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Dorothy Martin #5
The Victim In Victoria Station
Dorothy Martin's wedded bliss could only be improved if her husband didn't have to go gallivanting all over the world, advising local police on new procedure. Dorothy's life could only be improved if she didn't keep stumbling across the recently-and criminally-deceased.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1999
791 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne M. Dams
46 books217 followersJeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
March 19, 2021
Seriously unbelievable, even for a cozy
In the first few pages the heroine returnscto her train car to find a bdy. A completely unnown "doctor" happens along, confirms the death, and sends her on her way, assuring her he'll notify the police. Within a few pages she is convinced this was a murder, identified the (famous) victim, had a computer genius friend hack into a major company's computer, and is moving to solveAll too bad, the murder mystery, all before even confirming the presumed victim is missing. All too bad, because the protagonist is basically charming, if exceptionally ditzy for a seemingly smart woman, and I was becoming a fan in a mild sort of way. This volume strains even the most willing credulity.
In the first few pages the heroine returnscto her train car to find a bdy. A completely unnown "doctor" happens along, confirms the death, and sends her on her way, assuring her he'll notify the police. Within a few pages she is convinced this was a murder, identified the (famous) victim, had a computer genius friend hack into a major company's computer, and is moving to solveAll too bad, the murder mystery, all before even confirming the presumed victim is missing. All too bad, because the protagonist is basically charming, if exceptionally ditzy for a seemingly smart woman, and I was becoming a fan in a mild sort of way. This volume strains even the most willing credulity.
March 15, 2021
Not for me.
I won't be continuing the series. Dorothy is the stereotype of a dotty old woman. She makes being 60-something old. I find it insulting. The plot is surreal, implausible. I couldn't finish this one. I really thought this character and series would be good, and I gave it a read through the first four, hoping to see development of characters and plot. It sees to be regressing with this one. I'm going back to the Regency period, I think. Contemporary settings just make me anxious, especially with such a stereotype as a main character.
I won't be continuing the series. Dorothy is the stereotype of a dotty old woman. She makes being 60-something old. I find it insulting. The plot is surreal, implausible. I couldn't finish this one. I really thought this character and series would be good, and I gave it a read through the first four, hoping to see development of characters and plot. It sees to be regressing with this one. I'm going back to the Regency period, I think. Contemporary settings just make me anxious, especially with such a stereotype as a main character.
February 25, 2021
The kind of cozy I like least
The protagonist not only does incredibly stupid things, she drags other people into danger, as well. I don't think she is going to enjoy what her husband has to say, no matter how gently he says it.
The protagonist not only does incredibly stupid things, she drags other people into danger, as well. I don't think she is going to enjoy what her husband has to say, no matter how gently he says it.
February 23, 2019
a nice little cozy mystery.
May 16, 2022
I enjoyed this book but don’t think I can justify a 4
August 14, 2021
Jeanne's clever descriptive style is once more in evidence as she reveals what Dorothy discovers as she walks along the lane. No great exaggeration, no unnecessary goriness, but even so the reader imagines themself in Dorothy's place, seeing what she sees. Of course the story starts long before that with what she finds in the train and the body which no-one believes in. Poor Alan is once more far from home and only catches up with his wife when everything is done and dusted.
June 19, 2024
Dorothy Martin is sort of a cross between Miss Marple and Mrs. Pollifax, but not nearly as fun to adventure with as either of these older ladies. The author does a good job of keeping the villain's identity a secret, however, which makes the series worth reading.
October 17, 2014
The Victim in Victoria Station by Jeanne M. Dams.
This is the 5th in the Dorothy Martin cozy mystery series.
Dorothy's husband, Alan, is away on business in Zimbabwe. So she is on her own and a bit lonesome for Alan's company already.
During a train trip to see her doctor in London Dorothy meets a young /American on his first trip to England. They strike up a brief conversation. Later Dorothy finds that same man, Bill, asleep. She tries to wake him but gets no response and calls for a doctor. A passenger aboard steps forward to pronounces Bill dead and states that he will take care of all that's necessary regarding the deceased.
The following day Dorothy searches through all the newspapers to find no article on a dead man on that train. She makes some inquiries to the police about this incident and finds that no one has heard anything about a dead body on the train.
She's soon invited to her long time friends, Tom and Lynn Anderson, for a week-end or longer if she wishes. Slowly Dorothy informs them of the dead man on the train and his apparent disappearance. Now Dorothy has two more associates to work with as she endeavors to unravel this mystery and find the identity of the dead and his whereabouts.
Another good read. This story takes a while to get me involved but by half way through I'm hanging on every word and every step in Dorothy's investigation.
This is the 5th in the Dorothy Martin cozy mystery series.
Dorothy's husband, Alan, is away on business in Zimbabwe. So she is on her own and a bit lonesome for Alan's company already.
During a train trip to see her doctor in London Dorothy meets a young /American on his first trip to England. They strike up a brief conversation. Later Dorothy finds that same man, Bill, asleep. She tries to wake him but gets no response and calls for a doctor. A passenger aboard steps forward to pronounces Bill dead and states that he will take care of all that's necessary regarding the deceased.
The following day Dorothy searches through all the newspapers to find no article on a dead man on that train. She makes some inquiries to the police about this incident and finds that no one has heard anything about a dead body on the train.
She's soon invited to her long time friends, Tom and Lynn Anderson, for a week-end or longer if she wishes. Slowly Dorothy informs them of the dead man on the train and his apparent disappearance. Now Dorothy has two more associates to work with as she endeavors to unravel this mystery and find the identity of the dead and his whereabouts.
Another good read. This story takes a while to get me involved but by half way through I'm hanging on every word and every step in Dorothy's investigation.
May 27, 2021
During covid, I have read hundreds of books to keep my quarantine and me sane. This series is disappointing at best. The protagonist, Dorothy, is a "60 something lady and American" living in England. But the author, as the series progresses, portrays her as more and more dowdy, old, fat, unhealthy and can barely walk fast, let alone run. Most if not all 60 somethings I know are healthy vibrant women living life to the fullest.
The story lines get more and more unreal and just downright silly.
There is no character development of the main recurring cast of characters. Our Dorothy now comes across as just a meddling, nosey, annoying, old busy body.
Finally, I don't think I will continue with this series and unless you have read everything else and this is the last series to download, don't waste your time.
The only good thing I could say is that with Kindle unlimited, this was free!
The story lines get more and more unreal and just downright silly.
There is no character development of the main recurring cast of characters. Our Dorothy now comes across as just a meddling, nosey, annoying, old busy body.
Finally, I don't think I will continue with this series and unless you have read everything else and this is the last series to download, don't waste your time.
The only good thing I could say is that with Kindle unlimited, this was free!
August 11, 2011
Dorothy Martin finally went over the top of my annoyance limit, so this is the last book in the series I'll bother with.
April 2, 2013
The set up to catch the culprit was a bit too contrived, but the narrative of Dorothy being introduced to computers was funny (and a bit familiar) given this book was written in 1999.
April 16, 2021
Made me think back to my stints with a few temp agencies.
June 24, 2021
not as good as other books in this series. too much time spent on her musings and thought of the people in the office. not enough action.
January 18, 2024
"Dorothy Martin's wedded bliss could only be improved if her husband, Alan Nesbitt, didn't have to go gallivanting all over the world, advising local police departments on new procedures. Her life could only be improved if she didn't keep stumbling across the recently -- and criminally -- deceased.
"On a trip into Londo0n to see her doctor, Dorothy talks to a young man, who, by the time the trains reaches Victoria Station, is very dead. That the death of this young Irish-American isn't newsworthy comes as no surprise. What does shock her, though, is that no one -- not the representatives of British Transit, not the police -- seems to think that anything is amiss. Clearly, the man who told her he was a doctor and would take care of everything had done just that . . . Now Dorothy has a mystery on her hands, and with Alan in Zimbabwe, there's nothing for it but to begin investigating with the help of some of her friends.
"Viewed as an older woman who couldn't possibly be a threat, Dorothy insinuated herself onto the staff of a computer software company and discovers not only a surprising killer but the lengths to which someone might go for the sake of a dream."
~~front & back flaps
This was an interesting one -- Dorothy goes to great lengths to get herself hired as temporary staff at the computer company the young man established in California and was in London to investigate some problems with the company. With her usual aplomb, she sails into the persona she's created and begins snoop, erm, sleuthing to find where the problem lies, and who's behind the sudden disappearance of the cofounder from California. Very entertaining!
"On a trip into Londo0n to see her doctor, Dorothy talks to a young man, who, by the time the trains reaches Victoria Station, is very dead. That the death of this young Irish-American isn't newsworthy comes as no surprise. What does shock her, though, is that no one -- not the representatives of British Transit, not the police -- seems to think that anything is amiss. Clearly, the man who told her he was a doctor and would take care of everything had done just that . . . Now Dorothy has a mystery on her hands, and with Alan in Zimbabwe, there's nothing for it but to begin investigating with the help of some of her friends.
"Viewed as an older woman who couldn't possibly be a threat, Dorothy insinuated herself onto the staff of a computer software company and discovers not only a surprising killer but the lengths to which someone might go for the sake of a dream."
~~front & back flaps
This was an interesting one -- Dorothy goes to great lengths to get herself hired as temporary staff at the computer company the young man established in California and was in London to investigate some problems with the company. With her usual aplomb, she sails into the persona she's created and begins snoop, erm, sleuthing to find where the problem lies, and who's behind the sudden disappearance of the cofounder from California. Very entertaining!
July 9, 2022
This novel is set about 4 months or so after the last MALICE IN MINIATURE. At the end of that novel Dorothy broke her leg and this novel begins with her travelling to London on the train for her last appointment with her Harley St. specialist.
On this journey she chats to a young American business man. As she is about to get off the train at Victoria Station she discovers that the young man has died after drinking a cup of train coffee. Dorothy is anxious to get to her appointment in Harley Street, and a doctor who comes along assures her the man is dead, that he will take care of getting the police, and that she should go. Dorothy is puzzled by the fact that there is no report of the death in the papers, and is assured by the police that no-one has died on the train. Dorothy is convinced that a young man had died, and eventually finds out who he was.
This leads to a most fanciful scenario where Dorothy gets herself a job in the office the young man had been heading to. She gets a computer expert and her London friends to help her in identifying the murderer, searching the offices etc, and eventually sewing the case up.
A really unlikely story with some parts that keep you reading just to find out how everything hangs together. First written in 1999, I thought Dams spent far too much of the book showing us how much she knew about computers and their software. In addition, Dorothy's new husband Alan was again conveniently away. Had he been at home, this investigation would never have got off the ground.
I might not be reading another in this series for a while.
On this journey she chats to a young American business man. As she is about to get off the train at Victoria Station she discovers that the young man has died after drinking a cup of train coffee. Dorothy is anxious to get to her appointment in Harley Street, and a doctor who comes along assures her the man is dead, that he will take care of getting the police, and that she should go. Dorothy is puzzled by the fact that there is no report of the death in the papers, and is assured by the police that no-one has died on the train. Dorothy is convinced that a young man had died, and eventually finds out who he was.
This leads to a most fanciful scenario where Dorothy gets herself a job in the office the young man had been heading to. She gets a computer expert and her London friends to help her in identifying the murderer, searching the offices etc, and eventually sewing the case up.
A really unlikely story with some parts that keep you reading just to find out how everything hangs together. First written in 1999, I thought Dams spent far too much of the book showing us how much she knew about computers and their software. In addition, Dorothy's new husband Alan was again conveniently away. Had he been at home, this investigation would never have got off the ground.
I might not be reading another in this series for a while.
December 26, 2022
Dorothy Martin enjoys her train ride to London; she spends the time in pleasant conversation with a young American man, although his discussion of computer matters goes right over her head. She goes out of the carriage momentarily and when she returns, the man is dead! Luckily for her, a doctor happens by at that moment, confirms the death and says he will contact the authorities, so Dorothy goes on her way, convinced that the matter is in good hands. She is curious about the identity of the dead man, though, so she looks for information about the death in the newspapers and by calling the local police, but nobody has any record of any death on a train anywhere near London. This arouses Dorothy’s sleuthing instincts, but when she discovers the man’s identity, she realizes just how much danger she is in…. I’m enjoying the Dorothy Martin books, this being the fifth in the series and published around 1998. I like the fact that Dorothy is an older woman, although I’m not convinced that she would have been as completely clueless about computers in 1998 as is portrayed here; nevertheless, she is a believable character for the most part, and her various contacts and friends are well-described. I don’t know that one needs to start this series with the first book, as I think the reader does not need to know her whole background to enjoy the mystery; I find the books a pleasant way to spend a wintry afternoon, so mildly recommended.
January 24, 2022
Overall, I enjoyed it. The settings, the characters. I kept finding myself thinking, tho: “Were things really THAT different 22 years ago? Book is dated 2000, but no mobile phones, no security cameras—at a software company?!—, & people were still allowed to smoke in an office workplace? There is a glaring error that I at first thought was a plot twist, when the secretary called our protagonist “Mrs. Martin”, instead of her alias. I was actually rather disappointed that it WASN’T a plot twist. There seems to me possible error about the “Yale lock” on the back door, but I’m not 100% sure what kind of lock it was. I was picturing a dead-bolt with just a turn knob on the inside, but a key required on the outside. Also, for Dorothy to have “turned it to the unlocked position” & Evelyn not to have noticed because she doesn’t check it before going home, that would mean they leave a FIRE EXIT locked all day while the office is occupied—some fire exit! That seems high-risk, & I’d think illegal. Then somehow Dorothy is going to leave it locked when they leave? Without a key? Idk, maybe a different kind of lock than I’m imagining. I did guess at the who—partly by the “authorly” technique of distraction—who keeps being NOT considered by our “detective”—& partly from her “besottedness”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2021
Dorothy chats to a man on the train. He goes for coffee, then falls asleep. He is Canadian on a first visit yo England and jet lagged, so she leaves him to his nap. On approach to the station she goes to wake him. Only he isn't sleeping, he is dead. A doctor appears and tells her he will deal with it, calling police etc. She goes to her appointment as she is already very late.
On returning home she searches the papers and news channels but no mention of a dead man found on a train. This raises her suspicions and she determines to find out more.
This time she involves an I.T specialist, as the dead man had mentioned being here to deal with problems in his business that had involved computer programs. Then her friends, from USA, who live in London. Her hubby is in Africa so cannot aid her in this venture.
Follow Dorothy's adventures as she tries to solve the mystery of the dead man missing.
Jeanne has stretched the boundaries of belief in this story, but if you have read previous books, you will be able to go with Dorothy's ingenious plans to find the man and out a murderer.
On returning home she searches the papers and news channels but no mention of a dead man found on a train. This raises her suspicions and she determines to find out more.
This time she involves an I.T specialist, as the dead man had mentioned being here to deal with problems in his business that had involved computer programs. Then her friends, from USA, who live in London. Her hubby is in Africa so cannot aid her in this venture.
Follow Dorothy's adventures as she tries to solve the mystery of the dead man missing.
Jeanne has stretched the boundaries of belief in this story, but if you have read previous books, you will be able to go with Dorothy's ingenious plans to find the man and out a murderer.
October 29, 2022
Alan is in Zimbabwe on police business and Dorothy is lonesome. When Lynn and Tom Anderson invite her to spend a weekend at their home in Londonshe happily accepts. Dorothy's seatmate on the train is an interesting 35-year-old Americn man who is big in the computer business. When they arrive at Victora Station, Dorothy tries to waken the man and discovers he is dead. How could this have happened to a seemingly healthy person? She only left her seat once during the journey. Strange things get even more unsettling when Dorothy searches all the newspapers the next day to find nothing about a man's death on the train. With the help of her friend Nigel (who is an expert on computers) Dorothy figures out the man's identity as well as why he may have been on his way to London. Naturally, the sleuth has to do whatever she can to get to the bottom of murder and disappearance, even if it means taking on a temporary office job.
May 19, 2021
Okay
The plot wasn’t to bad, but the overall story was a bit far fetched. One of my head scratchers was for an up and coming company especially in software industry, security was nil. The whole way Dorothy gets a temp job illegally, how others put there careers and more at great risk on the whim Dorothy is right on.
I’ll confess I’m a tough customer and most of my points don’t take away from the story for probably most readers and I don’t mean to trash the story but I have to review what nags at me.
Still, the Dorothy Martin Mysteries are clean and entertaining, despite my gripes that is why I’ll keep on reading.
The plot wasn’t to bad, but the overall story was a bit far fetched. One of my head scratchers was for an up and coming company especially in software industry, security was nil. The whole way Dorothy gets a temp job illegally, how others put there careers and more at great risk on the whim Dorothy is right on.
I’ll confess I’m a tough customer and most of my points don’t take away from the story for probably most readers and I don’t mean to trash the story but I have to review what nags at me.
Still, the Dorothy Martin Mysteries are clean and entertaining, despite my gripes that is why I’ll keep on reading.
May 24, 2023
When Dorothy discovers a dead man in her train compartment, she is convinced he's been murdered, especially after a convenient doctor declares him dead and then the body vanishes. The dead man turns out to be the CEO of a software company, and Dorothy is sure the answers (and probably the murderer) works at the company. She is determined to get to the bottom of it, and wangles a temp receptionist job at the company in order to snoop around. With the help of her friends, she learns a little about computers and a lot about the people who work there. Her retired policeman husband Alan is in Africa and has very little presence in this story. Good read, nothing spectacular, just enjoyable.
July 31, 2023
Dorothy Martin, of a certain age and newly-widowed, leaves America for England, hoping to find peace and the chance to grieve. Instead, she finds friendship, a place in a community, and unexpectedly, a new love. But she also finds more dead bodies than any one person might expect in a lifetime. Book five is set primarily in London and is full of all the familiar tropes of this genre. This is strangely old-fashioned, despite being set more or less in the present day. Highly enjoyable and will be loved by readers of cozy crime.
August 13, 2021
Wow this one snuck up on me!
What a great book & wow how twisted it really was! Without falling into the the trap of thinking that everyone was a suspect as they should be. I went along with what Dorthy was thinking about each person she was working with at Multilinks and didn't think that most of them were part of the murder, but maybe they really were? Great and twisted book hope everyone trys it.
What a great book & wow how twisted it really was! Without falling into the the trap of thinking that everyone was a suspect as they should be. I went along with what Dorthy was thinking about each person she was working with at Multilinks and didn't think that most of them were part of the murder, but maybe they really were? Great and twisted book hope everyone trys it.
April 28, 2023
everything you need for a good mystery
Great lead character. Dorothy is retired, newly married after becoming a widow. Alan is a retired chief captain. Their relationship is nicely done. Romance is implied. She has a penchant for solving mysteries. There are cats. A motley crew of friends of various ages and interests. Dorothy gets into enough trouble to cause tension. The series is my new go-to.
Great lead character. Dorothy is retired, newly married after becoming a widow. Alan is a retired chief captain. Their relationship is nicely done. Romance is implied. She has a penchant for solving mysteries. There are cats. A motley crew of friends of various ages and interests. Dorothy gets into enough trouble to cause tension. The series is my new go-to.
November 26, 2020
Good mystery!
This was an interesting mystery with many twists and turns. The story's protagonist, Dorothy Martin, was likeable, and the story's plot was good. I highly recommend this book to other police procedural readers, and I look forward to reading more Dorothy Martin mysteries.
This was an interesting mystery with many twists and turns. The story's protagonist, Dorothy Martin, was likeable, and the story's plot was good. I highly recommend this book to other police procedural readers, and I look forward to reading more Dorothy Martin mysteries.
February 6, 2021
Dorothy is becoming braver and braver!
After encountering a man who soon becomes a corpse, Dorothy enlists friends and calls in favours to go undercover in what could prove a very dangerous situation. Uncertainty, frustration and fear - Jeanne M Dams keeps the reader guessing to the very end. Another delightful mystery featuring middle-aged super-sleuth Dorothy Martin.
After encountering a man who soon becomes a corpse, Dorothy enlists friends and calls in favours to go undercover in what could prove a very dangerous situation. Uncertainty, frustration and fear - Jeanne M Dams keeps the reader guessing to the very end. Another delightful mystery featuring middle-aged super-sleuth Dorothy Martin.
February 28, 2021
Another Good Yarn
Lots of twists in this mystery, full of more guesses than facts, but Dorothy gets to the bottom of it. Enjoyed it but missed Alan's presence in this one. Perhaps because the policeman would not have allowed all the chances, somewhat illegal, that were taken on the pathway to truth.
It's a good story, give it a go.
Lots of twists in this mystery, full of more guesses than facts, but Dorothy gets to the bottom of it. Enjoyed it but missed Alan's presence in this one. Perhaps because the policeman would not have allowed all the chances, somewhat illegal, that were taken on the pathway to truth.
It's a good story, give it a go.
May 16, 2021
I’m enjoying the Dorothy Martin stories but I wish the endings were not so abrupt and rarely are all the fragments put back together. This leaves me, the reader, thinking l“well what happened to this or that unfinished part of the story”. That may happen in real life, but readers of stories like to be told all the unfinished business.
August 24, 2021
I discovered this series 8 days ago and I've finished the first 5. Short, but full of twists and turns. Less than 200 Kindle pages with too many used for ads and glossary at the end. Quaint village setting with a senior lady snoop. Some action takes place in other settings. There are many more. On to #6.
December 15, 2020
Most interesting
I love this series. The characters are delightful and the mysteries are literally "mysteries".
Dorothy Martin is an older American (as am I) who's made England her home, she's smart, funny and constantly in the wrong place at the " right " time.
I love this series. The characters are delightful and the mysteries are literally "mysteries".
Dorothy Martin is an older American (as am I) who's made England her home, she's smart, funny and constantly in the wrong place at the " right " time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews