Murder on the Golden Arrow: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery
About Murder on the Golden Arrow: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery
What's a bright young woman to do when her brother becomes the main suspect in a murder? Why, solve the case of course. England.
1923. After a year away at finishing school where she learned etiquette, deportment, and the difference between a salad fork and a fish one, Kitty Worthington is eager to return home. But minutes after she and her brother Ned board the Golden Arrow, the unthinkable happens.
A woman with a mysterious connection to her brother is poisoned, and the murderer can only be someone aboard the train. When Scotland Yard hones in on Ned as the main suspect, Kitty sets out to investigate. Not an easy thing to do while juggling the demands of her debut season and a mother intent on finding a suitable, aristocratic husband for her.
With the aid of her maid, two noble beaus, and a flatulent Basset Hound named Sir Winston, Kitty treads a fearless path through the glamorous world of high society and London's dark underbelly alike to find the murderer. For if she fails, the insufferable Inspector Crawford will most surely hang a noose around her brother's neck. A frolicking historical cozy mystery filled with dodgy suspects, a dastardly villain, and an intrepid heroine sure to win your heart, Murder on the Golden Arrow is the first book in The Kitty Worthington Mysteries.
For lovers of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey alike.
What readers say
Readers enjoy this 1920s series opener for its spirited, clever heroine, glamorous train and high-society setting, steady trail of clues and red herrings and a flirtatious slow-burn romance with the inspector, and many compare it to classic golden-age mysteries. Common criticisms are a thinly drawn supporting cast, a heroine some find privileged or preachy, a love interest who comes across as abrupt and plot points that strain belief. Several readers also point to bland dialogue, editing slips and language and details that feel off for the period.
Best for: Readers who want a light, glamorous 1920s cozy with a bold young heroine and a slow-burn romance.
Summary of public reader reviews, updated November 2026.
