As an experienced reader of whodunnits, I had an inkling of the culprit early on, but did not really get the full picture until late in the book. George continues to be charming and intelligent, handling difficult situations adeptly and with grace without letting himself get trampled on. His constant professionalism and inward aloofness made him feel distant in past books, but he forms an actual friendship with the Egyptologist Mr. Goss and his family this time around that made him feel more human. We find out more about Genevieve this time as well, and finally know the story of her past. 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. They each meet a number of passengers in First Class, and notice each other while becoming acquainted with others in First Class. George anticipates small theft, perhaps some fighting, but nothing more serious on the voyage, and hopes mostly to be watchful while enjoying the trip. Genevieve turns more than one man’s head, and hopes to make a useful connection to a wealthy man. Dillman finally has a personality and allows his passions to shine through. He's intelligent and thoughtful as well as caring. I liked how he handled Polly's crush with a delicate touch, not wanting to hurt her. I also liked knowing about what interests him. The ending absolutely surprised and delighted me.

It is good to see these books now on kindle and I looked forward to re-reading this mystery, which I had not read for many years. 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. I absolutely love Edward Marston and have read almost everything he has written, but I'm not so sure about this series. Originally published under a pseudonym and now being reissued under the Edward Marston banner, one can readily guess why this was considered necessary. Edward Marston is the pseudonym used by the famous British author Keith Miles for writing mystery and historical fiction novels. Edward also writes under his original name sometimes. Other than these names, he has also written novels featuring ship’s detectives under other pseudonyms Conrad Allen and Martin Inigo. Edward is particularly known for writing the mystery novels set in the time of Elizabeth theater. Among the all the novel series’ written by him, the most famous ones include The Railway Detective series, the Bracewell series, the Domesday series, the Christopher Redmayne series and the Home Front Detective series. The Domesday series is the one for which author Edward Marston is well known. Apart from the mysteries, he also likes to write novels based on the Biography and Children’s genres. Edward was born in the year 1940 in Wales, United Kingdom and was also brought up there. He completed his studies from the Oxford University in Modern History and began working as a lecturer in the same college. He taught Modern History to the students of the Oxford College for a period of three years before going on to become a full time writer, mostly as a freelancer.This is the best of the series so far, in my opinion! With this, I’m firmly on board with George and Genevieve’s future cruise ship adventures. In the tradition of novels by Golden Age mystery writers like Christie and Marsh, we have an interesting and varied cast of characters/suspects, mostly restricted to the first class passengers, whom we're slowly introduced to. George Porter Dillman, our protagonist, is hired by the Cunard Line as an undercover detective and finds more trouble than he had expected when an overly nosey journalist, Henry Barcroft, is found murdered. The Action Scene series included five books, from Skydive to Frontier; [6] as Miles, he also wrote Not for Glory, Not for Gold, a novel about athletics. [7] 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. a b Pierce, J Kingston (September 1999). "The Many Roles of Keith Miles". January Magazine . Retrieved 14 December 2010. This was entertaining, with two interesting main characters, George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield. He’s an American detective formerly of Pinkerton, employed by Cunard Lines on the 1907 maiden voyage of the massive and prestigious Lusitania, and she’s a young, attractive woman with a secret in her past, looking for a new opportunity in America.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. I wasn’t very keen on Murder On The Lusitania. It’s a competently crafted cosy mystery with an interesting period shipboard setting, but it didn’t really work for me. 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. 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.

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. 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.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. 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. History of the CWA". The Crime Writers' Association. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010 . Retrieved 14 December 2010. Herbert, Rosemary, ed. (1999). The Oxford Companion to Crime and Mystery Writing. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-507239-1. Also on board are a recently engaged couple, a charming rake who seems set on breaking them apart as well as seducing Genevieve, a controversial painter of nudes traveling with his bohemian wife and his alluring French model, and a pair of cabin stewards who have exclusive access to the private lairs of all aboard.