Murder on the Brighton Express (The Railway Detective, #5)

Title: Murder on the Brighton Express (The Railway Detective, #5)

Author: Edward Marston

Published in: 2007

Date read: 5th August 2023

Score: 4/5

Genre: History, Detective, Crime, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Murder on the Brighton Express" is the fifth novel in Edward Marston's popular "Railway Detective" series, featuring Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck and his faithful assistant, Sergeant Victor Leeming. Published in 2007 (though some editions list 2008), the series is known for its meticulous historical detail, set in the burgeoning and often dangerous world of Victorian railways.

The story is set in October 1854. The novel opens with a horrific railway disaster: the London to Brighton Express, one of the most prestigious trains of its time, derails on the last leg of its journey, colliding head-on with an oncoming goods locomotive. The result is a scene of unimaginable chaos, mangled metal, and numerous fatalities.

Initial assessments by railway officials and local authorities are quick to blame driver error, eager to dismiss the tragedy as a regrettable accident. However, Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck, known as "The Railway Detective" for his expertise in cases connected to the burgeoning rail network, arrives on the scene and quickly suspects foul play. Colbeck is a keen observer with a methodical mind, and his intuition tells him that this was no mere accident but a deliberate act of sabotage and murder.

Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming begin their investigation, facing scepticism and even outright resistance from those who wish to quickly close the case. Their inquiries lead them between London and the vibrant, popular seaside town of Brighton, delving into the lives of the victims and the intricate mechanics of the railway itself.

As they dig deeper, it becomes clear that the derailment was a precisely planned act of violence, and the question becomes: who was the intended target, and why? The investigation uncovers a web of secrets, rivalries, and potential motives among the passengers and those connected to the railway and Brighton society. Suspects emerge from various walks of life, including:

• A moral crusader of a preacher in Brighton.
• A xenophobic politician.
• An unpopular railway official.
• And others with hidden agendas or long-standing grudges.
Colbeck and Leeming must use both tedious legwork and astute deductive reasoning to untangle the complex threads of the conspiracy. They confront the technological marvels and inherent dangers of the early railway system, the social stratification of Victorian England, and the personal animosities that can drive individuals to extreme acts.

Throughout the series, Marston also weaves in the slow-burning, chaste romance between Colbeck and Madeleine Andrews, the daughter of a train driver injured in an earlier case (from "The Railway Detective"). While not central to the main murder plot, their developing relationship adds a personal dimension to Colbeck's life.

"Murder on the Brighton Express" is a classic historical mystery that combines a compelling whodunit with a vivid portrayal of Victorian life and the fascinating early days of the railway, keeping readers engaged as Colbeck races against time to expose the truth behind the horrific "accident."

Comments:
Great book, immensely dependable. I will openly admit that I always have his next book on my Kindle in case I am unsure what to read next or if the last story I read was a let-down. I can always depend on these being engaging and enjoyable.

Books that we've read by Edward Marston (7):
The Railway Detective (2004), The Excursion Train (The Railway Detective #2) (2005), The Railway Viaduct (The Railway Detective, #3) (2006), The Iron Horse (The Railway Detective #4) (2007), Murder on the Brighton Express (The Railway Detective, #5) (2007), The Silver Locomotive Mystery (The Railway Detective #6) (2009), Railway to the Grave (The Railway Detective #7) (2010)