From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Murder on the Marmora

Conrad Allen,

Edward Marston

Start date: August 15, 2023

Finish date: September 6, 2023

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: Next in the ocean liner series.
[close] Next in the ocean liner series.

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What Members Thought

Aug 03, 2023 Susan in NC rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: tbr-with-gr-groups, library-book, audiobook

3.5 stars for this (I assume) final book in the series. Conrad Allen is a pen name for the prolific historical mystery writer Edward Marston, who often writes in series of six books; this is book 6 in the series about the golden age of ocean cruising, in which we’ve followed the adventures of ship detectives Genevieve Masefield and George Dillman.

This started off with two interesting twists for me - our two detectives, who’ve always worked on luxurious Cunard vessels making Atlantic crossings, 3.5 stars for this (I assume) final book in the series. Conrad Allen is a pen name for the prolific historical mystery writer Edward Marston, who often writes in series of six books; this is book 6 in the series about the golden age of ocean cruising, in which we’ve followed the adventures of ship detectives Genevieve Masefield and George Dillman.

This started off with two interesting twists for me - our two detectives, who’ve always worked on luxurious Cunard vessels making Atlantic crossings, are now on the P & O liner Marmora - still luxurious, but making stops in Marseille, Egypt, and finally, Australia. EDIT: this is only the fifth book, sorry! There are more books in the series

So, new line, smaller ship, new longer cruise route. Also, our two detectives, until now universally adored - throughout the series, the author tells us at length how gorgeous, witty, charming Genevieve is, and George is just as handsome, smart, tough, etc. Finally, a bit of conflict enters their Teflon existence - first, the Marmora bursar has no use for them on his ship, and resents their presence, especially George. Kilheaney (I think that was the name, an Irishman) doesn’t like Americans (George), and thinks of Cunard as the enemy, so resents both detectives. Plus, their reputation as effective professionals precedes them, and he resents that as well. We learn there is more to his story, of course. Also, Genevieve spots a very unpleasant man from her past among the passengers, so she’s on pins and needles much of the time.

The action - a murder, assorted burglaries, a financial scam - takes place during the England to Egypt leg of the voyage.

There are the usual characters fawning around both detectives, who try to maintain the facade they are just fellow passengers, better to keep an eye on things. That always makes for complications that tax the creativity and charm of both detectives, but here, there is a bit more sadness underlying the deception, as they gather clues about the murder victim’s last movements. They learn he’d engaged the feelings and raised the hopes of a couple of widows. Some poignant scenes, I thought. There’s also a Princess Royal and her family aboard, and providing extra security for the royal party adds extra work for our detectives, although not much is really done with this plot angle, but that’s ok for me - terror against royalty on the high seas would have been a whole other thriller, I think!

The man from Genevieve’s past is thoroughly nasty, but even he comes across as rather pathetic by the end, and the author ends on a positive and exciting note with a real twist as to the murderer. Fun and entertaining lighter historical mystery conjuring the glamor of ocean cruising in the Gilded Age.

I had previously read this author’s previous series on The Domesday Book, and could see trying his other series as audiobooks, entertaining but not too deep - good to knit along with! My only complaint would be check your narration; I’m picky about my narrators, they can add or take away a lot. This series was mostly good, but he did a horrible job with younger female characters, and there were always a few in every book - he made them squeaky and whiny! ...more

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Aug 10, 2023 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is something of a conventional series, which rarely offers surprises, but they are a pleasant - if unexciting - read. It is 1908 and George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield are working for P&O in this outing, rather than the more luxurious Cunard ships. They have a new pursur to deal with, who is not a fan of their detective skills.

There are royal guests on board, as well as Genevieve's ex-fiance, along with a spate of thefts as well as a murder, so plenty to keep our detective duo busy. Gen ...more

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Aug 04, 2023 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: conrad-allen

This is the fifth book in this series featuring George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield. In this book they have moved from the Cunard ships to those of P&O, which are smaller ships, but it still seems that crime is just as rife. From the outset the purser is against them, but there is also a passenger from Genevieve's past, who is out to cause trouble for her. Not only are several passengers robbed, some are taken in by a fraudulent scheme, and a murder is committed, so our pair of detectives are ...more

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Feb 12, 2008 Nancy Oakes rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-crime-fiction, crime-fiction

Dillman and Masefield, the seagoing detective team, are now about the Marmora, a ship owned and operated by the P&O line. They are traveling to Australia via the Mediterranean and Egypt. The purser, a charming Irishman, does not like either of them and does not really want them there meddling into what he considers to be his ship's business. On board is the Princess Royal Louise, her husband, the Duke of Fife, their two daughters and other various passengers, but there is a bit of a surprise for ...more

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