A.J. Sefton
  • Home
  • My Books
    • Growing in Damp Places
    • Crushed
    • Teon
    • Gulfyrian
    • Catnip and Tuck
  • About
    • FAQ
    • What I'm Reading >
      • Reviews Index
  • Contact
  • Home
  • My Books
    • Growing in Damp Places
    • Crushed
    • Teon
    • Gulfyrian
    • Catnip and Tuck
  • About
    • FAQ
    • What I'm Reading >
      • Reviews Index
  • Contact
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

What I'm Reading

Picture
Snow themed reads

10/11/2022

Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict

Picture
A very modern version of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express that includes livestream videos, influencers, transgender students and vaping. But essentially this is a murder mystery whodunnit at Christmas. Can't beat it.

The book opens with a prologue by a young woman, who is filming herself as she refers to some kind of domestic abuse, before the her mobile 'phone goes dead. Obviously she is, too. The chapters cover events from the day before, which is the 23 December, and go forward from there. It sets the scene and introduces the characters, the central one being an ex-detective police officer on her way to Fort William in Scotland, for the birth of her daughter's child.

The story is primarily told from point of view of the detective, with frequent flashbacks to a traumatic event in her past. The first half is quite slow as the situation unfurls and is full of snow themed similes that come across as humour but definitely add to the wintery atmosphere. In the second half of the book the pace increases along with the suspicions and tension. The ending is a tad confusing and disappointing though.

An enjoyable read although there are some dark themes that include coercive control and sexual assault. A few parts stretch credulity a bit, but the overall feel of the story is of a locked room mystery with an amazing snowy background. Love the idea of travelling to Fort William by train for Christmas. As long as there are no killers on board, obviously.
Picture
Picture
Published by Simon and Schuster on 10 November 2022.
​Advanced review copy supplied by the publisher.


Comments are closed.
     📚   Get every new book review direct to your inbox   📚

    Follow my Book Reviews

    * indicates required

    RSS Feed

    A.J.'s bookshelf: currently-reading

    Murder at the Theatre Royale
    Murder at the Theatre Royale
    by Ada Moncrieff

    goodreads.com

    Snow themed books

    Categories

    All Anthology Bildungsroman Childrens Historical Fiction History Memoir Misc. Mystery & Detective Non Fiction Poetry Psychological & Suspense

    Reviews home page
    Reviews Index
    Vertical Divider
    Picture

Picture
RevolverMap
Advertising fees and commissions may be paid on any sales links. This does not affect the price of goods or the impartiality of this site.
Sitemap
© Copyright 2012-2023 A.J. Sefton
   ​Privacy Policy