Five Found Dead delivers a compelling modern homage to Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. The closed-circle mystery set aboard a train was a brilliant concept, and the setting truly steals the show—claustrophobic, atmospheric, and rich with suspense. Gentill does a great job creating a sense of isolation and tension that keeps the pages turning.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the setup, I didn’t feel a strong connection to the characters. They served their roles within the mystery well, but lacked the depth or emotional pull that might have made the story even more immersive.

Overall, a great read for fans of classic mysteries looking for a contemporary twist.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

An exciting mystery that mixes the glamour of ‘old-school’ travel with a chilling disappearance. The story takes place on the modern-day Orient Express and follows crime novelist Joe Penvale and his twin sister Meredith as they set off for some much-needed R&R after Joe's intense medical treatment.
Gentill does a great job with the locked room trope, giving off serious Agatha Christie vibes. The grand setting of the Orient Express adds a distinctive charm, making the mystery even more appealing. As Joe and Meredith get caught up in a murder investigation, the tension ramps up with every twist and turn.
The characters are well-developed, and the dynamic between Joe's vulnerability and Meredith's determination adds complexity to the story. Gentill's blend of suspense and emotional moments makes this novel a absorbing read. Five Found Dead is a thrilling ride that will keep you guessing until the very end. I think this book would be a hit with some of my book clubs!

I wasn’t a fan of this book… I found it hard to keep up with it. I only like to share positive reviews on books, because somebody might really like this so I won’t be sharing this review to my social media account.

IDNF the book 30% in

This wasn't a bad book by any means but for me it fell a bit flat. It's fine but not anything more. Maybe because I've read 'Murder on the Orient Express' and other versions of the murder mystery trope happening on a train.

It was enjoyable enough that I kept reading but I never felt a connection to the story. The main characters, Joe and his twin sister Meredith, felt vanilla. There were a lot of travelers/suspects. So much so that I'd say that a character list at the start of the book would help a lot to keep track of them. Sadly I didn't care for any of them. I also didn't like that the COVID-19 pandemic was used as a plot point to make the situation seem even more dangerous. As if having a murderer on a train isn't bad enough.

The Trip is just what the doctor order…. Or is it?

All they wanted to
do was enjoy their trip.

I loved the concept of this story. It was twisty and the suspense was so good. I found myself saying just one more chapter!!!

The characters were well developed and likable . At no point did I have it figured out. Truly the edge of my seat til the end.

Highly recommend!!

Thank you NetGalley

The storyline was just okay for me. I enjoyed the idea but there weren’t as many suspenseful moments as I was hoping for. The writing was excellent so maybe this book just wasn’t for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc!

Step aboard the Orient Express and prepare for a stylish murder mystery with a contemporary edge. In Five Found Dead, Sulari Gentill crafts an engaging tale where the glamour of old-school travel collides with a chilling disappearance—and nothing is quite as it seems.

The story centers on Joe, a crime novelist recovering from cancer, and his twin sister Meredith. What begins as a celebratory journey quickly turns sinister when one of their fellow passengers goes missing, leaving behind a bloodstained compartment and a train full of potential suspects—all of whom seem to have ties to law enforcement or criminal investigation.

The setting is a highlight in itself: the train’s polished wood interiors, warm lighting, and soft clinks of glassware create a rich, immersive atmosphere. The narrative is laced with dry wit, and while Gentill occasionally meanders through introspection and heavy description, it fits the reflective, slow-burn nature of the genre.

A touch of pandemic-era reality gives the story a surprising layer of relevance, subtly woven into the plot without overpowering it. Though some moments in the story stretch believability and lean into cozy mystery territory, embracing the book’s tone makes for a more enjoyable ride.

The central duo of Joe and Meredith is compelling, and while not every supporting character leaves a mark, the core dynamics work well. The final reveal is both unexpected and satisfying, delivering that gratifying “aha!” moment mystery fans crave.

Echoes of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express are unmistakable, but Gentill plays with classic tropes in refreshing ways, offering a respectful homage with her own twist. Fast-paced, atmospheric, and entertaining, Five Found Dead is an ideal pick for readers who enjoy traditional whodunits with a modern flair.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this! After liking The Woman in the Library, I was excited to pick up this author's new novel. It kept me on my toes. A good popcorn thriller for the beach or the pool!

This book is literally the definition of a cozy mystery and it’s so comforting for some reason and I loved ittt!!
I think it’s mainly because aside from the mystery it also showed a character dealing with the aftermath of cancer and also the dynamics of a healthy sibling relationship just made it more interesting rather than just a who did it novel. The mystery itself was good and suspenseful that it made me want to continue onto the next chapter. The only thing is when I first started it out it was kinda of a bit hard to follow characters however as I continued i started to understand each persona more.

Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill is the perfect locked room mystery. Well , locked train mystery.

Not just any train, the Orient Express of course!

Joe Penvale a mystery writer has spent the last 18 months fighting for his life with cancer.

As a cancer survivor, I would remiss if I did not say how much I enjoyed the incorporation of cancer and how it impacts patients and caregivers.

Joe and his twin, Meri take this trip as a celebration and a way to awaken the muse for Joe to write again.

In true Agatha Christie fashion, a body is found, or is it? And why are there so many law enforcement and legal investigators on board?

They form a merry band of investigators trying to suss out the killer.

The twist was brilliant!

This is one of the best lock room mysteries I have read and throw in all the literary references, I was in love and did not want this book to end, like ever.

The characters were complex, well written, flawed and everyone was a suspect!

The descriptions of the train were excellent, its quite obvious to me that the author did her research.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

Decent, but a bit too slow for my taste.

This thriller had a cool concept and looked great, but it just didn’t fully grab me. The pacing dragged in parts, and I found myself waiting for something big to happen that never really did. Still, it had its moments and might hit better for fans of slow-burn stories.

In true Agatha Christie style, the author takes you on a journey, both literally and metaphorically, to discover who the killer was, in this book based on the original Murder on the Orient Express.

The story starts by introducing you to the characters, quite a few who are loosely connected by crime and murder: crime podcasters, crime writers, former policemen and detectives, private detectives, and more. Suspend your disbelief about the coincidence of them all being on the train together (and in reality, there must be a large group of people attracted to a journey on the Orient Express purely because of the Christie story).

It's quite fast paced, and will leave you guessing, and changing your mind about the identity of the murderer, all the way throughout the story.

The ending - a transcript of a podcast - ties everything up neatly at the end, although I admit to skimming through this bit.

All in all, a good read for anyone who enjoys a Christie book.

A locked room mystery set on one of the most famous train routes in the world where a good portion of the passengers are also police detectives, spies, and other roles. Reminded me of Murder by Death in many ways, without the humor. There are parts of the book that make no sense and I was left confused by the last chapter, but I read it in about 2 hours so that wasn't a horrible way to spend the evening.


It did make me look up how much a trip on the Orient Express would cost and I'm so confused as to why one of the characters ended up on the trip unless someone else paid for their ticket? It was just an extra plot point tossed in at the end of the book that didn't make any sense.

Classic setting of the Orient Express, people boarding during the pandemic, everyone having their own secrets and motivations for being on board. What could go wrong? As the reader can ascertain from the title of the book, 5 are found dead. It's a really interesting classic mystery told in a modern setting. Who is killing these people? Who is next? Why?
We get to read this story from the first person perspective of Meredith Penvale who boards the train on a celebratory adventure with her brother Joe, who has recently completed cancer treatments. He is a mystery writer so she thought this would be the perfect trip to get his creative juices flowing again and take a much needed breather. We meet many characters along the way and get fully invested in their secrets while trying to solve murders.
I really enjoyed this book! It's definitely got a different twist on it than typical mysteries I've read. It provides a bit of nostalgia as well as some great "whodunit."

Thoroughly excellent. Locked room mystery on board the Orient Express with more detectives than you can poke a stick at. Or as Herds says more detectives than suspects. Referencing famous and not so famous train mysteries, the literary ghosts haunting our main male character, and multiple red herrings and plot twists, this story can stand tall next to its famous predecessors. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It began, as all good mysteries do, aboard a train…

Joe Penvale and his twin sister Meredith set out on the storied Orient Express for a journey of rest and recovery—Joe, a crime fiction author in remission, and Meredith, ever the hopeful twin, eager for inspiration to strike once more. But as snow falls and wheels turn, fiction becomes fact, and blood is discovered where only words should have been. No body, just red-stained sheets. And so begins the mystery of Cabin 16G…

The scene is set for a classic locked-room whodunnit, the cast assembled like suspects in a parlour: former law enforcement officers, travellers with secrets, and a killer who’s always one step ahead. As the death toll rises—five found dead, one still missing—the question lingers: who among them is capable of murder?

This is the second novel I’ve read by Sulari Gentill (the first being The Woman in the Library), and once again, the premise is enticing: literary nods, a moody train setting, and a deliciously Christie-esque setup. And yet, for all its potential, the execution didn’t quite reach the heights I hoped for. The pacing lagged at times, the plot veered into the implausible, and some characters fell into nationalistic stereotypes that felt more outdated than artful.

Still, I appreciated the homage to classic crime fiction, and the sense of atmosphere aboard the Orient Express was palpable. There is something irresistible about a train, a mystery, and the ticking clock of arriving at your final destination.

Murder may be timeless, but sometimes, even the best intentions miss their stop.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Crime fiction writer Joe Penvale triumphed over the toughest challenge of his life. After completing a rigorous medical treatment, he and his twin sister, Meredith, are stepping aboard the magnificent Orient Express in Paris, eager for some well-deserved relaxation and renewal. Meredith also hopes that the literary spirits aboard the train will inspire Joe to tap into his creativity once more. To her delight, after an enjoyable first evening mingling with fellow passengers, Joe retrieves his laptop and begins a new writing project. It appears this journey is just what he needed.
However, their adventure takes a dark turn the following morning when Joe and Meredith are stunned to discover that the cabin next door has turned into a crime scene, drenched in blood yet devoid of a body. They quickly find themselves entangled in a murder mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s tales. With no assistance from the police and the victim still unaccounted for, they are invited to collaborate with a group of fellow travelers who have law enforcement experience to investigate the puzzling disappearance of the occupant of Cabin 16G. The situation escalates when the steward assigned to the crime scene is murdered, triggering a series of killings that leaves five dead and one still missing.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Five Found Dead presents an intriguing, locked room mystery aboard the Orient Express. It had a vivid atmosphere and setting that were easy to visualize. However, I found the beginning somewhat sluggish, which made it a bit challenging to fully engage at first. I occasionally felt confused, particularly when trying to remember all the characters and their names—having a character list at the start would have been beneficial! Once the story gained momentum, it became much more engaging. Overall, it was a decent read.

Thank you to @NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to review this ARC.

[NetGalley Read #27]

4.25 ⭐️

"What do you think, Joe?"
"I don't know, Meri. They all have their points." He leans close. "I do wonder why there are so many bloody cops and spies on board."

Very good. Thoughtful. A good mix of Christie and Hitchcock and elements of both classic and modern detective fiction with two solid main characters in the middle of it all, grappling with their own struggles ("I think the answer is that I'm not sure who I am, but I'm trying my best to find out."). You have your classic twists and turns, the red herrings, colorful characters and a setting that is iconic in crime fiction.

Recommended. 👍

Characters
- The main brother-sister duo is delightful. Charming. Fully formed characters that exist even beyond the scope of a murder mystery.
- Having that many detectives, private investigators, and people from law enforcement on the train was unexpected but it made sense, not just in a 'people in these professions are attracted to the Orient Express'. It also made sense from a plot point of view. So, well done on that.

Story
- The title alone makes you go from chapter to chapter 'Ok. That's one. That's three.' You are waiting and counting and dreading for the five to be found dead each chapter.

Setting
- Setting the story in one of the most famous trains in detective fiction, while not new or novel, works really well.

Themes
- Old stories being a character in the new stories and references to (and the concept of) Christie's people wanting to keep things civil and Hitchcock's people thinking we need more action are quite interesting.
- The fear of mortality. The fragility of our lives and the effects it has on the people we love. Loved ones putting their lives on hold to help one person through their struggle. All of these themes are explored, emotions conveyed, amidst all the murder and mayhem, through Meredith and Joe. There are some really good, thoughtful, well written passages in this book (which, after reading the Acknowledgements section at the end, I assume, are based on some of the writer's personal experiences).

Sulari Gentill has become an auto read author for me now, not least because she has the uncanny ability to transport readers into very cleverly constructed stories that somehow conjure up the golden age of mysteries.

This latest caper, which is centred around a brother and sister who go for a journey on the world famous Orient Express is no exception. Although there are contemporary touches such as references to the pandemic, you can feel the spirit of Hercule Poirot twirling his moustaches in the background as the story unfolds.

As the body count increases, the claustrophobic sense of being trapped aboard a train with a murderer is expertly conveyed, and the reader is transported (pun intended) on to the Orient Express as they get it caught up in the adventure. Don't miss this one!

Really fantastic characters who were quirky and fun! Out of this world setting, such a fantastic take on Murder on the Orient Express. Really well developed characters and a great plot. Very Agatha Christie with a twist. Would recommend! Very unique and fresh!