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kleonard's review against another edition
2.0
A rather slow-moving mystery that focuses on the disappearances of two men in the same location, ten years apart. A railway detective and his railway-hating assistant spend many hours interviewing and investigating a small town and its populace; the author provides several suspects but in the end reveals he culprit to be one mostly ignored the rest of the time. A side plot of equal tedium adds nothing to the novel overall.
e99a_j9y's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shajila's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Like the rest of the railyway detective series, i really enjoyed this slightly spooky Halloween time crime.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series and I loved this instalment even if I think it's not the best one in this series as it's a bit slow paced at times.
The historical background is well researched as usual, the cast of characters well written and interesting and the mystery is solid, full of twists and turns and suspects.
What I really liked was the atmosphere, a bit bleak and sometimes creepy, and the description of the town, full of secrets and underground tensions.
Even if there's a lot of backstory this novel can't be read as a stand-alone and it'd be better to start from the beginning.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The historical background is well researched as usual, the cast of characters well written and interesting and the mystery is solid, full of twists and turns and suspects.
What I really liked was the atmosphere, a bit bleak and sometimes creepy, and the description of the town, full of secrets and underground tensions.
Even if there's a lot of backstory this novel can't be read as a stand-alone and it'd be better to start from the beginning.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
I've had a lovely weekend reading a few cosy crime books I've had put to one side for ages. This arrived this week but it went straight to the top of the pile as I've read most of the others in the series and really enjoy them.
They're cosy, they're slow paced and set in the world of the old fashioned railways but do you know something?The stories are always good and I just love spending time with the characters. The stories are set in and around the UK where the railways grew up and there's some really interesting railway heritage to learn about along the way.
This is apt for Halloween since it's set on a Phantom Special - a special train journey someone has booked to take them into the heart of the most haunted forest in the Lake District. Train gets very close but there's something on the line. The organiser gets off to investigate and is never seen again.
I quite fancy going on such a train journey! it sounds perfect for this time of year and when you learn about the haunted forest and the stories and legends there, it sounded an epic ride that's for sure. The story in the present day soon merges with that in the past and stories of folklore, faeiries and strange noises in the middle of the night spooked me but then we were soon in the cosy front room of one of the detectives so that was ok. The mix of train locations and cosy homely settings makes this series and this novel in particular a nice read.
I do love these characters! Quite a cast in this one but for me it's the Colbeck and co who make me smile.
It was a enjoyable way to spend a chilly afternoon with old friends.
They're cosy, they're slow paced and set in the world of the old fashioned railways but do you know something?The stories are always good and I just love spending time with the characters. The stories are set in and around the UK where the railways grew up and there's some really interesting railway heritage to learn about along the way.
This is apt for Halloween since it's set on a Phantom Special - a special train journey someone has booked to take them into the heart of the most haunted forest in the Lake District. Train gets very close but there's something on the line. The organiser gets off to investigate and is never seen again.
I quite fancy going on such a train journey! it sounds perfect for this time of year and when you learn about the haunted forest and the stories and legends there, it sounded an epic ride that's for sure. The story in the present day soon merges with that in the past and stories of folklore, faeiries and strange noises in the middle of the night spooked me but then we were soon in the cosy front room of one of the detectives so that was ok. The mix of train locations and cosy homely settings makes this series and this novel in particular a nice read.
I do love these characters! Quite a cast in this one but for me it's the Colbeck and co who make me smile.
It was a enjoyable way to spend a chilly afternoon with old friends.
annarella's review
4.0
I love this series and I loved this instalment even if I think it's not the best one in this series as it's a bit slow paced at times.
The historical background is well researched as usual, the cast of characters well written and interesting and the mystery is solid, full of twists and turns and suspects.
What I really liked was the atmosphere, a bit bleak and sometimes creepy, and the description of the town, full of secrets and underground tensions.
Even if there's a lot of backstory this novel can't be read as a stand-alone and it'd be better to start from the beginning.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The historical background is well researched as usual, the cast of characters well written and interesting and the mystery is solid, full of twists and turns and suspects.
What I really liked was the atmosphere, a bit bleak and sometimes creepy, and the description of the town, full of secrets and underground tensions.
Even if there's a lot of backstory this novel can't be read as a stand-alone and it'd be better to start from the beginning.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
kleonard's review
2.0
A rather slow-moving mystery that focuses on the disappearances of two men in the same location, ten years apart. A railway detective and his railway-hating assistant spend many hours interviewing and investigating a small town and its populace; the author provides several suspects but in the end reveals he culprit to be one mostly ignored the rest of the time. A side plot of equal tedium adds nothing to the novel overall.
pvn's review
2.0
I thought this would be a nice change of pace (for me). It is average all the way around. I've read much better mysteries. I was surprised give the number of the books by this author, although my first. I just couldn't stay engaged, and many characters were not well written.
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!
zoer03's review
5.0
Sooo much fun... loved it. I also love the little detecting that Madeline does back in London and also how people living with memory loss can be like. Brilliant.