train travel

S.J. Bennett: The Queen Who Came in from the Cold

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Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #5

I flat out love this series, as it combines two of my favorite things: the Queen and a good mystery.  The unexpected bonus is Ms. Bennett’s skillful writing – she’s excellent at plotting and character development, and her portrayal of the Queen – chef’s kiss!  The Queen, as portrayed here, is dutiful, intelligent, and possessed of a full measure of curiosity and humor.  My reading about the Queen suggests these things were true.  This series installment is set in 1961, during the space race, the cold war, and the popularity of James Bond. read more

Benjamin Stevenson: Everyone on this Train is a Suspect

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Ernest Cunningham #2

If you are a fan of Knives Out or Poker Face, this is the book for you.  Clever but still human, it’s very meta, yet appealingly compelling.  Protagonist Ernest Cunningham is a writer who achieved a sensation with his first book, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, and now finds himself a guest at a writer’s conference taking place on an ultra-luxe train traveling through the center of Australia. There are several other varieties of mystery writers attending – with the blockbuster, “literary,” legal, psychological thriller, and forensic subgenres all represented.  Also joining Ernest on the train is his girlfriend, Juliette as well as the usual assortment of editors, agents and fans. read more