Death on the Scotland Express is the fourth book in the Cressida Fawcett Mystery series by Fliss Chester. This latest story continues the charming historical cozy mystery is set in the UK featuring socialite Cressida Fawcett.
Title: Death on the Scotland Express
Author: Fliss Chester
Series: Cressida Fawcett #4
First Published: November 27, 2023
Publisher: Bookouture
Genres: Mystery
Acquired: from the publisher
*** Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
After an eventful trip to the Scottish Highlands, Cressida Fawcett is looking forward to being back among her society friends in London. Enjoying an ice-cold martini in the lounge car of the express train, loyal pug Ruby on her lap, she’s ready to blow off some steam!
But Cressida’s hopes for a relaxing journey are dashed when a gunshot resounds through the carriages. Industrial tycoon Lewis Warriner has been shot dead in his cabin. And as this train has been racing through the countryside, the culprit must be among Cressy’s fellow passengers…
Teaming up with Detective Andrews of Scotland Yard, also on his way back to London, they work their way through the suspects. Did Warriner’s mistress, a famous dancer, see his death as her ticket on to the silver screen? Or was it the mysterious man who can’t take his eyes off Lewis’s close companion?
When the murder weapon is found in the compartment Mr Warriner’s wife occupies alone, she becomes the chief suspect. Until there’s another gunshot. When Cressida finds out that Andrews is hit, panic sets in, but she must try to stay calm.
But with her friend and co-investigator out of action, can Cressida get the journey, and the investigation, back on track? And will she catch the murderer before they reach their final destination?
Who doesn’t love a murder mystery on a train?
As soon as I read the blurb for the latest Cressida Fawcett mystery I knew I had to hop on board (pub intended). I LOVE a good train mystery and this one really served up a great story and adventure. A bonus was that Cressida, her pup Ruby, and her friends were travelling from Scotland to London, which is a train journey that is near the top of my bucket list.
Cressida is in top form in this story and I had a great time trying to work out who the killer was in the this quick-paced mystery. The stakes are raised when there’s a shooting on the train and our sleuth must work even faster to keep everyone safe.
This series is full of charm – the characters are fun and witty, the dialogue is crisp and fun, and the mystery (and the solution) is always a delight. I like how Cressida works with Detective Andrews (who always seems to be in the right place at the right time) and this is one cozy mystery series that I can’t get enough of.
Of course, the title and setting of Death on the Scotland Express was highly reminiscent of one of my favourite books – Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. This one has it’s own unique twists and red herrings and was an absolutely delight to read and I can’t wait for further adventures with Cressida and Ruby!
About the Author, Fliss Chester
Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter.
You can connect with Fliss Chester online here:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | BOOKOUTURE PAGE
Purchase your own copy of Death on the Scotland Express here.
Quote from Death on the Scotland Express
Trains are cool, and a mystery on a train is like a locked-room mystery, also cool. Sounds like a fun read!
Yes! I definitely enjoy train-based mysteries!