- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Allison & Busby; 1st Edition edition (29 Jun 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0749081805
- ISBN-13: 978-0749081805
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 16.6 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 546,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Railway Viaduct
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Consummate story-telling, a love of period and astute characterisation and plotting are the hallmarks of all his books, and this is no exception... The past is brought to life with brilliant colours, combined with a perfect whodunnit. Who needs more?' The Guardian 'Charming... Marston knows his period and his turf' Los Angeles Times
Product Description
As a train speeds over the Sankey Viaduct, the dead body of a man is hurled into the canal below. Inspector Robert Colbeck and Sergeant Victor Leeming take charge of their most complex and difficult case yet. Hampered by the fact that the corpse has nothing on him to indicate his identity, they are baffled until a young woman comes forward to explain that the murder victim, Gaston Chabal, is an engineer, working on a major rail link in France. As the case takes on an international dimension, problems accumulate. The detectives wonder if the murder is connected to a series of vicious attacks on the rail link that is being built by British navvies under the direction of a British construction engineer. Colbeck and Leeming have to survive personal danger, resistance from the French government, broadsides from their Superintendent, and many other setbacks before they solve the crime.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"The Railway Viaduct" is an absorbing mystery that will keep you guessing till the very end...well no it won't. Mainly because once you've got past half way the book puts us in the position of knowing more than lead character Inspector Robert Colbeck.
Indeed my only criticism is that on more than a couple of occasions waiting for Colbeck to catch up with what we already know does become slightly irritating.
Still it is what one might have once called a "ripping yarn". From the opening chapter, and the discovery of the dead body thrown from the train this is a great story with many twists and turns. A great many of the characters (Sergeant Victor Leeming, Madeleine Andrews to name but two) are brilliantly observed and this is a book that grabs you right from the start.
My first encounter with the Railway Dectective...but it won't be my last.
Indeed my only criticism is that on more than a couple of occasions waiting for Colbeck to catch up with what we already know does become slightly irritating.
Still it is what one might have once called a "ripping yarn". From the opening chapter, and the discovery of the dead body thrown from the train this is a great story with many twists and turns. A great many of the characters (Sergeant Victor Leeming, Madeleine Andrews to name but two) are brilliantly observed and this is a book that grabs you right from the start.
My first encounter with the Railway Dectective...but it won't be my last.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Edward Marston's Railway Detective, Robert Colbeck, is dedicated to solving major crimes on the British railways. With his previous two books featuring Colbeck, Marston established a police officer/investigator who shows great promise and at the same time historian/novelist Marston treats us to some great railroad lore and knowledge. It's Victorial England (later 19th century) and the country is moving forward, at the speed of the train and the Industrial Revolution. It's an excellent choice of historical periods and subject for Marston who's success as a historical mystery writer took him to much earlier times.
In "The Railway Viaduct," however, Marston seems to have bogged down with his scenario, almost as if he's stretching for a storyline to fit the era. The book opens when witnesses see, passing over the Sankey Viaduct, not only the train, but a body being tossed out of the window, to a sure death far below. Good investigating skills come into play and Colbeck and his assistant Leeming make great gains and the hunt leads them to France where an English company is laying tracks for a major railway there. Marston weaves in some complications which enhance the story and slowly and with great ingenuity Colbeck solves the mystery.
Some elements, however, haven't changed from his first book ("The Railway Detective"), such as his romance with the daughter of a train engineer. She also doubles as a character of convenience in helping the case move forward. But enough already. After three books, Colbeck, claim the prize or move on! Even his nemesis the superintendent begins to be tiresome (why do detectives invariably have "issues" with their bosses--Morse, Dalgliesh, Jury, to name three). And after all these Marston books this reader is about to give up on the stilted, stilted, stilted dialogue. (Put some life and reality into those lines, Sir!)
Still, however, I won't give up. I like historical mysteries and Marston rarely disappoints me (well, except for his dialogue!). If a fourth Railway Detective book is in the making, one hopes that he'll be back on the right track.
In "The Railway Viaduct," however, Marston seems to have bogged down with his scenario, almost as if he's stretching for a storyline to fit the era. The book opens when witnesses see, passing over the Sankey Viaduct, not only the train, but a body being tossed out of the window, to a sure death far below. Good investigating skills come into play and Colbeck and his assistant Leeming make great gains and the hunt leads them to France where an English company is laying tracks for a major railway there. Marston weaves in some complications which enhance the story and slowly and with great ingenuity Colbeck solves the mystery.
Some elements, however, haven't changed from his first book ("The Railway Detective"), such as his romance with the daughter of a train engineer. She also doubles as a character of convenience in helping the case move forward. But enough already. After three books, Colbeck, claim the prize or move on! Even his nemesis the superintendent begins to be tiresome (why do detectives invariably have "issues" with their bosses--Morse, Dalgliesh, Jury, to name three). And after all these Marston books this reader is about to give up on the stilted, stilted, stilted dialogue. (Put some life and reality into those lines, Sir!)
Still, however, I won't give up. I like historical mysteries and Marston rarely disappoints me (well, except for his dialogue!). If a fourth Railway Detective book is in the making, one hopes that he'll be back on the right track.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The railway detective novels by Edward Marston are well researched and make good reading whether you are a railway buff or not.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
David's Review
As interesting as the previous two stories and a great picture of Victorian London at that time. I would also recomend his domesday stories
Published 8 days ago by David R Brown
Enjoyable enough
Two books in, and Inspector Colbeck is getting into his stride with this trip to France to solve a British crime. Read more
Published 27 days ago by 45156
Poorly researched, stilted stuff
I have found these books (I was given several) unimpressive and badly written. I find it depressing that someone can find a readership and make money (doubtless) out of producing... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cadenza
Good Crime Novel
Each of Marston's Railway Detective Books have been a very good read. A good flowing line from the infamy through to uncovering the perpetrator. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Roger Eynon
The Rail Way Via Duct
This was a disappointment for me because it contained too much filthy language.
NOT for the prudish or faint-hearted.
NOT for the prudish or faint-hearted.
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by Mr. Peter Armstrong
Great read
This is an excellent story and I couldn't wait until I could read a few more pages of it, in between myriad domestic duties. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2009 by Junius
Third Book in the Series
Edward Marston is just one of the pseudonyms of author Keith Miles. He has been a university lecturer, radio, television, and theatre dramatist, and in addition to writing has... Read more
Published on 18 April 2008 by J. Chippindale
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