Murder on the Mauretania: A Mystery Featuring George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Conrad Allen (Author)

Book Description

Series: St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries | Publication Date: January 7, 2002

November 1907. George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield sail from Liverpool on the maiden voyage of the Mauretania. Posing as passengers, Dillman and Genevieve endure a nightmare voyage during which severe weather batters the vessel unmercifully and keeps the passengers away from the decks. Dillman is instrumental in rescuing a crew member from being washed overboard but he is too late to save one of the First Class passengers from the same fate. At first, it looks like a case of death by misadventure. But Dillman and Genevieve come to realise that it was an act of calculated murder, connected with the presence on board of a record shipment of gold bullion - twelve tons in all - sent from the Bank of England.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Following Murder on the Lusitania, this second of the series set on great ocean liners of the early 20th century is sure to delight nautical history enthusiasts as well as mystery fans. American George Porter Dillman and English beauty Genevieve Masefield are now working for the Cunard Line as detectives on the Mauretania, the largest ship in the world. Setting sail on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York, the ship carries more than 2,000 passengers and a record shipment of gold bullion stored in its hold. While Masefield, posing as a first-class passenger, socializes and observes the elite, Dillman seeks the culprit responsible for several silver thefts from second-class passengers. The prime suspect, Max Hirsch, disappears on the day of a violent storm. Did someone push him overboard? And who later steals some of the gold bullion? Dillman and Masefield, innocently helped by eight-year-old Alexandra Jarvis and the ship's mascot, a black cat named Bobo, turn up some truly surprising answers. From the opulent, glittering images of first class to the crowded quarters of the hopeful immigrants in steerage, Allen vividly renders the class structure of the early 20th century. Of particular note are the dialogue and social banter of Masefield's upper-class friends. Combined with the puzzling mystery, the careful attention to historic details and well-developed characters make for first-class entertainment.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In this leisurely, low-key comedy of manners on the high seas, the deeply attractive pair of George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield hide their relationship on board the maiden voyage of the Mauretania in 1907. Both are detectives employed by Cunard, and both work in secret. Pilfering of silver objects and an oily petty thief attract their attention. Genevieve joins a circle of indolent but charming fellow travelers in first class; in second class, George befriends a lively little girl with eyes for the ship's cat. The hold of the ship carries gold bullion, a concern of far greater import to our sleuths than the silver thefts. Finally, halfway through the book, the murder of the title takes place, further upping the ante. The true enticements here, however, aren't the crimes or their severity but the ship's luxurious accoutrements, the dress and repartee of the ladies, and the flattery and rakishness of the gentlemen. Good period fun. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (January 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312977883
• ISBN-13: 978-0312977887
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,408,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of excitement in this mystery, November 15, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder on the Mauretania (George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield Mysteries) (Hardcover)

In late 1907 Liverpool, the maiden voyage of the world's largest ocean liner, the Mauretania begins. Among the passengers is detective George Porter Dillman sailing in second class and his new assistant Genevieve Masefield staying in first class. George and Genevieve met on the Lusitania (see MURDER ON THE LUSITANIA). They are working undercover for the Cunard Line to prevent robberies of the wealthy patrons from thieves that are plowing their trades and to protect a 2.75 million-pound gold shipment.

As the ship sails, George stops minor pilfering from happening, but an unknown phantom continues to steal in spite of the detective's efforts. The weather for the most part is nasty, but the powerful Mauretania keeps a steady pace. However, the calm changes when a first class passenger falls overboard in what appears to be a tragic accident. However, Sam soon sees a connection with that incident and the clever stealing of some of the gold. Even with Genevieve's access to the wealthy first class patrons, Sam struggles to identify a master felon.

MURDER ON THE MAURETANIA, the second Dillman-Masefield historical mystery set on the ocean cruise liners, is a wonderful tale that brings readers along for the ride sans seasickness. The story line is entertaining as readers obtain a glimpse at the ship, its passengers, and its crew mostly through the eyes of the undercover sleuth and his assistant. The enjoyable who-done-it adds to the fun of an exciting sea voyage. Sub-genre fans will book passage on Conrad Allen's next ocean adventure.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sophomore Slump, March 13, 2009

By 

Jeanne Tassotto (Trapped in the Midwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder on the Mauretania: A Mystery Featuring George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the second in the Shipboard mysteries featuring George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield. As the story opens it is 1907, two months after the events of MURDER ON THE LUSITANIA. George Dillman, heir to a New England yacht building family, former actor and ex-Pinkerton detective is an undercover security agent for the famed Cunard line. Since the events of the previous novel Genevieve Masefield, a young English woman he met on the Lusitania is now his partner. As the pair set sail on the maiden voyage of the Mauretania Genevieve is keeping an eye on the First Class passengers and George is taking care of the Second and Third Class. The problems begin with a series of petty thefts that in First and Second Class, George is sure that he has identified the thief and is just looking for an opportunity to catch him with the goods when the man disappears. Genevieve's problems are hitting a bit closer to home when she attracts a stalker. Before the ship docks in New York though all questions are answered without attracting any unwanted publicity to the famed liner.

It often happens with series novels that the second book is not as strong as the first. This is the case here. In the previous novel we were introduced to the recurring characters and the premise and given a more tightly written mystery to solve. In this one less time is spent establishing the back story leaving too much room for the mystery aspect to fill. The characters of George and Genevieve were not as well written in this one as they were in the first, in fact the only character truly came to life was the little girl, Alexandra. Still there are a few interesting twists and turns in the plot, and the descriptions of life abroad the glamorous liner are an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Clunky Mystery with Interesting Detectives, May 1, 2004

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder on the Mauretania (George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Murder on the Mauretania is the second mystery involving the beautiful Englishwoman, Genevieve Masefield, and George Porter Dillman, former yacht designer, actor and Pinkerton detective. The two met during Murder on the Lusitania, on that ship's maiden voyage. In Murder on the Mauretania, Ms. Masefield takes on formal detective chores for the first time.

They both are serving as undercover detectives on the maiden voyage of the Mauretania during its maiden voyage in 1907. Masefield is in first class and Dillman is in second class. The Cunard line hopes that the Mauretania will set a new speed record across the Atlantic from Liverpool to New York. High seas make that impossible . . . and a second-class passenger disappears during the storm.

The detectives are kept busy by a string of seemingly related silver thefts, which they cannot stop . . . even though they have a suspect whom Dillman catches red-handed early in the book. At the same time, everyone on board is fascinated by the twelve tons of gold being shipped to New York to help offset a financial panic. Those with slippery fingers would like to get their hands on it. Suddenly, bits and pieces of the ship's gear begin to be misplaced . . . only to be found again. What's it all about?

The narrow range of passenger types from snooty English aristocrats to friendly Americans precludes the book from having much appeal through the new characters it introduces. Despite this, most will enjoy Miss Alexandra (call me Ally) Jarvis, a spirited girl whose love of a cat, the ship's mascot Bobo, helps solve the various mysteries.

In typical Conrad Allen fashion, the mystery isn't too mysterious, there's only a little misdirection, and the clues all fall into place just a little too conveniently to let the story move forward. The prose is a little awkward and stiff, and most of the interactions of the characters don't overcome that.

If you decide to read one book in this series, I suggest that you try Murder on the Minnesota. It's much better than this one.

After you finish the story, think about how you can help a young person by treating them with the respect you give to adults. Then, take action to encourage a young person today!