorned, men cuckholded. Why even among the crew there is a feasible couple--the director, whose wife, an actress has been the victim's lover. As a matter of fact, the wife just along for the ride and not acting in the program, spent the night before the murder with the victim!
Ah, but this is not as straight forward as it would seem. The victim was murdered in a moving railway car in which he was alone. AND, when the door was opened and his corpse discovered, no one was with it, nor had anyone exited the car after he entered it. So, where is the murderer??? How did they get in and out and not be seen at either time?
Ah, but this is not as straight forward as it would seem. The victim was murdered in a moving railway car in which he was alone. AND, when the door was opened and his corpse discovered, no one was with it, nor had anyone exited the car after he entered it. So, where is the murderer??? How did they get in and out and not be seen at either time?
August 23, 2024
Having read this series in quick succession due to a post covid convalescence - this is the one I like least. I did finish it but found the story too contrived even within the cosy crime genre! Will step away for a while now and finish the series next year! Dont start on this book if you haven’t read the others…go back to the start.
Rated as a 3 star due to loyalty to the author - as know the effort he puts in to write!
Rated as a 3 star due to loyalty to the author - as know the effort he puts in to write!
November 2, 2022
Though The Railway Murders is the eighth in the delightful Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series, it doesn't heavily rely on previous volumes to ensure a fabulous reading experience. It is written in the locked-room style with a heaping helping of wonderful wit and keen observations. Red herrings are sprinkled throughout, simple yet effective.
DCI Oldroyd has been asked to investigate a crime right up his alley...tricky and unique. His detecting team and his partner Deborah find themselves smack dab in the middle of danger on all sides. Filming of a historical movie has not gone entirely as planned as a very dead body appears in a train scene. The body is that of a disliked and entitled actor whose list of enemies isn't exactly short. When Deborah goes missing the investigation kicks into high gear. But there's more.
The gorgeous Yorkshire setting and food and nature descriptions are my favourite aspects as they add such beauty to an already good story. I also really liked the clever book and film blurbs as chapter headings. The characters are a bit undeveloped but then I am a character-driven reader.
Mystery readers who enjoy their murders on the light side ought to enjoy this refreshingly clean book. It's cozy yet has substance.
My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this charming book.
DCI Oldroyd has been asked to investigate a crime right up his alley...tricky and unique. His detecting team and his partner Deborah find themselves smack dab in the middle of danger on all sides. Filming of a historical movie has not gone entirely as planned as a very dead body appears in a train scene. The body is that of a disliked and entitled actor whose list of enemies isn't exactly short. When Deborah goes missing the investigation kicks into high gear. But there's more.
The gorgeous Yorkshire setting and food and nature descriptions are my favourite aspects as they add such beauty to an already good story. I also really liked the clever book and film blurbs as chapter headings. The characters are a bit undeveloped but then I am a character-driven reader.
Mystery readers who enjoy their murders on the light side ought to enjoy this refreshingly clean book. It's cozy yet has substance.
My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this charming book.
November 9, 2022
An enjoyable book but, for me, not quite as good as previous books in this series. Two murders by shooting, a fire, a kidnapping, a couple of car crashes - possibly a bit too much action. The regular characters are so good, well-rounded and interesting, that the action almost detracts from the story. A couple of threads left hanging so it will be a long wait before the next instalment in the series arrives. The descriptions of Yorkshire are wonderful. I felt, when there 50 years ago, a very strong pull to Yorkshire. Pity Australia is so far away.
The solutions to the locked room (compartment) and to the killer's disappearance were more obvious than those in the Redmire Hall mystery.
The solutions to the locked room (compartment) and to the killer's disappearance were more obvious than those in the Redmire Hall mystery.
November 14, 2022
3.5*
As long as J.R. Ellis keeps writing these, I'll keep reading them. I love the world of Chief Inspector Oldroyd.
As long as J.R. Ellis keeps writing these, I'll keep reading them. I love the world of Chief Inspector Oldroyd.
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