I love Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories books and was interested to see a book in a different genre. Unfortunately I was left slightly disappointed. Although I liked the writing style, the characters were unlikeable and the plot was predictable.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

I’ve loved the authors books since being a child, so although this is a complete 180 from his usual style, I felt compelled to try it. I found it hard going at first, as it felt like too many people were introduced at once, and it got confusing reading from each of their POV, however by the time I got to about 30-40% of way through the book became enjoyable, and by 70% I couldn’t put it down. The ending is very well written, and there are clues throughout as to who the murderer is and how things are connected, which are easily picked up on, but the ability of the reader to guess early on whodunnit doesn’t spoil the enjoyment of the story. A very interesting read, and I would read others from this author in this style

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
An entertaining and quite different murder mystery - wherein the mystery is not so much who is the murderer, but rather who is the person being murdered. Deary takes on a wide genre and gives it his own unique spin, I’m certain he will gain new fans with this diversion from his previous endeavours - I’m certainly one of them.

I loved Terry’s books as a child (and even as an adult!). I used to beg my mum to get the latest instalment and now as an adult I can get them when I want! Anyway, I didn’t know what to expect of this but I knew I had to request it… and boy, I was not disappointed. I was gripped and loved following the colourful characters on offer as I got to know them all and their backstory. I will be rereading as I feel like more will be on offer second time round.

This was quite fun despite the tittle it was usual and had a golden age of crime feel to it but with modern day wit and smarts it was interesting given the authors history it's a good book snaps to him well done good job all round

Started off beautifully, dragged in the middle, ended somewhat flat.

This felt like it had so much potential but it just failed to deliver. After a while the coincidences just become an irritant and I’m not sure if I was meant to realise who the murderer was but if it was meant to cause suspense, it didn’t. It seemed so obvious that I truly hope it was written that way, if it was though, why?

Meh, suited to those who like a book made from coincidences with obvious twists and no surprises.

Actually, I was a huge fan of this book.

Right from the beginning, it caught me and flung me into a compelling mystery, with twists and turns that’ll have you rapidly turning pages (or buttons if you’re reading this on the kindle!).

I have loved pretty much all of Terry Deary’s books as a child and now as he ventures into adult mysteries and stories, I too shall follow. Picking up this book honestly wasn’t hard and I couldn’t wait to get stick in.

It was a really great plot and I love suspense filled mysteries so this was a sure fire hit. Great writing, easy characters to follow and dramas you can’t wait to see unfold. Enjoyed from beginning to end!

In 1973, four people meet on a train to Sunderland.
Whilst talking about their lives, Mr Brown casually reveals "actually I'm a murderer"

Upon leaving the train,two of them approach the police and report the conversation but the non descript man has already disappeared.

By the end of the following day all their lives have changed and the danger to their lives increased from the murderer who always finishes the job

A new departure for Terry Deary and a good one which I enjoyed very much!



I would like to thank Netgalley and Constable Publishing for the chance to read and review this book.

Fifty years ago, four strangers were on a fateful train ride from London to Sunderland. As they got chatting about their lives and jobs, one of them declared "Actually, I'm a Murderer". Disturbed by his casual attitude, two of them report him to the police - but he has already disappeared. By the end of the following day, each of them will be changed for good - and all of them will be in danger from the nondescript man who always finishes a job.

As a huge fan of Horrible Histories, I was very excited to read Terry Deary's take on a crime novel and this did not disappoint! I must admit I did work out the major solution to the end of the novel, but it was still thoroughly enjoyable to read. 4*.

Set in 1973, There are four strangers are on a late-night train to Newcastle.

They begin to chat and one admits to being a killer..what happens next is pure delight for a reader. no spoilers from me...

I love this author, in fact I live quite near to him and he is much loved.

This is a unique read, it reminded me of Hitchcock type thrillers and I loved how the characters interwined. I did partly guess what the twist would be but this book is different and it really didn't matter.

It has humour and it's a proper send up of the times. I chuckled out loud at times and this is why I loved it so much

Slow to start, but got better as it went on. The ‘big’ twist I got onto straight away, but I still managed to enjoy the story.

Wild from start to finish.

I don't think I was prepared for this story. It's completely unpredictable. I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up this book but it wasn't this. It was tense but light-hearted. Dark but in the darkly comical tone that is just so Terry Deary. It is that tone that first drew me to Horrible Histories as a child and I loved that it's still there in his murder mystery.

If you liked Horrible Histories growing up and are murder mystery fans, this is 100% for you.

Interesting premise: It's 1973 and four strangers are on a late-night train to Newcastle. One admits to being a hired killer.

This is a send-up of 1970s policing with plenty of contemporary details, including depictions of casual/aggressive sexism/misogyny.

With lots of asides, farcical elements and addresses to the reader, fans of the Horrible Histories books may well enjoy the author’s first foray into crime fiction.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

There was quite a lot to like in this book - I thought the author did a good job of creating a North East in the 1970s setting with all that implies around almost casually accepted sexism and class difference.
The premise - four strangers on a train get to talking about their professions, with one revealing he's an assassin for hire, and how that affects all their futures in the short and long term.
The central conceit is a vital one for the story but some readers may find it a big step in believability to start the novel with. A (self professed) meticulously careful killer who will dispatch anyone he considers might even have paid too much attention to him blurting out so readily what he does because of over medication? If you can accept that then you'll get caught up in the network of coincidences and criss crossing of paths which add an almost farcical feel to the book (the fact one of the main characters is an actor who references farce productions several times is clearly no accident by the author).
While the novel has a dual timeline, it's really only in the bookends that the more modern aspect come into play - mostly this is a short time period story where a lot happens over a couple of days.
The pre-blurb said it was ideal for fans of Anthony Horowitz which I can see slightly, but perhaps because it's a debut novel, it didn't quite have the confident footing of that author in its' use of humour for me, but I read it in a couple of sittings - it's an easy, fast going story and while none of the characters particularly 'appealed', the sense of period and location worked well.

Unfortunately, this just felt like a bad pastiche. Could be an interesting concept with the right writer, but DNF

Quite honestly, one of the most surprising books I’ve read for 2025. Coming from the author of Horrible Histories, you’d expect something unique and this is it. Four strangers meet on a train in the 1970s – and each share their profession. Someone is perhaps too vocal in what they undertake, for a fee, of course… Here begins a journey where they are thrown together: one turns blackmailer, one forced to commit a crime. A cast of eccentric characters are woven in for what is a punchy, perfectly pitched story that borders – at times – on the ridiculous, but you want to keep reading nonetheless. In fact, it’s because it’s so clever and fantastical in part that you’re keen to learn how it ends (which is also excellent).