Mayhem on the Marzipan Express by Rebecca Connolly - OPTIONAL

Mayhem on the Marzipan Express (A Claire Walker Mystery #2) by Rebecca Connolly, 320 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $19.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Alan Gables himself asked Claire to assist him during an exclusive event, baking on a train full of Alan-fans on their way to an event honoring his achievements. She is flattered to be working with him, and Claire’s boyfriend, Jonny, is excited about the potential for a little romance on this trip. When a dead body is found in Dining Car 3, priorities shift for everyone.

While the title references Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, the only significant similarity is that this murder mystery takes place on a train. Claire and Jonny are amateur sleuths, and there is as much focus on their romance drama as on the murder. While there was too much self depreciation for my tastes, it is obvious that this is a labor of love for the author. Connolly delivers a fun, light mystery with a generous side helping of ridiculousness that is meant to make readers laugh. If murder mystery can be lighthearted and cozy, this series is it.

The majority of characters are English and Scottish. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, kissing, illegal activity, mild innuendo, and multiple uses of the phrase “sex appeal.” The violence rating is for assault, mild blood and gore, corpses, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson