Murder on the Celtic

All books by Conrad Allen are a pleasure to enjoy. Thank you, Srp

As this eighth Shipboard Mystery begins it is 1910, the Golden Age of trans Atlantic passenger ships. These huge vessels, carrying hundreds of passengers and crew regularly crossed between England and the US in the early days of the twentieth century, carrying the wealthy and famous in their luxurious First Class accommodations, the not so wealthy in the still comfortable Second Class and the poorest, primarily those traveling to America in hopes of starting a new life. Preying primarily on the First and Second class passengers thieves, con men and card sharks also traveled back and forth on the liners looking for some easy scores. The liners, in an attempt to protect their passengers, particularly the wealthier ones took to employing undercover detectives, including George Dillman, a one time actor and former Pinkerton detective and his partner and wife, Genevieve. On this voyage of the Celtic, the pair had been warned that a well known thief was rumored to be on the voyage and that the celebrated author and lecturer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, was also sailing. Despite the Dillmans' best efforts Sir Arthur and several other passengers could all too soon attest that a thief had definitely come on board. Even more distressing was the disappearance of another passenger, a man on his honeymoon who seems to have been attacked and thrown overboard. This voyage is quickly becoming one of the more challenging for the pair, will they be able to sort everything out before they reach their destination? This series follows a very predictable pattern, thefts and murder occur on the ship, George and Genevieve must solve the crimes before the ship docks and culprits escape while attempting to keep their true identities as detectives secret. As is often the case with a cozy series the mystery aspect is secondary to the 'subplot' of the recurring characters ongoing story. With this series the only recurring characters are George and Genevieve which further limits the possibilities. With a less skilled author this series would quickly grow stale but Allen manages to keep the reader entertained with an ongoing parade of passengers and crew. That these characters seem to be the familiar ones we have all met before in other books and films only adds to the fun. This is a delightful series with which to spend a few hours.

Murder on the Celtic by Conrad Allen is the latest entry in the George Porter Dillman-Genevieve Masefield series. This fun cozy mystery series takes place on luxury liners as the pair are ship detectives who do their best to keep crimes from interfering with the passengers' enjoyment of their cruise. This latest caper involves a stolen notebook belonging to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a missing businessman, and a possible murderer-thief on board. I love this series that describes the insular life aboard a cruise ship where friendships are quickly struck up and romances bloom. Allen always makes his books enjoyable with snappy dialogue and suspenseful drama. While there is a formula to the series, it's fun to see how Allen will make each installment work, and he never fails to thrill.

On land George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield are happily married, but when they work on a cruise ship they have to pretend they are single so they can meet a larger number of first class passengers. The latest voyage begins in 1910 in New York City abound the Celtic sailing to England. While they start the journey, they are mortified that a burglar and murder Edward Hammond might be on board. George is positive that if he is on the ship he will begin stealing valuables in first class cabins. The most famous passenger of all is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who ironically is the victim of the first theft on board the ship. His first edition autographed book A STUDY IN SCARLET with notes in the pages is stolen. Tragedy strikes when Jane Lowbury reports her husband David missing after she sent him to get her heart pills from their cabin. Evidence points to the fact that he was thrown overboard. A rash of robberies lead the ship's detectives to believe that Edward Hammond is responsible but they don't know what he looks like, what class passage he is staying at, or who his contacts are. It takes excellent detective work to break this case wide open. There is a lot of activity going on this ocean voyage. Readers get a look at how people cope in steerage and how arrivals report at Ellis Island. One group even made a bet as to who could make Genevieve fall for him first. Ironically a passenger in steerage and one of Genevieve's suitors point the detectives in the right direction to find the killer. This is a great sea cruise mystery. Harriet Klausner