Death on a Branch Line

'The period detail is wonderful . . . The story builds up a good head of steam early on and rattles along nicely to a satisfying conclusion.' Guardian


It's the summer of 1911, and as Britain is gripped by paranoia about German spies and secret preparations for war, railway detective Jim Stringer decides to set out for a much-needed holiday.


But before he can leave he finds himself escorting a young aristocrat, Hugh Lambert, who is on his way to be executed for the murder of his father. When Hugh warns that a second murder is imminent in his isolated village, Jim sees a chance to kill two birds with one stone. And so, as he visits the village with his wife Lydia on the pretext of holidaying, Jim finds he has one weekend in which to stop another murder and unravel a conspiracy of international dimensions . . .

'Eccentric and engaging.' Sunday Times


'Enough historical details and rural oddbods for a BBC serial, a baffling plot and - most importantly - good writing.' Scotland on Sunday



Praise for the Jim Stringer series:


'Breathe in the heady mixture of smoke, oil and steam - and the odd spot of real ale - and feel the crunch of cinders beneath your feet... you're in historic railway territory again.' Manchester Evening News

'Finely honed crime novels with plotting as precise as a Swiss watch.' Daily Express

'This series is, er, really building up a head of steam.' Observer


Readers love Jim Stringer, railway detective:


'It's hard to envisage anyone not warming to Jim Stringer.' Independent

'An unlikely sleuth - ingenuous, naive and a little anxious - but an endearing narrator, a solid bloke who'd be good company over a pint of stout down the pub.' Telegraph

'The best sleuth that 200 years of the railways have ever produced.' Independent on Sunday