Murder on the Minneapolis by Anita Davison

Murder on the Minneapolis by Anita Davison
Buy Murder on the Minneapolis by Anita Davison at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Crime (Historical)
Reviewer: Louise Jones
Summary: A body is found at the bottom of a ship's companionway and young governess Flora suspects murder. But are these the rantings of a hysterical young woman, or something more serious?
Buy? yes	Borrow? yes
Pages: 250	Date: June 2015
Publisher: Buried River Press: Alabama Edition
ISBN: 9781910208267
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Governess Flora Maguire is sailing from New York to England on the SS Minneapolis, entrusted with the task of returning her teenage charge, Eddie, back home to boarding school. Unfortunately for Flora, the ship is first-class only, so she spends the first night aboard stowed away in her cabin, acutely aware of her lower social status. Her intention to stay out of the limelight is thwarted when, during a solitary stroll along the deck, she discovers a dead body at the bottom of the companionway. The ship staff hastily conclude that this is a tragic accident, but Flora has other ideas and decides to conduct her own investigation. Is there a murderer aboard ship? And if so, is Flora making herself a prime target by poking her nose into other people's affairs?

Murder on the Minneapolis is a decidedly genteel, sedate murder mystery, set in Edwardian times. The opulent settings and first-class company hark back to a golden-age of sea travel and conjure up images of the luxurious interior of grand ships like the Titanic. It is, of course, a perfect setting for a murder mystery, as the compliment of passengers is quite small and nobody can escape investigation. The ship soon becomes claustrophobic, as suspicious eyes question everyone on board. Anyone could be guilty and there is always a chance that a desperate murderer may strike again...

The story definitely comes into the 'cosy murder mystery' genre and would be an ideal book to introduce younger readers to this type of book, as there is nothing likely to offend or upset sensitive individuals. As well as a picturesque setting, the author introduces us to an interesting and varied mix of suspects, including an actress, a honeymooning couple, a wealthy old dowager and her companion and a charming young businessman who is instantly attracted to young Flora.

There are plenty of twists and turns and red herrings and the book will keep readers guessing right until the end. Flora is a very likeable protagonist and I hope that the author will consider making this part of a series, as I'd love to see Flora investigate more murders. I liked the fact that Flora made her fair share of mistakes during her investigation, including spreading sensitive information to possible suspects. Her flaws made it easier to relate to her as a character, as she comes across as a sympathetic character and not a know-it-all.

Murder on the Minneapolis was an entertaining and gentle read that definitely exercised my leetle grey cells. It is a charming story, with a memorable cast of characters, and even a hint of romance. What's not to like? Many thanks to the publishers for my review copy.

If this book leaves you desperate for more period murder mysteries, try Except the Dying: Murdoch Mysteries by Maureen Jennings.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Murder on the Minneapolis by Anita Davison at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Murder on the Minneapolis by Anita Davison at Amazon.com.

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