Murder on the Minnesota

This is the third in the series of cozy mysteries set in the early 1900's, featuring George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield, a pair of undercover cruise line detectives. The pair have taken a leave of absence for the Cunard line's trans Atlantic routes to work on another line's smaller ship plying the Pacific. The longer, slower voyage present a slightly different set of problems than the usual five day trips they had become accustomed to, most important of which is the smuggling that the owners suspect but haven't been able to prove. Their biggest immediate problem though, was a over zealous Catholic priest on his way to a missionary assignment in China. The overbearing man has managed to aggravate everyone he has met before the ship has left the sight of land. When he is found murdered Dillman and Genevieve pull out all the stops to try to find the killer and to determine if there is any relation to the murder and the suspected smuggling before they reach their first port of call. This is a charming series, one that combines the romance of ocean travel in the Golden Age of the great liners. George and Genevieve are a charming pair of detectives, much in the Nick and Nora vein.

Murder on the Minnesota is the third mystery involving the beautiful Englishwoman, Genevieve Masefield, and George Porter Dillman, former yacht designer, actor and Pinkerton detective. I found it to be the most enjoyable of the post Murder on the Lusitania novels.While Masefield and Dillman normally work for Cunard on its luxury liners traveling to and from Liverpool and New York, this time they've signed on board a combination freighter and passenger liner traveling from Seattle to the Orient across the Pacific in 1908. The owners are sure that the Minnesota is being used by the unpleasant Rance Gilpatrick for smuggling. But they don't know what he is smuggling, or how. Drugs and silk are the likely commodities.As they do for Cunard, Masefield and Dillman pose as passengers and pretend not to know one another. They become acquainted with different members of the first-class passenger list, and compare notes. The other passengers present many vivid and diverse characters, racists concerned about the "Yellow Peril," crooks, a prize fighter, an evangelizing Catholic missionary, two stowaways, a newly-wed bar singer who always wanted to perform opera, male chauvinist husbands, docile wives, an independent divorced woman, a roue and a talented artist. The interactions over meals provide lots of clues about the potential smuggling.During the trip, many unexpected events take place and the two detectives find themselves kept very busy trying to find out what's really going on. In typical Conrad Allen fashion, the mystery isn't too mysterious, and the clues all fall into place just a little too conveniently to let the story move forward. The prose is a little awkward and stiff, but the human interactions often ring true. In particular, the developing relationship between the two detectives is appealing and realistic. If you decide to read one book in this series, I suggest that you try this one. If you like it, consider reading Murder on the Mauretania. After you finish the story, think about how far you can go to help those in trouble. Then, take action to assist someone today!

aking a break from the Atlantic cruises, ship detectives George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield take a job on a Pacific route. The shipping company suspects smuggling--and even has identified the likely smuggler, but without evidence, they can do nothing. It is up to Dillman and Masefield to find the evidence. Before they make much progress, though, a Priest is murdered. With both known and unknown violent men aboard, the pair are in soon in danger. Set in 1908, shipping is still elegant and class-conscious. Masefield blends in effortlessly with the rich and powerful, yet feels guilty for using her friendships to betray her friends. Dillman is more practical but no less anxious to protect Masefield's feelings--and her life. Author Conrad Allen does a fine job describing early 20th century shipping, the politics of a failing China and a rising Japan, and the class-conscious and elite world of first class cruises. Although MURDER ON THE MINNESOTA is marred by occasionally stuffy dialogue, it is still an enjoyable and highly readable mystery. Fans of the series will definitely want to grab this one. Readers new to Dillman and Masefield can pick up MURDER ON THE MINNESOTA without needing to read the earlier novels.

George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield did such a good job unmasking the murderer on the Lusitania, the cruise line has hired them as ship detectives. For nine months the duo sailed from England to New York but their faces were becoming too recognizable so when the Great Northern Steamship Company asked for their services, they were free to accept. They boarded The Minnesota in Seattle with their destination the Orient but the captain is worried about one of the passengers, Rance Gilpatrick, an unsavory smuggler. Everyone who knows Rance believes he is working his trade on the ship but nobody knows what he's smuggling or where he has stashed his booty. While George and Genevieve are working different angles to get close to the gangster, a Catholic missionary priest is garroted to death. The target was really a diplomat who was going to conduct secret meetings in Japan. The daring detective duo hope to keep the diplomat safe while finding out what Rance is up to if they want to keep their perfect ocean sailing record unblemished. MURDER ON THE MINNESOTA is a picturesque mystery, so much so that readers will feel the urge to take a cruise to the Far East just like the protagonists did. The story line is fast paced with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader from guessing what the villain's ultimate goal is. Once again Conrad Allen shows his natural talents as a wonderful historical mystery storyteller who makes the first decade of the twentieth century come vividly alive to his readers.Harriet Klausner