Murder on the Caronia: A Mystery Featuring George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield

by Conrad Allen

Book Overview

Shipboard detectives encounter murder on the high seas in this newest work bythe author of Murder on the Lusitania.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312280912
• ISBN13: 9780312280918
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Story of a fascinating era

In the glory days of the Atlantic steamships in the early 20th century, the ultra-wealthy mix with criminals in the first class section of the great ships. The Cunard line has hired detectives Genevieve Masefield and George Porter to work their ships--this time the beautiful Caronia. In general, crime on the ships is limited to pick-pockets and drunken fights in the lower class sections. On this voyage, however, the purser suspects drug smuggling, and Scotland Yard policemen are escourting home a couple accused of murdering the man's wife and fleeing to the new world. Somehow, Genevieve and George must get to the bottom of all of the mysteries, while keeping their identities a secret and blending with the mogels who make up the aristocracy of the new world of capitalism. Author Conrad Allen is convincing in his descriptions of these great steamships, providing enough historical detail to fascinate while not overwhelming the story itself. As always, Genevieve finds herself the target of unwanted attention, this time by a young professional bicyclist (perhaps the Lance Armstrong of his day), who had lived for nothing but his training, but can now think of nothing but Genevieve. When one of the Scotland Yard policemen is killed, both Genevieve and George have more important things to worry about than an unwanted attraction--once again, there has been a murder on the ship on which they travel. Unless they can find the killer, their careers as ship detectives will be over. MURDER ON THE CARONIA is a pleasant read with entertaining, although sometimes flat, characters. The drug smuggling plot seemed to be undone by relative stupidity on the part of the smugglers rather than by any intelligence on the part of the detectives, but perhaps this is to be expected by smugglers. Allen's smooth writing and the fascinating environment of early 20th century steamships kept me turning the pages.

Not an avid reader but enjoyed this book

I am not an avid reader. Since there is a lot of garbage on tv. I decided I need to start reading. I borrowed this book from the library. I could not put it down. It easy to follow. This book has it all: suspense, mystery and love. It is must read. I went back to library to find the other book but did not have any. So I must buy Conrad Allen's book. It took only 5 days to read.

delightful historical mystery

In 1908, the Cariona's purser informs Cunard Line detectives Genevieve Masefield and George Dillman that rumors of illegal drug smuggling exist. Also two Scotland Yard police officers escort two murderers on board to return them to England. Outside of that, George and Genevieve need to do their usual observations to insure no cons or stealing occur. This is a simple task for the two undercover sleuths as there are only two thousand plus passengers sailing from New York to Liverpool.As Genevieve and George "patrol" separately except at night when they share a cabin, someone steals jewelry from a passenger. They begin to investigate the theft, when someone murders one of the British coppers. Meanwhile Genevieve tries to get the female prisoner Carrie Peterson to confess that she poisoned the wife of her lover and the duo tries to stop drug smugglers tainting the reputation of this glorious liner. As when they sailed on the Lusitania, Mauretania, and Minnesota, Genevieve and George work several cases at the same time to insure the safety of the law-abiding people traveling by sea.The fourth sea voyage starring Dillman and Masefield is a delightful historical mystery that showcases the period as much as the lead detectives are. The era comes across in full detail, but the load of data is cleverly interwoven into taut story line even with several subplots on going at the same time that smoothly merges into a taut tale that readers will want to go on this sea cruise.Harriet Klausner