Murder on the Oceanic (Ocean Liner Mysteries, 7): A gripping Edwardian mystery from the bestselling author

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History of the CWA". The Crime Writers' Association. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010 . Retrieved 14 December 2010. There were two major things I hated about this book: 1)Our detectives get arrogant again and make mistakes. By now they should be so experienced they would act cautiously. 2)Once again Genevieve puts herself in a dangerous situation and needs to be rescued. I absolutely think Dillman needs to teach her some self defense and that she should be smart enough NOT to put herself in that situation. It was horrible for her and horrible to read. At least this time she has a good reason not to press charges but even in 1910 I think she should have stood up for herself more. The minor thing I disliked about the story is that other than J.P. Morgan, the story could have taken place at any time during the steamship era. The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that was sunk in 1915 by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 passengers and crew. Lusitania held the Blue Riband prize for the fastest Atlantic crossing and was briefly the world's largest passenger ship until the completion of the Mauretania.

Miles has used three other pseudonyms: Martin Inigo, Conrad Allen and David Garland. As Allen, he wrote about the private detectives George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield, who operated aboard ocean liners of the early 20th century. There were eight books in this series, starting with Murder on the Lusitania (1999) and concluding with Murder on the Celtic (2007). [12] As Garland he wrote novels about the American Revolutionary War, Saratoga and Valley Forge. [6] He also wrote several other types of books as Garland. [13] He used the pseudonym Christopher Mountjoy for three books in the 1980s, Coming of Age, Queen and Country and The Honourable Member. [6] [14] Bibliography [ edit ] As Keith Miles [ edit ] Pleasant mystery set on the Lusitania’s maiden voyage in 1907. George Porter Dillman is the ship’s detective working incognito as a first class passenger. As he observes the characters, several of them come to his notice, including the glamorous Genevieve Masefield and a persistent reporter called Henry Barcroft. Then some important plans go missing from the Chief Engineer’s room, and Barcroft is found murdered. Dillman must solve the murder before the ship reaches New York, without alarming the passengers. Freeman, Pam (June 2002). "An interview with Keith Miles". Shropshire Council. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012 . Retrieved 14 December 2010. The Merlin Richards series, Set in the late 1920s. Merlin is a bored young Welsh architect who seeks his fortune in the US, hopefully working for the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Merlin's strong sense of morality means that when crimes happen around him he won't just leave it to the police to solve!

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I liked the stronger focus on George and Genevieve this time around, with fewer unnecessary side jaunts following unpleasant or irrelevant supporting characters. This, plus the smaller size of the Marmora, allowed them to work in closer proximity and I actually felt like they were a pair, despite them continuing to work separately undercover. Dillman and Masefield, the seagoing detective team, are now about the Marmora, a ship owned and operated by the P&O line. They are traveling to Australia via the Mediterranean and Egypt. The purser, a charming Irishman, does not like either of them and does not really want them there meddling into what he considers to be his ship's business. On board is the Princess Royal Louise, her husband, the Duke of Fife, their two daughters and other various passengers, but there is a bit of a surprise for Genevieve. Her ex-fiance, Nigel Wilmshurst, is on board with his new bride for their honeymoon. As usual, the voyage begins and things start disappearing from cabins right away. While the two are puzzling over these crimes, there is a murder on board. The American Revolutionary War series, featuring Captain Jamie Skoyles, set during the American Revolutionary War: [16]

Miles was born and educated in South Wales. [1] He gained a degree in Modern History from Oxford University and spent three years as a lecturer, before becoming a full-time writer. [2] Miles's early work was as a scriptwriter for television and radio, including series such as Crossroads, Z-Cars and The Archers. [3] Miles was chairman of the Crime Writers' Association for 1997–98. [4] He was previously married to Rosalind Miles and is now married to another mystery writer, Judith Cutler. [5] Mystery fiction written as Keith Miles [ edit ] Keith Miles (born 1940) is a Welsh writer of historical fiction and mystery novels. He has also written children's books, radio and television dramas and stage plays. He is best known under the pseudonym Edward Marston, and has also written as Martin Inigo and Conrad Allen.Edward has also worked as a director and an actor for a short period and also owned a professional theater company. Edward has also served as a drama teacher in a prison and worked as an editor for the stories of a film company situated in Pinewood. In his career spanning around 50 years, Edward has written more than 40 plays for the radio, theater and television. He has even completed a drama series comprising of hundreds of episodes. But today, Edward has left everything else and tries to concentrate on the development of his mystery series’. His nautical mysteries under the pseudonym Conrad Allen are set in the Edwardian era, the first of which, “Murder on the Lusitania” was released in the year 1999. Edward’s first historical mystery novel was released under the title “The Queen’s Head” in the year 1988, which launched the Bracewell series. Under his original name Keith Miles, he has written a total of 6 novels based on the crime genre. These novels feature the main protagonist, Alan Saxon. Edward has set all the novels in different countries each having different settings, the latest of which was released in the year 2004.

Beginning in the mid-1980s, Miles turned to writing mystery fiction. His first series, written under his own name, featured Alan Saxon, a professional golfer-turned-amateur detective. After four books, Miles's publisher did not wish to continue the series, [1] which only resumed after a hiatus of more than a decade. [5] He has written two mysteries set in the United States which feature a Welsh architect, Merlin Richards. The Elizabethan Theatre series, featuring Nicholas Bracewell, stage manager (and amateur detective) for one of Elizabethan London leading theatrical companies: If you've been following the series, then you have basically read this book as well. Dillman and Masefield are once again on duty; this time on White Star's ocean liner the Oceanic. As the voyage gets underway, there is a theft, and that branches out into multiple petty thefts on board. As the detective duo works to solve the recurrent rash of robberies, someone goes and murders the bodyguard of JP Morgan. Morgan is a passenger on the cruise, alone in his room except for the bodyguard and a stash of objets d'art and some very valuable paintings, which also get stolen. Finding the murderer and finding the thief push the detectives almost to their limits.This started off with two interesting twists for me - our two detectives, who’ve always worked on luxurious Cunard vessels making Atlantic crossings, are now on the P & O liner Marmora - still luxurious, but making stops in Marseille, Egypt, and finally, Australia. EDIT: this is only the fifth book, sorry! There are more books in the series I enjoyed this mystery. The pacing is good, and the text flowed well. I liked George and Genevieve, and found the historical details about the Lusitania interesting. There are also several subplots concerning some of the characters in First Class, giving us a nice choice amongst the passengers to point to as a possible murderer. For Marston fans I would say read this for the sake of completeness, but I would point anyone looking for a really good historical mystery story to one of Marston's other series'. The action - a murder, assorted burglaries, a financial scam - takes place during the England to Egypt leg of the voyage. So, new line, smaller ship, new longer cruise route. Also, our two detectives, until now universally adored - throughout the series, the author tells us at length how gorgeous, witty, charming Genevieve is, and George is just as handsome, smart, tough, etc. Finally, a bit of conflict enters their Teflon existence - first, the Marmora bursar has no use for them on his ship, and resents their presence, especially George. Kilheaney (I think that was the name, an Irishman) doesn’t like Americans (George), and thinks of Cunard as the enemy, so resents both detectives. Plus, their reputation as effective professionals precedes them, and he resents that as well. We learn there is more to his story, of course. Also, Genevieve spots a very unpleasant man from her past among the passengers, so she’s on pins and needles much of the time.

I had already read the first book in this series, and the concept seemed to be not too bad. However, this, being the seventh book in the series, is showing the strain. The concept of the married couple working together as detectives, and having to pretend to not know each other, is hard to swallow. This had so much potential. SO much. And just kind of fell flat for me. It did have enough that I may read the second one, but I am not in a huge hurry. Sigh. Edward has also written a couple of architectural novels, which are set in the 1930’s era of America, featuring the main protagonist Merlin Richards. Because of his highly acclaimed style of writing and unique setting, he is regarded as a pro in his field by many reputed magazines. The hallmarks of his books include consummate storytelling, astute characterization and plot setting and a love of period. His early series’ as a scriptwriter for radio and television include Z-Cars, The Archers and Crossroads. Edward adopted his pseudonym of Edward Marston inspired from a real Elizabethan playwright named John Marston when he began writing novels set in the Elizabethan theatrical world. His earlier series under the pseudonym featured a fictional theater company named Westfield’s Men. His other historical series’ have been set during the Restoration London, Victorian England during 1850’s and the military operations of the Duke of Marlborough. Edward was the chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association in the year 1997-98. He was married twice, first with Rosalind Miles and the second time with Judith Cutler, who is a mystery writer herself. If you're interested in historical mysteries, or if you're following the series you may like it; however, you really want to start with book one in the series so you're not confused about the relationship between Dillman and Masefield. The Restoration series, featuring architect Christopher Redmayne and Constable Jonathan Bale, set in 1660s/70s London:It is September, 1907 and the Lusitania is sailing her maiden voyage to New York. This novel introduces American George Porter Dillman, a detective who is usually called upon to keep an eye on professional card sharps, or some thieving. However, this voyage offers more than the usual excitement - and romance. From the time Dillman boards the train from Euston to Liverpool, Lime Street, he feels that things are not right. He is intrigued by Mr and Mrs Rymer, whose daughter Violet seems sad and listless for such an exciting event as a trip on such a wonderful liner and is further concerned about the oily journalist Henry Barcroft, who bothers the passengers and crew alike. When there is murder onboard, his detective skills are put to the test.