When traveling with Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers on the Orient Express, one can certainly expect dangerous possibilities to occur. Sayers is accompanied by her intrepid secretary, Eliza, who is the story’s POV. Traveling across Europe to a Crime Writer’s Convention in Constantinople/Istanbul. Set as Christie has just ended her marriage to her first husband and not great reviews for her latest book, Sayers is also dealing with her own ghosts from her past. When someone from Sayers’ past dies on the train, Sayers is a suspect. Eliza and her friend, Theo, work together to solve the mystery before Sayers is arrested. Sometimes, the POV switches to Theo’s and that can be a challenging transition. While the writing is well done, Theo’s unrequited love thoughts for Eliza can get a bit tiresome.
This is the second book in this series and the premise is such a good one. I look forward to the next book in this series.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author (and the second in The Detection Club series) and I’m officially so invested. I loved the first one, and this follow-up was just as delightful!

This time, Eliza is traveling alongside Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers aboard the legendary Orient Express, and the setting could not be more perfect. Vintage glamour, hidden secrets, and a murder that hits a little too close to home. When a man with ties to both authors ends up dead, Eliza once again in the wrong place at the wrong time starts pulling at threads, and what she uncovers is anything but simple.

I was completely hooked from the moment they boarded the train. The pacing felt just right, the mystery was layered and clever, and the historical cameos (yes, even that one!) were such a treat. But what really kept me invested were the emotional undercurrents: Eliza’s past, her complicated feelings toward Theo, and that quiet sense of not quite knowing where she belongs. Her dynamic with Dorothy and Agatha is also fascinating, professional, a little messy, and very human. The historical setting, the cameos from classic mystery icons, the sharp dialogue, I was hooked. This series is the perfect mix of cozy, smart and stylish and I can’t wait for the next instalment.

A huge thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I’m already counting down to the next one! This series is fast becoming a favorite.

Oh what a joy this was to read.

Set in 1928: Agatha Christie and fellow writer Dorothy L Sayers board the Orient Express, along with Eliza Dorothys assisant.

There is murder, mystery and a touch of romance and fans of this genre along with the real life main characters will just find this cozy read just a delight.

I loved the setting, the story and I want more of the same

What do you get if you put Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers on the Orient Express? Why murder of course. In this the latest installment of the Detection Club cosy series the two authors find themselves caught up in a real life murder as they travel across Europe to attend a Crime Writer’s Convention in Constantinople/Istanbul.
While Christie is looking for distraction from her own concerns such as her divorce and the poor response to her latest book, Sayers finds herself surrounded by ghosts from her past. When the passenger Sayers is having a drink with drops dead, the evidence suggests that she has motive and it seems opportunity. Travelling with Sayers is her intelligent, resourceful secretary, Eliza and it soon falls to her and her friend Theo to look into the murder and a race against time and a speeding train to find the evidence that will prove Sayers' innocence, but as with the plots of any Christie or Sayers novel, there are more twists, turns and red herrings for the reader to weave through before the solution is reached.
Oliver’s plot is complicated, but all clues and misclues fall into place and the reader is left with a sense of satisfaction by the final line. The writing is clear, but sophisticated. The characters are well-crafted and engaging, capturing the reader’s sympathy and admiration, leaving them wanting more. The Case of the Body on the Orient Express is an exciting and fulfilling read.

Eliza is traveling aboard the Orient Express with Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie on their way to a book conference. When Dorothy sees someone she used to know she becomes upset and has an argument with him. When he dies after eating a meal Dorothy becomes a suspect. When another Author is murdered Eliza and Theo try to solve the case before anyone else is killed. This was a fun story and I recommend it.

The Case of the Body on the Orient Express brings back the ladies in the Detection Club cozy mystery series. Mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers are traveling on the famed Orient Express with Dorothy’s trusted assistant Eliza to Constantinople. Someone from Dorothy’s past is on the train making threats before he drops dead. Then a whistleblower writer is murdered too. Eliza and her friend Theo begin investigating murders were even Dorothy is on the suspect list. Suspenseful and unpredictable, the story twists and turns as Eliza shows the star investigator she is while the not so subtle hints of romance with Theo light up the story. Wonderful characters and page turning suspense make this story another enjoyable historical mystery that will put this author firmly on my must read shelf. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Book 2 in the Detention Club Mysteries, find Agatha and Dorothy aboard the Orient Express on their way to a Writers convention in Constantinople..

Eliza, Dorothy's assistant, who had worked for Scotland Yard and Theo her long time friend become involved in the death of one of the passengers not long after departure. They are not convinced that the death was from natural causes and when another body if found, murder is definitely on their minds.

The book will have you intrigued from beginning to end ... a must read for all!!

Have you ever wondered about the real story behind the famous Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie released in 1934 featuring the now famous Hercule Poirot.
The Case of the Body on the Orient Express could be the answer to this time old mystery as Agatha Christie, still barely coping after her recent divorce, agrees to join her friend and fellow Crime writer Dorothy L Sayer at the International Writers Convention in Constantinople.
Eliza Baker is Secretary to Dorothy Sayers, a position she has held for two years, after she left her position with Scotland Yard. When her sister Jane arrives with a very impressive blue and gold envelope containing her ticket on the Orient Express, she realises Dorothy was serious about her attendance.
And so begins another riveting adventure with the new heroine of sleuth in Eliza Baker, a young woman with a very shady past, a career with Scotland Yard as a Detective cur short in tragic circumstance, a sister who works for a clandestine Government department and a somewhat broken heart due to Theo Sharpe, a man to whom she gave her heart, who then ran away to Paris.
When a body, a friend of both Dorothy and Agatha’s is discovered on the Orient Express Eliza begins to investigate what happened as best she can with the help of Theo, who she has discovered is working on the train as a Steward.
A second death occurs before the train reaches Constantinople making things murkier than they were already and the so-called script written by Peachy, a long-time friend of Dorothy, is at the centre of what and why people are being murdered.
Once they get to Constantinople, and Jane is there in her capacity with the Government, Eliza and Theo begin to understand that there is a far deeper and murkier layer to this than even they understood which places not just Eliza and Theo in grave danger but everyone who has ever had anything to do with Peachy at risk.
The Case of the Body on the Orient Express is a fast paced, complex and a thoroughly enjoyable cozy murder that just might answer a few questions as to where crime writers get their stories. Look out for the obnoxious Orson Wells as well as he plays a small but persistent part in trying to sleaze his way into Eliza’s bed!

Another Detection Club mystery investigation, The Case of the Body on the Orient Express (2025) by Kelly Oliver is an historic gentle crime tale. Dorothy Sayers, Kelly Oliver and Agatha Christie travel on the Orient Express to attend the International Writers’ Convention in Istanbul. Dorothy is upset by the presence of a former lover, now married, who is murdered in his cabin. Once again, Kelly Oliver has to find the killer amongst a number of suspects and possible Obsidian cartel involvement. A second murder complicates matters as the police investigate and the writers attend the conference. Whilst based on an actual 1920s supper club, that Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie were part of, their characters are somewhat of bit parts in the story. An enjoyable enough gentle crime mystery, it lacks sufficient tension and has a three star read rating. With thanks to Boldwood Books and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

Picture this: Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, two of the golden age’s most celebrated crime writers, are boarding the legendary Orient Express, bound for Constantinople.

Christie is hoping for a break from her recent troubles, but before she can barely settle into the luxury of the train’s first-class carriages, a fellow passenger drops dead during dinner.

And guess who finds herself the prime suspect? None other than Dorothy Sayers, who was the last person to speak to the victim.

It then falls to Sayers’ assistant, Eliza, and her friend Theo, two amateur sleuths, to navigate a twisting maze of suspects as the train barrels eastward.

The chase to find the killer before they reach Constantinople becomes a race against time, with the group chasing clues with a murderer hot on their heels.

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What makes The Case of the Body on the Orient Express especially fun is how Kelly Oliver weaves in historical fact with fiction. Christie and Sayers were indeed real-life acquaintances and members of the Detection Club, a society of mystery writers.

It’s meta-fiction at its best, where we get to enjoy the thrill of a fictional mystery while appreciating the real historical connections behind it.

The only negative for me were the overly gushy declarations of love from Theo for Eliza, which can be a bit much at times.

That said, there's a cheeky nod in the book about one author’s tendency to go overboard with flowery prose, so maybe Oliver intended Theo’s romantic gestures to be a bit of an ironic joke.

Either way, it’s a minor quibble because the book is a page-turner that transports you to the golden age of crime writing, yet with a story that feels fresh, making it perfect for readers who love cozy mysteries with a historical twist.

With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.

This book is a cozy mystery to remember. I loved finding all the different references to real life people including Agatha herself. The setting was detailed and beautifully crafted which made the book enjoyable and a unique experience. I loved reading mysteries of all kinds and this book was an excellent introduction to Kelly Oliver!

This is the first book I've read from this author. I do enjoy a cosy mystery but find it hard to get one that grabs me like a Christie does.
Most of this story takes place on the Orient Express. Eliza is traveling with her boss Dorothy L Sayers who is traveling to a book convention. They are joined by a friend of Dorothy's, Agatha Christie, who is traveling to a dig that is being run by friends of hers. A murder occurs on the train and Eliza sets out to investigate.
This book had a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of. I loved the descriptions of the train's luxury and the meals served on board. The mystery was very intricate and enjoyable. However, I didn't take to any of the characters. Eliza is a strong, independent woman, which is fine but she carried it too far most of the time. Theo, the old flame, who also happens to be aboard is a bit wet. He goes on and on about his feelings for Eliza in his head and it gets tiring.
Also there was a lot about chess in it and it got quite repetitive and Agatha Christie's character was almost like an after thought.
If you like cosy crime you'll more than likely enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this novel.

This author was new to me as of this reading, but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole-done-it murder mystery set on the Orient Express! There are great characters in this historical fiction, and the action was inventive and captivating. I will definitely be reading more of this series. Thank you NetGalley for a chance to explore new authors with an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. Terrific read.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Nice!

1928
Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers are on the Orient Express, traveling to Constantinople. Christie just wants a break from the recent mess in her personal life and the poor reception of her latest book.
However, before they can even settle into their carriage, a fellow guest drops dead. Being the last person to speak to the victim, Dorothy finds herself the prime suspect!
Eliza (Dorothy’s assistant) and her friend Theo have to solve the case and find the killer. The stakes get higher when another dead body is found. Can Eliza help her employer prove her innocence?
The story comes in third-person POVs of Eliza and Theo.

My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the new series, which has real-life characters and fictional ones. While the mystery is standalone, I think reading the previous book would help establish the base for character interactions.
The book takes a time leap, which I did not expect, especially since the previous one ended on a cliffhanger. Moreover, that element seems to have been brushed aside with just a little mention! Maybe it will be taken up in the coming books.
It’s a small book, so I could finish it in a single sitting. The mystery is cozy but with some high stakes, as international criminals and MI5 seem to be involved. There are enough twists to keep you hooked.
Dorothy and Agatha are good at what they do, though we must remember that the book belongs to Eliza, who is a bit too competent and a one-woman show. While I love competent heroines, I like them better when they are sensible. Eliza seems to be multitalented, with the only character flaw being too forceful and an utter lack of ability to see that Theo loves her when the guy is pretty much holding a banner you could see from the moon!
In theory, I like the contrast between Eliza and Theo’s characters. He is the softer one, someone who faints at the sight of blood and is a struggling writer.  He has a good brain but spends much time thinking about Eliza. After a point, I wanted him to stop it and focus on himself.
The setting of the Orient Express and other places is well done. The descriptions are just enough to visualize the details without slowing down the plot.
Don’t skip the author’s note at the end. It’s informative. I like how the author was extra careful and added a large spoiler tag with the note. She discusses a few important events in the book based on real incidents.

To summarize, The Case of the Body on the Orient Express is a decent continuation of the series and works as a light read between intense works. I’m hopeful it’ll get better, so let’s wait and see what happens next.
Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley

As someone who hasn't read the first book in this series, I was able to just jump into this book without being too confused. Enough is explained about each character and their connection to each other that I wasn't super lost and was quickly immersed in the story about a train ride on the Orient Express. The main character, Eliza, is headed to a writer's convention with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. They are all surprised to find people from their past on this train and secrets that have been hidden are slowly being revealed after someone is murdered.

It was a very good read that I couldn't put down once things got going. The mystery elements were not predictable, and I was not able to guess who did it early in the story. I enjoyed the main characters and look forward to seeing what happens with them in future books.

arc book review
upcoming pub date: 7.13.25
genre: mystery and thrillers
⭐️⭐️⭐️

about:
agatha christie and, fellow writer, dorothy sayers board the orient express headed for constantinople. eliza baker, dorothy’s assistant, joins the writers but it’s not long before a guest drops dead during dinner service. since dorothy was the last person to talk to them before they died and she had the motive, she’s become a prime suspect. it’s up to eliza and her friend, theo, to solve the case before it’s too late.

fans of historical cozy mysteries should add this one to their tbr stack even though it was 3 stars for me! i think the story could’ve been stronger if it stayed in eliza’s pov instead of switching to theo’s pov within the same chapter. it was a little confusing at first but you catch on! some of the character’s made questionable decisions or had special connections or skills that helped the story progress but weren’t entirely believable so it kinda pulled me out of the story at times. this is the second installment in the detection club series and there were several references to events that happened previously that, even though it is a standalone book, i almost felt i needed to read the first installment beforehand to be caught up.

overall i enjoyed going back aboard the orient express for another whodunnit and plan to read the first in the series (the case of the christie conspiracy) so i’m up to speed for when the next book drops!

thank you @theboldbookclub for the opportunity to read before the book publishes next month!

🚂 do you like to read whodunnits? what was the last mystery you read?

Eliza is Dorothy Sayers assistant. The go on the Orient Express to Istanbul with Agatha Christie and they're part of the Detective Club and someone tells them that they're writing an expose on someone on the train. He then turns up dead so Eliza and her friend Theo try to find out who did it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cozy historical mystery. A quick and witty read, it grabs your attention and keeps it. I didn't realize this was part of a series and felt that it held its own as a standalone.

I really enjoyed this book, I like the way the author uses real characters interwoven with not so real ones!

Eliza Baker is secretary to the London Detection Club, specifically Dorothy L.Sayers.

During a meeting which she is minuting it's decided that Dorothy, and so Eliza as well, will represent the group at an International Writer's Convention in Istanbul and would travel on the Orient Express, accompanying them just for the journey would be Agatha Christie.......

Eliza has an interesting past, lived on the streets with her sister Jane, was in the police force for a short while until her serious mistake cost her partner his life, so now she spends her time with the Club and also helping to solve any mystery which may turn up. She is missing Theo her partner in crime (and chess) from the first book, will she see him again?

Great, comforting read. Recommended

This delightful murder mystery set aboard the iconic Orient Express is packed with cheeky fun, golden age flair, and a dash of literary nostalgia. Pairing Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers as sleuthing passengers is a brilliant twist that adds a layer of playful wit to an already engaging whodunit.

The story kicks off quickly with a suspicious death at dinner, and from there, the stakes only rise—especially when Dorothy finds herself the main suspect. Luckily, her sharp-witted assistant Eliza and the charming Theo step in to untangle the mess. Their banter and deductive escapades bring a breezy, entertaining energy to the unfolding mystery.

The period detail is spot-on, the pacing moves along nicely, and while the plot has its classic twists and red herrings, it’s the characters and their spirited interactions that truly shine. Some plot points are a touch far-fetched, but in a story this fun, it’s easy to go along for the ride.

Perfect for fans of historical mysteries with a sense of humor and a little wink to the genre’s greats—this is one train journey worth boarding.