Murder on the Sugarland Express

Murder on the Sugarland Express is a fun adventure through time with multiple ghost and historical reference. The very “Agatha Christie” feel of this story will keep readers turning the page and entertain them throughout. Verity and Ellis are wonderful characters with everyday problems and a few that are extraordinary. Verity doesn’t just see ghosts, she lives with them, talks to them and tries to help them whenever she can. Ellis is a police officer, and even though most people wouldn’t believe that Verity talks to ghosts, he accepts it at face value without question. If Verity tells him a ghost told her something important, he jumps into action. Combined they make a fantastic duo of ghost hunter and crime fighter. Other characters are warm and compassionate as well as interesting and fun. The cast of suspects are likable, intriguing and well rounded. They have characteristics that readers find in everyday life with those they know and love. Add an adorable pet skunk, and you have the makings of a memorable book. The Sugarland Express is romantic as only old trains can be. The opulence of the cars brings to mind a time long ago when passenger travel was about the adventure and not the amount of time it takes to get from point A to point B. The setting is perfect for a mystery. Who can’t imagine a train filled with ghosts and the living intermingling on an adventure that ends in murder? The long-dead victim is tragic while the newest victim is far from it. The motive for the murder is not readily clear and at times can seem almost absent. Clues are there to be found if the reader takes the time to look for them. The unveiling of the killer is dramatic and filled with action, and of course, ghosts. Although Murder on the Sugarland Express is a fast-paced easy-to-read book, it is also an ode to the most famous mystery writer of all time, Dame Agatha Christie. In some ways, it is almost too close in comparison to “Murder on the Orient Express.” Take out the ghost, and the reader may well think they are reading an altered version of Ms. Christie’s book. And herein lies the problem. On its own, this book is worth reading, but the comparison to Agatha Christie’s work is inevitable and unfortunate in some ways. Ms. Fox is a talented writer, and her passion for her craft is evident. However, writing a book that so closely resembles a rather famous one, can be hard to achieve without coming off as a copycat. Although Ms. Fox has achieved this with her book, it is difficult to read it without comparing it to Ms. Christie’s material. This is the sixth book in the series, and some readers may not understand the references to other murders, or relationships. The inner workings of Verity’s relationship with Ellis, his brother Beau and their mother can be difficult to understand without any references to explain the situation. The book would benefit from a short introduction helping to explain how Verity finds herself in her current predicament and the intricate relationship between her and the other characters. Over-all Murder on the Sugarland Express is an enjoyable read that will have readers interested from the first paragraph. Anyone who enjoys Agatha Christie novels will like Angie Fox’s Southern Ghost Hunter series and this book in particular.

Murder on the Sugarland Express by Angie Fox is the sixth installment in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. Verity Long feels the need to escape Sugarland, Tennessee after an incident with her ex-fiancé, Beau Wydell at the soft opening of Southern Spirits. Ellis Wydell, Verity’s boyfriend, books them on a trip on the Sugarland Express. Verity is hoping for a break from mysteries and ghosts while on the trip. Unfortunately, Frankie (her resident ghost) believes it will be the perfect romantic getaway for himself and his girl, Molly. Verity soon learns that the train has a dark history attached to it (and some unwelcome guests in the cabin next door). As the bell rings on the Sugarland Express, the old ghosts are being called back. The original train experienced a murder before a bridge collapsed and plunged the train into the icy river. Inspector De Clercq (a ghostly detective) is intent on solving the original crime. It is soon apparent that the Sugarland Express is following in the original trains footsteps (so to speak). A woman is found murdered in compartment 9 in the exact same spot as the original murder. Verity, Ellis and some unlikely allies set out to catch two killers—one past and one present. Will the train make it back to Sugarland or will it suffer a similar fate to its predecessor? Murder on the Sugarland Express can be read alone. I found the story to be well-written, have a decent pace and enjoyable to read. I did find, though, there to be some repetition of details (and a couple of slow spots). A little fine tuning would not go amiss. Murder on the Sugarland Express has humor, intrigue, romance, ghosts, a cute skunk, and plenty of action. I loved the descriptions of the train (I found out something I never knew about the caboose). What mystery lover would not love to take a ride on a replica of a vintage train (especially one with ghosts and a mystery)? The mysteries were engaging with great details. I especially liked two clues on the vintage (1929) murder. I had hoped that the mysteries would be more challenging. It would delightful to finally see growth in Virginia and Beau Wydell (it’s about time). Whether it sticks or not remains to be seen. Readers will be entertained with Frankie’s hijinks. At the end of the book we get a hint of what to come in the next book.

Another fantastic Angie Fox book! This time Verity and Ellis are taking a romantic vacation on the rehabbed Sugarland Express. They planned on leaving everyone (alive and dead) in Sugarland, but of course things never work out the way they plan. This is a fantastic trapped on a train mystery with perfect timing of being released so close to the theatrical release of Murder on the Orient Express. It’s obvious the author was influenced by Agatha Christie, but the mystery and the characters are all Ms. Fox’s! Highly recommended!