The Railway Detective: The bestselling Victorian mystery series

New York Times Book Review Mr. Marston's revenge plot has all the swashbuckling thrills and romantic swagger of blood and thunder tragedies. Kirkus Reviews A heady romp, solidly grounded on fascinating historical detail. First in a new historical mystery series set in nineteenth century London. A robbery on the London-Birmingham mail train takes Inspector Robert Colbeck into the heart of the seedy dens of the "Devil's Acre". In 1851 England, the London to Birmingham mail train is robbed and derailed, injuring the driver and others aboard. However, further investigation proves the seemingly simple robbery to have been impossible. Inspector Robert Colbeck knows this is a case that won't be easily solved. He is faced with the question of how the robbers got into a safe with two keys that were secure at opposite sides of the country. To get to the bottom of the mystery, he enlists the aid of volatile former policeman Brendan Mulryne behind his Superintendent's back to search out the criminals in the notorious Devil's Acre, a cluster of gambling dens in the shadow of Westminster Abbey. However, it may turn out that Mulryne can create more trouble than he can cure. Things get even more complicated as the beautiful daughter of the injured train driver, Madeleine Andrews, comes to Colbeck to provide information, unwittingly drawing the attentions of the crooks. When prime suspects begin to disappear and he learns that there was more than just money on the train, Colbeck realizes that he is dealing with the most driven and powerful criminal he has faced in his career. As the very citizens he is trying to protect begin to be affected by this mastermind, Colbeck must join Mulryne in a race against time before all the evidence is efficiently blown away. The Railway Detective is an action-packed dip into murky 1850s London. Full of twists and with memorable characters, this is a mystery that will surprise you at every turn. London 1851. With the opening of the Great Exhibition at hand, interest is mounting in the engineering triumphs of the railways, but not everyone feels like celebrating. In an audacious attack, the London to Birmingham mail train is robbed and derailed, causing many casualties. Planned with military precision, this crime proves a challenge to Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck who fights to untangle a web of murder, blackmail and destruction. As Colbeck closes in on the criminal masterminds, events take an unexpected turn when the beautiful Madeleine, daughter of the injured train driver, becomes a pawn in the criminals' game. With time running out, good and evil, new and old, battle against each other. But will the long arm of the law have speed on its side? The Railway Detective is an action-packed dip into murky 1850s London. Full of historical detail, unexpected twists and memorable characters, this is a mystery that will surprise you at every turn. London, 1851. The London to Birmingham mail train is robbed and derailed, injuring the driver and others aboard. With the opening of the Great Expedition at hand, interest is mounting in the engineering triumphs of the railways, but not everyone feels like celebrating. Planned with military precision, this crime challenges the new Police Force to its limits and leads Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck to discover a tangled web of murder, blackmail and destruction." "As the momentum gains pace, Colbeck closes in on the criminal masterminds. But just as the police begin to think the villains are within their grasp, events take an unexpected turn - Madeleine Andrews, the beautiful daughter of the injured train driver, becomes an unwilling pawn in the criminals' game. In a final race against time, good and evil, new and old, are pitted against each other. But will the long arm of the law be quick enough?"--Book jacket London 1851. With The Opening Of The Great Exhibition At Hand, Interest Is Mounting In The Engineering Triumphs Of The Railways, But Not Everyone Feels Like Celebrating... In An Audacious Attack, The London To Birmingham Mail Train Is Robbed And Derailed, Causing Many Casualties. Planned With Military Precision, This Crime Proves A Challenge To Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck Who Fights To Untangle A Web Of Murder, Blackmail And Destruction. As Colbeck Closes In On The Criminal Masterminds, Events Take An Unexpected Turn When The Beautiful Madeleine, Daughter Of The Injured Train Driver, Becomes A Pawn In The Criminals' Game. With Time Running Out, Good And Evil, New And Old, Battle Against Each Other. But Will The Long Arm Of The Law Have Speed On Its Side? Full Of Historical Detail, The Railway Detective Is An Action-packed Dip Into Murky 1850s London.