Death on the Norfolk Express

 

Death on the Norfolk Express by Ross Greenwood
4/30/26; 392 pages
Boldwood Books
The Norfolk Murder Series #6

Death on the Norfolk Express by Ross Greenwood is the very highly recommended sixth procedural in the Norfolk Murder Series featuring Detective Inspector Ashley Knight. This investigation is centered around the steam engines on North Norfolk Railway also called the Poppy Line.

When Terry Hardy, 90, is found dead in one of the carriages on the North Norfolk Steam train, it is initially assumed he had died of natural causes but later determined to be murder. When another man is spotted tied to the tracks and barely manages to free himself before being hit by the train. At the start DI Ashley  Knight is dealing with life shattering news but still chooses to work to take her mind off of things. The man tied to the tracks is identified as Luke Dillon, and there is a connection between the Hardy family, Dillion, and others. When another murder occurs it is clear that resentment and anger is still seething below the surface due to events that happened many years ago and this may be the impetus for the current murders.

In this character-based procedural the action follows DI Ashley Knight of a Wymondham based Norfolk Major Investigative Team and her colleagues as they carefully, and methodically investigate the murders and the interconnections between the victims. All the characters are fully realized and familiar to readers following the series. There are further development on personal matters for several characters too. For those new to it there is a helpful list of the team members at the front of the novel. 

This marks another well-written procedural in the series. With a fast-paced plot, it is descriptive, atmospheric, and interesting throughout. The investigation proceeds logically, clues discovered, information revealed, and suspects were noted. Even though I had several suspects in mind, the perpetrator was completely unpredictable until the end.  Along the way I learned some new information about steam trains and the North Norfolk Line. Although this is the sixth in the series, I think new readers could read this a a standalone novel.

Death on the Norfolk Express is a great choice for those who enjoy character-based procedurals and for everyone following the Norfolk Murder Series. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.