Death on a Branch Line

Author: Andrew Martin

I have not previously read any of the railway novels by Andrew Martin but was sent an advanced copy of his latest book. On the basis of this particular story I would not place the author amongst the great mystery novelists. However, set in the period immediately before the First World War, with international incidents, secret preparations for war and suspicions that German spies had infiltrated the country, the book probably captures the feeling of the time very well. You also get the feeling of how isolated rural communities were at that time and their dependence on the railways for moving around the country and for use of the railway telegraph in emergencies. This is definitely aimed at a railway knowledgeable audience but would possibly leave others stranded by not understanding railway terminology.

A Model Railway Express Review