MYSTERY

Murder on the Orient Espresso: A Maggy Thorsen Mystery

by Sandra Balzo
Severn House. Dec. 2013. 200p. ISBN 9780727883117. $27.95. M
COPY ISBN
The simulated murder mystery train event is a popular staple for many gatherings, and this Florida-set mystery writers' conference is no exception. Accompanying her boyfriend sheriff Jake Pavlik, a featured conference speaker, for a vacation getaway in the Everglades, Maggy realizes she's in for more of a busman's holiday, as one of the guests is discovered dead, stabbed with a cake knife. Meanwhile, after a downpour, the tracks have flooded, and the train has stalled in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone access. Pythons, cake icing, and fierce jealousies all jumble together in an imaginative fashion as Jake and Maggy try to achieve some order out of chaos.
VERDICT A nicely hewn homage to Agatha Christie's iconic mystery gives Balzo's seventh caffeinated series entry (after Triple Shot) a light and breezy boost. The Florida setting jazzes up the plot, and attentive readers will delight in Balzo's plentiful book and movie references.
Reviewed by Teresa L. Jacobsen , Dec 01, 2013
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

Trouble Island
by Short, Sharon
FICTION

A Girl Like Us
by McLoughlin, Anna Sophia
FICTION

Johnny Careless
by Wade, Kevin
FICTION

The Reluctant Sheriff
by Offutt, Chris
FICTION

The Mailman
by Welsh-Huggins, Andrew
FICTION

The Case of the Missing Maid
by Osler, Rob
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?