Four stars Shadow of the Queen feels like being handed a first-class ticket to a 1929 floating city where everyone has secrets and Agatha Christie is casually strolling the decks. Suddenly I wasn’t just reading a cozy mystery, but holding a ticket to board the Queen Victoria myself. Finley’s attention to historical detail is stellar, from the subtle hints of looming financial disaster to the lavishness of first-class dining, you can practically hear the propellers turning. Maeve Chandler is an engaging lead: curious, smart, and not afraid to bend the rules of propriety in pursuit of answers. Her apprenticeship under Agatha Christie (yes, the real Agatha Christie!) adds a delightful meta twist that fans of classic mysteries will adore. The plot is layered and keeps the suspense alive, though it occasionally juggles so many passengers and potential suspects that I had to double-check the lexicon Finley thoughtfully provided. That was my only gripe with the story. The mystery itself is classic and cozy: multiple deaths, a sprawling suspect pool, and that satisfying sense that all the threads will eventually tie into a neat, logical bow. It’s less about shocking gore and more about pattern-spotting and enjoying the interplay between Maeve, Agatha, and the glittering-yet-grim world of the Queen Victoria. Would I recommend it? Cozy mystery lovers, historical fiction fans, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of sailing with Agatha Christie: clear shelf space NOW. Mark your calendars, add it to your carts, and prepare to cancel weekend plans.

Four and a half stars The ocean liner murder mystery is a well-worn genre, but Scott Finley manages to breathe fresh life into it with his new thriller, “Shadow of the Queen.” Set aboard the luxury liner Queen Victoria in the immediate aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash, the story follows head nurse Maeve Chandler as a seemingly straightforward passenger death spirals into a complex web of murder, international intrigue and Communist plots. Finley immediately distinguishes Maeve from the typical amateur detective. She’s a working professional whose medical knowledge and familiarity with ship operations make her uniquely suited to investigation. Her keen wit and occasional clumsiness humanize her without diminishing her capabilities. The budding romance with newly-arrived ship’s doctor Leslie Harper provides welcome romantic levity while never overshadowing the central mystery. Their interactions feel well-rendered, frequently interrupted by the demands of their duties rather than contrived plot devices. The most original element of the book is Finley’s handling of Agatha Christie as a fictionalised character. Traveling incognito as “Mrs. Templeton,” Christie becomes Maeve’s mentor in detection while remaining thoroughly human. Rather than reducing her to a collection of writerly quirks, Finley captures her sharp intelligence and dry humor. The partnership between these women drives the story forward more compellingly than any romantic subplot. It’s an ambitious choice that largely pays off. Besides Agatha Christie, the ship itself emerges as a vital character, from the opulent first-class dining salon to the industrial maze of the boiler rooms. Finley demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of period ocean liner operations while weaving technical details naturally into the story. The contrast between public spaces and crew areas mirrors the extreme class divisions of this period. This extends beyond simple upstairs-downstairs division to include tensions between different grades of crew members and the complex social hierarchies of passengers. Where many historical mysteries struggle with period authenticity, “Shadow” succeeds in capturing both the glamour and underlying darkness of late 1920s trans-Atlantic travel. The stock market crash looms over the entire voyage. In addition, the shadow of World War I haunts several characters, their wartime experiences driving present-day motivations and choices. Even small details like clothing, shipboard routines, and contemporary references feel well-researched and ring trues without becoming mere window dressing. The central mystery unfolds at a brisk pace while maintaining coherence. What begins with a poisoned drink served to the wrong passenger evolves into a conspiracy involving Communist agents among the crew. Finley plants enough genuine clues for attentive readers while maintaining suspense through clever misdirection. The ultimate revelation proves both surprising and logical, though one could argue a few plot threads resolve somewhat conveniently. Besides the inclusion of real historical figures, the novel’s greatest strength lies in its atmosphere. Finley captures the unique world of an ocean liner – a closed society where social boundaries both rigid and fluid create fertile ground for tension and crime. The Queen Victoria becomes a sort of microcosm of 1929 society. “Shadow of the Queen” establishes a promising foundation for future mysteries that will appeal to Christie and Miss Marple fans. Finley has created a rich cast of characters that could support many more books. More importantly, he’s crafted a protagonist in Maeve Chandler whose continued adventures readers will eagerly anticipate. This maiden voyage proves satisfying while leaving one ready to book passage for the next crossing.

Five stars Shadow of the Queen is the first book in the Voyages of the Queen series by Scott Finley, and I’m looking forward to reading more. A historical mystery set during a week in 1929, on the Queen Victoria crossing from England to New York City, my interest was held from the beginning. The book is fast-paced with multiple storylines, a slew of characters, and many murders. Agatha Christie is posing as a passenger under another name, and she, along with the nurse and the head doctor on the cruise, piece together clues, sift through the red herrings, and solve the crimes and uncover the murderers before they become the next victims. The story is told from Maeve’s point of view. She’s the nurse on the ship, and she and Dr. Harper work well together and also have an attraction. The descriptions throughout are vivid, and the story flows well, with plenty of twists and turns and quite a few surprises. The finding out whodunnit was satisfying, and I can’t wait to delve into the next book, an excerpt of which was included in the back of the book, along with a Reader’s Group Guide and a glossary of terms and historical figures, products, and events that added interesting facts to what I just read. Shadow of the Queen is a mystery waiting to be solved as we cross the Atlantic with a cast of characters, many of whom were beloved by the end.