Murder on the Celtic

Ocean Liner Mysteries #8

by Conrad Allen

George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield have crossed the Atlantic Ocean numerous times in their capacity as ship's detectives for many of the huge passenger lines of the early twentieth century. On several of those crossings they've had the pleasure, and in some cases the trouble, of sailing with some very famous passengers. Dukes. Duchesses. Artists. Actors. Musicians. Kings and queens from exotic foreign lands. They have even broken bread aboard ship with J. P. Morgan. But few names have quite the level of fame and fortune as their fellow traveler on this particular ocean crossing aboard the Celtic: They'll be sailing with none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the most famous detective in the world, Sherlock Holmes. As the two excellent investigators encounter the usual array of card sharps, cat burglars, drug smugglers, and crooked passengers of all kinds, will the famous writer help them---or hinder them?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Crime, Cozy Mystery

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 6, 2007

About the author

A 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.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in this series, so I suppose I was looking for an idea of what the future of George and Genevieve held. These books do follow a specific formula, but then I suppose anything situated in a closed environment (boats, trains, planes) are going to be much the same. This one does carry the famous author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, much as the previous book had J.P.Morgan, so I suspect Conrad could also have run out of world known people who could be eligible to travel in this manner.
What this book did highlight was the fact that not all those people who had sold up, and hoped to start a new life in America, were accepted in the country. Those deemed too old, or had some impediment to their being able to work, were refused entry, even if they had relatives already there, and sent back to England with nothing and nowhere to go.

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As of today, Murder on the Celtic is the last of the George Porter Dillman/Genevieve Masefield mysteries. To my great delight, the author finally managed to break through the formulaic stranglehold of his previous mysteries to offer a fun read. The same elements are there (thefts, a death on board) as in the past books, but this time he's jazzed it up a bit with an addition to the basic plot. I am one tough cookie when it comes to mystery novels, because I've been reading them since I was about 12, so I was quite pleased after having finished this one.

basic synopis (no spoilers): Once again, Dillman and Masefield are on board an ocean liner in their capacity as ship's detectives. Also on board is distinguished guest Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife Jean. Conan Doyle wants nothing more but to remain anonymous among the passengers, and wants George to run interference if need be. However, the theft of a priceless volume from his stateroom, along with some other petty thefts and a murder at sea keep both of the detectives very busy. Plus, they have one added problem: a known criminal and murderer is on the ship, but he has come under an assumed name. The detectives definitely have their hands full on this voyage of the White Star line's Celtic.

Overall, a fun read (which, if you've read my reviews on the other books in this series I've never said) which will definitely provide you with a couple of hours of reading enjoyment and escape. Fans of historical mysteries may like this one, as well as people who are following the series.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

George and Genevieve are still working for the White Star Line sailing on the Celtic. They're both in first class but separately. Genevieve's dream is to have a relaxing vacation with George by her side, but that is of course, not meant to be. She becomes the subject of a wager between two rakish businessmen, Mr. Spurrier and Mr. Cleves, to see who can seduce her first. Genevieve knows what they're up to and tries to keep her distance for personal and professional reasons. George is being hunted by a widow and her mother and makes the acquaintance of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The famous author hopes to travel in relative anonymity because he dislikes being crowded and fussed over, but he can barely escape from the overzealous barber who seems to be his #1 fan. Then, while Sir Arthur and Lady Doyle are at a seance, his most prized possession is stolen. George is on the case while Genevieve handles the usual petty thefts and explores the world of spiritualism. When a newly married man goes missing, George is baffled. How could a man disappear on a ship? Meanwhile, in steerage, the huddled masses turned away from Ellis Island are returning to Europe. Returning to what? wonders Miriam Pinnick. Her husband is a glass half full person and is thankful they're alive and can go back to London to their friends. Len Rush isn't so lucky. A maimed former miner, he has nothing left to live for now his beloved wife is dead and buried at sea. He rebuffs Saul's friendship and just wants to be left alone. Could his loner status help provide a clue as to what happened to the missing man?

The mystery in this story really baffled me. I hoped it wasn't murder but then it seemed like it was and I was so sad. The big reveal came as a huge shock. I knew exactly who stole the book and why but the murder plot really surprised me. This last book has the most complicated mystery! The rest of the plot is entirely unnecessary. There are lengthy passages of pointless dialogue especially among the steerage passengers. There's a brief foray into spiritualism and then that's dropped when there's a murder to solve! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle appears too frequently and isn't of any added value to the story except that his stolen book is the key to the mystery. There's too much time spent on the two men who want to seduce Genevieve, two long quotes from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's verse and a lot of background information about the author. This is apparently the last book in the series but there's no closure for the detectives. The book also lacks a p.s. about the ship's history for those who care.

The story lacks the colorful characters because too much attention is paid to Len Rush, Saul Pinnick and the two men who want to seduce Genevieve. I hated both businessmen and hoped at least one would be murdered. I wasn't crazy about Mrs. Trouncer, mainly because she was after George. He always handles his admirers with grace and charm. Noddy Ruggles is the most quirky character and mostly I wished he would shut up. He was certainly colorful but most of his dialogue wasn't necessary. Besides George and Genevieve the characters I liked were the newlywed Lowburys and the medium, Mrs. Burbridge. She was an interesting and complicated character. I wanted more of her and less of everything else.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, what a disappointing way to end the series. The dialogue is horribly stilted. Most of the secondary characters are completely unlikable. The spiritualist angle which plays a big part is not my particular cup of tea. And if the crap Genevieve Masefield routinely has to put up with is true for most attractive women, I'm glad I'm no beauty. This time, however, was decidedly uncomfortable. The quest for Genevieve's affections was decidedly vulgar. I hated the way she was being discussed and sized up as if she were some gaudy trophy to be won. The best scenes in the book were those with Saul Pinnick and Len Bush who barely even figure into the main plot.

And seeing that this is the last in the series, there is absolutely no sense of closure with our main protagonists. I really wish Conrad Allen had continued on for at least another book or two and written a murder mystery for George and Genevieve on the Titanic. Maybe that was his intention at some point, but the particulars proved too daunting (Like how to have George survive without looking like a heel or a coward. And, no, I doubt it's to come since this book was written nearly ten years ago). Perhaps, readers are to surmise George and Genevieve were onboard and didn't survive. Who knows? This book is just a real letdown as a conclusion for an enjoyable series.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, even though it turned out to be the final book of a series. George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield are a married couple who work as detectives for a luxury cruise line. When they are on the job, they pretend to be single and unacquainted. This, of course, makes for some interesting and confusing situations. While they are on the Celtic in 1910, there are various incidents, probably unconnected. A man disappears and several rich people are the victims of a thief. Among the items stolen is a book owned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one that he uses for notes at his lectures. I have run across several mentions lately of Conan Doyle in movies, books, etc. This was just one more time that he invades a plot as a minor character. It is a fun mystery, one that I didn't guess at, but well-written. If I come across another of the Dillman/Masefield seagoing mysteries, I just might be tempted. I love the time period, the social manners, and the elegant fashions.

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and interesting, as always. This is the last book that has been written in the series, but it didn't come to a very satisfactory ending - leaving it open, I suppose, for more sequels. However, it appears the author has probably moved on from this series in lieu of others he has been very actively working on. (Conrad Allen is just one pen name, apparently, of a very prolific writer).

The story ended rather abruptly, and there was no brief history of the Celtic at the end of the novel, as the author included with other books in the series. All told, one really does get the impression that these characters were dropped in a hurry!

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 bk 291. Dillman & Masefield are now married, but keep it a secret when board ship and doing their job as detectives. This is made more difficult when two men make a bet over which can bed Genevieve first, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is 'stalked' by a barber fan, and things begin disappearing. The 'game' is afoot with the theft of Doyle's own first edition of A Study in Scarlet, shortly thereafter a man disappears, and other art objects are stolen. Can they solve this mystery before they dock?

[Diane Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 8 in the ocean liner series and I must admit I became a little lack lustre. The format of all the books are the same, one ocean liner, a couple of petty thefts and a murder all solved by the ships detectives. The only change is the names and items stolen. There’s always two “suitors” after Genevieve Masefield and her giving them the run around.

I’m never one to DNF a book and I’m glad I’ve finished this series now.

[Jerry Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cruise is afoot when George and Genevieve meet up with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on the White Star Line Celtic. I finish this Study in Scarlet mystery as I board the Disney Wish. Here’s hoping we don’t have any nefarious crimes.

[Jill H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several of the books in this series and they are always light and enjoyable. The continuing characters are George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield, a married couple (although that is unknown to the passengers) who are detectives working for the White Star line of luxury passenger ships at the turn of the 20th century. As one might expect with often over 1,000 people on board crime is not unknown. They travel first class where most of the criminal incidents occur and must keep their eyes open for card sharpsters, drug smugglers, escaped criminals and other passengers who may be up to no good.

In this book #8, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes is aboard and his most treasured book is stolen from his cabin. This is followed by several thefts, culminating with a murder. It is a neat little story and a good book for supplementing your main read.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful period mystery series. Can't resist the charm of the ocean liner era. three & a half stars

[Moravian1297 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kinda glad this series has now finished, because the last couple of books have been somewhat stale, and more than a little boring.

Being a fan of Glasgow Celtic, I'd really been looking forward to reading 'Murder on the Celtic' since the get go, a fantastically named ship, if ever there was haha! Unfortunately however, and very much like my tenuous reason for looking forward to the book, the plot was thin to say the least, and the characters were pretty uninspiring, especially given to whom some were.
My ears pricked up markedly and my inquisitiveness was very much piqued, when we discover that Sherlock Holmes author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was aboard ship. But truth be told, Sir Arthur and his wife didn't really bring much to the table at all, besides having his own personal copy of 'A Study in Scarlet' stolen from their cabin. The first edition book had been worth a small fortune, and had also contained Sir Arthur's lecture notes from his lecture circuit tour that he'd been conducting in America, and would have made a prized asset to any would be private collector, whom didn't have much in the way of scruples about handling stolen property.
However, when George Porter Dillman eventually found the book, in a box, taped to the underside of a table, in the cabin of an odious suspect named Frank Spurrier, he utters the line from the Sherlock Holmes books, 'The game was afoot!' Now, the only reason I know this to be a direct quote from the detective series, is because Mark Corrigan says it at the end of his Sherlock Holmes walking tour in 'Peep Show', just before Jez takes an unnecessary 'w*nk bullet' for him, haha! Really showing me up to be the low brow paragon that I am!

Anywho, the reason for Frank Spurrier and his friend, Joshua Cleaves's odiousness, was because when they had both seen Genevieve Masefield (Dillman) for the first time, boarding the Celtic, they had made a highly egregious bet with each other, on who would be the first to bed her. Their reprehensible behaviour, marking them down as thoroughly unlikable chaps indeed.

Also from the get go, we discover that Genevieve is really, really starting to resent the fact that she and George still have to travel as single entities, and cannot publicly present as husband and wife. A situation, she now feels to be really quite depressing. But for the moment, it's something she just had to work around.
We also discover early doors, from the ship's purser, Nelson Rutherford, that there may be an escaped murderer on board ship, one Edward Hammond, which in of itself may sound exciting, but unfortunately, apart from a few thefts, this angle of the story doesn't really start to affect anything until a passenger goes missing, nearly three quarters of the way in! Until that point, it's really just been inconsequential humdrum, about séances (there's a medium called Mrs Thoda Burbridge on board ship) and a suicidal steerage passenger, all really quite boring, if truth be told!

They eventually discover that the missing passenger, financier David Lowbury, allegedly on his honeymoon with his new wife, Jane Lowbury, and whom is presumed to have been thrown overboard, is in fact none other than fugitive, Edward Hammond. Whom had been in disguise down in steerage, and after throwing a random steerage passenger overboard in his stead, is now safely under lock and key, along with his fake wife and partner in crime, so all's well that ends well. Except however, if you're Ronald Coveney that is, the steerage passenger whom only gets a mention in the passing, as the poor fella that was chucked over the side of the ship! Thanks for nothing!
I also tended to agree with another character, Mr Philip Agnew, who ran a menagerie just outside of Chicago, on his dislike of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Although Agnew was portrayed as a rather disagreeable chap, hot tempered and full of bluster, I had to concur with him, that anyone who can club seals to death, and hunt and kill wild animals for 'sport', is a thoroughly despicable person, and not worth the time of day, so I doth my cap to Mr Philip Agnew for telling it like it is.

So, all in all, the series has been better than its been poor, and besides books one, seven and eight, which to be fair, were more boring than bad, it's definitely been a pleasure to sail around the world with George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield, otherwise known as Mr and Mrs Dillman, bon voyage!

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun mystery I picked up from the library. This one is a slightly isolated one - they're all on a ship for the majority of the book, and there is a limited number of people this could be. First there is a small theft, then a possible murder, an attack and more thefts. It really ramped up the action as the book went on and I appreciated that, even if sometimes I couldn't quite get the reasoning behind the murderer's actions. I did really enjoy the ending though, having the guy survive and be the murderer and thief instead was a little cliche but it was done in a satisfying way.

I didn't really find the characters that memorable. I found the third class passengers interesting because they were dealing with being rejected by the USA on Ellis island and what they were going to do when they were back to England after spending all that money on a ticket, but George the detective didn't particularly stand out to me and I wish we could have followed him and Genevieve doing some actual detecting a little more. I feel like more time was spent on the doomed pursuit of Genevieve by two suspects than on the detectives actually doing their work. It seemed that their need for secrecy worked against them for this.

The mystery was interesting, the characters were okay, and I liked the setting. As for Arthur Conan Doyle - from what I've read, he came across far more level-headed in this book than he was in real life. I didn't particularly enjoy the spirtualist subplot, and felt like it could have been replaced by near anything else (I thought the spirtualist was going to be the thief or at least in league with them) so that was a bit of a letdown. But I'll still pick up more books in the series if I see them in the library.

3.5 stars!

[Shelly Donaghey · Rating 4 out of 5]

MURDER ON THE CELTIC by Conrad Allen is the eighth installment in this wonderful and unique mystery series. The detectives are George Dillman and his wife, Genevieve Masefield. They are detectives working undercover for the White Star shipping line. As in their earlier adventures, they are there to mingle with the first class passengers, try to uncover any wrong-doers, and apprehend them before the evil creatures can get safely to shore and away from justice.
This cruise sees the pair trying recover a rare first edition of A STUDY IN SCARLET with hand written notes by the author. Sir Conan Doyle and his wife are returning to England after a successful speaking tour of the states and the book, being both a first edition and containing the hand-written notes of Sir Arthur, is a priceless artifact that has caught the eye of a thief.
But soon there is a murder, and more thefts. Our detectives had been notified just after sailing that a wanted thief and killer might be aboard ship, and it is up to them to determine who the mysterious party is and catch him, or her, red-handed.
This is a cozy mystery with a unique setting. Toss in a famous couple, a seance, the possibility of a man overboard and you have a nice little mystery.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this book and 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for the entire series because if it was 2 stars why would I finish it?

I very much lowered my expectations about the series since they are so formulaic, but once I do that and just expect much of it will be predictable (at least one man will always be "after" Genevieve for each cruise and at least one woman will be after George) and then enjoy it for what it is.

I was interested to learn about the people turned back at Ellis Island because had never known this was something that happened, but didn't understand how they afforded another trip back across the ocean: does their original ticket mean they get a free trip back if they aren't allowed to stay in New York?

No closure for the series was provided, which was a shame.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Celtic is a very enjoyable period mystery set on board a cruise ship in 1910. Back when (rich) people knew how to travel! This is my first book by this author and apparently it is the last to be written in this series.

Hopefully I can find more stories by Conrad Allen (his pen name), because I enjoy a nice historical fiction story now and then. Spending the cruise with Sir Arthur Conin Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) and learning more about his writing was fun!

The mystery kept me guessing and the setting was nice. All in all, it was a charming interlude!

[Andree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, but mostly only because I liked it better than its predecessor. The sexism in that one was a bit much. I like the idea of this series, and I quite liked the first few books, but by book eight (the last to date), I feel the formula has gone stale. For these to work more fully, there needed to be more development between George and Genevieve (show their struggles for example, around pretending to be single on board). The books are reasonable and scratch an itch, but I don't know that I'll rush to pick up another series by the author. Definitely not right away.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple mystery like a manor house English drama. A series of crimes on an ocean for England has the two company detectives searching for a lost book, then several expensive items and a missing passenger. Toss in a possible escaped murderer who might be on board, a few obvious questionable passengers and Conan Doyle for a nice bit of misdirection that does all come together in the end.

[Phillip Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard fair

The usual faire from Edward Marston. The plot followed his usual path, with his familiar twist near the end. Yes its possible to know who done it, or think you do, until you reach the twist, but how often you are correct will depend on how familiar you are with his books. All in all a good read, even for his regular readers.

[Stephen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling addition to the series

This is another thrilling story that is a great addition to this amazing series. The suspense and wonderfully crafted characters, combine magnificently to make this a very entertaining read that will keep you engaged through out.

[Donald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the final book in the series and it just... ends. Perhaps he was going to write more and didn't bother, but there's absolutely no sense that it's the end. The story itself is fairly similar to the others.

[S Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read and interesting view on early emigrants.

[Midwest Craftchat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read from him... loved it!! Kept me guessing until nearly the end!! Will read more from this author... 😁

[Helen Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

À romping good read

[Andre Helps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shame this is the last of the Ocean Novels as they are my favourite series. Good twist at the end.

[Emily H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, quick read about a husband-wife detective duo. I look forward to reading more books by Conrad Allen.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too pleasant to be a hard boiled mystery but way beyond the silly banter of a cozy one, this series fills a hole that the mystery novel genre is missing.

[Eleanor Turton · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good but im a bit disappointed that there wasn't actually a murder seeing as its called MURDER on the celtic enjoyed it though

[Anthony Carter-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

I found it hard to put down and the story was gripping. It is a testament to the author that his books are brilliant.

[Aspin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story in this episode. I had no idea who the perpetrator was right up until the end.