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bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
Vincent Starrett, better known to me for his Holmesian work, gives readers a dose death on the high seas in his first murder mystery. Dunstan "Duns" Mollock, mystery writer and slightly Nigel Bruce-ish sidekick to Walter Ghost, is onboard the Latakia to see his sister and new hubby off on a voyage to England. The bon voyage party participants joke about what would happen if they didn't get off the boat in time and then Mollock manages to do just that. Fortunately, he runs into his old friend Walter Ghost, who seems to have influence over the captain, and, even more fortunately, he seems to run around with enough funds to cover a trip to England at the drop of a hat. He secures a first-class berth and is all set for a lovely voyage. He meets the delightful Miss Dhu Harrington and promptly sets about falling in love.
But the pleasant voyage is soon disrupted by the brutal murder of the Countess Fogartini. Ghost has a bit of a reputation as an amateur sleuth and the captain requests his help in unraveling the crime. There are few clues--in fact, at first it looks like the killer has gotten away without leaving a single trace. But then a rather ragged envelope with a lover's charm is found and speculation follows as to which passenger was the lover and whether he is also a killer. When Major Phillips (who had been quite attentive to the Countess) goes overboard, speculation goes further to say that he was the man. He must have killed the Countess in a jealous rage and then jumped overboard in a fit of remorse. But Ghost is not convinced. The major didn't seem to be that kind of man and he definitely is not the mystery man seen in a certain roll of film secured by the Countess. And when Ghost is attacked one night, it's obvious the culprit is still skulking among the passengers. He's only got five days to solve the crime before the ship docks in Cherbourg and passengers could leave the ship. Five days to track down a very careful killer.
As others on Goodreads have mentioned, I think the "B" in the title stands for "B" movie. I could definitely see this as an old black and white mystery/comedy. A younger, slightly less bumbling version of Nigel Bruce's Watson would be perfect as "Duns." The mystery itself is perfectly okay, though Much smarter heads than mine are needed to figure that out. Another point keeping this from a higher rating is the fact that while a big deal is made about Ghost needing to find out who the killer is before Cherbourg, there is no real sense of urgency or speed. Things move rather slowly in the middle and I just never felt the pressure of time as referred to (more than once).
This was a pleasant read and enjoyable enough. It just wasn't quite as exciting or interesting as I had hoped.
Reviewed on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
But the pleasant voyage is soon disrupted by the brutal murder of the Countess Fogartini. Ghost has a bit of a reputation as an amateur sleuth and the captain requests his help in unraveling the crime. There are few clues--in fact, at first it looks like the killer has gotten away without leaving a single trace. But then a rather ragged envelope with a lover's charm is found and speculation follows as to which passenger was the lover and whether he is also a killer. When Major Phillips (who had been quite attentive to the Countess) goes overboard, speculation goes further to say that he was the man. He must have killed the Countess in a jealous rage and then jumped overboard in a fit of remorse. But Ghost is not convinced. The major didn't seem to be that kind of man and he definitely is not the mystery man seen in a certain roll of film secured by the Countess. And when Ghost is attacked one night, it's obvious the culprit is still skulking among the passengers. He's only got five days to solve the crime before the ship docks in Cherbourg and passengers could leave the ship. Five days to track down a very careful killer.
As others on Goodreads have mentioned, I think the "B" in the title stands for "B" movie. I could definitely see this as an old black and white mystery/comedy. A younger, slightly less bumbling version of Nigel Bruce's Watson would be perfect as "Duns." The mystery itself is perfectly okay, though
Spoiler
I really must protest on the identity of the killer. He's mentioned exactly twice before the big reveal. And there's no reason on earth to suppose that this passenger has any connection whatsoever to first class, let alone the Countess.This was a pleasant read and enjoyable enough. It just wasn't quite as exciting or interesting as I had hoped.
Reviewed on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
leandrathetbrzero's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
While reading this novel, it becomes clear early on that the author himself is a lover of detective fiction. In my Penzler edition, Ray Betzner writes the introduction and reminds us that Starrett was one of the world’s experts on Sherlock Holmes while he was alive, and his published work on the fictional detective continues to be utilized as a key reference. The reason I find Murder on “B” Deck to be such a fun ode to the genre is its many nods and witty callbacks to classic detective fiction tropes.
The playful self-awareness of the characters exists from the very beginning after mystery novelist Dunsten Mollock accidentally remains on board the Latakia as it departs from New York. He decides to take advantage of the mishap and begins writing a murder mystery set on a transatlantic ship much like the one he finds himself on. As Mollock reads the first chapter of this new story to friends and family on board, he is about to name a fictional baroness as his murder victim. He is interrupted, however, when the countess on board the Latakia – the woman he based his story on – is found dead in her stateroom. A chaotic investigation ensues as another guest goes overboard, a drunken fist fight occurs in the smoke room, and the leading amateur detective – Mollock’s friend Mr. Walter Ghost – is attacked himself.
I really enjoyed the opening chapters of the book. They set the nautical atmosphere and introduced our main characters beautifully. The banter and conversation between Mollock and Ghost were especially fun because as true friends, they did not fit the traditional extremes of detecting duos like Holmes and Watson, or Poirot and Hastings. Yes, Mollock is more passionate and Ghost more methodical, but they were both fallible characters thoroughly enjoying themselves in the thrill of chasing a murderer.
While I loved the mystery, I was a bit disappointed by its solution. The culprit, once revealed, was someone that was never really on the reader’s radar. I would have liked this person to be a bit more involved in the narrative, so that the surprise was more satisfying. I barely remembered the character at the reveal if I am being honest, and I don’t think a lack of attention on my part is to blame. The reasons for the murderer’s initial acts of violence also felt weak to me. With that said, it did seem to reflect what might happen in reality. And, as I adored most of the characters and the overall narrative, I will 100% be reading this author’s mysteries again in the future!
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