Nora Marsh and her great-aunt Julia (a famous mystery writer), have their mystery solving hands full all while taking a relaxing cruise down the Mississippi river. When demanding chanteuse Delilah Dove falls overboard, the women are convinced it was murder and not an accident and are determined to solve the crime before the authorities can board the boat.

I enjoyed this historical cozy mystery, set in the 1920's. Nora and Julia are a formidable crime solving team that combine humor and deductive reasoning. There are "red herrings" and twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes. I have enjoyed the author's other books and this one did not disappoint!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A murder mystery set in the 1920, seemed to be a famous year for all murders to occur, on a steamboat with Julia at the helm to ssolve it. This was a slow moving plotline compared to my thrillers. I love all kinds of murder mystery, hence enjoyed this one too.

I really enjoyed Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat! I have read and enjoyed a number of Leighann Dobbs books so when I saw she had a new series I was excited to pick it up. The series focuses on Nora and her Aunt Julia and I loved them both. They were great characters and a funny duo. Nora and Julia travel together a lot and take a trip on a steamboat where a murder occurs. Luckily for everyone, Julia is secretly a murder mystery author (writing under a male pseudonym) so she has experience solving crime and getting into the mindset of a killer. The two of them get to the bottom of the murder before the boat is able to dock.

I am very interested in continuing with this series and also I think that prequels to this book would be exciting to read as a number of past cases are mentioned throughout the story.

A cosy mystery set in the 1920s, with an interesting pair of amateur sleuths. Julia March, an elderly lady, who’s a very famous mystery writer – in disguise, since she must sign her books with a male name, so nobody knows she is actually the author. And Nora, her niece, who’s an accomplished psychologist, able to read people by their reaction and body language.

It’s a good, fun couple, with amusing dynamics, though maybe a tad on the usual side. I mean, the rich, eccentric old lady is hardly unheard of, especially in cosy mysteries, though I liked the twist of the unacknowledged writer.
It is a relaxing, easy read, with an unusual setting (the Mississippi steamboat) and an adequate historical rendition.

The cast is varied and sufficiently mysterious, and the mystery was nicely conducted, though I found the ending a bit lame.
It was, in my opinion, a bit too much on the sleuthing side. I mean, there was nothing in the book but the mystery—no personal development, not even in the main characters of Julia and Nora. I learned nothing about them apart from the essentials. There was no dynamics among the other characters apart what was needed for the mystery. Which is a pity, in my opinion. I do like my mysteries to be true mysteries, but I also like to have something around them, other agendas and events that make the story more like life.

I’m a needy reader, you know?
But on the whole, it was a great read for a summer day. I enjoyed it.

4.5 Stars

Historical cozy mystery fans are going to fall in love with Leighann Dobbs’ charming, witty and absolutely delightful novel, Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat.
At age thirty-five, many would dismiss Miss Nora Marsh as a spinster whose life had passed her by, but little do they realise that she is having the time of her life defying conventions, breaking the rules and solving crimes with a little help from her wily Great Aunt Julia, a world famous mystery novelist. Much to the local police’s chagrin, Nora and Julia have helped put away many a criminal and with her aunt’s keen eye and talent for observation, they always manage to find vital clues the gormless constabulary always manage to miss! Having booked themselves on a relaxing cruise down the Mississippi, Nora and Julia are looking forward to some quiet time although with these two around, trouble is never far behind!

The passengers aboard the Miss Delta Belle cannot wait to be serenaded by chanteuse extraordinaire Delilah Dove. A talented singer who had managed to become a force to be reckoned with in her field despite coming from the wrong side of the tracks, Delilah might have the voice of an angel, but backstage she would have a demon shaking in his shoes. Delilah might have plenty of admirers, but her enemies outnumber her fans by far. When she falls from the deck and plunges to her death, many dismiss it as an unfortunate accident. However, Nora and Julia are not so easily convinced. They know a suspicious death when they see one and unable to resist a juicy murder, they begin to investigate. But are they ready for the shocking secrets they are about to uncover?

Aunt Julia’s nemesis Mississippi police chief Artemis Leonard might have just launched an official investigation, but she is not letting him charge in and derail their investigation! But with no shortage of suspects, a series of mysterious thefts and handsome Max Lawton on board to distract Nora, this case is proving to be anything but easy to solve!

Will Julia and Nora manage to get to the bottom of this baffling case? Or will this be the one they simply cannot crack?

I sailed through Leighann Dobb’s fabulous Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat in an afternoon! A terrific page-turner with red herrings, twists and turns and shocking surprises galore, Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat features two delightful amateur sleuths who are a joy to spend time with. Add plenty of humour, wisecracks, intrigue and suspense and you have an outstanding historical cozy you will not be able to put down.

A must-read for fans of Kerry Greenwood’s Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries, Leighann Dobbs’ hits it out of the park with her latest novel, Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat!

An excellent and fun to read historical cozy mystery that made me smile and kept guessing.
I loved the humour, the well crafted plot, the quirky and fleshed out characters and the solid mystery.
I can't wait to read the next mystery in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

4/5 Stars - A story that whisks you down river!

First off, this is book is one in a series, but I had no problems reading it as a standalone.

This was a wonderful, quick read which just really transports you down the Mississippi River on an old-timey steamboat. The atmosphere just can’t be beat and readers will really feel like they’re traveling down the mighty river as Nora and Julia work their way through the mystery.

The story was really good, with plenty of suspects to keep our heroines occupied. It was a classic “captive audience” situation, which means that everyone is possibly the “bad guy,” and each needs to be worked through, making for plenty of red herrings.

The book also had plenty of parts that had me laughing out loud and absolutely cheering as things went along. Add in some well-times twists and I really enjoyed this book and would welcome the chance to try out more in the series.

Recommended for anyone looking for a cute cozy mystery!

Relaxing Cruise Turns Deadly....
Relaxing cruise becomes anything but for Nora and Julia when a starlet falls overboard. The amateur sleuthing duo can sniff out a murder within a mile and so begins their investigation. A 1920’s set, fun, cosy mystery with likeable protagonists and a colourful cast of characters. Enjoyable, escapist reading.

I loved everything about Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat by Leighann Dobbs. It was the perfect summer cozy mystery.

I discovered Dobbs when I read (and loved) the Kindle Free ebook A Zen for Murder. I've tried a few of her other cozy mysteries and I've enjoyed them, but I think Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat ties for my favorite so far. Like the Moosamuch Island series, this cozy mystery features an older woman as the amateur sleuth. I think Dobbs creates great older characters.

My favorite vacation is a cruise. Sadly, with the pandemic and other recent health issues on cruise ships, I'm not sure if I will feel comfortable on a cruise ship in the near future. But the steamboat setting made this a really fun summer read for me. (Even if it made me long for a cruise of my own). The 1920s is also one of my favorite time periods - the jazz and mentions of changing fashion pulled me in. From the first pages, I was fully on board for this adventure.

I can see why Nora so enjoyed traveling with her great-aunt Julia. Julia is a famous mystery writer. However, since it is 1926 no actually knows that she is the famous novelist as she writes under a male pen name. That doesn't mean she doesn't go fishing for compliments by bringing up her "favorite" author every chance she gets. I'm not sure if her murder investigations inspire the books or if the books inform her sleuthing, but either way, she is definitely in her element when the death of the ship's singer occurs.

I enjoyed getting to know the other travelers onboard the river cruise. They are a colorful, but realistic cast. I had an idea of who the murderer was, but wasn't 100% sure until the end reveal. I don't usually like the "gather everyone together to reveal the murderer" trope, but it worked well in this book and I didn't mind it quite as much as I usually did.

I wish I really could go on a trip with Julia and Nora, but I will definitely join them on their next adventure (if this is the start of a series).

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday, June 8 - http://www.girl-who-reads.com/2020/06/murder-on-mississippi-steamboat-by.html

This is a cosy murder mystery set in the 1920s featuring Miss Nora Marsh and her great-aunt Julia, who is actually a successful author of murder mysteries but under a male pseudonym. They have been invited by the owner of the Miss Delta Belle steamboat to participate in its maiden voyage, cruising down the Mississippi. During the voyage the star singer, Delilah Dove, is murdered and the two ladies are determined to identify the killer before Artemis Leonard, the Mississippi police chief who they’ve crossed before, can even get on board the vessel. So starts an Agatha Christie style investigation, with both ladies looking for clues. There are many suspicious characters, some revelations and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing! Will they solve the crime in time without putting themselves in danger? You’ll just have to read it for yourself to find out!

With its fantastic setting, a steamboat to explore and plenty of secrets to uncover, this is a great first case for this unlikely duo of detectives – especially when they discover someone who purports to be an undercover FBI detective! It is a story to keep you guessing and turning the pages to see if you were right – and having to reconsider your suspicions as more clues are uncovered. It is a lovely story to escape into and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys this genre, I look forward to reading more stories involving this duo of sleuths in future!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and enjoying doing so.

Looking for a pleasant interlude with a cozy mystery -- this is it!

The "Miss Delta Belle" is making its way down the Mississippi on its inaugural voyage in 1926. The steamship is appointed with all the luxury necessary to provide its 195 guests with fabulous accommodations, food, musical entertainment and dancing. Aboard are Nora Marsh and her great-aunt Julia. Aunt Julia is a famous murder mystery novelist writing under the male pseudonym Ridley Howes and Nora has a doctorate degree in psychology. The pair fancy themselves a team of amateur detectives and are always looking for a murder case to solve. As they enjoy meeting the other guests and settling in, they finding exactly that -- a woman is found dangling in the huge red paddle of the boat. This was no accident! With plenty of suspects to watch and interview, the duo is on the hunt for a killer. NO SPOILERS.

This was a fast, fun read with interesting characters and a unique setting. I enjoyed the historical aspects related to the time period and the pace of the narrative. Easy to read in a single sitting, this was a nice change to my usual more serious crime thrillers. I'd definitely like to read another installment featuring these two unlikely detectives. I love the 1920s era historical fiction novels and this just hit the spot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

You can't go wrong with a Leighann Dobbs book so I was really excited to get to read this. The characters are well developed and the storyline flows well. The setting is quite enjoyable and I loved trying to piece the puzzle together. This is a great book for fans of the 1920's.

I have been a fan of Leighann Dobbs for a little while now. I have read all of her books to date and loved each one- although I did have to hide the covers with C.A.T.S on from my ever so jealous yellow Labrador. (This is the hound that once barked at my birthday card because it had a dog on it). Anyway I digress so back to the review I do go. I loved the synopsis for 'Murder On A Mississippi Steamboat' and I was looking forward to discovering a new series. Well 'Murder On A Mississippi Steamboard' was a lovely, cozy mystery type of read and I enjoyed every single minute of it but more about that in a bit.
I loved the characters of Nora and her great aunt Julia, who is definitely a 'one off'. Julia is actually a mystery writer who writes mysteries under a male pseudonym. Julia was advised that mystery books written by men sell in fair greater numbers than mystery books written by women. Julia reminded me a lot of that other famous mystery writer, the fictional Jessica Fletcher. Both ladies have fallen into mystery solving accidentally and both ladies seem to get the details that the police are unable to. Nora is a quiet young lady, but then it's sometimes hard to get a word in edgeways with Julia. As a detective duo, Nora and Julia have great potential and I look forward to reading more about their cases in future books.
I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into this story, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired when I started to read the book and shouldn't be taken as a criticism of the author. Once I got used to the characters, the author's writing style and the storylines then that was it. From then on, I found it hard to put the book down for any great length of time. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would immerse myself so deeply into the story that I would read a lot more of the book than I had at first intended to read. I became intrigued by the characters and by the murder. I had my own suspicions as to how the story was going to pan out so of course I had to keep reading. I soon got to the end of the book and I had to bid a temporary farewell to Julia and Nora.
'Murder On A Mississippi Steamboat' is very well written but then I think that to be true of all of Leighann's books to date. She has a way of grabbing your attention from the start and gently draws you into the story. Before you know it, you are hooked and you can't put the book down. Leighann has one of those writing styles that makes you feel as though you are part of the story yourself. That's how I felt at any rate. I loved the fact that the story was set during the 1920s, which is a period that truly fascinates me. Leighann describes the 1920s so well that had I closed my eyes, it would be easy to imagine that I had borrowed a time machine and I had travelled back to that time.
In short, I really enjoyed reading 'Murder On A Mississippi Steamboat' and I would recommend this book to other readers. I look forward to reading more from Nora and Julia's casebook. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review

Here’s the start of a new cozy mystery meets historical fiction series! MURDER ON A MISSISSIPPI STEAMBOAT is such a quick read and more on the lighter side of the mystery genre. Plus, the main detective duo is a mystery writer and her great-niece? Even better! Sometimes those of us who frequent the gruesome thrillers and murder mysteries need something on the lighter side and this fits that perfectly.

I loved the setting of the steamboat. Only a finite number of potential killers and it adds the element of having to solve it before they have a chance to disembark. Who would want the celebrity Delilah Dove dead? Plenty of suspicious characters aboard and everyone seems to have a motive to want her dead. Nora and Julia were quite the fun pair. I love the amateur detectives in these types of novels.

The author did a great job setting the scene and giving us that historical fiction element. For those that love the 1920’s as a setting, you’ll really enjoy this one and the research that went into it. The author gives us solid characterization, a good little mystery, some red herrings, and a new detective duo I would love to continue with!

This is the second book I read by the author, the first being The Missing Activist. This book continues in the same vein, focusing on British politics and terrorism. I strongly advise you read the The Missing Activist, but this can be read as a standalone.

Karen Anderson once again finds herself in the middle of the action as a convicted terrorist is about to be released from prison. Does she still pose a threat? Then a MP is found murdered, who is responsible and is it connected to a terrorist group?

The book is full of conspiracies and shady politics, and is excellently wriiten by the author. I can not wait to read the next in the series.

A cosy mystery set on paddle steamer on the Mississippi in the 1920s. The descriptions of the boat itself and the wonderful meals was enough to make me want to go on another river cruise. If Covid had not happened I would be in Europe doing exactly that right now! Ah well those days will return. In the meantime I can only read about travel and enjoy it second hand.

A steamboat is an unusual place for a murder to occur but luckily this one just happens to have an amateur detective and her off sider on board. They are only too delighted to have the challenge of discovering who dunnit. It is actually a clever and well thought out setting as a cruising boat keeps all the suspects in one place and also keeps the police out of the way at a port somewhere up river, thus giving our two main characters plenty of time and opportunity to investigate unhindered.

The story was good, the characters interesting and the mystery reasonably difficult to resolve. I guess this book could be the start of a series and, if so, I will be looking out for the next book.

I was happy to pick up a copy of this book, as I love the author's Oyster Cove Guesthouse series, however I didn't find this book nearly as engaging as that series. Set in 1926, mystery author Julia Marsh is on a four day cruise on a paddle steamer with her great-niece Nora when sometime during the night they are woken by screams. They rush out to find the steamboat's singer Delilah dead. At first everyone thinks it's an accident, however the wily Julia knows better, and implores the steamboat's owner to let her investigate.

There are several suspicious characters on board, and in true cozy style Julia and Nora suspect all of them at one stage or another. As quite a few passengers are hiding secrets Julia has her work cut out for her to get to the bottom of the mystery, but get there she does, with a final Agatha Christie style denouement.

Murder On A Mississippi Steamboat is a quick and easy read, and while I did enjoy it never did I find myself totally absorbed by it. With the exception of Julia the characters are forgettable, and the plot wasn't particularly gripping. So while this was an okay read on a quiet afternoon, I doubt I would read any follow up novel.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#MurderonaMississippiSteamboat #NetGalley.
On 12 June 1926, Miss Nora Marsh and her Great Aunt Julia set out on a four-day cruise down the Mississippi on the steamboat, Miss Delta Belle, belonging to Julia's friend, Giles Hendricks. Soon, there is a suspected murder on board of the star performer, Delilah Dove. Julia, a murder mystery author (who writes under the pseudonym, Ridley Howes) and Nora with her PhD in psychology, present themselves to Giles as amateur sleuths. The two investigators are given remarkable licence to ask multiple personal questions of passengers. Given that this is the first in the series, it was surprising when Leighann Dobbs mentioned that Julia and Nora had solved earlier crimes. Are there going to be prequels?

'Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat' is a humorous, period mystery that paints a detailed picture of a holiday cruise aboard a luxury 1920s American steamboat. The author also nicely portrays the flapper fashions in prohibition-era USA: mid-length and long dresses, drop waists, brooches and loops of necklaces. The novel carries the hallmarks of Agatha Christie's legendary crime stories: a boat-load of suspects all confined for the 3 days of the investigation, many secrets and underhanded goings-on, and a real parallel crime.

For 3 days, the sleuths are able to observe the killer and the remaining passengers, who are unable to escape the crime scene. Amongst the wide variety of characters, all painted lightly are a variety of couples, some bachelors, a band of performers, their manager and the ship's captain. Most are under suspicion at the beginning.

A bugbear I had with the story was that many times, after Nora and Julia interviewed/ interrogated a person or couple, Nora came away saying she didn't learn anything. Maybe, that is because the protagonist should have been Julia, not Nora as Leighann Dobbs has written it. Nora picks up a dearth of clues, leaving the reader none the wiser, not once exhibiting the insightful psychological interview techniques she told us she possessed. This meant that the tale didn't turn as rapidly as I was expecting, rather meandering on a slow river. The clues were sparse, because Julia, not Nora, picked them up. I didn't pick the killer although they were in my suspect list.

I recommend 'Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat' by Leighann Dobbs, a cosy, delightful, fun, murder mystery.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Bookouture and Leighann Dobbs for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nora and Auntie Julie are aboard the steamboat Miss Donna Belle enjoying a relaxing cruise with brilliant food, company and entertainment. The last thing they were expecting was a murder to happen on the ship! Determined to solve the crime before the police have a change, Nora and Julie turn into intrepid investigators keen to catch the criminal. Only there's more than one mystery to uncover, after all there are plenty of guests with secrets! Can the dynamic duo solve the crime?

This 1920's murder mystery has it all: a gorgeous setting, plenty of dastardly suspect and the perfect duo to solve the mystery! With so many potential suspects to eliminate, this isn't an easy case. When they find there's another detective on the cruise, will he help or hinder the ladies? And what exactly is he doing on the ship in the first place...

I loved this story and the way it kept me guessing! There's plenty of mystery and intrigue, at multiple clues thrown at you to make this enjoyable and to keep you guessing who-dunnit.

An easy light read, which is perfect if you enjoy a good cosy murder mystery.

I absolutely love a cosy mystery and having read and enjoyed the Blackmoore Sisters series by this author I was excited to dive into this murder mystery set in the 1920's.
Julia and Nora made a great team and have to work to solve the mystery in just a few days whilst keeping their investigation under wraps. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of 1920's fashion throughout as it really gave a feel for the time.

This was a quick and fun read and a definite win for anyone who enjoys a cosy mystery and a bit of light historical fiction and any Agatha Christie fans out there!

I was not disappointment and am looking forward to the next instalment in this series!

Thank you to @bookouture and @netgalley for my #gifted ebook in exchange for review.