A group of writers, book industry professionals, and reading circle buffs were invited to the program for the Australian Mystery Writers' Festival, with guest of honour Henry McTavish, bestselling author of a detective series. The festival was to take place on the Ghan, the famous train route that bisects the immense desert of Australia. The train had been overhauled for comfort and luxury, an opulent hotel on rails and a world-renowned tourist destination.
However, in an unexpected turn of events not long into the journey, McTavish was found dead. It occurred to many of them that they had reasons to dislike him, and several were probably glad he was dead. The crime writers, each specializing in a different field, were eager to find and rule out the motives and alibis. While they were playing detective, the number one suspect turned into a victim.
The story also explores the unreliable nature of the literary world, such as ghostwriting, the significance of the author's endorsement, and the complexities of literary criticism. It's a great read for setting up a whodunnit! While the narrative is engaging and well-crafted, I found that the ending did not meet my expectations, given the buildup of the plot, deductions, and the final reveal.
However, in an unexpected turn of events not long into the journey, McTavish was found dead. It occurred to many of them that they had reasons to dislike him, and several were probably glad he was dead. The crime writers, each specializing in a different field, were eager to find and rule out the motives and alibis. While they were playing detective, the number one suspect turned into a victim.
The story also explores the unreliable nature of the literary world, such as ghostwriting, the significance of the author's endorsement, and the complexities of literary criticism. It's a great read for setting up a whodunnit! While the narrative is engaging and well-crafted, I found that the ending did not meet my expectations, given the buildup of the plot, deductions, and the final reveal.