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  • The Excursion Train

  • The Railway Detective, Book 2
  • By: Edward Marston
  • Narrated by: Sam Dastor
  • Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (220 ratings)
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The Excursion Train cover art

The Excursion Train

By: Edward Marston
Narrated by: Sam Dastor
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Summary

On the shocking discovery of a passenger's body on the Great Western Railway excursion train, Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck and his assistant, Sergeant Victor Leeming, are dispatched to the scene.

Faced with what initially appears to be a motiveless murder, Colbeck is intrigued by the murder weapon - a noose.

When it emerges that the victim had worked as a public executioner, Colbeck realises that this must be intrinsically linked to the killer's choice of weapon. However, the further he delves into the case, the more mysterious it becomes. And when a second man is strangled by a noose on a train, Colbeck knows that he must act quickly. Can he catch the murderer before more lives are lost?

Set in Victorian England and rich in historical detail, The Excursion Train will hold you captivated from the beginning to the end of its journey.

©2006 Edward Marston (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Excursion Train

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly Enjoyable

Loved it, interesting story, gentle humour, romance thrown in without anything to give me nightmares! Perfect.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fine detective story well narrated

I am a big fan of Edward Marsden and this an excellent detective story, I did not realize the culprit until the reveal. Very well narrated with a good range of voices, the narrator does well with the female characters.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Spoilt by an overly RP reading

Whist the story was good, despite the predictability of the eventual main villain and the odd late introduction of the accomplice, the entire book was rendered less engaging by the poor choice of narrator.
The narration managed to make the principle protagonist appear pompous, priggish and unpleasantly snobbish in the extreme. Furthermore the whole thing was narrated in an accent that was probably best suited to 1930’s BBC Radio productions. It was a difficult thing to achieve, to make the Inspector more condescending than Paul Temple but the narration managed to do so along with cod Cockneys and mumbling Mummerset Kent yokels.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, “a good story spoiled”

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

An average listen

Found the main character difficult to warm to. He was arrogant and patronising. The Kentish accents were all wrong as these characters seem to have come from the West Country. Glad it was over. A fairly good plot spoilt by a poor narrator. Will try Edward Marstons Home Front Detective and see if that is an improvement

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Childish

Childish rubbish badly narrated. If I could give it less stars I would. Not recommended for serious readers.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent

Really good listen. thoroughly enjoyed the pace, twists and turns. highly recommend. Enjoy listening ...

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Atmospheric.

The story was enjoyable and captured the situation and period well. Unfortunately I will not read any more in the series because I prefer to read books without bad language.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Amateur Dramatics

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed this book, but somehow it sounded like an amateur dramatics performance of a detective story. I am not sure if this is the reading or the writing, but I didn't feel like that after reading the first book on Kindle. I enjoy amateur dramatics, so it didn't bother me too much, but I am not sure how many more of these I would listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

Railway settings and descriptions of lifestyle were interesting background to the plot. The story was credible and not too contrived, although perhaps a bit formulaic. (The obvious grumpy character was not guilty and certain key details were withheld till the end).

What three words best describe Sam Dastor’s performance?

Slow and steady.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No!

Any additional comments?

Good for railway buffs but maybe not for the common man (or woman).

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An easy listen

Thoroughly enjoyed this book the second of the series I've listened to.
Another world and brilliantly evoked by Sam Dastors superb narration

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An easy listening treasure

A great story well delivered which is not hard to follow and does not tax you. An enjoyable experience.

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1 person found this helpful