The Silver Locomotive Mystery (The Railway Detective #6)

Title: The Silver Locomotive Mystery (The Railway Detective #6)

Author: Edward Marston

Published in: 2009

Date read: 17th December 2023

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Silver Locomotive" by Edward Marston, published in 2008, is the sixth novel in his popular Railway Detective series, continuing the investigative adventures of Inspector Robert Colbeck and Sergeant Victor Leeming in Victorian England. This instalment plunges the duo into a complex mystery involving industrial espionage, sabotage, and murder within the competitive world of railway engineering.

The story centres around a highly anticipated event: the unveiling of a revolutionary new locomotive, a magnificent silver engine, designed to be the fastest in the world. Its creator, the brilliant but notoriously temperamental engineer Sir Alistair Flatley, has invested everything into this project, intending it to secure his legacy and revolutionize rail travel.

However, the triumph turns to tragedy during the locomotive's inaugural run. The cutting-edge engine mysteriously crashes, resulting in the death of one of Flatley's key apprentices. What initially appears to be a disastrous mechanical failure is soon suspected to be deliberate sabotage, pointing to industrial espionage and foul play.

Inspector Robert Colbeck, known as "the Railway Detective," is immediately called to investigate the catastrophic derailment. Assisted by his loyal and methodical partner, Sergeant Victor Leeming, Colbeck delves into the cutthroat world of Victorian railway manufacturers and engineers. They quickly discover that the competition for railway supremacy is fierce and often ruthless, with rival companies and inventors vying for prestige and lucrative contracts.

The investigation uncovers a complex web of rivalries, jealousies, and hidden agendas within Sir Alistair's own firm and among his competitors. Colbeck and Leeming must navigate the technical intricacies of locomotive design, the pressures of the booming railway industry, and the personal resentments that fester beneath the surface of Victorian ambition. Suspects include disgruntled employees, bitter rivals, and even members of Flatley's own inner circle.

Marston masterfully integrates the period details of railway engineering and the social climate of the 1850s into the fabric of the mystery. Colbeck's keen eye for detail and his understanding of both human nature and mechanical principles are put to the test as he pieces together the meticulously planned act of sabotage.

The climax sees Colbeck painstakingly reconstruct the chain of events that led to the crash, ultimately exposing the ingenious method of sabotage and unmasking the cunning murderer whose motives are rooted in a combination of greed, professional envy, and deep-seated animosity. "The Silver Locomotive" is a well-crafted historical mystery that combines technological intrigue with classic detective work.

Comments:
There were parts in this that "slowed" a bit before it really picked up again. Not his best but still very good.

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)