Dillman & Masefield series by Conrad Allen (#2-#8)
Requirements: Epub reader, 3.28 Mb
Overview: Conrad Allen is better known as Edward Marston, the Edgar-nominated author of the Nicholas Bracewell series and of several other historical mysteries. He lives in England.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
2. Murder on the Mauretania
Following Murder on the Lusitania, this second of the series set on great ocean liners of the early 20th century is sure to delight nautical history enthusiasts as well as mystery fans. American George Porter Dillman and English beauty Genevieve Masefield are now working for the Cunard Line as detectives on the Mauretania, the largest ship in the world. Setting sail on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York, the ship carries more than 2,000 passengers and a record shipment of gold bullion stored in its hold. While Masefield, posing as a first-class passenger, socializes and observes the elite, Dillman seeks the culprit responsible for several silver thefts from second-class passengers. The prime suspect, Max Hirsch, disappears on the day of a violent storm. Did someone push him overboard? And who later steals some of the gold bullion? Dillman and Masefield, innocently helped by eight-year-old Alexandra Jarvis and the ship’s mascot, a black cat named Bobo, turn up some truly surprising answers. From the opulent, glittering images of first class to the crowded quarters of the hopeful immigrants in steerage, Allen vividly renders the class structure of the early 20th century. Of particular note are the dialogue and social banter of Masefield’s upper-class friends. Combined with the puzzling mystery, the careful attention to historic details and well-developed characters make for first-class entertainment.
3. Murder on the Minnesota
Shipboard sleuths George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield return in Conrad Allen’s (Murder on the Mauretania) latest endeavor, Murder on the Minnesota. Set in the early 20th century, the tale embroils the handsome PI couple in an investigation into the death of a fellow passenger an Anglican missionary on the ship’s journey to the Far East; well-drawn characters and precise historical details add to its appeal.
4. Murder on the Caronia
The Cunard Line’s sleuthing team of George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield, posing as first-class passengers on the Caronia, try to help a na‹ve young Boston woman en route to England in search of a titled husband. This latest entry in the light Edwardian series from the pseudonymous Allen (Murder on the Lusitania, etc.) features a pair of lovers suspected of murdering the man’s wife who are being escorted by Scotland Yard officers for trial in England. An overly swift climax, too much irrelevant (and at times anachronistic) dialogue and a minimal sense of the importance of social class in this period will jar some readers. Established fans, though, will relish the usual gaudy cast of characters and the intriguing ambiguity of the two detectives’ relationship.
5. Murder on the Marmora
George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield, used to the grand opulence of the Cunard cruise line, are at first disappointed with the Marmora, a small, unimpressive ship that’s part of the P&O shipping line, the company that now employs them as ship’s detectives. They know that they’re certain to encounter the same petty thefts and confidence tricksters they’re used to dealing with, though they hope identifying the culprits among the 500 or so passengers will prove a little easier than it does aboard the great 2,000 passenger Cunard ships.
Their hope is misplaced, however, and they soon settle in to the routine of taking reports from agitated passengers and doing their best to recover whatever stolen jewelry or purloined cash the unfortunate travelers are missing. The cruise is certain to be unique in at least one respect, however: the Duke and Duchess of Fife, along with their two small children, are aboard, and the detectives’ secondary task is to keep an eye on the royals and do their best to ensure their security.
When a dead body turns up, however, George and Genevieve know they’ve got their work cut out for them. Suspects abound, and on such a small ship keeping the demise of the poor victim a secret is proving tougher than they’d like. Through the eyes of Conrad Allen, a luxury cruise to Egypt in 1908 becomes a majestic voyage, albeit with murder in the mix, upon which readers will be eager to embark.
6. Murder on the Salsette
Genevieve Masefield & George Porter Dillman find unusual travelers on the Salsette: two British men, traveling independently, who clearly dislike each other; an elderly Indian man whose powers of deduction may be based on more earthly techniques than his claimed mystical energy; and a young woman & her get involved in every bit of trouble aboard the Salsette – including murder!
7. Murder on the Oceanic
George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield have to be on their mettle when the great J.P. Morgan sails to New York with them on the Oceanic, a vessel that belongs to a shipping line Morgan owns. The death of his bodyguard and the theft of priceless paintings from his stateroom throw everything into confusion.
The presence on board of an unwanted suitor for Genevieve, and a mad Welsh artist with his wife and mistress in tow, complicate an already difficult situation. The only way to placate the infuriated J.P. Morgan is to solve the murder but time is limited and there are far too many suspects.
8. Murder on the Celtic
When they sail from New York on the Celtic, a White Star ship, George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield face an immediate problem. They are warned that a dangerous criminal may be aboard. Genevieve excites the interest of two passengers, a Briton and an American, who compete for her attention. Also on board is the creator of the most famous fictional detective of them all – Sherlock Holmes. Dillman is delighted to meet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle but the author is soon the victim of a crime when his annotated copy of A Study in Scarlet is stolen. More thefts follow.
Sir Arthur and his wife attend a séance and Genevieve, though highly sceptical, also wishes to see the medium in action. The leisured luxury of first class is contrasted with the privations in steerage where some passengers are emigrants who were refused entry to America. One man is so distressed that he contemplates suicide. While the Celtic sails on, Dillman and Genevieve work frantically to solve the various crimes even though they put themselves in jeopardy. An interested observer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle learns the essential difference between detection in a story and in practice.
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