The Titanic Murders [Paperback]

Max Allan Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Jacques Futrelle was among the many famous passengers on the R.M.S. Titanic. One of the most celebrated American mystery writers of his time, he was also one of the over 1,500 people who didn't survive the ship's disastrous sinking.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

Listeners may get a sinking feeling at the beginning of this book as Charlie O'Dowd reads at such a rapid pace that his words are almost incomprehensible. He races through without pause, intonation, or inflection and with little regard to description or dialogue. The words are strewn together in a seamless string of noise. But by the second chapter, O'Dowd has run out of breath and begins to read at a more reasonable pace. The third and succeeding chapters are nicely done, and listeners are rewarded for their patience with a fairly good presentation of a murder mystery. O'Dowd delivers stylish characterizations and easily accomplishes accents of many nationalities. D.L.M. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425168107
• ISBN-13: 978-0425168103
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,046,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Historical

More About the Author

Max Allan Collins is a New York Times bestselling author of original mysteries, a Shamus award winner and an experienced author of movie adaptions and tie-in novels. His graphic novel ROAD TO PERDITION was made into a major motion picture by Tom Hank's production company, Playtone.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GENERALLY A GOOD, QUICK READ, May 17, 2000

By 

H O'Fallon - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Titanic Murders (Paperback)

I was immediatley drawn into the premise of this book simply because I have been a Titanic buff for over 15 years, and I was happy to discover it was not a love/class story. The author deftly moves us through richly detailed staterooms, meals, and accurate charcters down to the stewards. The attempt to make one feel as if they are on the ship and in the company of the cream of Edwardian society, while also weaving a tale of mystery and murder, is well achieved. I also love the idea of planting the seed of possible reality into the plot. The only drawback I could find was while I generally enjoyed the authenticity of the primary characters being real people, I was a bit put off by the fact that two most likely innocent men have been villianized in a work of fiction. This however detracts nothing from the book itself. Very convincing, and a great summer read. I am glad to have stumbled upon it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could be...., September 29, 2002

By 

Amy Leemon (North Fond du Lac, WI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Titanic Murders (Audio Cassette)

Max Allan Collins makes history come to life and you find yourself thinking...."well, maybe"...

His meticilous research shows - you can picture the scenes and even the elaborate clothes. The plot is plausible (altho I agree with the reviewers that he shouldn't have used the names of actual people on the ship and made them the villians only because he could find nothing out about them) and of course, the ending no surprise.

Well worth your time for a quick read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Collins takes on Christie in a fight to the death!, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Titanic Murders (Paperback)

Hard-boiled fans know that when it comes to historical mysteries, Max Allan Collins' Nathan Heller novels are second to none. Now mystery fans who prefer the less-rugged mysteries of Agatha Christie and the like can sample Collins' phenomenal talent as well. By setting the story on the doomed ship, and using a cast comprised entirely of actual historical figures, Collins shows his flair for research and detail, while telling a gripping mystery that will have the reader turning pages breathlessly. Another Collins classic.