This author was new to me as of this reading, but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole-done-it murder mystery set on the Orient Express! There are great characters in this historical fiction, and the action was inventive and captivating. I will definitely be reading more of this series. Thank you NetGalley for a chance to explore new authors with an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. Terrific read.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Nice!

1928
Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers are on the Orient Express, traveling to Constantinople. Christie just wants a break from the recent mess in her personal life and the poor reception of her latest book.
However, before they can even settle into their carriage, a fellow guest drops dead. Being the last person to speak to the victim, Dorothy finds herself the prime suspect!
Eliza (Dorothy’s assistant) and her friend Theo have to solve the case and find the killer. The stakes get higher when another dead body is found. Can Eliza help her employer prove her innocence?
The story comes in third-person POVs of Eliza and Theo.

My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the new series, which has real-life characters and fictional ones. While the mystery is standalone, I think reading the previous book would help establish the base for character interactions.
The book takes a time leap, which I did not expect, especially since the previous one ended on a cliffhanger. Moreover, that element seems to have been brushed aside with just a little mention! Maybe it will be taken up in the coming books.
It’s a small book, so I could finish it in a single sitting. The mystery is cozy but with some high stakes, as international criminals and MI5 seem to be involved. There are enough twists to keep you hooked.
Dorothy and Agatha are good at what they do, though we must remember that the book belongs to Eliza, who is a bit too competent and a one-woman show. While I love competent heroines, I like them better when they are sensible. Eliza seems to be multitalented, with the only character flaw being too forceful and an utter lack of ability to see that Theo loves her when the guy is pretty much holding a banner you could see from the moon!
In theory, I like the contrast between Eliza and Theo’s characters. He is the softer one, someone who faints at the sight of blood and is a struggling writer.  He has a good brain but spends much time thinking about Eliza. After a point, I wanted him to stop it and focus on himself.
The setting of the Orient Express and other places is well done. The descriptions are just enough to visualize the details without slowing down the plot.
Don’t skip the author’s note at the end. It’s informative. I like how the author was extra careful and added a large spoiler tag with the note. She discusses a few important events in the book based on real incidents.

To summarize, The Case of the Body on the Orient Express is a decent continuation of the series and works as a light read between intense works. I’m hopeful it’ll get better, so let’s wait and see what happens next.
Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley

As someone who hasn't read the first book in this series, I was able to just jump into this book without being too confused. Enough is explained about each character and their connection to each other that I wasn't super lost and was quickly immersed in the story about a train ride on the Orient Express. The main character, Eliza, is headed to a writer's convention with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. They are all surprised to find people from their past on this train and secrets that have been hidden are slowly being revealed after someone is murdered.

It was a very good read that I couldn't put down once things got going. The mystery elements were not predictable, and I was not able to guess who did it early in the story. I enjoyed the main characters and look forward to seeing what happens with them in future books.

arc book review
upcoming pub date: 7.13.25
genre: mystery and thrillers
⭐️⭐️⭐️

about:
agatha christie and, fellow writer, dorothy sayers board the orient express headed for constantinople. eliza baker, dorothy’s assistant, joins the writers but it’s not long before a guest drops dead during dinner service. since dorothy was the last person to talk to them before they died and she had the motive, she’s become a prime suspect. it’s up to eliza and her friend, theo, to solve the case before it’s too late.

fans of historical cozy mysteries should add this one to their tbr stack even though it was 3 stars for me! i think the story could’ve been stronger if it stayed in eliza’s pov instead of switching to theo’s pov within the same chapter. it was a little confusing at first but you catch on! some of the character’s made questionable decisions or had special connections or skills that helped the story progress but weren’t entirely believable so it kinda pulled me out of the story at times. this is the second installment in the detection club series and there were several references to events that happened previously that, even though it is a standalone book, i almost felt i needed to read the first installment beforehand to be caught up.

overall i enjoyed going back aboard the orient express for another whodunnit and plan to read the first in the series (the case of the christie conspiracy) so i’m up to speed for when the next book drops!

thank you @theboldbookclub for the opportunity to read before the book publishes next month!

🚂 do you like to read whodunnits? what was the last mystery you read?

Eliza is Dorothy Sayers assistant. The go on the Orient Express to Istanbul with Agatha Christie and they're part of the Detective Club and someone tells them that they're writing an expose on someone on the train. He then turns up dead so Eliza and her friend Theo try to find out who did it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cozy historical mystery. A quick and witty read, it grabs your attention and keeps it. I didn't realize this was part of a series and felt that it held its own as a standalone.

I really enjoyed this book, I like the way the author uses real characters interwoven with not so real ones!

Eliza Baker is secretary to the London Detection Club, specifically Dorothy L.Sayers.

During a meeting which she is minuting it's decided that Dorothy, and so Eliza as well, will represent the group at an International Writer's Convention in Istanbul and would travel on the Orient Express, accompanying them just for the journey would be Agatha Christie.......

Eliza has an interesting past, lived on the streets with her sister Jane, was in the police force for a short while until her serious mistake cost her partner his life, so now she spends her time with the Club and also helping to solve any mystery which may turn up. She is missing Theo her partner in crime (and chess) from the first book, will she see him again?

Great, comforting read. Recommended

This delightful murder mystery set aboard the iconic Orient Express is packed with cheeky fun, golden age flair, and a dash of literary nostalgia. Pairing Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers as sleuthing passengers is a brilliant twist that adds a layer of playful wit to an already engaging whodunit.

The story kicks off quickly with a suspicious death at dinner, and from there, the stakes only rise—especially when Dorothy finds herself the main suspect. Luckily, her sharp-witted assistant Eliza and the charming Theo step in to untangle the mess. Their banter and deductive escapades bring a breezy, entertaining energy to the unfolding mystery.

The period detail is spot-on, the pacing moves along nicely, and while the plot has its classic twists and red herrings, it’s the characters and their spirited interactions that truly shine. Some plot points are a touch far-fetched, but in a story this fun, it’s easy to go along for the ride.

Perfect for fans of historical mysteries with a sense of humor and a little wink to the genre’s greats—this is one train journey worth boarding.

The Case of the Body on the Orient Express is a mystery novel about a murder on the Orient Express. It seems to me that this book is intentioned to be the "true story" that inspired Agatha Christie to write Murder on the Orient Express. I thought it was an interesting touch to include popular writers Agatha Christie and George Orwell as characters (there may be more but I only recognized their names). The writing style is a little abrupt and there aren't good transitions between POVs. Besides that, the story is very interesting and was a fun read. 3.75/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I asked for the privilege of reading an ARC of this book from NetGalley, I did so based solely on the cover! It just looked intriguing. It turned out to be an excellent choice. It is well written with enjoyable characters and just a touch of a true story. I highly recommend it and not just Agatha Christie fans. Be sure to read the appendix AFTER you read the book. This opinion is my own.

Let's get this out of the way - this is an international cosy thriller first and a cosy murder mystery second. If you're expecting an actual murder mystery, it takes second place to the high stakes drama of secret societies, MI5, spies, a femme fatale, and the like.

The plot is entertaining, a fast paced thriller hurtling through countries as we track down a killer, a spy, missing papers that have secrets and so much more.

I was a bit disappointed in the time jump from the previous novel. The first story was left on an intriguing cliff-hanger which was sort of swept aside in this one. This story ends on a cliff-hanger too and the promise of more mystery, but I am hoping that the next one will follow through and actually confront where it left off.

Eliza is as blunt and as determined as ever. I don't understand how she could be trained to be a spy in the war and yet not pick up on any of the very obvious cues that Theo likes her - subtle, that boy is not! It's great to have PoV from both our main characters but Theo maybe thinks about Eliza a tiny bit too much, its starting to border into stalker tendencies, the way his thoughts are always on her and his feelings.

Oh and this George Orwell is a horrible bleh and I really hope he's not in any further ones. He made me want to take a shower every time he was on the page, just to wash his slime away - so well done to the author for crafting such an obnoxious version.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Net Galley for this ARC. I didn't realize this was the second in a series. There were lots of references to the first novel but this can still be read as a standalone. I'd say its more spy then mystery and feel Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers have been shoehorned in to give the book gravitas. I'm going to read the first book, perhaps this is just a second book syndrome blip and the third will be great

It’s 1928 and Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Eliza Baker, ex- Scotland Yard and Dorothy’s secretary, are aboard the Orient Express on the way to a writer's convention in Istanbul. However, when a murder occurs and Dorothy becomes the prime suspect, Eliza must put all her detecting skills to good use to uncover the real culprit with the aid of her ex, Theo, before even more mayhem ensues.

The Case of the Body on the Orient Express is the second book in The Detection Club series by Kelly Oliver. Although the first I’ve read and although there are some references to the first, I didn’t find it interfered with my enjoyment of this book. And I did enjoy it…mostly. My only problem with the story was that Christie and Sayers play only minor roles while Eliza seems, at times, too much, like a one-woman commando team and Theo’s role seems to be mainly just to add a bit of romance. Still, that’s just me and, overall, this is an entertaining cozy mystery with plenty of twists and turns and red herrings enough to keep the reader involved and I look forward to reading more of Eliza’s exploits in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A gathering of mystery writers including Dorothy L. Sayers and her secretary Eliza Baker, ex-Scotland Yard and current secretary to the secretary of the Detection Club, Ms. Sayers started out in England for a conference in Istanbul. Two murders put them to the test and on the suspect list, complete with intrigue, red herrings, and some very surprising plot twists. A very enjoyable trip on a famous ride through history and mystery.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected ebook file from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.
Avail Jul 14, 2025
#TheCaseoftheBodyontheOrientExpress by @Kellyoliverbooks #TheDetectionClubBk2 @boldwoodbooksnl @BoldwoodBookClub #chessClubs #BritishCozyMystery #NetGalley @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble **** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #chessMoves #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #BritishDetectives #MurderInvestigations #orientexpress #murders #closedcirclemystery #famousauthors #romantic

3.25 stars

A cozy mystery with one Eliza Baker ex-Scotland Yard and current secretary to the secretary of the Detection Club, a group for mystery writers to come together and share ideas.

Eliza accompanies her boss, Dorothy, and Agatha Christie on a train to Constantinople (yes, on the Orient Express itself!) While on the train, tragedy strikes and someone is found dead. Unfortunately, this person has direct ties to Dorothy, making it imperative that they solve this mystery, and quickly! Fortuitously, the train staff also includes a long time friend of Eliza’s, the handsome and intelligent Theodore, also an aspiring writer, who is taking odd jobs to make ends meet.

I actually really liked the mystery. I frequent cozy mysteries, and was pleasantly surprised that I did not see any of the plot ahead of time! Sometimes cozy mysteries can be very predictable- but they’re not meant for intense thrill or convoluted puzzles. They’re cozy for a reason. This one managed to stay cozy while also being tense and compelling.

That said, what brought the story down for me was the characters. Eliza is simply too competent, leaving the rest (especially Theodore) in the dust. She’s an ex detective, a scientist, a chess extraordinaire, who can also beat up men as necessary. She knows her way around crime extensively and is involved even with the British government. She is a one man show so the other characters feel extraneous and personally, this makes her feel boring! Even harder to believe is the authors adamant description of Eliza’s abject poverty as she grew up. It’s strange because had this story been set in a fantasy world, I’d have no problem with a crazy competent heroine. But because it’s based in the “real” 1920s, I just can’t wrap my head around someone who grew up in poverty to have enough resources to be Eliza?

Anyways, still a fun story and I definitely would read the continuing books to see what happens. This one ends on a good cliffhanger so I can’t wait to see what’s next.

I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed the audiobook of the first one, so I was super excited to get my hands on the e-book of the second. I think I would have enjoyed this best in audio, but I still really enjoyed the mystery. Eliza, our intrepid sleuth and former Scotland Yard detective, is heading on the Orient Express for a writing convention with her employer Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. Along the way, they encounter spies, mystery, and death.

I think I this book was equally as good as the first one, but would recommend the audio if you can get it. I will say that Theo comes off a little strong in all of his chapter blurbs but I enjoyed the mystery and the historical setting. It gives off golden age of mystery vibes even if the mystery was not as elaborate. Definitely check this out if you’ve been enjoying the recent book rollouts of golden age mystery authors in stories that we’re getting!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early arc! All opinions are my own.

"Paris, 1928: Agatha Christie and fellow writer Dorothy L. Sayers board the Orient Express, bound for Constantinople. Christie in particular is looking forward to a break from recent dispiriting events in both her work and private life - the finalisation of her divorce from her philanderous husband Archie, and the miserly reception of her latest book.

But before the duo can settle in to enjoy the luxuries of their first-class journey, their journey is derailed when a fellow guest drops dead during the dinner service. And as the last person to speak to the victim, Dorothy finds herself a prime suspect in his murder.

As the train hurtles East, Sayers' resourceful assistant Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate a maze of suspects. But with each passing mile, the stakes rise, and when another body is discovered, their search to find the killer before they reach their destination becomes increasingly complicated.

Can Eliza and Theo stay one step ahead, crack the mystery and clear Dorothy's name? Or will this be one journey too far for the amateur sleuths?"

Eh, do they really have to clear Dorothy's name?

Thanks to Kelly Oliver, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a nice cozy mystery set on the famed Orient Express. What adds to the fun is the inclusion of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, George Orwell, and other famous authors in the story which includes the famous train setting.

The author does a nice job interweaving true events with the mystery which takes place mostly on the train. Added to the true events are spies, a cartel, a romance, and of course, murders. Great choice for those who would like a little history with their cozy.

Despite containing all the elements I would love in a cozy, I found this a bit too try hard. As in trying to do too much. Also I am not a fan of the badly injured heroine rushing headlong/headstrong into danger trope. However I do love cozies. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It was an enjoyable and intriguing mystery. It held my attention, filled with notable characters I rather liked.

Authors Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers along with Eliza, Dorothy's secretary, head to Istanbul, on the Orient Express. Two men from Dorothy's past come aboard the Orient too. One of them, her past lover, dies unexpectedly. Eliza, suspecting he was poisoned, starts to investigate. With the help of Theo, a friend she unexpectedly encounters, she starts gathering clues. Their search becomes even more important, when the second man ends up dead too. A journalist with a dangerous story, whose manuscript is gone. Eliza and Theo find themselves in more danger than they thought, especially when Eliza's sister Jane, a MI5 agent, comes into the picture too. Is there more to this story than they originally thought?

I really liked Eliza and her determination, even if she lacked some common sense in certain situations. I also enjoyed the fact that we got both hers and Theo's POV. They were so cute together, I hope we get more of them. But, I do think that the amount of time Theo spent thinking about Eliza was a little too much.
I especially liked the fact that Agatha and Dorothy were included in this story, helping find the answers, Agatha is one of my favourite writers and while I know of Dorothy, I never read any of her novels, so this might be my sign to finally read them. And of course, George Orwell was included too, but I didn't like his character at all.

It was a compelling story, filled with murder, secrets, blackmail, a criminal organisation and espionage. We also got to see all of them following hidden clues all over Istanbul. There wasn't anything shocking about the revelations, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
I didn't realise this was book two when I requested it, so there is probably things I missed or I should've known when I started, but it didn't took away from the story at all. I'll definitely go back and read the first book though.

The ending was left more open, we didn't get a real conclusion to the story, so I'm hoping it will be continued in the next book. I can't wait to read it and hopefully Eliza and Theo will finally admit their feelings to one another.