This is the Railway Detective's puzzling new case. An exquisitely designed silver coffee-pot in the shape of a locomotive is on its way to Cardiff in the care of the young, talented silversmith, Hugh Kellow. It has been commissioned by wealthy ironmaster Clifford Tomkins for his acquisitive wife, who wants it to be the envy of all her friends - and enemies. But the coffee-pot is stolen. When a gruesome murder is committed at the Railway Hotel, Winifred Tomkins is distraught. Caring little for the dead silversmith, all she can think about is her missing treasure. Inspector Colbeck and Sergeant Leeming of the Detective Department are summoned to Wales from London by telegraph and they are soon confronted by some additional crimes. The situation is complicated by the arrival of a famous theatre company and by revelations of illicit liaisons among members of the local high society. There is no shortage of suspects and Colbeck has to sift through layers of deceit to find the killer - before it is too late.
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'Political intrigue, lots of railway interest, romance, and a fast-moving plot, this has to be a book that will keep anyone interested to read to the last page. Thoroughly recommended' Friends of the Railway Museum Magazine
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The theft of a silver locomotive in Cardiff, a brutal murder, the intrigues of a travelling band of actors and the scheming of local dignitaries; this book has it all in terms of action, and lovers of the Railway Detective will not be disappointed. And yet, if I'm honest, this is not my favourite book in the series. After 6 books I yearn for just a bit more character development in the supporting characters and for Colbeck to be taken further out of his comfort zone.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Norm Deplume
Format:Kindle Edition
This series is beginning to grow a little stale, although I found this sixth volume better then the fifth. The series does, however, continue to move away from original position in that the railway becomes less and less central to the stories merely acting a way to get Inspector Colbeck out of London while providing an unbelievably fast and reliable service.
On the plus side, this book has a good plot with some entertaining twists which I trust will be a good sign for the future.
Colbeck tends to come across as something of a cipher. In the book we are told the thoughts and feelings of peripheral characters while Colbeck's remain a mystery. This tends to distort the point of view. The narrative might work better if it concentrated on what Colbeck knows or can infer. There is a trend away from presenting the reader with an omniscient and privileged position in the earlier books which bodes well for later volumes.
With any historical novel there is a danger of shocking the reader out of a willing suspension of disbelief if a false note is struck. For me this was a piece of dialogue mentioning "duty of care": I could be totally wrong but this term is not one that I think of as authentic for 1855.
While reading the book I wondered how long it will take for Sgt Leeming to realise that it might be a very good idea to have someone watching his back for ambushers so that he does not get knocked unconscious yet again.
Overall it was an entertaining enough read but it could be better.
On the plus side, this book has a good plot with some entertaining twists which I trust will be a good sign for the future.
Colbeck tends to come across as something of a cipher. In the book we are told the thoughts and feelings of peripheral characters while Colbeck's remain a mystery. This tends to distort the point of view. The narrative might work better if it concentrated on what Colbeck knows or can infer. There is a trend away from presenting the reader with an omniscient and privileged position in the earlier books which bodes well for later volumes.
With any historical novel there is a danger of shocking the reader out of a willing suspension of disbelief if a false note is struck. For me this was a piece of dialogue mentioning "duty of care": I could be totally wrong but this term is not one that I think of as authentic for 1855.
While reading the book I wondered how long it will take for Sgt Leeming to realise that it might be a very good idea to have someone watching his back for ambushers so that he does not get knocked unconscious yet again.
Overall it was an entertaining enough read but it could be better.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Big Jim
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I've been looking forward to reading this next instalment of the Railway Detective and whilst the plot is intriguing and some of the new characters are well drawn, I can't help feeling that this book hints a bit at Mr Marston treading water. Looking at his current output he appears to be incredibly busy and this might be why standards have not so much slipped but stood still. Nevertheless this is still a fine period mystery novel, easily read in one sitting so recommended as a "rattling good" evening read as the nights draw in.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Good Read
This 6th book in the Inspector Colbeck series is a good read. As others have said, the literary style is not the most sophisticated, though neither does it purport to be. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tommo
5.0 out of 5 stars
railway detective
Busy working my way through all of them and this one was no exception: well written, a good story and interesting plot. Can't wait for the next one to read
Published 3 months ago by AK
5.0 out of 5 stars
At Last!
There are two incidents in this book that make me say "At Last". The first thing is that we see a more compassionate side to Superintendant Tallis and the other incident you will... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mrs. A. L. Maddocks
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE SILVER LOCOMOTIVE
AS WITH ALL EDWARD MARSTON'S RAILWAY DETECTIVE NOVELS THE PLOT IS INTRIGUING, MAKING IT HARD TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN. AN UNUSUAL THEME INVOLVING A GREAT PLOT LINE.
Published 10 months ago by t.m. williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marston's fine romps
This series is highly enjoyable . An easy but pleasurable read , and this instalment is up to standard. Who would have thought a coffee pot could be so troublesome! Read more
Published 10 months ago by David Mckeown
5.0 out of 5 stars
The silver Locomotive Mystery
Another great read from Marston. Well written with a twist at the end that has you thinking "wow I did'nt see that coming" I've read all his books in this series and this has to be... Read more
Published 10 months ago by PeterM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Read
I enjoyed this story as much as any by one of my favourite authors - Edward Marston. He certainly knows how to pen a gripping tale that is guaranteed to hold your interest right up... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Cymro
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic read
as usual a great well written novel unable to put down and found throughly engrossing and extremley well written descritions so good u felt you were there
Published 21 months ago by bridge
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Silver Locomotive Mystery
Yet another great read. Marston's writing style is very clever, in that he keeps the book flowing and keeps you guessing without bogging you down with unnecessery detail. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2011 by bobajob
2.0 out of 5 stars
The weakest link on this railway journey.
I have been a fan of this series but felt that this episode could well be the end of the journey for me. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2010 by Brian
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