Murder on the Brighton Express

This is the fifth novel in the author's Railway Detective series set in the mid-19th century in the early and exciting period of initial expansion of the railways. Like all the others, this is a good page turner, though the dialogue sometimes feels a bit stilted. Inspector Colbeck's sidekick Sergeant Leeming seemed more intelligent in this one, and less of a slightly thick underling. Colbeck's boss Superintendent Tallis was a bit less relentlessly overbearing as well. The plot centred around a crash between the London Victoria to Brighton express and a goods train, resulting in a number of deaths and serious injuries, including to some of the great and good of Brighton society. Colbeck swiftly realises the crash was the cause of show more criminal activity and not negligence on behalf of the well respected driver of the express train, but meets with official resistance. A number of the injured survivors present reasons for being unpopular enough with people to merit being a target for murder, but the eventual target and the brain behind the crash are unexpected. I felt this was slightly above some of the others in the series, though the basic idea of taking murderous revenge on an individual by causing a train crash, in which there is no guarantee of their death, just seemed too implausible. show less

Excitement on the London-Brighton line in the mid-19th century when a train is derailed. The railway inspectorate believes it to be an accident; our hero DI Colbeck thinks not. The plot moves at a leisurely pace, unlike Colbeck and his sergeant who shuttle backwards and forwards between London and Brighton. For most of the book it is not obvious who is the victim nor who is the perpetrator, which makes for interesting reading. A fascinating tale set in slower-paced times.

Joseph Pike, is an exceptional Engineer, careful, practical, follows regulations & speed limits to the T. When the Brighton Express derails& collides with an oncoming train and his mangled body is found on the footplate the brash & autocratic Sargent in charge of the investigation blames the wreck on Mr. Pike (without investigation) for excessive speed. The fireman says differently, but the Sargent ignores him completely.

Inspector Colbeck & Leeming are called into the investigation by the railroad company and they find that the Brighton Express tracks were purposely up ended, providing evidence that the Sargent is wrong in his conclusion, which of course angers the Sargent, who immediately speaks poorly of Colbeck to the press.

Several show more prominent men of Brighton were on that train: a Trump like politician; a pastor, who had just "blessed" the engine; a politically vocal wealthy land owner; & a banker, one of these men being the target of the wreck.... But which one?

Inspector Colbeck find a long list of suspects, all with grudges against someone on the train.... and all of those suspects are guilty of some type of action.

This was one of the more interesting books in the Railway Detective series, I never guessed the actual "target" of the train wreck, the red herrings were actually very well served up and tasty. show less

This is book 5 in the Railway Detective Series (Robert Colbeck). These are quite light reads but I really enjoy this series and the characters within them. These books are set within the early days of the Railway and Scotland Yard. This particular one is set in October 1854. Yet another book in the series that I gave 4 stars to, can't wait to get back to this series. If you have not read any, I would strongly encourage you to give them a go.

Fifth in this series of Victorian 'Railway Detective' crime novels.
A passenger train running from London to Brighton crashes during the journey,with several passengers loosing their lives and many others being injured. Is it a terrible accident or a deliberate act of indiscriminate murder.
Inspector Robert Colbeck assisted by his train-fearing Sergeant investigate. Their task is not made easier by the opposition of Captain Ridgeon,Inspector General of Railways,who has his own ideas of what happened and does not appreciate the appearance of Colbeck on the scene.
The fact that there were two well-known local citizens on the train at the time of the crash clouds the water somewhat and when a couple of assassination attempts are made on one show more of them, Colbeck has his hands full trying to bring the culprit to justice.
Marston evokes the Victorian era well and this particular story is generally fast moving. At one point I thought 'hang about - this smacks a little too much of Bill Sykes and Nancy,the tart with a heart - from Oliver . I also thought that the solution was a little unlikely.Overall however a good if undemanding read. show less

Good history based mystery. Characters rather stereotypic but do grow on you. An entertaining series

[2010-08-14] Fifth in the Railway Detective series. This time Detective Inspector Colbeck has reason to think that a train was deliberately derailed, with multiple fatalities, specifically to kill one man -- but which man? As with previous books in the series, this is enjoyable pulp that I'd be happy to read more of if it came my way, but which doesn't leave me actively wanting to seek out future books.

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