Murder on "B" Deck
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3.8 • 20 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
A 1920s cruise ship is bound for murder in this cozy mystery by the author of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.
Novelist Dunsten Mollock has no intention of going on a cruise just yet. He has come to the pier simply to see off his sister and brother-in-law, who are about to embark on a transatlantic cruiser for a European honeymoon. But when Mollock forgets to give his sister a copy of his new book, he finds himself accidentally bound for Europe.
But that’s not the only surprise. Only two days after departing New York, a beautiful countess is discovered strangled in her cabin. Fortunately, Mollock’s friend Walter Ghost is on board. The astute scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer always appreciates a good puzzle. He just needs to solve this one quickly and find the killer before someone else gets scratched off the passenger list . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
First published in 1929, this cunning closed-circle whodunit from Starrett (1886–1974) opens in Manhattan, where mystery novelist Dunstan Mollock is seeing off his sister, Mavis, and her new husband, who are about to depart on their European honeymoon aboard the Latakia. After Mollock disembarks, he realizes that he forgot to give Mavis an advance copy of his latest book. He returns to do so, only to be stuck on the ship when he misses his last opportunity to get off. Making the best of the situation, Mollock flirts with passenger Dhu Harrington, who persuades him to start writing his next novel and to set it on a ship like the Latakia. Mollock starts dictating the first chapter to Miss Harrington in the presence of some others who have asked to listen in, including an old friend, former intelligence officer Walter Ghost. The recital's interrupted by news that someone has been strangled in their cabin, and Ghost is tapped to investigate. Ghost probes the possible motives of his fellow passengers, including Miss Harrington, but another life's claimed before he reaches the fairly clued solution. Starrett makes the most of the setting and populates it with an array of potential suspects. This definitely merits being labeled an American Mystery classic.
Customer Reviews
Memorable Characters
“Walter Ghost” being just about the most common name in this novel (!), it was entertaining to meet the other main characters. The author must have had fun dreaming up the rest of the surnames, as well as the prenoms.
Clever writing, with some memorable lines. Droll in parts. Well-presented as to grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
The story is a bit too long, and the ending far-fetched. A disappointment!
It was…
It was an ok murder mystery, so I gave it 3 stars. It was on an ocean liner, not that the author put the ship to much good use, so I gave it an additional star.