Death On A Southern Breeze

by Mark de Castrique

A LOCKED-ROOM YOUNG ADULT WHODUNIT IN THE CLASSIC TRADITION OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

A VIEW OF HISTORY REVEALED THROUGH A MYSTERY

JUNE 1860 -- A new locomotive christened A Southern Breeze steams across the Carolina countryside carrying seventeen-year-old Jeb Bennett and his twin sister Rachel Leigh to the exhilarating promise of a summer in Charleston.

While storm clouds gather over the landscape, fiercer storms rage inside the passenger cars. The tensions between North and South rapidly escalate until one traveler's journey abruptly and brutally ends. Who was the murderer? Was the victim the real target? Amid swirling suspicions and deceptive intrigue, Jeb and Rachel Leigh join Pinkerton Detective Jonathan Ward in a race to unmask a killer.

But murder isn't the only evil Jeb must confront. As motives and suspects abound, Jeb learns what it means to place a price on a human life, not only as a victim of murder, but also as property to be traded and sold.

The final showdown means hard choices, a test of loyalties, and a face-to-face encounter with Death On A Southern Breeze.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction

196 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2009

About the author

Mark de Castrique is an author, playwright, public speaker, and television producer living in Charlotte.

Through his company MARK et al., he writes, shoots, and edits projects for a variety of clients.

His work has earned CLIO, TELLY, and EMMY awards.

Mark has scripted stories aired on PBS and commercial network affiliates, as well as created video presentations for major corporations.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised! I wasn’t expecting to super like this 🎧 but the setting, and the characters really drew me into the plot. Turns out I love who-dun-its on trains - add a little civil war tension & intrigue and I am hooked.

[Darcie Saunier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great. Not awful. It was a good palette-cleaner from all the WWII books I’ve been reading.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely plotted and well written murder with a side of romance,. Narrator is one of my favorites - and does his usual fine performance.

[Lawanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edgar Allen Poe Mr Pinkerton
Audiobook performed by William Dufris

[Christina Broome · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jill Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 a whodunnit set on a train in 1860s America. Fun.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, but not much intrigue :(

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Southern Breeze is a train that is traveling from Charlotte to Charleston in 1860. The story showa the tension between the North and the South. The story is about Jeb and his twin sister Rachel Leigh (17-year olds). Jeb is a cadet at the Citadel and Rachel Leigh is going to begin training as a nurse like Florence Nightingale. They are traveling with their slave, Samuel. The story involves the murder of 20-year old Citadel cadet, Isaac Middleton, a friend of Jeb and Rachel Leigh. Pinkerton Detective Jonathan Ward controls the train and investigates the murder. The story describes the Pinkerton men, the system of helping slaves to escape, and tensions arising between the states. The characters were not well developed and the setting was hazy. Some of the events, such as the train stopping for an agent to take pictures, seemed false. According to all that I have read about trains, a times schedule is extremely important, as another train could be approaching in the opposite direction.

[Randal Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explored the convictions of young Southerners prior to the Civil War. There were several twists and turns in this story. As with most of this author's books, there is an element of espionage and intrigue. I have recently been introduced to this author's work. this is the 3rd book of his I have read. I will be immediately starting the 4th.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining who-done-it set on a passenger train in 1860's Carolina. It was an intriguing murder mystery that manages to eloquently weave in the political tensions and complexities of the North-South conflict. Not as involved as most historical fiction, but still educational and definitely intriguing!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It's set on a train going from North Carolina to Charleston, SC in 1859/60. Reminded me of a pre-Civil War "Murder on the Orient Express".

[Lois · Rating 2 out of 5]

OD HML

[Katie Greenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short fun read historical murder mystery