3.5 stars.
This eighth installment in the Miss Underhay series is light and frothy, with a locked room, or train car, in this book’s mystery.

After the perpetrators of a violent London jewel heist are caught and put on trial, one of the witnesses is sent to spend time safely with Matthew Bryant, Kitty Underhay’s new fiancé, and a detective. Unfortunately, the man is killed sometime during the train ride, with six possible suspects on the car with him.

I think Dame Agatha Christie and her many mysteries have spoiled me, as I figured out who the killer was early on, during the initial questioning of the suspects.

The dead witness’ dog provides some amusing moments during the book, after Matthew assumes care of the dog while investigating first one, then another associated murder in the case.

Kitty seemed like a fairly sensible, smart and caring person, and I liked how brave she was to confront her mother’s killer in jail. And how she made the breakthrough on the case, in this enjoyable and quick read.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This has been another enjoyable and atmospheric read by this author. You are immediately pulled in and not left waiting for the incident or “mystery” to happen.

Once again, I have enjoyed witnessing Kitty at work and seeing how she fits her sleuthing into, and around, her mostly very normal life. This makes her a relatable, likeable and believable character.

There is a vibrant and intriguing cast of suspects, who all have question marks over their heads to begin, and I enjoyed witnessing how they were dealt with.

There were a couple of twists I didn’t see coming, and some other characters, such as Mrs Craven, who I also thought were very well developed.

Overall, an entertaining and easy read, perfect for cosy mystery fans and fans of Agatha Christie, Victoria Walters, Katie Gayle and Verity Bright to name but a few.

Kitty Underhay and Matthew Bryant are on the case again in Helena Dixon's newest cozy mystery Murder in First Class. It's book 8 in the series, but it isn't necessary to have read the previous books. If you enjoy a good mystery then this is the book for you.

I'm not sure if it is because of the murder on a train or that all of the passengers in the first-class carriage claim not to have seen anything, but this book felt like an Agatha Christie mystery.

The carriage was closed off so no one could have just been passing through and killed the man who had testified at a highly publicized burglary trial, The passengers, except for Mrs. Craven, of course, are all under suspicion, especially as more is revealed about who they really are.

I like that there is an amicable relationship between the police and Kitty and Matthew. So many cozy mysteries have the sleuths at odds with the police. But in this book, they work collaboratively. Inspector Greville even seems appreciative of their help. He's not incompetent (another overdone trope in cozy mysteries in my opinion), he just recognizes the help they can provide.

I also like how Matthew treats Kitty as an equal in the investigation. He doesn't discourage her to get involved and more so, he is appreciative of her insightfulness.

They make a great sleuthing couple. And in Murder in First Class, we get to see them often as a regular couple - having lunch in tea rooms, walking the dog, etc. These normal (some might sag mundane) life activities are often omitted and I found it nice to get to know the characters. It made them feel like real people doing normal people things.

The mystery is a good one. A first glance it seems none of the passengers have a motive or even knew the victim. But as the story progresses though their stories start to unravel and previously unknown connections and possible motives are revealed. I had no idea who the culprit or culprits might be.

The story had a slighter slower pace but it is because there isn't a lot of hustle and bustle going on and it allows time for the reader to get to know the main characters in more of an every day setting.

If you are looking for a good whodunit in the vein of Agatha Christie, then this is the book to get.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday, February 22 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/02/murder-in-first-class-by-helena-dixon.html

Kitty Underhay is a must read for me - she and Matt are interesting characters and I always enjoy their adventures. This time it is Matt's former boss that gets them involved in murder. It seems like a simple babysitting job until the man arrives dead in a train coach filled with other travelers and no one saw a thing, When the main suspect is killed, things get even more confusing!

I am looking forward to the next book and thank #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #MurderinFirstClass.

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the Kitty Underhay series and I still can't believe that we're on book eight already.

Murder In First Class takes on the classic murder on a train trope popular in many vintage crime stories and it is also one of my favourites! I can't tell you how much I was looking forward to this, and it didn't disappoint!

After a phone call from Matt's former boss, Kitty and Matt are tasked with looking after Simon Travers, who is believed to know where jewels missing from a robbery are hidden. Before they can get any answers, Traver is found dead in the first-class compartment on a train. There's a limited amount of suspects, but it's a puzzle as to how and when it happened. When a second passenger is found dead, it's a race against the clock to find out who the murderer is.

As usual with this series, there's a real puzzler of a mystery to get your teeth into, along with some sweet and fun moments along the way.

I do like how the courtship between Kitty and Matt hasn't been rushed or forced, but I'm so happy to see they're engaged now. I know it's probably a bit strange, but I'm very much looking forward to their wedding, mainly to see how both of them will handle it.

I also enjoyed the addition of Bertie the dog, his antics adding some humour to the story.

If you're looking for a well written and well researched historical mystery, you honestly can't go wrong with this series. I know book nine in this series is coming in a few months and I can't wait to see what's next for Matt and Kitty!

An iconic detective duo, a dog and a mystery. Is there a better combination that that? Obviously none!

Hook and bait --- that is what Murder in First Class greets you with the moment you decide to delve into the story. The capture of the initial villain was the introduction of the novel. It thrilled me, and this is just the first page!

Murder in First Class is fast-paced, more so than the other installments in the series.

The main characters are met with the usual mystery, but also a new prospect in their romantic lives. Readers will want to turn the page to learn about the mystery as much as Matt and Kitty's journey as a couple.

Personally, this is by far the most intriguing and puzzling case in the series. Dixon kept me guessing until the finale. With so many suspects and narratives branching out, you really have to be constantly vigilant to figure out who the murderer is! I did NOT expect the prison scene at all. And it kept my heart pumping for a good few minutes as I lay in my bed visualizing the scenes.

Another plus is the addition of a new element --- Bertie, the dog. I adore Bertie despite his misdeeds and antics. He really added to the joy of reading the story. Hopefully we'll see more of this adorable rascal on the succeeding installments!

But at long last, we are given a concrete tidbit of an answer to the late Mrs. Underhay’s death.

A request to keep a key witness safe, to collect him from the train
Is the start of another murder mystery as the witness is slain!
A closed first class carriage, no one enters or leaves
But someone is murdered yet no one really grieves!

With the others in the carriage - no one saw a thing -
But with a dagger through his heart suspicions ring.
Another enthralling read with more than one to die
Who is telling the truth and who is telling a lie?

What a delightful read full of mystery and suspense
And that twisted ending leaves everything tense!
Whilst it works as a standalone, this is the eighth in the set.
With characters involved some series readers had previously met.

So many twists and turns to keep you perplexed, too.
With surprises, romance, a great read, it is true!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

Helena Dixon continues her Miss Underhay Mystery series with the eighth installment titled Murder in First Class. Although this is the first book in the series that I have read, I found that I was able to follow the storyline and characters without much difficulty as there was enough background included to catch me up on the history of the main characters and so this book can realistically be read as a stand alone as well as part of the series.

The story begins with Kitty Underhay's fiancé Captain Matt Bryant agreeing to do his former boss a favor and host a witness in a burglary case at his home until the trial is complete. Matt and Kitty arrive at the train station to pick up the witness only to discover that he has been murdered at some point during the trip. Fortunately, the train car that the witness was riding in only had six other passengers and no corridor to the remainder of the train so the number of suspects was limited.

The author did an excellent job of setting the scene and developing her characters, however, at times, I found that pace to be slow moving with perhaps too much tangential information and interactions for it to be a truly riveting book. I realize that much of this involved wrapping up earlier stories and setting the stage for future books but by their inclusion there were time that the story became somewhat clunky and disjointed. As far as the murder that this book relates to, I found the investigation into the various suspects to be interesting and enjoyed the plot twists that the author included. I did find it somewhat of a letdown when the culprit and motive was finally revealed.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for a fair and honest review.

All aboard! Book 8 in the Miss Underhay Murder Mysteries Series and still as enjoyable as the first one. In fact, I would dare say it was one of the installments I enjoyed the most!

The locked room mystery vibes and the fact that the murder takes place on a steam train, are inevitable reminiscent of Murder on the Orient Express, one of my favorites mysteries ever.

Newly engaged, Kitty and Matthew, go to the train station to meet the witness from a jewelry theft, but when the train arrives, he’s dead and only one of the other six passengers in the first class compartment could have committed the crime.

The murder mystery was quite the puzzle! It’s always so much fun trying to solve an apparent impossible crime. The cast of suspects was pretty diverse and this time around I did not guess the culprit, which is always a plus!

It’s also so nice to be witness to Kitty and Matthew’s evolving relationship. They make such a cute couple and such a great pair of investigators. I love how Matthew encourages Kitty in their investigations and doesn’t try to put a brake to her sleuthing. I’m curious to see if this will still be the case once they’re married. I also like how Kitty has helped Matthew to overcome some of his past traumas without putting any pressure on him.

Kitty’s backstory has also taken a huge step forward but, when everything seemed to have reached its conclusion, an unexpected delivery will threaten to derail their wedding plans.

If you like cozy historical mysteries with a great leading sleuth, you have to read this whole series ASAP!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Helena Dixon's Murder in First Class is book eight in her Miss Underhay Mystery series, but my fourth as I jumped into it at book five. Cozy mysteries are a definite favourite of mine and the 1930s setting adds to its allure. Kitty and her fiancé, Captain Matthew Bryant are great people and have a lovely relationship. In fact, all of the energetic and dynamic characters of this charming series make it a fitting choice. The mystery contains a generous pool of suspects and the novel sparkles with wit. I am thrilled that I have the first four books in the series to catch up on and I'm also happily anticipating the ninth one, entitled Murder at the Country Club.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Kitty Underhay is looking forward to a week of wedding planning with her fiancé, Captain Matthew Bryant. Her plans go awry when Matthew is asked to go to the train station and meet Simon Travers. Matthew is asked to house and protect Simon because he is a witness in the case of the murder of Kitty’s mother. But, when the train arrives Simon is found in his seat with a dagger in his heart. Super sleuth, Kitty Underhay wastes no time in wanting to find out who is responsible for Simon’s murder. She has to find out which passenger had access to Simon’s compartment, who wanted Simon dead and why? Kitty suspects the traveling salesman that was on the train with no merchandise. But when he is also found murdered she is completely stumped. But when she makes the connection between the murders, she decides she must find the culprit before they strike again. I absolutely love master sleuth Kitty Underhay. She is so engaging and her wonderful sleuthing skills kept me flying quickly through the story. I love how the author keeps you guessing to the very end. It makes the book unputdownable because there is a race to the finish to discover the culprit. The plot twists and turns we completely engrossing. I enjoyed it very much and is without a doubt a must read.

Thank you Helena Dixon for such a wonderful story addition to the Miss Underhay Mystery Book series. I am truly enjoying this series and I highly recommend it.

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Murder in First Class’ by Helena Dixon in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 8 in Dixon’s series of historical cosy mysteries set in 1930s Devon featuring the sleuthing adventures of hotelier Miss Kitty Underhay.

I have followed this lively series since its start and enjoy them very much, often reading in a single sitting. While background is provided for new readers, it is a fun series and there are some ongoing subplots that develop from book to book.

It is June 1934 and Kitty Underhay is looking forward to a week of relaxation before returning to her position at the Dolphin Hotel. Yet her plans for spending quality time with Captain Matthew Bryant are derailed when he is contacted by his former employer and asked a favour. Simon Travers, a key witness in a jewel heist trial in London, needs to be kept safe until the trial is over. So, Matt and Kitty will be meeting him from the London train.

Given the title it’s no spoiler that there is a murder in First Class. There’s only a small group of individuals with access to the compartment. So, it appears that one of these seemingly benign passengers is a killer and of course, Kitty is determined to discover the culprit.

Yet is it revenge for the testimony, linked to the missing jewels, or another motive? Naturally it doesn’t take long for Kitty to uncover connections between the passengers and then oops another murder!

No further details in order to avoid spoilers. In acknowledgement of the traditions of Golden Age of Detective Fiction, Kitty manages to run rings around the local police, though admittedly Matt does lend a hand.

The ongoing subplot linked to the death of Kitty’s mother takes another turn and a promising new character in the form of Bertie, a lively cocker spaniel that had belonged to Travers, is adopted by Matt.

Again, this is a delightful novel and series that is perfect to curl up with and escape for a few hours to a simpler time.

I am pleased to see that Book 9 is already listed for a summer release.

We’re back with Kitty and Matt who, in hoping to help out a friend, find themselves at another murder scene, this time on a train. With a limited suspect pool, only a deep dive into each person’s character and possible motive is likely to lead to the killer. Can they get their man before the murderer sets their sights on them?

This book, in comparison to others in the series, is a little different to previous ones because the reader meets all the suspects at the beginning but very enjoyable!

The cast of characters which run through the series makes these cosy mysteries and this group is a delight!

If you love cosy historical murder mysteries, this whole series is a treat! I highly recommend it, it’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Murder In First Class' by Helena Dixon.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Helena Dixon, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 16th February 2022.

This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the eighth book in the 'Miss Underhay' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Murder On The Dance Floor', 'Murder At The Wedding' and 'Murder At Elm House' which I would highly recommend.

I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Perfect for fans of fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.' I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Helena and if this is as good as 'Murder On The Dance Floor', 'Murder At The Wedding' and 'Murder At Elm House' it is sure to be a good read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue and 27 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book is based in Devon, UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited Devon on many occasions including this year so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Kitty Underhay and Captain Matthew Bryant. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.

Yet another fantastic murder mystery by the very talented Helena Dixon!!! Congratulations 🎊 🎉 🎈

This book was very well written and I do believe some research went into it as everything linked correctly in with the era it was set in. It is a real bug bear for me when I read a historical novel and the author hasn't done their research and gets basic information mixed up so well done Helena!! It was very well written and I found the synopsis and the cover fitted the storyline perfectly, The descriptions were great and it really felt as if I was in the story.

The storyline was very interesting and quite fast paced. There was the main storyline based on the deaths in first class but you also had the side storyline of Ezekial as well as the mystery that Miss Briggs had asked Kitty and Matt to solve. I absolutely loved that this murder mystery took place on a steam train as I found it very atmospheric and it was even more exciting as there was a very small amount of suspects. I really enjoyed that it was set in the past and the storyline really suited that. It really is a nice cozy mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. At no point did I suspect who was doing what or why so a huge well done there Helena!!! I have read many a mystery and find that I am working out the killer/perp quicker every time and there's nothing worse than working out who did what when your need even half way through a book. Not only is this quite a suspense and action filled mystery but there was just the right amount of quirkiness, laughter and romance to give it a nice mix!!! A fun, addictive, unputdownable cozy crime mystery. This is a fantastic series and if you have never read any of Helena's previous books then you are definitely missing out. I, personally, would like to add that I think each storyline has got better and better which is a very rare thing for a series. I also loved the cliffhanger at the end!!

Although this is the eighth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

I am really invested in the characters and really enjoyed Kitty and her fantastic and quirky personality!!! In fact all of the characters had their own individual personalities which worked really well with each other. I especially enjoyed getting to know Matt, Alice and Dolly more. However, I am looking forward to meeting them all again in the next 'episode' of Miss Underhay's adventures which I'm sure will be just as exciting as this one!! I absolutely adored that Kitty and Matt will be getting married which has been a long time coming and I'm thoroughly looking forward to what promises to be a very exciting wedding as Kitty does not do anything by halves!! I also adore the fact that we now have the new character of Bertie the dog who has made an explosive entrance and a fantastic addition to what is an absolutely addictive series!!!

Well done Helen on yet another fantastic success and here's to the next addition to an addictive page turning series 🥂!!!

Overall a perfect mix of mystery, crime, romance, laughter and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!!


Genres covered in this novel include Historical, Cozy Mystery, Murder Mystery and Crime among others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for a nice easy mystery to read while curled up in front of the fire.


279 pages.

This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Kitty Underhay had been looking for information about her mother. She is finally ready for closure now that she is certain about who is responsible for her mother's murder. In fact, her new fiancé, Captain Matthew Bryant, is called into play when he is tasked to briefly house Simon Travers, a witness as to what happened to Kitty's mother. As Kitty and Matthew head to the train station to pick up his soon-to-be houseguest, they discover that he is dead, killed during the train ride. The fact that the compartment he was riding in only contained a few other travelers, discovering the murderer should be easy.

Kitty is determined to discover the murderer, thus she begins to make inquiries. However, things do not prove easy as the very individual she is certain committed the crime is also murdered. Even more determined than ever, Kitty feels she now has two murders to solve. Matthew plays his own role, as his former employer expects him to find answers.

One of the passengers on the train is someone that Kitty is not all that fond of, Mrs. Craven, but Kitty has no doubt she had nothing to do with the murder. Despite her dislike of the older lady, Kitty finds herself interested in what she has to say. Meanwhile, Kitty recently was on holiday, with only a few days left until she is back to managing her hotel, The Dolphin. In fact, while investigating, Kitty often wonders what her future will hold when she marries Matthew.

What a delightful book in a thoroughly enjoyable series. Each book was intriguing, and no doubt will always leave the reader guessing. This series has definitely grown on me and I love that each book is fresh and exciting. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that the first murder victim was traveling with his dog, leaving the pet without anyone to care for him. Matthew quickly adopts the mischevious animal, and this brings another enjoyable layer to this lovely story. I am already looking for the 9th book in this series, Murder at the Country Club, set for release in just a few months.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Favorite Quote:

Her friend was bearing a tray of tea and toast, with a side dish of gossip.

My Review:

I have vastly enjoyed the installments of this series that I’ve been lucky enough to nab. Helena Dixon’s writing style is a joy to read, easy to follow, and scrolls smoothly with each scene brilliantly described and thoroughly composed in both thought and deed. Her work would make an excellent series for the small screen and better than most currently airing. Even the secondary characters are uniquely compelling and so well detailed I feel I could recognize them in a crowd. Kitty Underhay is a plucky gal ahead of her time yet respectful of convention. The storylines are historically accurate, unpredictable, and pleasantly engaging. I am already looking forward to their next caper.

This one wasn't my favorite. It almost felt like Kitty's contributions faded into the background and the mystery just sort of solved itself.

Another of my favorite cozy historical mystery series circa 1934 set in Dartmouth.

This 8th installment features Kitty Underhay and her fiance, Captain Matthew Bryant, unraveling the clues after the discovery of a murdered man in the first class compartment of a train from London. In addition, Kitty is waiting for word about a potential meeting with Ezekiel Hammet after he is finally captured and taken to prison.

Though the dead man in the first class carriage was found upon the train's arrival at the station, there are only 7 other passengers who could have been responsible. Kitty and Matt have an interesting investigation trying to figure out who did it and why.

I enjoy the interaction between Kitty and Matt and now they are saddled with the victim's dog that adds new consternation in their busy lives. I love the period details and look forward to seeing how Kitty changes as she will soon marry. As with any long-running series, I feel this doesn't work as a standalone as there is so much backstory to this pair with their previous adventures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I look forward to the next installment.

Murder in First Class by Helena Dixon is a coy taking place in England after World War II. Things have loosened up for society and its strict lines of demarcation, as well as the place in the world for women. Women have many more opportunities for something more than menial work. Take Kitty Underhay for instance: she and her grandmother ran a hotel and she and her fiancé were private investigators. Matt, Captain Matthew Bryant, was retired military and military intelligence. They had just become engaged and were still adjusting to that reality. Matt had been married before and had a child. His wife and child were killed in a bombing raid during the war and he was still adjusting to that sometimes. He was older than she was; that didn't bother them, but it did bother others, like his parents. As much as he avoided being pulled back into his former profession, it happened sometimes. Like this morning, when his former boss had called about a key witness in a jewelry store holdup who was being threatened. Since they suspected a mole in the office, none of the normal safe houses could be used. They were sending him to Matt to stay for a few days. When he and Kitty arrived at the train station to retrieve him, there was a commotion. Someone was dead. You guessed it: it was Matt's guest. The whole thing took place in a railway car with seven people, no one came or left, and no one from the outside entered. Talk about a conundrum.

At the same time as all of this, Kitty was to go visit the only man that could tell her why her mother had been murdered, years before. Permission had finally come through. This visit proved to be more harrowing than one might expect. Dixon has written a charming series. It's pretty formal but has interesting characters to add to that already charming mix. She puts together a variety of inter-related characters, so full of personality and background, that it seems almost true. That is the way life can be. The plot was good, almost a locked room mystery, a type of English mysteries made popular a century before. The writing was smooth, pacing was good, and everything in it made sense, if a bit dependent on luck. It is fun to read. Kitty and Matt are good characters and Dixon has us cheering for them. I like it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder in First Class by Bookoutre, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #bookoutre #helenadixon #murderinfirstclass

Captain Bryant is instructed by his former boss to collect Simon Travers from the local train as events mean he needs a safe haven for a few days. Unfortunately when the train arrives he is dead, stabbed. In the enclosed First Class compartment there can only be six suspects. But what motive could any of them have. and how was he killed in plain sight. Inspector Greville asks that Captain Matthew Bryant and Kitty Underhay help in the investigation.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery, with its cast of likeable and varied characters especially the two main characters. Another good addition to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.