Book: Murder in First Class
Author: Helena Dixon
Pub Day: Feb 16th 2021
About the Book:
All aboard a train bound for… murder.
Kitty Underhay is looking forward to a week of long lunches and wedding planning with her husband-to-be, Captain Matthew Bryant. But the plan is derailed when he is called on to collect a former comrade-in-arms, arriving on the 15:50 from Bakerloo. As the train bearing Simon Travers pulls up to the platform, a piercing scream rises over the screech of its brakes. Travers is dead in his seat, a dagger in his heart.
Who gave this defenceless man a one-way ticket to the next life? And why? And could Matt’s close connection put him at risk? Only a few individuals had access to Travers’s compartment, and Kitty must find out which of these seemingly benign passengers is in fact a cross-country killer.
But when Kitty’s prime suspect, the travelling salesman with no merchandise, is found murdered, she is stumped. Until she makes the connection between the two victims and realises that this murderer has an even more deadly destination in mind. Can she stop them before they strike again? Or will Kitty’s own next stop be the graveyard?
A pitch-perfect and totally gripping Golden Age historical cozy mystery! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Murder In First Class' by Helena Dixon.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Helena Dixon, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 16th February 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the eighth book in the 'Miss Underhay' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Murder On The Dance Floor', 'Murder At The Wedding' and 'Murder At Elm House' which I would highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Perfect for fans of fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.' I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Helena and if this is as good as 'Murder On The Dance Floor', 'Murder At The Wedding' and 'Murder At Elm House' it is sure to be a good read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 27 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Devon, UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited Devon on many occasions including this year so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Kitty Underhay and Captain Matthew Bryant. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.
Yet another fantastic murder mystery by the very talented Helena Dixon!!! Congratulations 🎊 🎉 🎈
This book was very well written and I do believe some research went into it as everything linked correctly in with the era it was set in. It is a real bug bear for me when I read a historical novel and the author hasn't done their research and gets basic information mixed up so well done Helena!! It was very well written and I found the synopsis and the cover fitted the storyline perfectly, The descriptions were great and it really felt as if I was in the story.
The storyline was very interesting and quite fast paced. There was the main storyline based on the deaths in first class but you also had the side storyline of Ezekial as well as the mystery that Miss Briggs had asked Kitty and Matt to solve. I absolutely loved that this murder mystery took place on a steam train as I found it very atmospheric and it was even more exciting as there was a very small amount of suspects. I really enjoyed that it was set in the past and the storyline really suited that. It really is a nice cozy mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. At no point did I suspect who was doing what or why so a huge well done there Helena!!! I have read many a mystery and find that I am working out the killer/perp quicker every time and there's nothing worse than working out who did what when your need even half way through a book. Not only is this quite a suspense and action filled mystery but there was just the right amount of quirkiness, laughter and romance to give it a nice mix!!! A fun, addictive, unputdownable cozy crime mystery. This is a fantastic series and if you have never read any of Helena's previous books then you are definitely missing out. I, personally, would like to add that I think each storyline has got better and better which is a very rare thing for a series. I also loved the cliffhanger at the end!!
Although this is the eighth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I am really invested in the characters and really enjoyed Kitty and her fantastic and quirky personality!!! In fact all of the characters had their own individual personalities which worked really well with each other. I especially enjoyed getting to know Matt, Alice and Dolly more. However, I am looking forward to meeting them all again in the next 'episode' of Miss Underhay's adventures which I'm sure will be just as exciting as this one!! I absolutely adored that Kitty and Matt will be getting married which has been a long time coming and I'm thoroughly looking forward to what promises to be a very exciting wedding as Kitty does not do anything by halves!! I also adore the fact that we now have the new character of Bertie the dog who has made an explosive entrance and a fantastic addition to what is an absolutely addictive series!!!
Well done Helen on yet another fantastic success and here's to the next addition to an addictive page turning series 🥂!!!
Overall a perfect mix of mystery, crime, romance, laughter and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!!
Genres covered in this novel include Historical, Cozy Mystery, Murder Mystery and Crime among others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for a nice easy mystery to read while curled up in front of the fire.
279 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio
Helena Dixon was born and continues to live in the Black Country. Married to the same man for over thirty years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, a crazy cockapoo and a tank of tropical fish. Helena was the RNA winner of the Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010.
Social Media
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