Read time: 3 minutes
There’s something about a train that makes a mystery feel inevitable. Everyone’s stuck together, nobody can leave, and somewhere between the tea trolley and the next station, someone’s going to end up dead. G. B. Ralph clearly knows this, because Milverton Mysteries #5, Killer on the Kelvin Explorer, sends Addison Harper straight into that setup, and I am already onboard with him.
The setup
Addison Harper and Sergeant Jake Murphy are off to a shaky start with their new living situation. So when Addison gets the chance to get out of town and clear his head, he’s quick to jump at it.
The day’s scenic railway journey features a powerful steam engine hauling lovingly restored heritage carriages, dramatic Aotearoa New Zealand landscapes rolling past the windows, and what I can only assume is an unreasonable number of cups of tea. Addison can already see the tourism potential for Milverton. Unfortunately, a death en route threatens to derail more than just the day’s excursion.
Passengers were promised an unforgettable day out. They’re going to get one, just not the kind anyone was hoping for.
Why I’m here for this series
I’ve read and loved all four previous books in The Milverton Mysteries, so when G. B. Ralph sent me this ARC directly, I didn’t need much convincing to clear my schedule. If you haven’t met the series yet, here’s the pitch: a chaotic cast of local busybodies, delicious baked treats, a demanding and disdainful ginger cat, and a very slow-burn romance with a rather appealing policeman. Oh, and murder, obviously.
On the vibes list this time: amateur sleuthing, a sly sidekick, eclectic fellow passengers stuck together for the ride, railway thrills, and that slow-burn romance still very much simmering in the background.
Why I can’t put this one down
Full disclosure, I’m already 25% into Killer on the Kelvin Explorer as I write this, and I’m already struggling to stop reading long enough to do anything else. And that’s saying something, because I tremendously loved the previous four books. This one is more engaging than any of them so far.
Part of it is the setup. The entire book takes place inside a train, over the course of a single 24 hour day. There’s nowhere for anyone to go, no gap in the timeline for things to cool off, and it makes for genuinely exciting reading.
I actually took my Kobo on a hike this weekend. While everyone around me was busy admiring a waterfall, I was perched on a rock next to it, still riding along with Addison and Mabel on the Kelvin Explorer instead. I’ll be back with my full thoughts closer to release, but for now: mark your calendar, because I don’t think this one’s letting me go anytime soon.
The details
📖 Killer on the Kelvin Explorer
✍️ G. B. Ralph
📚 The Milverton Mysteries, Book 5
🏳️🌈 Cosy mystery with a gay/MM slow-burn romance thread
📍 Set in Aotearoa New Zealand’s picturesque lower North Island
Release dates:
- Ebook: 9 September 2026
- Paperback: late September / early October 2026 (date TBC)
- Audiobook: 6 April 2027
Where to find it
Grab your copy or add it to your TBR here: gbralph.com/killer-on-the-kelvin-explorer
Or find it directly on:
More from G. B. Ralph, including the rest of the Milverton Mysteries series, over at gbralph.com.
Tell me in the comments
Would you survive a murder investigation on a scenic steam train, or are you the first one to end up as a suspect? Mark your calendar for 9 September and let’s find out together.
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