THE SPANISH DIPLOMAT'S SECRET

Murder on a trans-Atlantic ship, with a luxe collection of suspects.

As his wife, Lady Diana Framji, twirls around the ballroom, former Indian soldier and occasional sleuth James Agnihotri, aka Jim O’Trey, is vomiting his rich dinner over the rail of the HMS Etruria. He’s approached by a concerned military veteran who turns out to be the eponymous diplomat. It’s 1894, and the “floating fortress” has an international guest list on its journey from Boston to Liverpool. James senses mystery and tension beneath the surface of the passengers, even Diana. His suspicions are confirmed when, shortly after he receives a note from the Spanish gentleman, who identifies himself as J. Nepomuceno and requests a meeting, the man is found garroted in his stateroom. Fearing that the ship will be detained in Liverpool until the killer is found, Capt. Hawley requests Jim’s assistance in solving the crime. The flow of the investigation and the circle of suspects have a classic feel right down to the characters’ names, from stewardess Edna Pickle and Dr. Witherspoon to guests Evangeline Pontin, Beau Lattibeaudiere, and Palmer Bly, and waiflike maid Dora Zu. March’s gift for elevated language nicely supports the period setting, and this third book in the series advances the core relationship between newlyweds Diana and James. Along the way to solving the intricate mystery, they banter like a shipboard Nick and Nora, and he eventually learns the source of her initial unease.

Familiar mystery tropes are skillfully woven into an entertaining vintage whodunit.