It's the autumn of 1924, and we're on the Endeavour, crossing the Atlantic to New York.

There's a dead passenger. The captain and the crew want to write it off as an accident. But there's a Scotland Yard detective on board who begs to differ...

Ship's officer Tim Birch teams up with Inspector Temple to try and establish one way or the other what actually happened - before they dock in New York and the suspects disperse

I have a weakness for murder mysteries set in the 1920s... as soon as I see an art deco style cover and a title implying someone is going to get bumped off in highly improbable circumstances, I have to read. 'A Fatal Crossing' is the latest such novel in this category. It's set on a trans-Atlantic voyage in 1924. An elderly passenger is found dead in an apparent accident, but another passenger - a pushy detective name Temple - is determined it was murder. Ship's officer Tim Birch is instructed to accompany Temple on his investigations, and it's through his narration that we follow the investigation. As you'd expect, there are soon suspects galore and plenty of baffling clues. But Birch also has his suspicions about the detective - why is he so angry about being chaperoned during his investigations, and why is he on the boat in the first place?

Plot wise it's a bog standard detective story of its kind - there's a crime with a few puzzling aspects, some clues that don't quite fit, and a few dodgy characters with motives or opportunities or even both. The antagonistic relationship between the two investigators is perhaps less common in the 'historical' genre of detective fiction than in modern whodunnits, where a mismatched partnership is near obligatory. The subplots are interesting although maybe not enough is made of them - and the eventual pay off is so near the end that you almost don't get to appreciate it.

It's a decent enough novel and has a bit of an unexpected plot twist. It's not amazing - the writing is adequate but lacks wit, neither main character is entirely likeable, and perhaps because of those things I was never more than moderately curious about who the murderer was. I can see what the author was trying to do and admire the idea, I'm just not sure it came off in the execution quite as well as it might have. It's hard to say more without spoilers.

If you enjoy detective stories - especially Christie-style ones - then you will likely enjoy this. It's not the best modern novel of its type, but it is readable and ultimately rather more than it appears. It didn't quite set the world alight for me, and it's maybe not one for people who aren't fans of the genre to try.

I read a lot of mysteries, so when I say that “A Fatal Crossing” by Tom Hindle is the type of historical mystery that kept me constantly guessing and engaged this is definitely praise. The many twists and turns coming from a cast of well grafted, opaque characters made for a terrific plot which literally kept me in suspense until nearly the very last page creating a great, entertaining read with memories of Agatha Christie mysteries coming to mind...
When the “Endeavour” sails from Southampton to New York in 1924, no one expects the week long crossing to be very eventful. But it is for an elderly gentleman who is found dead at the bottom of the stairs, everything pointing to an unfortunate slip by accident on a rainy deck at night. James Temple, a moody, mysterious and short tempered Scotland Yard detective who happens to be on board, insists on a more thorough investigation, with the captain and ship officer Timothy Birth much less enthusiastic to have someone stir up what they consider a fateful accident. And so begins the unraveling of a mystery to the identity of the dead man, an art dealer as it turns out, with many colorful protagonists, first class passengers in particular as possible suspects for a less than accidental death and Temple and Birth dueling each other on the search for the truth. Enjoyed “The Fatal Crossing” immensely.

First Class….
1924. The Endeavour sets sail. A spectacular week long voyage planned from Southampton to New York. When a body is discovered early into the sailing Scotland Yard Inspector, James Temple, begins an investigation. He’s certain that there’s a killer in their midst. With a ship full of suspects, the theft of a priceless artwork, and an investigation fraught with danger at every turn can the case be solved before they reach New York? Wonderfully atmospheric and evocative whodunnit with a credible, colourful and well crafted cast of characters. First class.

This is my kind of book. The Endeavour sets off to New York. It is a week-long voyage and there are 2,000 passengers on board. It is November 1924, the weather is unpleasant and the mood on the ship isn’t much better, especially when an elderly man is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Ship’s officer Timothy Birch – who has so many demons, you feel sorry for him from the off – wants the tragic act declared as an accident (and the captain is happy to go along with it). But when a Scotland Yard inspector makes an appearance, persistent that there’s something nefarious going on, the ship reluctantly agrees to investigate. There’s another layer to the discovery of the body, the theft of priceless artwork; in fact, all of this clever novel feels circular, with several plotlines moving around each other. A wickedly good ending made it for me and I finished this with a knowing smile. Can they find a killer on board such a massive vessel… with less than a week to do so?

#AFatalCrossing #NetGalley
Good read.
When an elderly gentleman is found dead at the foot of a staircase, ship's officer Timothy Birch is ready to declare it a tragic accident. But James Temple, a strong-minded Scotland Yard inspector, is certain there is more to this misfortune than meets the eye.
Birch agrees to investigate, and the trail quickly leads to the theft of a priceless painting. Its very existence is known only to its owner and the dead man.
With just days remaining until they reach New York, and even Temple's purpose on board the Endeavour proving increasingly suspicious, Birch's search for the culprit is fraught with danger.
I think it's a good book. You can read it one time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Cornerstone for giving me an advance copy.