Member Reviews
I think this is the best of the Tom Hindle books so far. The setting is particularly good and the plotting holds up better than other books of his that I’ve read. I felt I was able to keep a better handle on who the characters were in this book than I have been able to on other books by this author.
Similar to other reviewers, I’d noticed the rather large clues that gave away the ending, but everything still came together in a satisfying way. It might have been good to either lose some of the extra characters or give them a bit more to do, but on the whole this was a very readable and enjoyable mystery.
WOW, This is a perfect read for lovers of Agatha Christie. This is also Tom Hindles best book so far, I know I always say that but his writing just gets better. With it being freezing outside a trip to the arctic on an airship like the Hindenburg, with a lot more modern features of course, we meet our cast of characters. Ezra Day and Howard Barnes have been working on this for years, Ezra got onboard when his father died on an expedition with Howard Barnes, Barnes came back but Day didn’t. Barnes had told Ezra of his father and his idea when they were on there last climb. So when Day learns of this he goes full steam ahead trying to get the finance etc, naming the company Skyline Voyages.
The first trip is a test, Ezra has invited 3 of his boarding school friends, as well as a couple of other guests, each to give their own advice on anything that needs changing or improving, unfortunately one can’t attend due to a family emergency, so in his place he sends Chloe Campbell, she is not a journalist, but a travel blogger trying to find her big break, she hopes this chance is it.
The passengers all meet at Longyearbyen, they are given instructions on boarding, then the airship approaches up above, its huge size breathtaking. The crew and ship have come from Tromso. The adventure begins, the trip is only two days to the North Pole and back.
This is where the adventure begins, everyone seems to get along that day, all excited, some a little nervous. Wondering if they have done the right thing especially a couple of the crew members. But when they all awake the first morning it is freezing in their rooms. They all convene in the comfortable lounge area to find it’s the whole airship. The Captain and Ezra assure them it’s just a glitch. It will be warm again shortly. But then they realise someone is missing. Dead, is it natural causes?
It’s now that the people onboard are wary of each other, as several things have happened onboard the ship, who is responsible? no one knows who to trust, to top it off they hit a storm, and have to start back to where they started. Although this will still take all day and half the night. Who will survive? Who is the killer? I absolutely loved this from start to finish I was gripped, I didn’t stop reading until I read the last page.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #RandomPenguinHouse @CenturyBooksuk for an eARC of this to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
I have very few feelings or thoughts about this book which sounds like a very negative way to start, but I don't mean it to come across that way. I just don't feel overly strong about it, but I also didn't hate it. I find these books the hardest to write reviews about.
This was a locked room murder mystery so trying to piece together the parts of the puzzle was fun, but I will say, it wasn't that difficult to do. The mystery felt a little lazy in places and I had worked out what had happened way before the characters had even though I think they had the information available to them to do so. On the flip side of that, seeing the plot unravel and play out was enjoyable.
Being a plot that took place in such close proximity, a lot of it hung on the characters. I would have liked to have known a bit more about each of them. Although there is some character history included, I didn't feel like I knew enough about them to feel strongly one way or the other.
I read another book by this author last year and I absolutely loved it. This one however didn't feel as thought out or intricate and therefore I didn't enjoy it as much. However, I did have a decent enough time reading it and got through it very quickly. So if you're looking for an easy read to give you some light entertainment, this may be a good one for you.
Ina turn of fortune, Chloe finds herself on board The Osprey, a massive airship powered by helium, which is going to journey from Longyearbyen to the North Pole. One of the owners of the company running it, went to school with Alec, the man who has given her this chance to prove herself. The airship is luxurious and of a very high standard. That is until the crew and guests wake up the next morning. It's freezing and someone is dead. They are hundreds of miles from anywhere and one of them is a killer. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else and the atmosphere is tense as if it's waiting for something else to happen.
A good read, which I enjoyed very much.
Tom Hindle - Death in the Arctic due out 16th January .
I found this an enjoyable read, better than his other books and there is definitely an improvement in his writing since his first book.
The Arctic setting and the airship idea was interesting, and once the story got going it was a decent thriller. I didn't guess the killer and the unveiling at the end was good. A strong 4 ⭐️.
Picture shows the book cover, an airship over the Arctic with a polar bear below.
When aspiring travel writer Chloé Campbell is invited aboard a luxury airship flying to the North Pole, she thinks she’s bagged the opportunity of a lifetime. But she hasn’t had long to admire the dazzling icy views before a fellow passenger is found dead in their cabin. Trapped at the top of the world, the group agrees a tragic accident has occurred. But as the hours tick by, fear turns to doubt.
Another well written book from the author. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was different as it took place in an airship, which is a first for me. The characters had depth & the pace was good. I did guess who the villain was but I was intrigued to find out the whys & wherefores. There were twists & turns & it made for an engrossing read
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
This is a great murder mystery, the suspense builds from the very start. The descriptions of the Arctic setting are brilliant, especially as I was reading this during snowy, icy weather! I also loved the descriptions of the opulent airship. The plot is well paced and comes to a breathtaking conclusion. This is the first book I’ve read by Tom Hindle and I will definitely be reading more.
I’m a big fan of a locked room mystery, and Death in the Arctic is no exception! The setting of the airship travelling deep into the arctic was brilliant, and I started to feel almost claustrophobic just reading about it.
It took a little while for the murder to happen, which I’ve heard is quite common for Tom’s books, and I felt this added to the mystery as it gave me more time to look for clues and try to guess who would become the victim. I did find that I would’ve liked a bit more from the ending and the big reveal.
The story is told through multiple POVs, though Chloe, the blogger, is the main protagonist here. Chloe was likeable, and I found myself rooting for her and hoping that her and Ben would form a friendship.
I think it’s safe to say I wouldn’t step foot on an airship if they brought them back.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Another fantastic read from the master of the modern golden age style murder mystery book. A brilliantly evocative location and a fiendishly difficult murder to unravel.
Chloé Campbell is a travel writer and has been offered a trip of a lifetime on an airship going to the North Pole.
All is well to begin with but then a body is found and everyone is a suspect.
A thoroughly readable locked room mystery in a very unusual setting. A few twists and turns with an odd red herring thrown in to keep you interested
Yet again Tom has chosen an even more unique place to set his novel - this time on an airship heading to the north pole !! With only a small amount of crew and guests, when one is found dead, suspicions begin. He describes the isolation and vastness of this area very well as initially it seems to be stunning but very quickly feels claustrophobic. Much as I would love to go on an airship, the arctic may be a step too far. I did have an idea as to what might be happening however there are plenty of red herrings to distract the reader.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.
A story of the maiden voyage of a modern design of airship hastily organised for a short sightseeing trip to the north pole and back to Norway to publicise its forthcoming attractions. With a scratch crew and a motley mix of paying passengers and complementary ones to journalists and travel writers hoping for favourable reviews and publicity. Most interesting cast of characters and when malfunctions take place leading to suspicions of murder and sabotage arise that with clement weather causes the expedition to be aborted and return to base. However a young lady journalist has her suspicion aroused and cracks the case narrowing escaping from being silenced. An interesting and fascinating read, most engaging.
Another great read from Tom Hindle. I've read all of his books so far and enjoyed everyone of them. This one flowed a long with ease but, kept me gripped as it built up with tension all through the book.i think this is his best book so far. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
The airship, Osprey, embarks on its maiden voyage from Norway to the North Pole. On board are eight guests and eight crew. When someone if found dead in their cabin, faulty equipment is initially blamed, but could it have been murder?
Most of the story is told through the eyes of Chloe, a down on her luck travel blogger trying to become a journalist. She is given the chance of a lifetime when invited to write about the 'Osprey's' maiden voyage just two days prior to launch, due to a last minute cancellation. Chloe is very keen to prove herself and has an eye for detail, interviewing the owners, guests and crew for her article.
I found this to be a very interesting read. The setting is incredible and beautifully described. A helium filled airship floating across the arctic. The ship is billed as a marvel of modern technology which of course begins to go wrong. A storm ahead which is ignored and a feast of characters, some with interesting and inter-twined backstories.
I really enjoyed this book by Tom Hindle. I found the story flowed at a nice pace. The dialogue and character reactions all made sense and the breakdown how it was all done made total sense. I wasn't the biggest fan of Tom's previous book, The Murder Game, but after this variation of a captured audience, I'll continue to follow Mr Hindle with great interest.
Highly recommended.
I would like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions are my own
Reviewed January 2025
Expected Publishing date - 16th January 2025
Death in the Arctic offers a gripping and unique reading experience, set against the expansive backdrop of an airship soaring over the frozen wilderness. The author’s decision to place the story in this high-altitude, isolated environment adds a layer of tension and mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The Arctic setting, with its cold, barren landscape, amplifies the feeling of being trapped, both physically and emotionally, within the confines of the airship.
What truly stands out, however, is the range of characters that populate this world. Each one feels distinct and well-developed, bringing their own motivations, secrets, and vulnerabilities to the story. The dynamic interactions between them, especially in the face of mounting danger, create a compelling narrative that is as much about human nature as it is about the mystery at the heart of the plot. There’s an intriguing balance between personal conflict and the overarching peril of the situation, making the stakes feel incredibly high.
The pacing is solid, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged, and the airship setting adds a fresh twist to the classic locked-room mystery genre. Overall, Death in the Arctic is a clever, atmospheric novel that masterfully blends suspense, character development, and a unique setting into a thrilling read.
Tom Hindle has done it again! As always, this was a fantastically paced locked room mystery with a questionable (positive) cast of characters! I will always be impressed by how Tom is able to give each character a believable secret/twist to keep you on your toes with the reveals sprinkled throughout the book. I did guess the solution sooner than I would have liked but that only had a minor impact on my enjoyment reading the rest of the novel and it will definitely one I will still be recommending. With each book he writes, Tom Hindle solidifies his place as one of my favourite authors of all time.
Yet another new author to add to my favourites list, this is my first book by Tim Hindle but definitively won't be my last.
Ezra Day had worked hard to fulfil his father, Issac's dream, a dream that he had built whilst on an expedition with his partner, Howard Barns, an expedition from which Issac didn't return.
Ezra took his father's place as Chief Operator of Skyline Voyages, they were to fly luxury airships across the North Pole for the rich and entitled. Time for the maiden voyage was of the essence, their competitors, Airborne Expedition were snapping at their heels, to the winner the spoils, they had to be the first to launch.
Ezra had collected a eclectic group of travellers for the first flight, some influential friends from his boarding school days but all chosen for the publicity they would bring, As well as Ezra and Howard there were the three people sharing the flight deck, three stewards a top chef, Devon who led climbing expeditions, the type of adventurers that Ezra was eager to encourage, Jasper a top restaurateur who Ezra hoped would endorse his chef, Madison, Jasper's girlfriend who's wealthy father was an investor, Mia, and influencer and blogger on environmental issues who Ezra thought could prove useful and a last minute replacement for his friend Alec, Chloe, a travel blogger who was desperate to work for Alec's Conde Nast Traveller, this was her chance to prove herself and Ben, Alec's photographer.
Shortly after the flight took off it became clear that things were going wrong, irritating things became more serious and then the death. As this story unfolds all the travellers become more agitated, was the death due to a fault in the system or something more sinister ? The author uses all these diverse characters superbly, they talk in groups, they draw their own conclusions, their fear is real. When they were once revelling in the luxury of the airship admiring the stillness and the beauty around them, the cabin fever then became palpable.
The author builds the tension beautifully, there is suspense, red herrings and an ending that I didn't see coming .
Thank you Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is entirely voluntary.
This is an enjoyable country house murder mystery, except that the country house is an airship on a maiden luxury voyage to the North Pole. It's also set in contemporary times with references to Instagram and other modernities.
The plot is enjoyable though I did guess the culprit a bit too early. The story is executed well and it's an easy read, though there's a lot of switching back and forth between characters. A light but enjoyable read.
Nice update on a locked room mystery, with such a well described setting you can see and smell it. Great cast of characters, with a couple of grotesquely self centred ones. Up to date references to the damage being done to the environment too. An enthralling read, making Tom Hindle a must read author if you like a good whodunnit.