Murder on the Salsette

Disclaimer - This is not the first book in the series. I have not read any other books in this series. A certain amount of confusion is natural.
BUT

This mystery just isn't that great. The characters feel flat and unnatural, the dialogue is stilted, and the two detectives are oddly amateurish. Despite their experience (Genevieve Masefield says she has been doing this for 18 months at one point), they both judge suspects based on how they like them, rather than evidence. It seems incredible that a murder could be concealed for any significant length of time, although I suppose it's possible on a ship of that size.

Even the odd historical note, like playing football on roller skates, doesn't fit with the story. George Dillman's political diatribes against imperialism also sound out of place. There's not enough historical and nautical detail to interest those who like historical fiction and not enough mystery to interest the mystery-lover. An altogether unsatisfying read.

For a fascinating, well-written, and intriguing mystery aboard ship in the Roaring Twenties, try Kerry Greenwood's Death by Water, a Phryne Fisher mystery.

Verdict: Don't waste your time.

ISBN: 0312307934; Published April 2005 by St. Martin's; Borrowed from the library

Here we are at number 6, and once again it's the same sort of crimes that have plagued Dillman and Masefield in the past. Nothing's changed but the name of the ship and the fact that they are not on the Cunard line any more. Arrgh!

This time our somewhat less than dynamic detective duo are aboard the Salsette, making their way from Bombay to Aden. Once again, Genevieve makes friends with those in first class, while George does his thing with the second class passengers. As the ship sets sail, all is well until a woman reports some missing jewels and cash, which she had left in a hatbox in an unlocked cabin. Then a series of petty thefts begin; complicating the investigation (of course) is a murder. With a number of suspects to choose from, Dillman and Masefield have their jobs cut out for them.

If you go look back at my reviews for each and every one of the books in this series, you'll pretty much see the same thing written for each one. This series defines the term "formulaic."
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.

2 more to go and I'm done with the series. Personally, unless something changes, I can't wait until it's over! ( )

Two detectives are aboard the Salsette to handle whatever crime, petty or otherwise, occurs during a four-day voyage on the Indian Ocean, from Bombay to Aden. Detectives Genevieve Masefield and George Dillman are recently married but keeping that fact a secret from their employers and fellow passengers.

The Salsette is a small ocean liner, with fewer travelers aboard than other ships on which the two have worked, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be kept busy. Most of the crime is small stuff – a few purses snatched and jewelry stolen from an unlocked cabin – but then the murder of a passenger puts the detectives on high alert. The death and its circumstances are kept from the remaining passengers, but Genevieve and George know at least one person, passenger or crew, knows about it: the murderer – and they have just a few days to find the culprit.

The cast of characters features an invalid mother and her young daughter, both bridge fanatics; a member of Parliament and his roller-skating daughter; a snobbish English couple returning home with their servant, a 12-year-old Indian girl; a man who admits he moved to India after leaving England “under a cloud;” a beautiful and mysterious Frenchwoman; an old Sikh man who entertains passengers by foretelling their future.

I had not read previous mysteries in this series – each of the five previous books features a different ocean liner and locale – but was pleasantly surprised. Murder on the Salsette is a real gem, reminiscent of golden age mysteries, with straightforward, solid writing; likeable protagonists; an intricate and fast moving plot; and satisfying conclusion. It was a great read start to finish. I am definitely looking for earlier mysteries in the series.

By Diana. First Published in Mystery News, June-July 2005 ( )